Burgess BioPower could soon close

The sustaining of the governor’s veto of House Bill 142 on Thursday could mean that Burgess BioPower, the 75-megawatt biomass plant and the state’s largest renewable energy generator that produces 10 percent of New Hampshire’s power, could soon close. Proponents of Burgess, however, said the Berlin-based plant provides dozens of direct jobs and supports the forest products industry and supporting businesses and jobs across the North Country and beyond, as well as providing economic benefits beyond any ratepayer money it receives. The goal with HB 142 was to ensure the plant would run for the next two years, and in the meantime, develop a plan for it to become sustainable and self-sufficient.