Biomass Energy at DG Fairhaven Company
(Located at 97 Bay Street, Samoa, CA, 95564)
Setting
Northern California It is estimated that California produces roughly 30 million tons of biomass each year that could potentially be used as a basis for electrical generation. The three primary sources of biomass material within California are forest residues, agricultural residues, and urban wastes.
Background
The Fairhaven biomass power plant is located in the small coastal city of Samoa just west of Arcata, California. This Northern Californian biomass facility generates and supplies energy to Pacific Gas & Electric under a long-term power purchase agreement. The 18 MW generation facility uses roughly 250,000 tons of locally purchased wood waste annually to produce the energy, and then distributes residual ash to dairy farmers as soil amendment at no charge. The Fairhaven Plant has been certified by the State of California as a renewable energy generator and is a member of the California Biomass Energy Alliance.
References
http://ucanr.org/repository/cao/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v063n04p168&fulltext=yes
http://www.usabiomass.org/profiles/membership_marubeni.php
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=22037315