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Ecology Sees Potent Future in State for Alternative Fuels: Biomass Could Satisfy Half of Energy Needs

Posted on: Monday, 27 February 2006, 09:00 CST

By John Dodge, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

Feb. 25--If all the organic waste generated in the state each year were converted to energy, it would meet 50 percent of the state's energy needs, according to a report released by the state Department of Ecology.

Included in the inventory of biomass is wood waste from mills, livestock manure, kitchen waste, food processing waste, crop residue and other byproducts.

Combined, the 45 sources total about 16.9 million tons of biomass capable of producing 1,770 megawatts of electricity, according to the report compiled by biological engineers from Washington State University.

Mason and Thurston counties together produce more than 1 million tons of biomass, with about 70 percent of it wood waste from logging and mill production. Another 20 percent is poultry waste from large commercial chicken farms in Thurston County.

Homegrown supply

The report highlights the potential of a variety of homegrown energy supplies spread across the state, noted Rhys Roth, codirector of the Climate Solutions Olympia office.

"This sort of inventory of the waste stream is the first step in turning these materials into resources that can help meet our state's energy needs," Roth said.

"Washingtonians deserve affordable alternative energy sources, and biomass has terrific potential to contribute toward energy independence," Gov. Chris Gregoire added.

The report does not estimate the cost of collecting the waste, or power production costs.

Also in Olympia, the Olympia Biofuels Cooperative is conducting a survey of area restaurants to see how much vegetable oil waste they generate. The cooperative's goal is to collect it and process it into biodiesel fuel.

The federally funded survey and feasibility study could lead to a biodiesel pilot project within the next two years, said cooperative steering committee member Kahlil Provo.

Rob Hannigen, general manager of the Clubside Cafe in downtown Olympia, likes the idea of putting the waste kitchen oil to good use.

"If we can dispose of fryer oil in a way that helps our local economy and benefits the environment, why not?" Hannigen said.

Aiding biofuel industry

The Ecology report was released as the state Legislature wrestles with a package of bills designed to kickstart a state biofuels industry.

"If Washington wants to move ahead of the pack in biofuels, we need our legislators to deliver a strong, clear, market-making bill -- a bill that says to farmer and entrepreneurs: Washington is open for biofuel business," said Peter Moulton, coordinator of the Harvesting Clean Energy Program for Climate Solutions.

The report will be presented at the annual Harvesting Clean Energy conference Feb. 27 and 28 in Spokane.

The keynote speaker at the conference will be former CIA Director James Woolsey, who is expected to discuss the importance of domestic biofuels as part of a smart national security strategy by reducing dependence on foreign oil.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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