Title
Chief Administrative Office and the Board of Supervisors Biomass Ad Hoc Committee recommending the Board consider the following regarding Biomass activities:
1) Receive and file a presentation from Floyd Bioenergy on a low-emission biomass-powered combined heat and power (CHP) unit; and
2) Provide conceptual approval of a CHP unit at the Placerville Jail.
FUNDING: Designation for Capital Projects.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County of El Dorado’s commitment to forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and biomass utilization began in 2021 with the establishment of the Vegetation Management and Resiliency Working Group and continued with the establishment of the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR) in 2022. This commitment has been reinforced by the Board of Supervisors’ designation of forest health and wildfire management as a top priority in recent years.
On August 31, 2021 (Legistar 21-1373), the Board approved the appointment of former Director of Environmental Management Greg Stanton on an extra-help basis to lead a feasibility study for both small-scale (i.e., one megawatt or less) and large-scale biomass cogeneration facilities.
On April 12, 2022, the Board appointed Supervisors Parlin and Turnboo to an Ad Hoc committee to engage with relevant County staff and stakeholders to consider options for a biomass cogeneration facility.
While many efforts to bring a large biomass cogeneration facility to El Dorado County have stalled, smaller proposals are advancing. The recent “A” rating for El Dorado County as a biofuel development zone (BDO Zone) reflects this and has already brought additional interest to the County. However, nothing has yet been built to address the County’s surplus of biomass.
As a result of the biomass utilization efforts, the County has engaged in discussions with Floyd Bioenergy, a CMP manufacturer specializing in behind-the-meter, small-scale generators for individual facilities with a high use of electricity and heat. After a review of the County’s energy bills and visits to two County-owned sites, the Placerville Jail was selected as a site with a large potential benefit for such a facility. The Placerville Jail uses an estimated $336,664 in electricity and $58,603 in propane each year due to functioning 24/7/365. At full installation, the generator would reduce the electricity charges by 89% and reduce propane to 0 while making use of locally-available biomass feedstock waste.
To proceed with this project, staff will pursue contracts for services for the production of an initial site design and the approval of a contract for site design and an engineer’s estimate. Simultaneously, staff will procure offtake agreements for an ongoing and secure supply of biomass to the site. With the Board’s direction, staff will pursue:
- A contract with CLERE, inc. for the production and coordination of a woodchip offtake agreement and permitting work (air quality and environmental analysis)
- A contract with an architectural firm for site design, engineer estimates, and preparation of a bid package.
These efforts will allow staff to complete the planning stage for this project. Staff will plan to return to the Board in 2027 with an offtake agreement for a consistent supply of biomass feedstock as well as a set of plans. This effort will allow staff to fully vet the project to determine the full estimated cost, annual operations and maintenance, and the layout of the site. Site designs will reserve space for the planned temporary housing facility and will include whole-site circulation considerations. If the site plan and design is favorable, staff will then request for authorization to advertise for bids to install the generator.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to direct staff to not pursue the biomass combined heat and power unit for the Placerville Jail.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
February 3, 2026, Legistar file 26-0209, the Board signed the non-financial Tri-County Memorandum of Association comprised of El Dorado, Nevada, and Placer counties
August 26, 2025, Legistar file 25-1401, Board received the BDO Zone rating analysis.
April 12, 2022, Legistar file, 22-0601, the Board established the Biomass Congregation Facility Options Ad Hoc Committee.
March 22, 2022, Legistar file 22-0491, Board established the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR).
September 21, 2021, Legistar file 21-1515, Board directed to convene an El Dorado County Vegetation Management and Resiliency Working Group.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
USFS, BLM, EID, Pioneer Energy, SMUD, PG&E, SPI, AQMD, and the Planning and Building Department, including County Economic Development.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total amount anticipated to project completion is $1.6 million to be drawn from the County’s designation for capital projects.
The two-module system costs $1.8 million, however, state and federal incentives for clean energy would bring this total to $1.2 million. Project planning costs, permitting, and construction costs are unknown at this time but are estimated at $400,000.
It is estimated that due to energy cost savings, this total cost would be recovered within ten years of operation, resulting in long-term cost savings for the County, even with full operating costs and capital recovery included. A closer estimate for all costs will be determined during the planning phase of the project.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
None.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Explore the Feasibility of “Waste to Energy Industries”
CONTACT
Jennifer Franich, Principal Management Analyst
Chief Administrative Office