Katahdin Cedar Log Homes Fires Up New Boiler January 29, 2007

Company Invests in Green Alternative to Fossil Fuels to Heat Mills

OAKFIELD, Maine, January 29, 2007 — After eighteen months of construction and an investment of $750,000, Katahdin Cedar Log Homes fired up its new 14–million–BTU wood–fueled boiler. "The new boiler heating system will reap tremendous benefits for Katahdin," predicted David Gordon, president of Katahdin. "We can cut our fossil fuel consumption by up to 90 percent, recycle even more of the materials we once discarded, and increase safety."

Designed for maximum efficiency and minimal emissions

The state-of–the–art computer controlled 4,000–gallon boiler will burn wood shavings produced during Katahdin’s manufacturing process to steam heat most of the buildings on the company’s mill site. The industrial–sized boiler could heat approximately 140 average homes. Oxygen sensors in the firebox maintain efficient combustion. A Multicyclone particulate collector captures coarser particulate matter before the smoke enters the 7–foot high stack. These devices result in minimal smoke, well below the maximum rates set by Maine law.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Air Quality classifies this boiler as a Minor Source of Air Emissions and licenses the boiler. The license requires Katahdin to operate the entire facility in compliance with state regulations and to monitor and report daily fuel consumption for the wood boiler. The boiler is also subject to New Source Performance Standards for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which includes notification and maintenance of daily combustion record.

Cost-savings and ability to expand

"We are constantly looking for ways to cut our costs and facilitate our ability to expand in the future. We designed the boiler system with 50 percent more capacity than our current needs to allow for economical future expansion." Gordon explained. "One of our ongoing goals is to use every last remnant of the cedar logs we start with. This new boiler allows us to use the shavings we once had to truck away for disposal." Katahdin produces other cedar-related products including fencing, bark mulch, outdoor planters and arbors from trimmings and below-grade logs.

The employees noticed the difference almost immediately when the boiler was fired up. "At the end of the day, our workers noticed that they no longer got a blast of sawdust from their car defrosters," Gordon said. "The boiler operation has reduced the amount of airborne sawdust and shavings on the mill site. This cleaner worksite is much safer for all of us."

Founded in 1973 by Foster Gordon and two associates, Katahdin Cedar Log Homes is one of the largest log home manufacturers in the U.S. and is the largest processor of Northern white cedar in the world. David Gordon continues his father's legacy by providing high quality, cedar log homes at affordable prices. Based in Oakfield, Maine, Katahdin Cedar Log Homes is a division of Katahdin Forest Products and has more than 100 employees.

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