Maximizing our use of green energy sources

Green power can be described as electricity produced in an environmentally friendly manner, from sources that include the sun, wind, and water. Approximately two-thirds of the energy used by Finch Paper’s pulp mill and paper machines is green power—it comes from on-site, renewable sources.

It all starts with the Hudson River, which has provided our energy in the form of emission-free, renewable hydropower, since 1938.  Hydroelectricity is created by the gravitational force of falling water. This green power technology started with a water wheel in the late 1800s and has grown to account for 88% of the world’s renewable electricity.

The hydro plant at Finch Paper generates the same amount of electricity as 3.1 million gallons of oil – and it’s all emission-free energy.

We also operate our own cogeneration facility, which converts 600 tons per day of biomass (bark, sawdust and rejected wood chips) into steam which powers our equipment. This process keeps wood waste out of the landfill and generates enough electricity to run 11,614 households a year.

These on-site renewable energy sources help power BOTH our pulp mill and our paper machines.