EAST MILLINOCKET, Maine (AP) -- An East Millinocket paper mill is going oil-free.
Katahdin Paper Co. officials said the mill has shut down its oil burner and is now using a biomass boiler to produce all the steam it needs to produce telephone directory paper. The company said the change is a major step toward profitability.
Katahdin Paper recently announced it is closing its paper mill in nearby Millinocket late this month because of runaway energy prices brought on by the high cost of oil.
Company and state officials are investigating whether it's feasible to install a biomass boiler in the Millinocket mill to lessen its reliance on oil and allow it to stay open.