Background
Rock-Tenn is Minnesota’s largest paper recycling plant, occupying 42 acres at Vandalia and University in St. Paul. Last fall, the company lost its energy source when Xcel Energy closed its High Bridge coal plant. Rock-Tenn began burning fuel oil and natural gas on-site.
The Minnesota State Legislature allocated $4 million to study renewable energy options for Rock-Tenn. The Saint Paul Port Authority was assigned by the Legislature to manage the study. The Saint Paul Port Authority convened the Rock-Tenn Community Advisory Panel (RCAP) to advise on the study. Membership includes representation from District Councils, other neighborhood groups, the Midway Chamber of Commerce, the Union and at-large community membership. RCAP has been meeting since August 2007.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What organizations are responsible for coordinating the renewable energy study?
The Saint Paul Port Authority was assigned by the Legislature to manage the study. The Port Authority has entered into a professional services agreement with Ever-Green Energy (formerly Market Street Energy) to conduct engineering related components of the study.
Who are the members of the Rock-Tenn Community Advisory Panel (RCAP)?
RCAP is made up of fifteen community representatives advising on a study of renewable energy choices to fuel Rock-Tenn’s paper recycling operations in St. Paul. The legislation mandated the St. Paul Port Authority to convene an advisory panel composed of members recommended by District Councils from Hamline-Midway(D11), St. Anthony Park (D12), Union Park (D13), Macalester Groveland(D14) and other members as appropriate. The District Councils also chose to invite representatives for unions and the Midway Chamber of Commerce. The District Councils also worked with SPPA to appoint four at-large delegates and 3 at-large alternates. The panelists contribute knowledge and experience from a diverse background of community, environmental, legal, legislative, and engineering expertise.
How will RCAP participate in the study and the decision-making process?
The Saint Paul Port Authority is charged with assessing the environmental, technical and economic feasibility of building an energy plant for Rock-Tenn. RCAP began its fact-finding efforts beginning in August 2007. Throughout the process, members have advised on experts, work orders, and other work to manage improve the scope of the study. RCAP has reviewed the information available on fuels, emissions, and technology and begun reviewing potential findings for consensus. These consensus items have also been included in the report being drafted by SPPA (see findings at the end of each FAQ section). This summer, RCAP will work with SPPA and District Councils to consider options and make recommendations to the City Council.
What is the timeframe for the study?
Rock-Tenn, City Officials, and the Community are all interested in remedying Rock-Tenn’s current fuel situation and hope to identify an alternative during this first Phase of the study. The study began in August 2007 and is poised for completion by August 2008. Recommendations from the RCAP, Saint Paul Port Authority and District Councils will be shared with the community during public meetings and comment periods this summer and early fall. The results of the study and stakeholder recommendations will be presented to the City Council in the fall of 2008. Depending on recommendations, environmental review could commence by the end of 2008.