Feasibility Planning & Environmental Assessment

Congressional Appropriations

Three primary Congressional appropriations via the Department of Energy were received by Placer County to complete the feasibility and environmental assessment work associated with developing a biomass energy facility at Cabin Creek.

Biomass Utilization Pilot Project Phase I Grant

$492,000 Congressionally Directed Grant (Congressman John Doolittle) via the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) award Number DE-FG36-08GO88026 “to facilitate a comprehensive project that integrates all facets of feasibility for the successful deployment of a woody biomass to energy project located in eastern Placer County.” Such a facility is critical to serving the hazardous forest fuels reduction programs in this region in future years. In order to accomplish this, a series of analytical and investigatory studies were undertaken to provide a private partner with due diligence grade information that can be used to assess the feasibility of planning, constructing and operating a small (1 to 3 megawatts) biomass energy facility. All funds were expended on research and analysis and have been documented in multiple reports.

Biomass Utilization Pilot Project Phase II Grant

$1,427,250 Congressionally Directed Grant (Senator Diane Feinstein) via DOE award Number DE-FG36-08GO88026 to begin the environmental and land use feasibility studies associated with a biomass to energy facility in eastern Placer County. Under this grant Placer County was to complete a number of actions:

  • Prepare environmental studies pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Protection Act.
  • Obtain New Source Review Permitting from the Placer County Air Pollution Control District.
  • Prepare the necessary land use studies to support the receipt of entitlements from Placer County.

These agencies, collectively, govern the proposed site, facility, emissions, and eventual operations. This grant has produced some substantial results that can be viewed in multiple reports on the County’s Biomass Web page. Progress will continue with these funds through 2015 and the completion of the Cabin Creek biomass to energy facility.

Biomass Utilization Project Phase III Grant

$1,000,000 Congressionally Directed Grant (Senator Diane Feinstein) via DOE award Number DE-FG36-08GO88026 to continue work on the Cabin Creek biomass to energy facility. The grant funds were used to develop final analysis, design, and construction of the proposed Biomass Energy Facility at Cabin Creek. These funds will be used to assist in the development of the facility and are projected to be utilized during 2014 and 2015 to complete the project.