City Utilities of Springfield Tests Burning of Torrefied Wood

Springfield, Missouri – City Utilities of Springfield conducted a test burn of torrefied wood at the James
River Power Station on Thursday, August 13, 2009, at 10 a.m. The test burn, using 50 tons of torrefied wood, is
believed to be the largest test burn of this type of biomass conducted in the United States.

Torrefied wood is created by “roasting” wood chips in a large furnace to remove moisture and make the product
more brittle. This process physically and chemically changes the chips making them easier to crush for burning in
specific generating units. The final product will be blended with coal for burning in James River Power Station –
Unit 3. James River Power Station went into service in 1957 and has five generating units. Unit 3 provides 44
megawatts of electricity and has been in service since 1960.

Should results of the test be successful and approved, it’s estimated that by blending torrefied wood with coal at a
10 percent mixture, over 100,000 tons of coal would be replaced annually at James River Power Station. Final
results of the test burn are expected later this fall.

James River Power Station is located at 5701 South Kissick Road.