MBLP Biomass Fuel Project
 |
 |
 |
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.
