Kimberly-Clark's Energy Independence Project Begins Providing Connecticut with New Clean, Sustainable Power

New Facility to Provide Clean, Reliable Power for New Milford Mill and Generate Electricity for Up to 35,000 Connecticut Homes 


NEW MILFORD, Conn., April 29  /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark's New Milford Mill achieved its energy independence today as K-C employees commemorated the start-up of the Company's new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility.

The New Milford Mill's Energy Independence Project uses clean burning natural gas to provide all of the mill's electric and thermal power needs while generating additional power for southwestern Connecticut, one of the tightest and most expensive electric markets in the nation.

"Kimberly-Clark's new Energy Independence Project is an example of our commitment to running our business in a sustainable way.  The new facility will improve our mill's operating efficiency while at the same time protect the environment and preserve natural resources for the future," said mill manager Dan Lachmann.

"With this new facility, we are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a clean, new power source that supports the growth of the New Milford mill and helps meet the increasing demand for clean, reliable, affordable power in Connecticut and the region," said Lachmann. "Kimberly-Clark's Energy Independence Project sends a strong message to the community that we are here to stay and that we want to be a strong part of this community for the next 50 years."

The CHP facility will help control energy costs for Connecticut residents and businesses while helping to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in the region.  It will reduce Kimberly-Clark's demand on the local electric system by 15 megawatts -- freeing up that capacity for other businesses and residents.  In addition, Kimberly-Clark's CHP facility will eventually generate up to 20 megawatts of new electric capacity in the region -- enough to power 35,000 homes -- while allowing K-C to better control its own operating costs.

The $50 million CHP facility includes two gas turbines that are each the size of a small minivan.  The second gas turbine is expected to begin operating later this year along with the new steam turbine.

The recently constructed enclosed facility blends in with the existing mill site and was designed to diminish sound from the new operation.

Over the coming months, Kimberly-Clark will remove a 103 feet tall emissions stack and two dual-fueled boilers that were part of the system that previously produced steam for mill needs.

Connecticut leaders have identified CHP systems as an important part of the total solution of meeting Connecticut's increasing demand for energy and maintaining the state's economic potential.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CHP systems are up to 50% more energy efficient than large conventional, fossil-fueled power plans, such as the plants that supply much of Connecticut's electric system.

The high efficiency of CHP relative to conventional power plants can help reduce overall greenhouse gases and air pollution.  The EPA has estimated that new CHP systems could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 million metric tons of carbon equivalent in the year 2010.

About Kimberly-Clark's New Milford Mill

Kimberly-Clark has been an integral part of New Milford for 50 years.  The Company's New Milford mill employs over 350 people making Kleenex and Scott tissue products.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries.  Every day, 1.3 billion people -- nearly a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being.  With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries.  To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 136-year history of innovation, visit http://www.kimberly-clark.com/. 

Kimberly-Clark