1. Energy from Biomass in California

2. Biomass Today 6 % of CA renewable energy supply
Currently ~22 operating plants
12 non-operating, idle plants
7.3 million tons of biomass and 532 MW of electricity
Facing significant economic challenges, energy contracts expired or expiring

3. Biomass Today Owner Plant Name County Nameplate MW Price Exp.
Contract Exp.
Take Forest Material
Expired/ing Energy Price
Greenleaf Power
Tracy Biomass
San Joaquin 23
2014 Oct
2020 Y
Idle
EWP Renewable Corp
DG Fairhaven
Humboldt
18.75
2016 Jan
2017 Feb
Humboldt Redwood Co
Scotia 25
2016 April
2025
Honey Lake Power
Lassen
35.5
2016 July
2019 July
Rio Bravo Fresno
Fresno
24.3
2019 Feb
IHI Power Generation
Chinese Station
Tuolumne
19.5
2017 Jan
Rio Bravo Rocklin
Placer
24.4
2020 Mar
Wheelabrator Technologies
Wheelabrator Shasta
Shasta 50
2016 Aug
2018 April
Energy Investors Fund
Burney Forest Power 31
2016 Oct
Expiring Contract in 16/17/18
Collins
Collins Pine
Plumas 12
2016 May
No Contact – Idle
Community Recycling
Dinuba Power
Tulare 11
Madera Power
Madera
Covanta
Delano
Kern
Mendota
Burney Mountain Power 10
Mount Lassen Power
Pacific Oroville Power
Butte 18
North American Power
Blue Lake
10.5
Otoka Energy
Buena Vista Biomass
Amador 16
Shasta Renewable Resources
Shasta Renewable Res. 6
Sierra Forest Products
Sierra Power
9.5

4. Biomass Fuel Sources
Ag: orchard removals, prunings, vineyards removals
Shells and pits: almond, walnut, pistachio, peach
In-forest, sawmill residue, slash from forest thinning and lumber production
Urban: brush, tree-service, clean wood from demo & construction activities

5. Environmental Benefits of Biomass
Avoided Wildfire prevention
Prevents field burning
SJVAPCD allowing more agricultural waste to be burned in open piles
4 of 5 worst areas, based on ozone and particulate matter, are in the Central Valley
Biomass plants reduce criteria pollutants by 98% compared to field burning
State landfill diversion goals
California has set a statewide goal of obtaining a 75% reduction in solid waste landfilled. Removing organics such as biomass materials from the landfill is a critical component to achieving this goal.

6. Environmental Benefits
Benefits to air quality by calculating the avoidance of various pollutants and GHG
 In Forest Fuel
PM 10
NOx
VOC/Hydrocarbon CO
CH4
Total
Avoided Emission (lbs./BDT)
12.5
4.2
9.2
121.3
126
Conversion (ton/lb)
0.0005
Emission Value ($/ton)
$1,500
$3,720
$395
$558
$12.73
Biomass Benefit ($/BDT)
$9.38
$7.84
$1.81
$33.85
$0.81
$53.7
 Ag Fuel
PM 10
NOx
VOC/Hydrocarbon CO
Total
Avoided Emission (lbs./BDT)
9.1
6.3
67.0
Conversion (ton/lb)
0.0005
Emission Value ($/ton)
$1,500
$3,720
$395
$558
Biomass Benefit ($/BDT)
$6.85
$11.76
$1.25
$18.70
$38.55

7. Tree mortality is a statewide problem

8. Bad Situation in the Forest
Since 2010, 66 million trees have died in the 6 county region of Central and Southern Sierras
According to CalFire, in the central and southern Sierra Nevada range, 80% of trees are dead
2013 wildfire in Yosemite National Park discharged as much carbon as 2.3 million cars emit in a year

9. Air Curtain Burners not a Long Term Solution
CalFire spent $1 million on Air-Curtain Burners in 2016 to clear dead trees

10. Field Burning: Severe Impacts in the Central Valley
American Union Elementary School, 10 miles south east of Rio Bravo Fresno near the disadvantaged community of Easton, Friday 2/19

11. A Rough Road for biomass
Governor’s Emergency Proclamation – October 2015
Directed PUC to extend contracts for biomass plants taking fuel from defined high hazard zones.
Statewide problem, not just 6 county
RAM solicitations ordered set minimum requirements for three IOUs:
1) PG&E at 12 MW; SCE at 12 MW; and SDG&E at 6MW
Governor signed legislation that will require utilities and large muni’s over 100,00 customer to:
Procure 125 MW of biomass by December 1, 2016
80% of fuel from HHZ on an annual basis
5 year contracts

12. Conclusions
Tree mortality crisis is a state-wide problem – need a statewide solution
Not a short-term problem
CalFire hoping that they can manage it within a 5 year timeframe
Colorado took 15 years
Recent legislative activity is a good first step
Fuel requirements are challenging
GGRF or some other sustainable funding is needed because of the GHG and SLCP reductions associated with biomass
Appropriately value the non-energy benefits of biomass
Consider regional solutions for areas like the Central Valley