Apparently, the lumber industry has taken a major hit.

Regions of the country like New England that rely on full operation of the mills are not just getting it, and there are stories of companies closing down their mills. This includes power house Georgia Pacific.

But now comes word that the mills are starting to get back on line because of the need for fuel. That’s right, the mills in Maine can be used in the production of renewable fuels like ethanol and biomass.

Georgia Pacific has re-opened a plant in Maine and rehired close to 200 workers. Red Shield has a three point plan to turn a closed Georgia Pacific mill into a biofuel refinery. The mill will make pulp that can be used in products such as clothing, then burn wood waste to run the mill and to sell electricity to other businesses. The mill will also produce ethanol from a waste component of the pulp called hemicellulose. This feedstock is essentially free, so Red Shield can make ethanol for less than $1.30 a gallon.



All of this has proved ideal for the populous. Families have been working the mills for generations and it appears that there is potential that they will be working them for more generations to come.