Woody Biomass Energy: Another Corn Ethanol Debacle?

Unfortunately the following article jumps all over the place, tries but fails to be “fair and balanced”, and approaches a modestly complex subject too simplistically. Part of the role of journalism is to educate readers and to give them intellectual tools for thought and does not give both sides of an argument equal weight when it is not so (i.e. fire suppression is many times a greater culprit for our unhealthy forests than an environmental opposition to logging). 

For just one example, instead of writing the following sentence: They say once you start transporting biomass by truck, or train, or ship, you lose the benefits of biomass because the closer the power plants can be to the forests, the better off you are,  it would be much better to explain WHY you would be better off by explaining the concept of Distributed Generation. And by the way, just who is the “They” who say this?

Just as there are worthwhile ways to turn foodstuffs into energy (biofuels made from “waste” cooking grease) there are worthwhile ways to turn woody biomass into energy (locally produced energy from “waste” wood left over from harvesting timber and from the manufacture of products from that timber).  But growing a corn, a valuble foodstuff, specifically to make ethanol or cutting down trees to burn to make electricity simply does not make sense environmentally or economically. The ethanol industry has clearly proven that this approach to “clean” energy is folly.

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Could Oregon’s Trees Make Us Energy Exporter?
By Ethan Lindsey – OPB News – June 22, 2009

The dictionary defines biomass as living matter in one area.

But the second definition for biomass is what could give Oregon a leading role in the next century.

“Plant materials and animal waste used a source of fuel.”

Using plant and tree materials for energy is good news for Oregon.

Half of the state is forest-land.

But like this national forest between Bend and Sisters, many of Oregon’s forests are unhealthy.

Between a century of fire suppression and decades of environmental opposition to logging – the tree stands here are too thick and too dry.

Oregon Geothermal Energy = Baseload Energy

Cascades Make Oregon a Geothermal ‘Hotbed’
By Ethan Lindsey – OPB News – June 1, 2009

Geothermal power soon will get a share of $400 million in federal stimulus money.

That’s a tectonic shift for a field that almost had its funding zeroed out under the Bush Administration.

Any money for Oregon geothermal projects could have a real impact.

Klamath Falls’ water is naturally heated by the earth’s core, even though the air is freezing months on end.

That free, renewable energy in the hot water is why many see geothermal power as a key piece of a green energy future.

What About Natural Gas as a Fuel Source?

Natural Gas: A Cleaner Option, But Still A Fossil Fuel
BY April Baer – OPB News – April 20, 2009

A Few Natural Gas Facts:>
> Contribution to current Oregon energy mix — 14%

> Cost per kwh currently — As with coal, there’s a lot of variation depending on the location of the plant, and what kind of plant we’re talking about. Most analyst calculate using  $0.06 to $0.11 per KWh, depending on whether the plant in question is baseload or only used during peak periods. As noted in the story, the numbers fluxuate widely. Best estimates come from the quarterly statements utilities furnish to their customers.

> Is this power source renewable? — No

> Is it intermittent or baseload power? — Baseload, although some plants are only used during peak periods.

One of the most pressing questions in today’s power market is how Oregon can be weaned off polluting fossil fuels, and onto the developing renewable sources.

As part of our on-going series on energy, The Switch, April Baer reports that dilemma is part of what’s driving the hottest commodity on Oregon’s energy market, natural gas.