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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 ...
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