by Bruce Goodman

The biomass power industry can help reduce the spread of forest fires by cleaning highly flammable debris from the forest floor and harvested areas.  Forest fires can be fueled by small trees and brush that create fire ladders that direct fires into the crowns of  larger trees.  Biomass energy plants use this and other material to create renewable energy.  They encourage good forest management by creating a market for the excess small trees, slash and brush that can foster forest fires.  Michigan has seven biomass-fired power plants and the resources for more.  A number of coal-fired generators are looking to co-fire biomass.  Reducing the risk of Michigan forest fires by improving forest health can even reduce greenhouse gases, as decomposing dead brush and slash  releases methane.  Managed forest resources provide the state with its own source of renewable domestic fuel and Smokey the Bear with a modified slogan:  “Only you, with the help of the biomass power industry, can prevent forest fires – use it or lose it.”

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by Bruce Goodman

The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth is producing a monthly 30-minute TV show designed to provide information about the latest initiatives and activities in state government related to renewable energy, green jobs, energy efficiency, and advanced energy technologies. Michigan’s Energy Future Today is hosted by DELEG Deputy Director Liesl Eichler Clark and can be seen on more than 80 cable stations around the state. The July 2009 episode featuring advances in solar energy was selected for an award from the 31st Annual Telly Awards, a national program recognizing outstanding achievement in the TV, commercial, and video industry. See http://michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-51651-233579–,00.html

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by Bruce Goodman

With climate change on everyone’s radar screen this month the discussion is focused on “carbon footprint”. But last month’s GOA study on the use of water in biofuel production reminds us that there is a water-energy nexus. By some counts half of all water consumed in the U.S. is used to produce energy. Coal fired generation consumes a gallon of water for every kilowatt-hour of electricity produced (and emits two pounds of carbon dioxide).

When GHG reporting kicks in next year should there also be reporting on “water footprint”? Some alternative energy technologies are already touting zero water usage. It is a current issue, not one for 2050—Georgia (where electric utilities use 68 percent of all surface water) came close to losing electric supply when recent drought conditions reduced cooling water availability. Are “water offsets” in our future? Of course there is already a law that may cover this — the Law of Conservation of Matter.

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by Bruce Goodman

Today the petrochemical industry manufactures products from fossil fuels: plastics, chemicals, and other products.  Scientists tell us that nearly all of these products can be made from renewable, carbon neutral biomass. The processes are similar.

The petrochemical industry breaks oil and natural gas down to base chemicals and then builds desired products from them. Biorefining technology breaks biomass down to component sugars that can be used to build the same desired products. Fermentation, chemical catalysis, and other processes are used to create products that can be used in manufacturing processes.

There are currently robust forces driving sustainable bioproducts production.  Biomass-based products are expected to make a significant impact on the production of bulk chemicals in the next decade, and a huge impact within 20 to 30 years. About 5 percent of global chemical sales currently are made up of “green products”.  Some are predicting that the market share could rise to 20 percent by 2010 and may ultimately reach 66 percent of the total global economy.

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by Bruce Goodman

Biofuels are defined as solid, liquid or gaseous fuels derived from relatively recently dead biological material. They are distinguished from fossil fuels, which are derived from long dead biological material. Theoretically, biofuels can be produced from any biological carbon source. Various plants and plant-derived materials are used as feedstock for biofuels manufacturing. The two most common types of grain derived biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel. On the horizon is the era of advanced biofuels—cellulosic ethanol, biomass-based diesel, biobutanol, bio-oil, green gasoline and biobased jet fuel.

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by Bruce Goodman

While most of the alternative energy stimulus discussion has been focused on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there are very similar benefits in Title IX of the Farm Bill (Sections 9004-9012). Michigan farmers and other interested suppliers need to pay attention to this unique opportunity to advance the alternative effort. There are many promising provisions, for example:

• Repower Assistance Program – payments to encourage biorefineries;
• Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels – payments to support advanced biofuels, meaning renewable biomass other than corn-kernel starch;
• Rural Energy for America Program – promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy development for agricultural producers and rural small business with grants and loan guarantees [applications are due July 31];
• Biomass Research and Development Initiative – competitive grants, contracts and financial assistance for research on biofuels and biobased products;
• Biomass Crop Assistance – support to establish and produce crops for conversion to bioenergy; and
• Forest Biomass for Energy – funds to the Forest Service for research and development on forest biomass for energy

See http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/id/EnergyFactSheet.pdf for additional summary information.

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