Plans for renewaFuel production facility plans approved by Cliffs' board.

SAWYER -- Cliffs Natural Resources takes another step forward in their plans for a next-generation biomass production plant.

renewaFUEL has been in the works for nearly two years.

At a press conference on Friday, Cliffs' chairman, president and CEO Joe Carrabba, announced that renewaFUEL will move forward with a lease agreement for two large aircraft hangars at Telkite Technology Park.

"It's nice to have them select Marquette County to locate it in," said chairman Gerry Corkin of the Marquette County Board.  "Green energy is certainly the wave of future, so we're extremely excited."

Subject to final approval by the Marquette County Board, the $19 million project is set to take about nine months.  Once complete, the plant will employ 25 people and will produce 150,000 tons of biofuel cubes per year, made from materials like corn stalks and wood by-products.

Cliffs has been around for a long time," said Joe Carraba chairman, president and CEO of Cliffs.  "We expect the Tilden Mine to be here for a long, long time and we want to make sure we secure the fuel supplies to manage this mine in an environmentally-friendly way for the future."

Besides using the biofuel cubes themselves, the Marquette Board of Light and Power will also use the cubes as an alternative to coal at their Shiras Steam Plant.

"It has significant environmental benefits compared to fossil fuels, which are traditionally used to power plants," said president James Mennell of renewaFUEL.

Production is expected to begin by the middle of 2010, and the plant, said officials, has the potential to offset the greenhouse gases of every car in Marquette County.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4:00 p.m. - Newsroom

As usual, I am running very late.  A quick update on my story.  The plant, renewaFUEL, has been in the works for nearly two years.  Plans to move forward with it were slowed almost to a complete halt due to the economy.  Since confidence is being restored in economic stability of our nation, things are once again moving. 

An interesting fact to point out:  the president of renewaFUEL said the plant can potentially offset the greenhouse gases of every car in Marquette County.  That's something to think about.

Make sure to watch my story on your TV6 Early News.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10:30 a.m. - Sawyer

The mood at the press conference is high.  Everyone in attendance is excited about the news, which is expected to bring in jobs and money to the area.  Here's what I know thus far:  renewaFUEL is expected to employ 25 people and will produce 150,000 tons per year of high-energy, low-emission biofuel cubes.  The cubes are made up of sustainably collected wood and agricultural feedstocks.

renewaFUEL will be housed inside two former B-52 aircraft hangars.  Before they can move in, renewaFUEL must their plans approved by the Marquette County Board of Commissioners.

I'll have another update later today.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:30 a.m. - Newsroom

This is my first day back on the job after a week-long vacation.  I find that I always seem to move a little slower after being off, but I've got to move fast to get to my story on time.

This morning, Cleveland-Cliffs is making an announcement about their plans for a biomass production plant.  The facility will be located at the Telkite Technology Park in Sawyer.  Once begun, construction and renovation at the facility will take about nine months. 

Make sure you check back later today.  I will have more information after the press conference.