Woody BioMass
Woody Biomass Utilization on National Forest System Lands to Achieve Unmet Management Needs
Bi-annual Progress Report: January 1, 2008 – June 10, 2008
Progress Update Meeting
Alabama Power Company, Plant Gadsden
June 3, 2008
Files from the Recent Workshop
12-4-2007 Alabama Power expands Renewable Energy
Agenda June 3 2008.pdf
AttendanceList 1.9M
Biomass Harvesting Gadsden CR
Biomass Grant December 2006
Biomass Grant June2007
Biomass Utilization.pdf 1.3M
Biomass_Report_32007 Bi-Annual
COFE2008 Gadsden Biomass. 6.4M
GadsdenParticulateReport 11-2007. 1.0M
June 3 meeting.pdf 3.0M
Plant Gadsden Unit 2.
Poster.pdf
Woody Biomass Meeting Attendence
Woody Biomass Newsletter2006.pdf
reportdraftoutlinewood chips 1.2M
slideshow 1 (requires Flash)
slideshow 2 (requires Flash)
Additonal Information on Woody Biomass
A partnership of public, academic, and private organizations in Alabama has been awarded a $235,000 grant from USDA to develop new fuels from the forest by the U.S. Forest Service’s Woody Biomass Grants.
As part of the Administration’s Healthy Forest Restoration Initiative, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the Appropriation Act of 2006, $4 million was allocated nationwide for projects that increase the utilization of woody biomass from or near National Forest System lands.
The National Forests in Alabama (NFAL)—Bankhead, Talladega, Tuskegee, and Conecuh—currently have significant forest health issues related to insect infestation, storm damage, over-stocked conditions, decline of key ecosystem components, and build-up of fuels. The purpose of the Alabama grant proposal is twofold: 1) to find better ways to harvest these fuels, and 2) to develop a market for these small diameter stems.
The intent is to decrease management costs, improve air quality from diminished particulates related to fire, restore natural ecosystems to an open park-like forest condition, re-establish economic and social relevance between the NFAL and local communities, and increase the value of and demand for wood based biomass on the open market.
This woody biomass grants program is intended to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from hazardous fuel reduction activities. These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from hazardous fuel reduction projects into marketable forest products and/or energy products.
According to US Forest Service – Okmulgee Ranger District - District Ranger Cynthia Ragland, “The Alabama proposal has the potential to use 800,000 tons (~40,000 acres worth) of biomass per year with little to no modifications just for the pulverized coal-fired plants operated by Alabama Power. If this grant comes to fruition, significant opportunities exist for improved woodland management, additional forest related jobs, revenue for all forestland owners, and cleaner air for Alabama.
