biomass
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Pacific Northwest can be aviation biofuel leader
A guest editorial last week in the Everett Herald concluded that the Pacific Northwest has all the necessary assets to “revolutionize an industry, invigorate local jobs and serve as a national roadmap for future U.S. biofuels development.” The assets cited… Continue reading
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Wood-based biofuels for aviation in the news
Using forest biomass to create cleaner, sustainable energy — including jet fuel — is an emerging technology well suited to the Pacific Northwest. A news story on KLPU-FM describes the efforts of Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest, a regional consortium exploring… Continue reading
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Biofuels: Leaving the lifecycle of Washington’s forests unchanged
Not all biofuels are created equal, especially when it comes to their ‘green’ credentials, a recent study found. Unlike the biofuel projects DNR proposes for slash and residue from routine timber harvests and forest health thinnings, sources that require significant changes… Continue reading
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Biomass-to-jet-fuel innovation bill gets noticed
In recent days, we’ve heard from several energy industry newsletters and websites that are developing articles about a bill signed last week by Governor Chris Gregoire to promote aviation biofuel production from wood waste and mill residue. Substitute House Bill… Continue reading
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Biomass-to-jet fuel and Community Forest Trust bills signed into law today
Governor Chris Gregoire this afternoon signed into law two bills requested by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark: House Bill 1422 authorizes DNR to collaborate on the development of a sustainable source of aviation fuel using forest biomass such as… Continue reading
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U.S. forests may hold more carbon than previously thought, study estimates
Forests of the United States have more capacity than previously estimated to sequester carbon, especially the conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest. The Science Daily website reports (Carbon Sequestration Estimate in US Increased, Barring a Drought) that forests and other… Continue reading
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Legislature sends biomass aviation fuel bill to governor
A DNR forest biomass pilot project that would create jet fuel from wood waste got the go-ahead from the Washington State Legislature today. The bill, HB 1422, was advanced to Gov. Chris Gregoire for final action today after the House voted… Continue reading
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Biomass as a renewable energy source
Forest biomass is often burned in ‘slash’ piles, producing CO2 and waste heat. The same material could produce electricity or liquid fuels. In this morning’s Seattle Times, an article was written about the use of forest biomass to create renewable… Continue reading
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DNR weekend reading: Power-hungry digital signs, oceanic garbage revisited, and more.
Here are a few recent articles about science and the environment that you may not have seen yet. Happy weekend reading from DNR: Scenic.org: Digital signage and Philadelphia’s Green Future. Digital billboards use so many LEDs that they gobble large… Continue reading
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EPA will continue to recognize biomass as renewable: Decision supports locally grown, clean energy
Today the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its plan to defer, for three years, greenhouse gas permitting requirements for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from biomass-fired and other biogenic sources of emissions. This action responds to Washington State, congressional leaders’… Continue reading