Talk of a biomass-to-hydrogen conversion project is great news for the Millinocket area. Nearly a year ago, the region was rocked by the closure of the Great Northern paper mills, stalwarts of the local economy. Although one mill is back up and running, hundreds of people have lost their jobs. Anyone who promises decent jobs will be more than welcome.

But, this project is notable for much more than the jobs it may provide. This project, in the very early talking stages at this point, may also provide economic and environmental benefits to the state and even the country.

First, it would enable the Great Northern company, under new ownership, to reduce the amount of waste it hauls to its landfill, slated to be filled in six years. Some of the 100 tons of sludge produced each day would be turned into hydrogen through a conversion process that breaks down decaying matter into hydrogen, carbon and methane. The hydrogen would then be used to create cheap, efficient electricity that could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

A new consortium, made up of the town of Millinocket and businesses and tentatively known as Maine New Energy, already has been created. The group’s aim is to build a 10-megawatt electricity plant at a cost of $10 million to $50 million within five to six years.

The only problem with this facility is that it can’t be built sooner.

It will be good for the region, good for the state and good for the nation. With the United States highly dependent on foreign countries, many of them in the Middle East, for oil and demand for energy increasing, there has been growing talk of the need for alternative energy sources. Hydrogen, which is also less polluting, has come to the forefront. If Maine can play an active part in the development of hydrogen production, it should.

If the conversion of biomass, of which Maine has plenty thanks to its paper mills, and possibly other processing facilities, works, the state could become a leader in this technology. It need only look across the Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, similarly dependent on tourism and commercial fishing, for a situation to emulate. The country has been working to use its hot-water springs to make hydrogen. Some public buses there are already powered by hydrogen and efforts to use hydrogen to fuel cars and commercial fishing vessels is under way. Residents there spend only $500 a year for electricity and heat from hydrogen.

The first step is a feasibility study to investigate operational questions and to determine the marketability of hydrogen power. The study is expected to cost up to $700,000, money the consortium is seeking from state and federal sources. Given the national interest in hydrogen power and the state’s commitment to fostering economic development throughout Maine, the money should quickly be made available.