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Hibbing PUC declares Boiler 4 biomass-only to support production tax credits
Summary
The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission approved Resolution 25-10 to designate Boiler 4 as a wood-only biomass boiler, limiting natural gas to startup flame stabilization and positioning the utility to apply for production tax credits for operating year 2025.
The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission voted Nov. 18 to adopt Resolution 25-10, formally declaring Boiler 4 at the municipal plant a wood-only biomass boiler and limiting natural gas use to ‘‘flame stabilization or startup support.’’ The change is intended to support an application for production tax credits covering operating year 2025.
‘‘This is officially declaring this a wood-only boiler,’’ Mr. Peterson told commissioners as he explained the policy change and its role in the tax-credit application. He said the declaration would frame the utility’s upcoming production tax-credit filing, which staff plan to submit at the beginning of the year.
Commissioners approved the item as part of the consent agenda after discussion. The designation does not eliminate limited gas use needed for safe startups, Peterson said, but clarifies the utility’s primary-fuel policy for regulatory and tax purposes.
The action is largely procedural: it sets policy language for the commission’s application materials rather than immediately changing fuel operations. Mr. Peterson said the gas would remain available for flame stabilization and startup, consistent with the resolution’s intent.
Next steps: staff will include the resolution in the production tax-credit application the utility plans to file in January. The commission did not record an individual roll-call vote in the public transcript; approval was recorded by voice vote.
