Flambeau River Papers earns Wisconsin energy award

NEENAH, WI, June 2, 2009 (Press Release) - BPM Inc of Peshtigo, Wis. and Flambeau River Papers, LLC of Park Falls, Wis. were honored on May 28 at the Wisconsin Paper Council's Annual Meeting in Neenah, Wis. for earning the prestigious Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency.
With the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, both paper manufacturers have launched aggressive energy saving efforts and continue to investigate new technologies and find more ways to save energy throughout their mills. Efficiency efforts both mills have taken include:

• Completing numerous feasibility studies to find innovative and cost effective ways to save energy,
• Hiring an on-staff energy engineer dedicated to completing energy efficiency projects,
• Upgrading lighting, steam trap, motor and compressed air systems mill-wide,
• Improving equipment operating efficiency with continued preventive maintenance.

"We're proud to present BPM Inc and Flambeau River Papers with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency," said Ken Williams, Focus on Energy's business programs director. "We applaud their commitment to the environment and recognize them as positive examples for other businesses to follow."

Since 2008, Focus on Energy has awarded more than $125,000 in financial incentives to BPM Inc. From these efforts the fine papers and packaging manufacturer has saved more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 370,000 therms of natural gas annually - enough energy to power 525 Wisconsin homes for a year. As a result, the mill will save more than $470,000 in annual energy costs.

While investigating new ways to save energy BPM Inc recently discovered it could effectively cut the production time for pulping a batch of stock by 50 percent. By exploring and testing options the changes will help save more than $55,000 in annual energy costs.

"Focus on Energy helps us be the viable paper mill we are today," said Jim Koronkiewicz, general manager at BPM Inc. "We wouldn't have found all the potential for energy savings without Focus."

Flambeau River Papers received more than $175,000 in financial incentives for completing energy efficiency projects at its Park Falls, Wis. mill. Its efforts have saved more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 1.5 million therms of natural gas - enough energy to power 1,700 homes for a year.

To reduce energy usage the mill installed a heat recovery system that captures "waste" heat, which is normally lost from the vented steam and hot water system, and recycles that heat and hot water back to the mill. Flambeau River Paper also installed variable speed drives on process pump motors.

From these efforts, Flambeau River Papers will save $1.6 million in annual energy costs. "Energy is very costly and the more we can save the better off our business will be," said Bob Byrne, president and chief operating officer at Flambeau River Papers. "The upgrades we've made have helped us stay competitive."

Since 2001, Focus on Energy has delivered cost effective energy solutions to Wisconsin consumers, farms and businesses. Focus can help businesses identify and evaluate energy saving opportunities, report findings with specific recommendations, develop energy management plans and arrange technical training opportunities about energy conservation - helping improve bottom lines and lower operating cost.

For more information on Focus on Energy, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

About BPM Inc
BPM, Inc is a Peshtigo, Wis. manufacturer of specialty and fine papers and packaging solutions. Its company philosophy embraces building long-term relationships with customers who appreciate value-added specialty products. BPM's fine paper products are used in retail, commercial and office environments, and printed for various applications. BPM's flexible packaging products are used primarily in the confectionary, fast food, grocery and drug/pharmaceutical industries. BPM's manufacturing capabilities are complimented with expertise in printing, waxing, roll and sheet converting, and packaging.

About Flambeau River Papers, LLC
Flambeau River Papers, LLC is a Park Falls, Wis. manufacturer of high-quality, recycled, uncoated free-sheet fine printing and writing papers. Since the mill restarted in 2006, it has created a sustainable business for Park Falls, and has woven environmental responsibility into every aspect of its work. FRP is on the leading edge of a new era in the paper industry - an era in which the needs of the environment and the principles of business have at last converged.

About Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state's growing demand for electricity and natural gas. For more information, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

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