Posts Tagged: Wood To Energy Grant
BCAP Approved facilities and W2E Grant Recipients Announced!
Wood-to-Energy Updates
On July 15, 2014, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $1.25 million in awards for nine wood energy projects nationwide through the 2014 Wood to Energy Grant Program (W2E). Two of the recipients are here in California and will receive total of $346,000. Projects funded under the 2014 W2E are:
- BVP Property, LLC for the Big Valley Lumber and Cogeneration Facility
- The Watershed Research and Training Center for a System Impact Study in the North Fork and Wilseyville CHP Projects. This System Impact Study will help with the interconnection development phase for two SB1122 projects.
Read the USFS W2E Announcement Here
BCAP Updates
Also in the news, 36 energy facilities in 14 states have been selected to as approved facilities for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The program provides payments to landowners producing forestry or agriculture used in energy production. Thirteen of these facilities are in California. Starting July 28, 2013, biomass supplied to these facilities may qualify for BCAP delivery assistance. NOTE: This leaves a short window to apply for funding assistance before the deadline on SEPTEMBER 26, 2014. ALSO NOTE: Forest biomass is only eligible for payments under the BCAP program if it is sourced from land owned by the US Government (USDA, BLM, DOD, etc.). For interested biomass producers, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), will begin accepting applications between JULY 28 and AUGUST 25 for match funding on biomass fuel before SEPTEMBER 26, 2014. |
See the list of approved facilities in California below:
/table>/h2>/h2>2014 Wood-to-Energy Program Overview Webinar
2014 USFS Wood to Energy Grant Program Overview
Friday May 15, 13:30 - 15:00
Background
The Woody Biomass Utilization Group hosted a webinar on the US Forest Service Wood to Energy Grant Program. As the deadline for submission is nigh, this webinar was dedicated to answering questions applicants developing proposals. The presenters included application reviewers from previous years as well as successful applicants from the region.
Recording
Agenda
Introduction and Objectives -- 5 min -- Peter Tittmann (UC Berkeley)
W2E Grant Program Overview -- 15 min -- Larry Swan (USFS R5 State and Private Forestry)
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Large file application upload link
Tips on a successful application -- 10 min -- Mark Knaebe (USFS Forest Products Lab)
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Repetition in the application is a negative, be kind to reviewers and site appropriate sections instead of repeating.
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Create text-searchable pdf applications. Generate pdf directly from the word processing program used (eg Word). Don't print ad scan
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Adjust image resolution to reduce file size
Case Studies:
Mik McKee: Sierra Institute for Community and Environment -- 10 min
“A compelling story with no holes”
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economically sound
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ecological impact
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letters of support
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feasibility studies
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financial pro-formas for a range of technologies
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how is your project innovative and viable?
Elissa Brown: North Fork Community Development Corporation -- 10 min
- Feasibility study may provide most of the information needed for the application
- Feasibility studies are critical
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2 bids for engineering services
- System Impact Study necessary for interconnection (Rule 21) PG&E does the work $40-50k but can be more or less.
- Proven technology and experienced management team.
Q&A -- 40 min
Presenter Contact Information & Links
Peter Tittmann UC Berkeley Center for Forestry (510) 665-3518 |
Mik McKee Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (530) 284-1022 |
Larry Swan US Forest Service Region 5 State and Private Forestry (707) 562-8917 |
Elissa Brown North Fork Community Development Corporation (559) 877-2432 |
Mark Knaebe USFS Forest Products Lab (608) 231 9422 |
Large file application: |
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2014 Wood-to-Energy Grant Program Announced! DEADLINE:June 3, 2014
Key Dates:Application Due Date: Approximate Date for Announcement of Results: Award Date (completion of award package): |
The U.S. Forest Service has opened requests for proposals under the 2014 Wood-To-Energy Grant Program (a.k.a W2E, Woody Biomass Utilization Grant). See RFP Here.
Please note that this is a dual announcement and only the Wood-to-Energy portion is eligible to California as the state successfully obtained a grant for a statewide grant last year and cannot apply again.
This program will assist applicants with the engineering design work needed to apply for public or private loans assisting with the construction and long-term financing of wood energy facilities that rely in part on hazardous fuels removed from national forests.
The UC Berkeley Woody Biomass Group will also be scheduling a webinar in the coming weeks to help explain application guidelines and evaluation criteria. Announcement to follow. However, DO NOT WAIT for the webinar to begin your application and START on your application as soon as possible.
Key contacts for potential applicants are:
Dr. Peter Tittmann UC Woody Biomass Utilization Group pwt@berkeley.edu (510) 665-3518 |
Larry Swan USFS Region 5 Utilization/Biomass Coordinator lswan01@fs.fed.us (707) 562-8917 |
For more information, please visit the Wood Education and Resource Center and see the USDA announcement. Applications may be submitted through www.grants.gov. Application restrictions and deadlines are outlined in the Federal Register notice.