The project will use patented, non-combustion thermal conversion technology to transform locally and sustainably sourced woody biomass and other eligible organic materials into biochar and other renewable or beneficial-use products. Photo courtesy of Placer County

KINGS BEACH, CA (MPG) - The North Lake Tahoe region is one step closer to a biomass facility that transforms woody material into biochar and other renewable products. 

At its Tuesday meeting, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the Director of Public Works to execute loan agreements with Sierra Nevada Biochar LLC for the proposed Cabin Creek Biomass Facility, advancing the county’s long-standing efforts to reduce woody fuel that could cause a catastrophic wildfire. 

“Finding local beneficial uses for excess woody biomass is an important part of our long-term approach to reducing wildfire risk in Placer County,” said Jared Deck, deputy director of Placer County Public Works in Tahoe. “This project supports our broader efforts to protect communities and reduce the cost of forest health projects.”

The board’s approval includes a loan agreement and promissory note for up to $6 million to support construction and operation of the project. The loan will be released to Biochar upon the county receiving paid receipts and Biochar will repay the loan through principal and interest payments over 60 months at an annual interest rate of 10%. Biochar Now LLC is responsible for any additional funding needed for the project beyond the $6 million county investment.

Importantly, county staff will return to the board at a future date to decide on a ground lease for the project site. The lease was omitted from the board’s vote and will be considered at a future meeting. 

The project will use patented, non-combustion thermal conversion technology to transform locally and sustainably sourced woody biomass and other eligible organic materials into biochar and other renewable or beneficial-use products. The technology replaces a gasification-based power generation system included in a previously approved proposal for the site back in 2013.

The Placer County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the redesigned project at its Sept. 10 meeting and adopted an addendum to the previously certified project’s final environmental impact report.

The proposed facility is one step closer to being developed on the southernmost 2.7 acres of a 148-acre county-owned parcel at the Eastern Regional Landfill complex, located at 900 Cabin Creek Road, approximately 2 miles south of Interstate 80 and just west of state Route 89.

The board’s action advances a public-private partnership between Placer County and Biochar Now LLC for a five-year term, with two successive five-year renewal options.

Placer County established its biomass utilization program in 2006 to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, protect residents and visitors from wildfire impacts, promote the beneficial reuse of excess biomass and improve air quality through alternatives to open burning.

The county previously approved a conditional use permit for a biomass energy facility at the site in 2013 after considering and denying a third-party appeal challenging the project’s environmental analysis. The permit was not exercised and expired in 2015. The current proposal reflects a redesigned approach using non-combustion technology.

Learn more about the project: https://www.placer.ca.gov/2900/Cabin-Creek-Biomass-Energy-Facility.