Crane Slurry Ponds Pumped for Energy

The carbide-tipped augur will cut through the paper slurry below the water so it can be pumped to the Covanta steam facility for burning.

DALTON, Mass. — The grayish scummy ponds off Pittsfield's Hubbard Avenue hide a secret: energy.

Used as "settling basins" for Crane & Co.'s slurry waste a half-century ago, the three ponds full of paper waste will, hopefully, be pumped out over the next decade to be turned into steam energy at the Covanta Pittsfield LLC plant over the town line barely a 1,000 yards away — and returned back to Crane to power its mills.

The renewable energy company's newest partnership with the nation's currency manufacturer was marked on Thursday morning with a ceremonial "flipping of the switch" that set off a floating augur to churn the paper mash.

"We are extremely excited about this partnership," said Stephen Diaz, regional vice president of business for Covanta Energy. "This is a tremendous win-win opportunity. We will continue to look for other renewable disposal options through our long-term partnership with Crane and with the town [of Dalton].

In a statement, Arthur Sanders, U.S. Government Products production manager for Crane, said, "we take pride in our environmental stewardship and we look forward to working with Covanta on this project as well as others where mutual opportunities exist."

The demonstration program has been given approval by the state Department of Environmental Protection; if successful, it will be allowed to continue. "We have a year to evaluate the project and I think we'll know way before the end of the year," said Kevin Rousseau, Covanta's facility manager.

Under the pools of gray water is 17 to 20 feet of paper fibers that will be churned and pumped. Covanta expects to pump up to five million gallons of slurry a year; it will take between 10 and 13 years to complete the removal of the nonhazardous waste. It's using a similar process for wet waste in Springfield. The five-acre site will be returned to its natural state.

Covanta workers stand in front of one of three basin on the site.

Jim Noel, Crane's environmental manager, said the pits were created in 1961 to take the wet paper fibers left from the plant's treatment system. They were used regularly until 1971, when the company installed a dewatering device, then intermittently until 1986.

"We have been working with the state on closure for the basins here," said Noel. "Either a closure or remediation. Last year, began working with Covanta and got approval from state to do a pilot project. We're going to do our best to make it work."

Covanta operates 45 energy-from-waste facilities. The Pittsfield facility process 240 tons commercial and residential solid waste a year, turning it into 400 million pounds of steam and 3.5 million kilowatts. It's been providing steam power to four of Crane's mills since 1981.

"Ultimately, we are reclaiming an inventory that has no value to anyone, including the environment, and we're translating into energy," said Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto. "Let's hope the pilot works to the point where we can see it in full production."

Dalton Selectman John F. Boyle recalled the efforts by officials of both town and city together to work with Covanta's predecessor more than 30 years ago and said this was a new phase in the partnership.

"This concept truly embraces what is dear to our hearts here in the Berkshires: stewardship of the environment."

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