Sierra Forest Products

TERRA BELLA
California

In 1984, Palmer was contacted by Sierra Forest Products regarding using its waste wood in a cogeneration project to generate power and steam to run its kilns. Palmer assisted Sierra in obtaining a 30-year power contract from Southern California Edison, negotiating with the equipment suppliers and in securing financing for the 8.5 MW facility.

While the power plant was shut down for a time in the late 1990s due to plummeting gas prices, it was restarted in 2001 and is one of the reasons that Sierra Forest Products, one of the last remaining mills in southern California, continues to operate today.

LOCATION: Terra Bella, CA
DATE: 1986
TYPE: Wood-fired Power Plant
PALMER’S ROLE: Financing Finder
AMOUNT: $10,000,000

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Gordon L. Deane, the President of Palmer, has been leading Palmer’s energy efforts since 1981. During this time, Gordon has been involved in all aspects of developing, financing, and managing non-conventional energy projects for Palmer involving over $2.6 billion of financing and ranging from Maine to Hawaii. He has also provided consulting services to the US Department of Commerce on energy project development and financing in several foreign countries.

Prior to joining Palmer, Gordon served as a consultant to the US EPA and several state environmental organizations. He was also the manager of a 6-state alternative energy program sponsored by the New England Regional Commission and the US Department of Energy. Gordon is the current Chair of the Board of NTBG and also sits on the boards of other non-profit and for-profit entities.

Gordon has a BA with Honors in Physics from Oberlin College and an MS in Environmental Science from Harvard University.