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Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board of Supervisors approve and authorize the Purchasing Agent to sign Agreement for Services 7136 with TSS Consultants in the amount of $15,000 for a term of one year upon final execution to complete a Phase 1 Fatal Flaw Analysis of the potential siting of a biomass cogeneration facility at the Sierra Pacific Industries former sawmill site in Camino.
FUNDING: Transient Occupancy Tax.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On April 12, 2022, the Board approved the creation of a Biomass Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Supervisor Parlin and Supervisor Turnboo to engage with relevant County staff and stakeholders to consider options for a biomass cogeneration facility in El Dorado County (Legistar 22-0601).
On June 10, 2022, the Biomass Ad Hoc Committee and County staff met with representatives of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) at the former SPI sawmill site in Camino to discuss the potential siting of a biomass cogeneration facility on SPI’s Camino property. During this meeting SPI representatives verbally expressed a willingness to consider the lease or sale of a portion of the site for a future biomass cogeneration facility. On August 13, 2022, the County received written confirmation from SPI of the aforementioned discussion at the June 10th meeting (Attachment D).
The SPI Camino sawmill closed in 2007. The former sawmill property is an ideal location for a biomass cogeneration facility for several reasons, including; the property is zoned industrial and previously utilized a biomass boiler onsite, is located close to Highway 50 for easy ingress and egress, and is located close to available biomass feedstock from private and commercial vegetation management activities, forest fuel reduction and restoration projects, and other feedstock sources. In addition, the 2020 Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative, Phase 1 Restoration Wood Supply Assessment, conducted by Mason, Bruce and Girard on behalf of the Nature Conservancy (Attachment C), identified the SPI Camino site as a good location for additional needed biomass infrastructure within the Tahoe-Central Sierra region.
The Board has expressed through their Strategic Plan a need and desire to facilitate the siting of a biomass cogeneration facility within the County that will contribute to the reduction of catastrophic wildfire, increase forest and watershed health, and create economic opportunities by providing a local outlet for wood waste residuals generated from public and private lands.
The Chief Administrative Office is recommending that a Phase 1 Fatal Flaw Analysis be conducted on the SPI Camino property to determine, among other tasks, that necessary feedstock availability exists considering recent catastrophic wildfires, infrastructure integrity, and overall viability of a biomass cogeneration facility at the SPI Camino location.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the contract.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
April 12, 2022 - Legistar 22-0601
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Planning and Building, Economic Development Division
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to Net County Cost. Funding for this project is designated in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Economic Development - Explore the feasibility of biomass and cogeneration plants.
Healthy Communities - Lead and facilitate the creation and maintenance of fire-adapted communities.
CONTACT
Tiffany Schmid, Assistant CAO