Energy grant would provide money for construction
Doug Gochnour, Malheur National Forest Supervisor, announced approval of a wood to energy grant for $5 million dollars to design, permit, and construct a pellet plant in Harney and/or Grant County. This grant is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was released by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan on June 11. This project is among 30 wood-to-energy grants and biomass utilization projects funded at $57 million located in 14 states.
“These projects are in keeping with President Obama’s interest in innovative sources for energy and will promote the development of biofuels from wood and help private sector businesses establish renewable energy infrastructure,” said Merrigan. “Additionally, hazardous fuels reduction projects utilize biomass from forested lands that, when left untreated, increase wildland fire risks to communities and natural resources.”
The $5 million grant will be competitively advertised through a Request for Proposals (RFP) through the Oregon Economic Community Development Department (OECDD) within the next couple of weeks. OECDD will select a technical evaluation board to review proposals and choose a recipient or recipients to award the grant funds to. The process is anticipated to take 30-45 days from advertisement of the RFP.
Location of a pellet plant within Harney and/or Grant County would provide a facility to utilize the growing backlog of biomass that needs to be treated across the Malheur National Forest. Removal of biomass for utilization would provide the benefit of reducing hazardous fuels, therefore decreasing risk of wildfire. Funds derived from the sale of biomass would stay on the Malheur National Forest and be used to accomplish additional fuel reduction projects.
These ARRA funds may help to create markets for small diameter wood and low value trees removed during forest restoration activities. The work will result in increased value of biomass, the removal of economic barriers for using small diameter trees and woody biomass, and the generation of renewable energy. In addition, funds may help communities and entrepreneurs turn residues from forest restoration activities into marketable energy products.
Information on Forest Service ARRA projects can be found online at: http://fs.usda.gov.
