biomass
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Aviation biofuel could be high-value, efficient use of Washington’s forest biomass
You may have read about the several uses of forestry biomass — wood waste — in previous postings here, but did you know that it could be turned into aviation fuel? That’s the idea behind the announcement today by Commissioner of… Continue reading
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News from DNR: Biomass Initiative Report and new firewood cutting permit process
DNR yesterday released a Biomass Initiative Report to the Legislature. Removing biomass feedstock in ecologically sustainable ways to produce energy (liquid fuels or heat and electricity) can: Provide income for forest landowners while improving forest health; Create rural jobs; Reduce… Continue reading
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Goldmark to detail DNR’s Forest Biomass Initiative at January conference in Seattle
Generating renewable energy, creating green jobs and generating new revenue for state trusts that support education and other services are goals of DNR’s Forest Biomass Initiative. Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark will explain the initiative, its relevance, and its urgency in… Continue reading
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DNR weekend reading: Loss of forestland affects birds; plus articles about renewable energy
Here are recent articles about science and the environment that you may not have seen yet. Happy weekend reading from DNR: Science Daily: Free as a Bird? Human Development Affects Bird Flight Patterns and Populations Non-migrating resident birds tend to… Continue reading
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State DNR selects UW researchers to assess forest biomass supply statewide
Woody biomass is great in that it grows — that is, it’s renewable — but much remains to be learned about how and where it could become a viable way to produce cleaner energy on a large scale. We have… Continue reading
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Science behind the choices: Forest culprits fuel the fire
In Washington’s nearly 22 million acres of forests, how in the world do you keep track of the culprits that kill trees? The culprits in this case are disease and insects. Dead trees can lower the value of timber products,… Continue reading
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Science behind the choices: Learning together about how to produce our clean energy future
Washington State is a national leader in clean energy policy and development. Through pilot projects, incentive programs and research, the State has demonstrated that although there will not be a ‘quick-fix’ to the energy crisis we currently face, there can… Continue reading
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Science behind the choices: How DNR and partners’ use science to support clean renewable energy on state lands
You may know that state trust lands are part of wind energy projects across Washington, helping utilities meet clean energy goals. Last week, we talked about geothermal research to find the best places in the state to build facilities with… Continue reading
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Bio-char, urban sprawl & obesity, subways generating power… weekend reading from DNR
Here is some informative and diverse reading about science, environment and other issues published recently: New York Times: Once-lowly charcoal (bio-char) emerges as ‘major tool’ for curbing carbon Scientists are probing the limits of how high-grade charcoal, dubbed biochar, can… Continue reading
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DNR’s Forest Biomass Initiative showing results; Nippon Paper announces $71 million project in Port Angeles
Nippon Paper Industries USA’s plan to produce “green energy” from foresty biomass at its paper mill in Port Angeles is welcome news to the local economy… and to DNR. Nippon Paper’s $71 million project, announced Friday, will include a steam boiler… Continue reading