Smallwoods 2008

I had the opportunity to attend and speak recently at this National conference on bioenergy and wood products in Madison, Wisconsin. The predominant theme at the conference surrounded the use of woody biomass in helping fill needs in this Country for sources of renewable energy, such as electricity and fuel. The technology for converting wood chips and other residual from our forests is rapidly developing, and some exciting developments are already being planned. The US Dept of Energy recently funded ten projects that are developing biorefining products to convert wood to fuel. Not just research and development; but projects that will lead to production of biofuels and other products that can create energy from wood.

Our local resources in the region includes a substantial amount of woody biomass, and such projects help reduce fire danger, improve watersheds and air quality; all while creating new jobs, revenues and tax base. One such project has been proposed for the Eagar area, and would utilize 500 tons per day of residual from the forests, while producing 60 gallons of fuel and products per ton, including electrical generation of 5 megaWatts of power.

For online copies of presentations from the conference access the link below:

There may be 40 million "green collar" jobs by 2030. So says a report from the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) entitled Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century. According to the report, the renewable energy and energy-efficiency industries will increase to 40 million jobs and $4.5 trillion in revenues "with the appropriate public policy, including a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education and research and development." The report adds that solar, wind, ethanol and fuel cells will be future hot areas of growth.

For a full copy of the report click on the link shown below:

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