ORNL says wood-burner will pay for itself

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) — Oak Ridge National Laboratory built its reputation through the power of the atom and is now tapping the power of wood and steam.

ORNL officials tell The Knoxville News Sentinel a new wood-powered steam plant is so highly efficient, it will create $200 million in savings on fossil fuel costs over the next 25 years. That’s far more than the $60 million price tag for the Biomass Steam Plant.