160 likes | 277 Views
Biomass Development A State Perspective. Arthur “Butch” Blazer New Mexico State Forester. Biomass in New Mexico traditionally focused solely on fuel wood. Wood burning for heating 197,000 cords were harvested in 1986 . More recent focus on Forest Health demands Biomass removal.
E N D
Biomass Development A State Perspective Arthur “Butch” Blazer New Mexico State Forester
Biomass in New Mexico traditionally focused solely on fuel wood • Wood burning for heating • 197,000 cords were harvested in 1986
More recent focus on Forest Health demands Biomass removal • Harvesting some of the biomass serves to improve Forest Health conditions. • Forests are less crowded and the ladder fuels are removed. • This decreases catastrophic wildfire risks.
Forest Health = Removing Biomass Before treatment After treatment
Biomass Utilization Benefits • Reduce hazardous fuels • Improve forest health • Protect communities from wildfires • Replace nonrenewable, fossil fuels with renewable energy • Replace “waste” with commercially viable products • Promote community and economic development
Biomass Removal Driving New Market & Industry Development • Industry needs to be larger scale and diverse to utilize the magnitude and variety of material • Infrastructure needs to be sustainable and cost-effective for the long term • New and innovative markets for small diameter and slash material need to be created
NM Biomass Industry Development Working Group • Facilitating new projects and those under development • State, local, federal governmental agencies, universities, federal labs, and private companies participating
In Development New Mexico has various Biomass Projects in development: Dairy Example
NM Exploring the Use of Biomass for Energy Bio-energy projects already operating in NM • Albuquerque and Las Cruces: municipal wastewater sludge methane gas production electricity and heat to power the wastewater facilities • Mescalero sawmill burns waste wood to provide heat for wood drying kilns
Fort BayardMedical Center • Historical Landmark: limited modernization opportunities • Convert two gas-fired steam boilers to wood-burning heaters. • Infrastructure Currently in Place • Easy Installation of boilers will heat a 147,000-square-foot nursing home and will be used for laundry, cooking and hot water. • Tree-thinning operations in the area will provide 30-year supply of chips for the hospital
Partnerships Key to Success Fort Bayard Medical Center Partners
NM Forest & Watershed Health Plan: A Strategic Direction • The Plan will streamline current efforts, such as the Biomass Working Group, by removing barriers and addressing needs • The Plan will develop state-wide incentives to assist current efforts, as well as leverage National and Regional opportunities.
Policy Changes & New Resources are Important Incentives • DOE has created Regional Biomass Partnerships • WGA Resolution 03-18 “Communities and governments are encouraged to develop demonstration projects and education opportunities to aid the use of non-traditional forest products.”
New Mexico Biomass to Energy: Laws and Incentives • Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) • Requires utilities in the state to generate 5% of the power they produce from renewable resources by 2005 and 10% by 2010. • Each kilowatt of energy produced from biomass represents two kilowatt hours toward compliance with the RPS. • Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit • Qualified energy generators (at least 10 megawatts of generating capacity) using biomass are eligible for a tax credit in an amount equal to one cent per kilowatt-hour.
Biomass Utilization“The Key To Success!” SBS Wood ShavingP&M Signs