http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110626/BUSINESS/106260327/Green-Fields-Vilsack-uses-Paris-trip-to-promote-biofuels
Written by Dan Piller
June 25, 2011
In a move that surprised no one, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday cut the proposed target for cellulosic (read: noncorn) ethanol from the original 500 million gallons to 15.7 million gallons.
For this year, the EPA had slashed the original 250 million-gallon target to 6 million gallons.
The reason is the same: Efforts to make ethanol out of grass, corn residue, algae or other noncorn feedstocks are coming along much more slowly than anticipated. The U.S. this year will use an amount of ethanol just short of 14 billion gallons, of the 130 billion gallons of motor gasoline consumed.
"Biofuel producers face not only the challenge of the scale-up of innovative, first-of-a-kind technology, but also the challenge of securing funding in a difficult economy," the EPA stated.
Iowa has two cellulosic ethanol plants in the planning stage, by Poet in Emmetsburg and DuPont-Danisco in either Nevada or Fort Dodge. DuPont-Danisco, which received a $9 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund, has said it will go ahead with financing on its own but Poet is awaiting federal grants to add to the $20 million in state money it already has received.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Forest Service Awards Nearly $3 Million for Woody Biomass
http://www.kentuckyagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=522&yr=2011
June 23, 2011
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced the award of nearly $3 million in grants to 17 small businesses and community groups to develop wood-to-energy projects that require engineering services and will help expand regional economies and create new jobs.
"Biomass is a vital part of America's clean energy future as we work to decrease our dependence on foreign oil," said Vilsack. "Projects like these will help grow regional economies, create new jobs, and improve and protect our environment. We will need architects and engineers to design these plants, skilled laborers to build them and well-trained technicians to operate them."
These projects will use woody material removed from forests during projects such as wildfire prevention, and that woody biomass will be processed in bioenergy facilities to produce green energy for heating and electricity. The awardees will use funds from the Woody Biomass Utilization Grant program to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design, permitting and cost analysis.
Examples of possible projects include the engineering design of a woody biomass boiler for steam at a sawmill, a non-pressurized hot water system for a hospital or school, and a biomass-power generation facility. The grant program helps applicants complete the necessary design work needed to secure public or private investment for construction.
The Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization grant program has been in effect since 2005 and has provided more than $33 million toward various projects, ranging from biomass boilers for schools and prisons, to helping businesses acquire equipment that improves processing efficiencies. During this time period, 140 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, tribes and local state agencies to improve forest health, while creating jobs, green energy and healthy communities.
The Forest Service selected 17 small businesses and community groups as grant recipients for these awards. According to the requirements, all 17 recipients provided at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Non-federal matching funds total nearly $8 million.
The Forest Service's State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, at the agency's Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis. administers the grant program. The recipients were chosen from 34 applications.
EcoPower Generation, LLC, in Lexington, Ky., was awarded $250,000.
June 23, 2011
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced the award of nearly $3 million in grants to 17 small businesses and community groups to develop wood-to-energy projects that require engineering services and will help expand regional economies and create new jobs.
"Biomass is a vital part of America's clean energy future as we work to decrease our dependence on foreign oil," said Vilsack. "Projects like these will help grow regional economies, create new jobs, and improve and protect our environment. We will need architects and engineers to design these plants, skilled laborers to build them and well-trained technicians to operate them."
These projects will use woody material removed from forests during projects such as wildfire prevention, and that woody biomass will be processed in bioenergy facilities to produce green energy for heating and electricity. The awardees will use funds from the Woody Biomass Utilization Grant program to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design, permitting and cost analysis.
Examples of possible projects include the engineering design of a woody biomass boiler for steam at a sawmill, a non-pressurized hot water system for a hospital or school, and a biomass-power generation facility. The grant program helps applicants complete the necessary design work needed to secure public or private investment for construction.
The Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization grant program has been in effect since 2005 and has provided more than $33 million toward various projects, ranging from biomass boilers for schools and prisons, to helping businesses acquire equipment that improves processing efficiencies. During this time period, 140 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, tribes and local state agencies to improve forest health, while creating jobs, green energy and healthy communities.
The Forest Service selected 17 small businesses and community groups as grant recipients for these awards. According to the requirements, all 17 recipients provided at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Non-federal matching funds total nearly $8 million.
The Forest Service's State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, at the agency's Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis. administers the grant program. The recipients were chosen from 34 applications.
EcoPower Generation, LLC, in Lexington, Ky., was awarded $250,000.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Explosion damages Waycross plant; no injuries reported
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-06-21/story/explosion-damages-waycross-plant-no-injuries-reported
Posted: June 21, 2011 - 12:00am
Posted: June 21, 2011 - 12:00am
An explosion damaged the Georgia Biomass wood pellet processing plant near Waycross early Monday, crippling production at the factory that began operations a little more than a month ago.
No injuries were reported in the blast that occurred about 8 a.m. at the plant in the Waycross-Ware County Industrial Park about five miles west of Waycross off U.S. 82 and U.S. 1.
"It did extensive damage to the processing end. ... They'll probably be down an extended period of time," Ware County Fire Chief Dennis Keen told the Times-Union.
Georgia Biomass is a subsidiary of RWE Innogy of Germany, one of the top five electricity and gas companies in Europe. An estimated $175 million investment, the factory is deemed "the world's largest wood pellet plant."
Plant manager Ken Ciarletta, however, said the damage looks worse than it actually is.
"I wouldn't say the damage is extensive. It's in a very small portion of our facility," said Ciarletta, who described the incident as "a small fire."
Plant operations, however, have been suspended.
"We're off line because of it," Ciarletta said "We haven't determined how long we'll be off line. We're still in the assessment mode."
As they assess the damage, company officials are searching for the "root cause" of the problem, so they can resolve it and prevent future mishaps, Ciarletta said.
Employing about 80 people, the plant began operating May 12. Using yellow pine timber from throughout Southeast Georgia, its goal is to produce about 750,000 tons of wood pellets annually. Wood pellets are used as fuel — a cleaner-burning substitute for coal — primarily in Europe.
"Fortunately, no one was in the area of the explosion when it occurred," said Keen, who praised the company's fire suppression system and emergency procedures.
Ciarletta said the plant was evacuated "to ensure proper control of the situation."
"They made sure everyone got out all right and were accounted for." Keen said.
Keen stationed a fire truck at the plant Monday as a precaution against flare-ups or other problems as authorities and company officials searched for the blast's cause.
It's possible, Keen said, that dust might have caused the explosion.
"It may take several days to figure out what caused it," Keen said.
Describing it as a "flash-type explosion," Keen said the blast damaged equipment included a cooler, a section of the conveyor belt system and a storage hopper for the pellets.
Firefighters arrived in less than five minutes after the blast, which some residents said rattled windows in homes about five miles away near the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Because it was early in the investigation, a dollar estimate of the damage wasn't available, Keen said.
"The most important thing is, nobody got hurt. Thank God," Ciarletta said.
teresa.stepzinski@jacksonville.com, (912) 264-0405
No injuries were reported in the blast that occurred about 8 a.m. at the plant in the Waycross-Ware County Industrial Park about five miles west of Waycross off U.S. 82 and U.S. 1.
"It did extensive damage to the processing end. ... They'll probably be down an extended period of time," Ware County Fire Chief Dennis Keen told the Times-Union.
Georgia Biomass is a subsidiary of RWE Innogy of Germany, one of the top five electricity and gas companies in Europe. An estimated $175 million investment, the factory is deemed "the world's largest wood pellet plant."
Plant manager Ken Ciarletta, however, said the damage looks worse than it actually is.
"I wouldn't say the damage is extensive. It's in a very small portion of our facility," said Ciarletta, who described the incident as "a small fire."
Plant operations, however, have been suspended.
"We're off line because of it," Ciarletta said "We haven't determined how long we'll be off line. We're still in the assessment mode."
As they assess the damage, company officials are searching for the "root cause" of the problem, so they can resolve it and prevent future mishaps, Ciarletta said.
Employing about 80 people, the plant began operating May 12. Using yellow pine timber from throughout Southeast Georgia, its goal is to produce about 750,000 tons of wood pellets annually. Wood pellets are used as fuel — a cleaner-burning substitute for coal — primarily in Europe.
"Fortunately, no one was in the area of the explosion when it occurred," said Keen, who praised the company's fire suppression system and emergency procedures.
Ciarletta said the plant was evacuated "to ensure proper control of the situation."
"They made sure everyone got out all right and were accounted for." Keen said.
Keen stationed a fire truck at the plant Monday as a precaution against flare-ups or other problems as authorities and company officials searched for the blast's cause.
It's possible, Keen said, that dust might have caused the explosion.
"It may take several days to figure out what caused it," Keen said.
Describing it as a "flash-type explosion," Keen said the blast damaged equipment included a cooler, a section of the conveyor belt system and a storage hopper for the pellets.
Firefighters arrived in less than five minutes after the blast, which some residents said rattled windows in homes about five miles away near the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
Because it was early in the investigation, a dollar estimate of the damage wasn't available, Keen said.
"The most important thing is, nobody got hurt. Thank God," Ciarletta said.
teresa.stepzinski@jacksonville.com, (912) 264-0405
Thursday, June 16, 2011
DeKalb approves renewable energy plant
http://www.ocgnews.com/index.php/local-news/521-dekalb-approves-renewable-energy-plant-
| Written by Valerie J. Morgan |
In a tense showdown, DeKalb County commissioners unanimously approved Green Energy Partners’ application to build a $60 million biomass gasification plant just outside of the city of Lithonia.  . Neville A. Anderson, managing director of Green Energy Partners (center), and supporters listen intently to the debate concerning the planned project. The approval came after protestors battled the project for months, saying they believed the plant would be harmful to residents’ health, exposing them to carcinogenic emissions. They packed the board’s meeting to show their opposition. green energy plant represents the future —and jobs in DeKalb. They turned out in large numbers dressed in green T-shirts to show their support. Neville A. Anderson, managing director of Green Energy Partners, said construction on the 79,710-square-foot plant is expected to start in September. The facility will be built in Southeast DeKalb County on Rogers Lake Road, just outside the city of Lithonia, on the same street as an existing landfill. Green Energy plans to covert wood chips that are hauled to the site into energy that will be sold to Georgia Power. An application must be submitted to the Environmental Protection Division before work can start, Anderson said. “I am grateful to the board of commissioners and the Planning and Zoning Department who researched the facts and decided to move forward,” Anderson said. Despite the Board of Commissioners’ approval, opponents say the battle is not over. They say they are planning to file an injunction to halt the project and they are organizing a recall to oust DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May. Opponents are upset with May, whose district includes the site where the project will be built, because he supported the project. “They were derelict in their duties to vote for this project. There was overwhelming opposition—more than 1,000 signatures collected—and they still approved it,” said John Evans, who heads Operation Lead, a civil rights organization. Evans said his organization is working on the injunction and recall, as well as writing letters to the U.S. Justice Department and EPD. May said he felt confident that he and the commission acted in the best interest of the county. He said he believed opponents to the project based their position on misleading information they received. “President Obama is pushing for green energy because renewable energy is much better for the environment than coal, which is what 90 percent of our energy is produced from right now,” May said. May said the commission approved the project with 18 conditions, which included the establishment of a citizens’ advisory board that would be appointed to oversee the plant. May said the conditions also stipulate that the plant will only use wood debris and yard waste to produce energy and that no carpet, tires or other debris could be used at the site. The hours of operation will be restricted with the plant open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trucks delivering the wood chips must be covered. To read DeKalb Commissioner Lee May’s open letter to the community, visit the Speak Out section on the homepage |
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Green Energy in South DeKalb?
http://southdekalb.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/green-energy-in-south-dekalb/
Biomass proposal draws protesters, wins DeKalb support | ajc.com.
DeKalb County says it is the greenest county in America. And to help bolster that claim, they have approved a green energy facility that will have little or no pollution, and can generate electricity for 7,000 homes. At least that is the sell that Green Energy Partners has told DeKalb County. Residents in that part of the county are not impressed. They had been fighting to keep the facility from being built, but their pleas fell on deaf ears as DeKalb commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plant.
Green Energy Partners is not the only group to attempt to open a biomass facility in DeKalb. In 2009 Southeastern Renewable Energy asked the county to rezone some land on Briarwood Road near I-85 and North Druid Hills Road so that they could build essentially the same type of facility. In fact if you read the SLUP for both, the purpose is exactly the same with the exception of who is requesting, and where it is located. Here is the stated purpose of each:
Green Energy
June 15, 2011
DeKalb County says it is the greenest county in America. And to help bolster that claim, they have approved a green energy facility that will have little or no pollution, and can generate electricity for 7,000 homes. At least that is the sell that Green Energy Partners has told DeKalb County. Residents in that part of the county are not impressed. They had been fighting to keep the facility from being built, but their pleas fell on deaf ears as DeKalb commissioners voted unanimously to approve the plant.
Green Energy Partners is not the only group to attempt to open a biomass facility in DeKalb. In 2009 Southeastern Renewable Energy asked the county to rezone some land on Briarwood Road near I-85 and North Druid Hills Road so that they could build essentially the same type of facility. In fact if you read the SLUP for both, the purpose is exactly the same with the exception of who is requesting, and where it is located. Here is the stated purpose of each:
Green Energy
Application of Patrick Ejike to request a Special Land Use Permit to operate a utility generation facility (Biomass Renewable Energy Facility) within the M-2 (Industrial) zoning district. The property is located on the east side of Rogers Lake Road,Southeastern Renewable Energy
approximately 446 feet south of Lithonia Industrial Boulevard at 1744 and 1770 Rogers Lake Road. The property has approximately 483 feet of frontage along Rogers Lake Road and contains 21.12 acres
Application of Raine Cotton to request a Special Land Use Permit to operate a utility generation facility (Biomass Renewable Energy Facility) within the M-2 zoning district. The property is located on the southwest side of Briarwood Road (vicinity of Georgia Power Easment)approximately 880 northwest of Interstate 85 (vacant land, no address). The property has approximately 150 feet of frontage on Briarwood Road and contains 3.16 acresSo what made the Green Energy application so much more plausible than the SRE application? After all, the planning department denied the SRE application based on several issues including “..anticipated significant impacts on water quality, air quality, noise impacts and transportation impacts.” Yet they recommended referral for the Green Energy application. Commissioners repeatedly deferred the SRE application from 2009 until April of 2010 when the application was finally withdrawn. So here are two facilities that use similar technologies to produce energy, yet one is considered a health hazard while the other is given the go ahead to operate. I am also wary of the timing of this entire thing. In April of 2010, DeKalb commissioners entertained the idea of this plant from Green Energy. A week later SRE’s application was withdrawn. In July of the same year, the commission voted to sell the very wood chips Green Energy says it will use in it’s facility for five dollars a ton. And now they have approved the facility in southeast DeKalb. If I lived within a half mile of this thing, I would definitely want to know more about how this whole thing wound it’s way through the county leadership.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Biomass proposal draws protesters, wins DeKalb support
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/biomass-proposal-draws-protesters-976960.html
More than 100 people showed up to Tuesday’s DeKalb County Commission meeting, trying to kill a proposed biomass gasification plant near Lithonia over their fears of the emissions.
In the end, though, commissioners unanimously approved the $60 million Green Energy Partners plant. They didn’t agree that the plant is a threat to public health – and they want the investment in DeKalb.
“This technology is a much better process than the use of coal,” said Commissioner Lee May, who pushed for the facility. “If it is not doing what it's saying it’s going to do, it can be stopped, cited and ordered to cease operations.”
Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Environment have threatened to recall May from office for his support.
They object to the facility that plans to turn wood chips into energy to sell to Georgia Power mainly because of possible carcinogenic emissions. The city of Lithonia rejected an earlier proposal to put the plant in its borders because of those concerns.
“The facts are, the toxins that will be spewed into our environment will be killing people and making them sick,” said Dr. Darren Harper, a physician in the area who argued against the plant.
Supporters, decked out in green to showcase their unity, don’t worry about the conversion process. They are more focused on the need for development in DeKalb.
“There is no better way for us to survive than with jobs,” said Courtney Miller, a pharmaceutical importer-exporter from Stone Mountain. “It is a healthy project in many ways.”
Construction on the nearly 80,000-square-foot plant has yet to begin. Under conditions imposed by commissioners Tuesday, the developer must get an air quality permit from the state and approval from the state fire marshal before it can open.
May also added a requirement that a citizens’ advisory committee be set up to oversee operations, in a bid to help ease concerns.
A consultant for the developer pledged that the plant would run safely and economically for all residents.
“I cannot support something I know is harmful to the county and to my kids,” said Patrick Ejike, a former planning director for the county who represented the developer. "This is a safe project, a good project for the county.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
In the end, though, commissioners unanimously approved the $60 million Green Energy Partners plant. They didn’t agree that the plant is a threat to public health – and they want the investment in DeKalb.
“This technology is a much better process than the use of coal,” said Commissioner Lee May, who pushed for the facility. “If it is not doing what it's saying it’s going to do, it can be stopped, cited and ordered to cease operations.”
Citizens for a Safe and Healthy Environment have threatened to recall May from office for his support.
They object to the facility that plans to turn wood chips into energy to sell to Georgia Power mainly because of possible carcinogenic emissions. The city of Lithonia rejected an earlier proposal to put the plant in its borders because of those concerns.
“The facts are, the toxins that will be spewed into our environment will be killing people and making them sick,” said Dr. Darren Harper, a physician in the area who argued against the plant.
Supporters, decked out in green to showcase their unity, don’t worry about the conversion process. They are more focused on the need for development in DeKalb.
“There is no better way for us to survive than with jobs,” said Courtney Miller, a pharmaceutical importer-exporter from Stone Mountain. “It is a healthy project in many ways.”
Construction on the nearly 80,000-square-foot plant has yet to begin. Under conditions imposed by commissioners Tuesday, the developer must get an air quality permit from the state and approval from the state fire marshal before it can open.
May also added a requirement that a citizens’ advisory committee be set up to oversee operations, in a bid to help ease concerns.
A consultant for the developer pledged that the plant would run safely and economically for all residents.
“I cannot support something I know is harmful to the county and to my kids,” said Patrick Ejike, a former planning director for the county who represented the developer. "This is a safe project, a good project for the county.”
Monday, June 13, 2011
Citizens Protest Proposed DeKalb Biomass Plant
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/Citizens-to-Protest-Proposed-DeKalb-Gas-Incinerator-Plant-20110613-am-sd
Updated: Monday, 13 Jun 2011, 6:21 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 13 Jun 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta
DECATUR, Ga. - Outraged citizens rallied in DeKalb County on Monday, protesting plans for a proposed biomass energy plant near Lithonia. The plant is planned for Rodgers Lake Road in south DeKalb County in a community which includes both homes and industrial business.
Protestors say the same project was initially proposed for north DeKalb County, but once it was rejected there, it was then slated to be built near Lithonia. Residents there say they don’t want it in their community.
“I don't understand why at this point they would continue to want to move things here when there are families and children here,” said Tandelya Banks, a resident who lives about a mile from the proposed site.
The area is home to a waste transfer station, landfills, trucking companies, and auto salvage businesses. Banks says she has watched with growing frustration as a steady stream of commercial and industrial businesses have moved into the community over the years.
Outraged residents rallied at the Maloof building on Monday, armed with a petition signed by people opposed to the project and reams of documents they say support their claim that the plant will burn harmful carcinogens and release tons of pollution into the air.
DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May backs the proposal. He says he believes residents are misguided, saying they don’t understand the technology and they’re protesting a renewable energy project that will convert wood chips into electricity, part of the national green movement.
“We've had that happen where they come in and say they are going to do one thing then they come in and do something else,” said Banks. “It's just too much-- we actually don't trust anybody to come in here to this area. We have to stand up as citizens paying our taxes and look out for ourselves.”
The group leading the fight against the plan says they are also launching a recall effort against Commissioner May and anyone else who supports the plant. The commission is set to take up the issue on Tuesday morning.
Protestors say the same project was initially proposed for north DeKalb County, but once it was rejected there, it was then slated to be built near Lithonia. Residents there say they don’t want it in their community.
“I don't understand why at this point they would continue to want to move things here when there are families and children here,” said Tandelya Banks, a resident who lives about a mile from the proposed site.
The area is home to a waste transfer station, landfills, trucking companies, and auto salvage businesses. Banks says she has watched with growing frustration as a steady stream of commercial and industrial businesses have moved into the community over the years.
Outraged residents rallied at the Maloof building on Monday, armed with a petition signed by people opposed to the project and reams of documents they say support their claim that the plant will burn harmful carcinogens and release tons of pollution into the air.
DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May backs the proposal. He says he believes residents are misguided, saying they don’t understand the technology and they’re protesting a renewable energy project that will convert wood chips into electricity, part of the national green movement.
“We've had that happen where they come in and say they are going to do one thing then they come in and do something else,” said Banks. “It's just too much-- we actually don't trust anybody to come in here to this area. We have to stand up as citizens paying our taxes and look out for ourselves.”
The group leading the fight against the plan says they are also launching a recall effort against Commissioner May and anyone else who supports the plant. The commission is set to take up the issue on Tuesday morning.
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