In 2001, Hawesville's Domtar plant (then Willamette Industries) began
producing its own electricity from its papermaking manufacturing process.

And now this "green energy" is being sold through Hancock County's local
electric provider, Kenergy Corp., through a program titled EnviroWatts.

As the demand for using renewable resources rises, energy cooperatives
across the nation are researching alternatives to produce electricity.

This particular energy is generated from biomass power. Biomass can mean a
number of renewable resources, but in this case it includes bark, sawdust,
cellulose fibers and black liquor - by-products of manufacturing paper.

These by-products are burned to make steam for the pulp and papermaking
process. Willamette added a generator to its system to turn a steam turbine
in order to generate power. This means the steam is being used twice - once
for producing electricity and again for the manufacturing process.

This benefits both the plant and the environment.

"By burning biomass instead of natural gas, carbon dioxide emissions are
less," said Joel Howell, Domtar's Hawesville Environmental/Technical
Manager.

This high efficiency operation has reduced annual carbon dioxide emissions
by 267,000 tons (as compared to electricity produced by fossil fuels).

The electricity is generated at an 86-percent rate of efficiency, meaning it
requires 24-percent less fuel than traditional electric generation.

"Because of using the steam in the process - after it has been used to
produce electricity - it is a more efficient operation," said Howell.

During the winter Hawesville's plant generates 50-52 Megawatts of power per
hour to produce more heat for the facility. In summer months it is more like
45 Megawatts per hour, said Howell.

"The Megawatts vary on the amount of steam needed by the process," he said.

Big Rivers purchases the "green power," termed EnviroWatts, from Domtar as a
result of requests from their customers, creating an electricity trade
agreement between the two companies. In turn the "green energy" is sold
through Big Rivers' three members, one of which is Kenergy.

Kenergy offers the EnviroWatts to residents, businesses and industries - but
at a limited supply. A minimum 100 Kilowatt-hour block is required for
purchase. And in order to purchase EnviroWatts, a person must agree to buy
that amount for one year.

The cost of electricity generated from renewable resource energy is higher
than electricity produced from conventional sources, says Kenergy, because
the market value of renewable resource energy is higher than the market
value of base load coal generated power. As a result the company collects a
$0.0363 surcharge per kilowatt-hour for residential customers, to cover the
additional costs.  If someone purchases 200 kwh, it would add $7.26 to a
customer's bill for the month.

There is no special equipment needed to run EnviroWatts in your home or
business, and no noticeable difference in the electricity output.

Although the cost is higher, it gives customers the comfort of knowing they
are using electricity produced from a renewable resource - something many
individuals are striving to do.

"We are always looking at alternative renewable energy options," said Lisa
Owen, Kenergy's Communications Manager.

Owen said this biomass project is the first source that Kenergy has
utilized. However, she said Kenergy is constantly receiving information on
other routes, such as solar and wind.

To learn more about EnviroWatts, please call toll-free at 1-800-844-4832 to
speak with a Kenergy Customer Service Representative.