• Biomass energy is the fuel type used in the combustion process to make steam that turns the turbine.
• In MEE’s case, the fuel is clean urban wood residues -- tree trimmings and other woody plants.
• The fuel is not  garbage. 
• There’s more than enough biomass waste produced in the Twin Cities – due to tree trimming, storm damage, land clearing and brush removal.

The Power of MEE

• MEE will produce enough electricity for approximately 18,000 households or potentially every city building, library, school, streetlight and traffic light in the City.
• More than 2,000,000 square feet of homes and businesses will be heated
• In most cases 80% of the time electricity generated by MEE will be used by homes and businesses  within 3 miles of the facility.

The Economics of MEE

• MEE will create 20 full-time jobs, at an average salary of $63,000.
• 35% of the jobs will be filled by Empowerment Zone residents.
• During project construction, 200 more jobs will be created.
• Annual property tax, fees and financing payments to the City, county and school district will be $900,000.

The Impact of MEE

• There are significant environmental benefits from offsetting the electrical power otherwise supplied by coal-fired power plants. 
• MEE will eliminate 260 million pounds in greenhouses gases annually vs. (coal generation).
• The MEE facility will establish Minneapolis as a leader among cities in the global movement to reduce the effects of climate change.

This will advance the city’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.

• MEE will renovate the South Transfer Station (a structure built in 1939) and its grounds.
• The MEE facility is located near the intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street.
• It’s not far from the new light-rail line.
• This facility will also provide a low-cost, long-term stable energy source to help the city attract private investment for redevelopment of the Lake Street commercial corridor and the Midtown Greenway.