Interview with Benson, part 2

For this post, continuing with the second half of my interview last week with the city of Benson, MN about the Fibrowatt plant there. I had shared my draft notes with Mr. Worthington and he provided some clarifications for me, so I updated the earlier posts with regard to the infrastructure construction.


4. Tell me a little bit about the Citizens’ Advisory Council in Benson. Who was on it, and how were they chosen? What were some highlights of their work? Were there aspects of that process you might improve in the future?

• Council is now operating as an independent organization, separate from city government
• Formed from citizens who had stakeholder groups (barbers, accountants, clergy) so they could draw input from their networks
• Met once a month during permitting, which took longer than expected, still meets under company sponsorship
• Members now sometimes give plant tours
• Fibrowatt showed focus and optimism during a long process, stuck with it, committed
• Negligible community complaints during construction process

5. Share some insights on the job impact that the Fibrowatt plant has had in the area.

• Employment stands at around 35 jobs at the plant, some originally from outside but seeing a transition to more localized work force
• Power plant jobs are technology jobs – workers in white coats and with growing expertise
• Anecdote about a person who started as a security guard and has worked her way up into new opportunities
• Proximity impacts – neighboring fertilizer plant (North American Fertilizer) with 6-8 permanent employees and seasonal boost of 30 or 40 part-timers; trucking company relocated, estimate of 100 driver jobs and 10 or more mechanics, plus management; new to area (synergy) is an Ethanol gasifier plant that also uses biomass plant materials – 100M gallons sold as E85
• Litter spreaders still have work, the plant does not take all of the litter

6. Is Fibrowatt a good citizen in Benson? Can you give some examples of their impact?

• Good citizen in Benson
• Fibrowatt now is 25 to 35 percent of local tax base
• With the 50MW plant and the Ethanol plant, the city of Benson is now energy independent

Remember to drop a note in the comments if you would like a copy of this transcript in a Word doc.