My Account        Home

MBLP Biomass Fuel Project

Renew1 Renew3 Renew4


 A series of projects are underway at the Shiras Steam Plant in preparation for receipt of the first shipment of biomass fuel energy cubes from Renewafuel to be burned in Shiras Unit No. 2. Currently conveyor and material handling systems are being installed and a storage building to hold the biomass renewable energy fuel cubes will be erected next month. The first shipment of the biomass fuel cubes is scheduled to arrive September 1. Meetings with environmental testing vendors are ongoing to provide the environmental data required for a Test Burn Permit from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

 The Marquette  Board of Light and Power is partnering with Renewafuel and plans to purchase 60,000 tons of the biomass fuel cubes annually following, small test burns which yielded encouraging results.. According to MBLP Executive Director Kirby Juntila, the $5 million annually spent out-of-state to purchase coal for Unit No. 2 will now be reinvested locally and will help strengthen the local economy and the forest product industry. The biomass cubes have lower greenhouse emissions and will yield valuable “green credits” required in Michigan utility portfolios. The coal-sized renewable energy cubes consist of a blend of renewable and readily available commodities such as wood and wood byproducts.

Copyright © 2010 by the Marquette Board of Light and Power  •  2200 Wright Street  •  Marquette, Michigan  •  Phone:(906)228-0311

Site by the U.P. Web Maestro - www.upwebmaestro.com