Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc. (LLEG) was founded in 2002 with the objective of pursuing development and acquisition opportunities in the renewable energy and distributed power generation sector. Laidlaw Energy founder and CEO, Michael Bartoszek, owned and operated a predecessor company engaged in owning and operating natural gas fired power assets and a related hardwood lumber business. After selling his holdings in that business in late 2002, Mr. Bartoszek altered the focus of the company to pursue opportunities involving renewable energy, and particularly biomass energy, a fuel source abundant in the Northeastern United States where the Company operates.
Laidlaw Energy is one of a small number of innovative companies that has developed and actively pursued the strategy of converting fossil fuel and idled power plants, as well as idled pulp and paper mills, to modern, environmentally advanced biomass-energy facilities. In 2004, Laidlaw Energy was regognized for former New York Governor George Pataki for employing this innovative strategy, when it was awarded a $1 million grant by the
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for its Western New York biomass combined heat and power project.
Laidlaw Energy's business objective is to build a profitable portfolio of biomass energy plants and become the leading provider of biomass energy in the United States. In so doing, Laidlaw Energy intends to make a positive impact on the environment by providing a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel power, which will in turn help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.
Laidlaw Energy has a strong and talented management team lead by its founder and CEO, Michael Bartoszek. Prior to founding Laidlaw Energy, Mr. Bartoszek spent over 10 years in the securities industry with a number of top investment banks. Later in his career on Wall Street, Mr. Bartoszek was engaged in advising energy and independent power companies in connection with acquisitions and financing. He was also a key player in connection with a number of project financings and restructurings for major capital projects in other industries. In 1999, Mr. Bartoszek founded Laidlaw Energy & Environmental, Inc., a business engaged in acquiring and operating natural gas fired power assets and related businesses. Mr. Bartoszek is supported by a team whose combined talents provide Laidlaw Energy with significant expertise in power development and operations, as well as biomass fuel handling and operations.
