Nov 7, 2017
The Western Statewide Wood Energy Team Forum 2017 provides two and a half days of presentations, lively discussion and meaningful networking opportunities devoted to progressing forest biomass energy in the Western States. Topics to include new biomass energy projects, national and state policies, new biomass products in existing markets, biochar, the existing California biomass power industry, project finance, and more.
Who is encouraged to attend: state wood energy team members, project developers, entrepreneurs, technologists and professionals in the forest products and energy industry, engineers, economic development organizations, local, state and federal land managers and government representatives, foresters, researchers and more.
Who should attend?
- State wood energy team members
- Project developers
- Entrepreneurs
- Technologists and professionals in the forest products and energy industry
- Engineers
- Economic development organizations
Local, state and federal land managers
| DRAFT AGENDA AT A GLANCE | |||
| Monday, November 13 Networking Opportunity | |||
| Tuesday, November 14 |
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| 8:30AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks | ||
| 8:45 | Morning Keynote: CAL FIRE's Efforts with Biomass Energy and Cap and Trade Grants. Helge Eng, Deputy Director, Resource Management, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection |
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| 9:15 | Wood Energy Team Profiles | ||
| 10:30 | Networking Break | ||
| 11:00 | Panel 1: Biomass Successes Stories: Biomass success usually comes after overcoming many hurdles. Hear directly from biomass developers and project managers about their path toward success. Small-scale community modern wood heating systems and biomass product entrepreneurs and developers share their experiences, insights and expertise. Moderator: Marcus Kauffman, Oregon Department of Forestry. Panelists include: Greg Stangl, Phoenix Biomass Energy; Camille Swezy, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment |
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| 12:00PM | Lunch | ||
| 1:00 | Panel 2: Sector Specific Highlights: Biomass can be used to make so much more than heat and power. It can help communities transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. In this panel, we'll discuss innovative ways for using local biomass heat to grow food, make ice or provide cooling, and heat ski resorts. Panelists include: Lauren Burch, Southeast Island School District; Julie Kies, US Forest Service Region 1 |
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| 2:30 | Networking Break | ||
| 3:30 | Panel 3: National and State Policy Review, Claire Jahns, Assistant Secretary for Climate Issues, California Natural Resources Agency | ||
| 4:15 | National Wood Chip Standard, Adam Sherman, Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) |
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| 5:00-7:00 | Welcome Reception | ||
| Wednesday, November 15 | |||
| 8:30AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | ||
| 8:45 | Morning Keynote: Thomas Wheeler, Supervisor-Madera County | ||
| 9:15 | Wood Energy Team Profiles | ||
| 10:30 | Networking Break | ||
| 11:00 | Panel 4: Updates in Biochar: The Panel will discuss advances in biochar production, its utilization as a soil amendment, and emerging science on its use as a filtration medium. Panelists represent a broad spectrum of interest in biochar and include: Matt Hart, Director of Business Development, West Biofuels; Bill Carriere, Owner, Carriere Family Farms; Dr. Gerardo Diaz, Associate Professor, University of California, Merced | ||
| 12:00PM | Lunch | ||
| 1:00 | Tuolumne County National Disaster Resilience Competition Biomass Project - In January 2016, California received a $70 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund forest and community resilience efforts related to the ongoing recovery from the Rim Fire of 2013. In addition to funding forest and watershed health projects in the Rim Fire footprint and constructing a new community resilience center, the grant provides $22 million to support the development of a new biomass utilization facility in Tuolumne County. Elliott Vander Kolk from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, a California State Agency, will discuss this unique approach to funding biomass infrastructure. Elliott Vanderkolk, CDBG-NDR Project Coordinator, Sierra Nevada Conservancy | ||
| 1:45 | Panel 5: Financing Bioenergy Projects: Why we Can't Get Financing and What We Can Do About It - Moderator: Elissa Brown, Sierra Nevada Conservancy; Panelists include: Janice Tran, Generate Capital; Dan McDonald, Northern California Community Loan Fund; Subin DeVar, Sustainable Economies Law Center; Bryan Hung, Novogradac & Co LLP | ||
| 3:15 | Networking Break | ||
| 3:30 | Panel 6: Existing Biomass Power in California: California has produced more biomass power than the rest of the US combined since the 1990s. Existing biomass power plants in California gather to discuss getting power purchase agreements through the BioRAM program and Community Choice Aggregation, barriers introduced by High Hazard Zone fuel requirements, and the future of California's existing biomass power infrastructure. Panelists include: Rick Spurlock, Plant Manager, Rio Bravo Fresno; Greg Mueller, Plant Manager, Loyalton; Bob Marino, Plant Manager, DG Fairhaven | ||
| 5:00 | Adjourn and dinner on own or networking at Full Circle Brewing | ||
| Thursday, November 16 - Optional Tour of Rio Bravo Fresno Power |
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| 9:30AM | Meet at the Radisson Hotel Fresno and carpool to Rio Bravo Fresno Power, 3350 S. Willow Avenue, Fresno, CA 93725 | ||
| 10:00 | Tour of Rio Bravo Fresno Power | ||
| 12:00PM | Box lunch provided and return to Radisson Hotel, Fresno to depart | ||
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