Traverse City Light and Power's (TC L&P) proposed Biomass plant has caused hundreds of people to begin to investigate whether Biomass is right for Northern Michigan.

TC L&P has the ambitious goal of having 30% of their energy production come from renewable energy sources by 2020. That is higher than the mandate Lansing issued regarding new energy requirements that must be in place by 2020.

This past Monday (Feb 22), the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) held a forum on Biomass featuring Rachel Smolker, a forest researcher and climate advocate.

The Record-Eagle was there and filed this report:

"Biomass? Try "biomess." That's the message Rachel Smolker had for a large crowd gathered to explore the local and statewide ramifications of a wood-burning power plant in Traverse City. "These facilities are gaping maws just needing to be constantly stuffed with biomass," she said.

"Communities across the country and around the world need to take pause from a headlong rush into biomass, Smolker said. "The myth of carbon neutrality, that burning wood is carbon neutral, has been carried forward and it has been used very effectively by the industry to promote clean, green energy [...] But this myth is cracking wide open right now."

"You're talking about huge, huge volumes of materials that need to be transported and burned in order … to get any kind of significant energy," she said. "It's a colossal mistake to be looking at using plant matter as a substitute for (fossil fuels) in any major scale."

The Record-Eagle also has this report that despite concerns, a majority of TC Commissioners are in favor of Biomass:

"Mayor Chris Bzdok, who regularly deals with energy and environmental issues, believes biomass is a "vital component" of an environmentally sensitive energy portfolio. "It's not the end-all solution, but it's a component, and we've got to figure out a responsible, sustainable fuel level," he said.

"Commissioner Mike Gillman said biomass likely is a "necessary option" for Light & Power. He has concerns about resource exhaustion, but believes properly managed biomass is a good idea.

"Jim Carruthers sits on both the city commission and Light & Power's board. "What happened to this mantra of getting off fossil fuels? We need to do something about local generation of cheap, clean, reliable energy," he said.

"Ralph Soffredine also sits on the commission and Light & Power's board. "My choice is going to be based on what I think is best for the ratepayers," he said. "Do I think biomass is bad? No. I think there's plenty of fuel."

"Commissioner Mary Ann Moore said there are downsides to biomass, but it's likely the "least of our evils" when compared to coal, nuclear power and other large-scale power generation options.

"Commissioner Barbara Budros is concerned Light & Power didn't fully review other renewable-energy options before settling on biomass. "I'm not thoroughly convinced that biomass is actually as clean and green as it's touted to be … I just don't know what the other options are," she said.

Local documentary filmmaker Jeff Gibbs fired off an op-ed in today's Record-Eagle (Feb 24), "Only You Can Prevent Biomass Burners," in which he raises serious arguments against the viability of Biomass:

"The one 20-megawatt plant proposed by Light & Power would consume about 260,000 tons of wood per year. But there has been talk by TCLP of four or more of these tree-fired power plants, consuming millions of tons of wood per year from hundreds of thousands of acres. That's in addition to dozens more existing or proposed wood-burning power plants. Get ready for peak firewood.

"Woody biomass burning also produces hazardous fine particulates, volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxide (smog.) Yet TCLP has proposed the first biomass plant for a neighborhood with an elementary school, a high school and a hospital.

"Biomass plants also generate huge piles of wood ash, which pose a hazardous waste disposal issue. Any toxins not released into the air wind up in the ash and potentially in our waters.

"So why this rush to biomass burning? "Follow the money." Billions in tax subsidies are available right now, subsidies that will go away as the public catches on that biomass is anything but green energy.

"TCLP's own market research found that twice as many people strongly supported wind, solar and conservation as biomass burning even before objections were raised, which might explain why TCLP hired two marketing consultants to sell us this old, dirty technology."

Last month (Jan 11), the Michigan Messenger interviewed Gary Melow of Michigan Biomass, which is an advocacy group for small wood-fired power generators:

"[Melow] is not as optimistic about the availability of affordable wood. “We think it is premature to put in new biomass facilities,” he said. “Nobody is taking a good hard look at what forest resources can sustain.”

"Melow said that plants typically draw wood from a 50-mile radius, but have recently have to expand to sourcing wood from as far as 70 miles away. The proposed new plants in Mancelona and Traverse City will lead to serious competition for forest products in Northern Michigan, he said, and will drive prices up and create incentives for the burning of logs rather than wood waste products."

As residents learn more and consider the pros and cons of adding Biomass to Northern Michigan's energy portfolio, TC L&P will be holding two more forums for people to give the utility feedback on the Biomass issue:

Thursday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. at the City Opera House (106 East Front Street).
Saturday, February 27, 2:00 p.m. at the Hagerty Center (715 East Front Street).

But who is already using Biomass? Here are two videos, one from Santa Fe, New Mexico and one from Europe on communities that have started using Biomass to generate electricity/heat:

Watch Biomass in Europe in Technology | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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Photo: Trapp Farm Nature Preserve, Beulah, MI by jimflix.