PORT TOWNSEND — A forum on the use of biomass in the generation of electricity is planned Monday.
The forum, sponsored by the Local 2020 Energy Action Group, will be from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
Two plants on the North Olympic Peninsula — Port Townsend Paper Corp. and Nippon Paper Industries USA in Port Angeles — are planning to expand their biomass facilities.
Both are the subjects of appeals to state agencies by environmental groups, who say burning wood waste for industrial uses increases air and water pollution and threatens the sustainability of forest ecosystems.
Three speakers will address the issue Monday.
Larry Bonar, retired biophysicist, will present an overview touching on the history of biomass and explain some of the terms involved with its use.
Bill Wise, a Port Townsend energy activist, will present the case for biomass and cogeneration, especially as it relates to the Port Townsend Paper mill and the Olympic Peninsula.
Diana Somerville of Port Angeles, an environmental journalist and spokeswoman for environmental groups objecting to biomass use, will detail environmental concerns about using biomass as an energy source.
Helen Kolff will moderate the forum. She and her husband, former Port Townsend Mayor Kees Kolff, are developing EcoVillage, an “intentional community,” at 510 35th St. in Port Townsend.
The Port Townsend Paper Corp. plans a $55 million project that would generate up to 24 megawatts of electrical power.
Nippon’s $71 million upgrade of its biomass boiler would generate up to 20 megawatts of electrical power.
The companies would use the steam from the upgraded biomass boilers to make paper and could then sell credits for the electrical power.
An appeal of the Port Townsend mill’s project will be before the state Pollution Control Hearings Board on June 2-3.
An appeal of Nippon’s project will be heard April 7 and May 2-3 by the state Shoreline Hearings Board.
Appealing the Port Townsend Paper Corp.’s proposed biomass cogeneration project are Port Townsend AirWatchers, No Biomass Burn of Seattle, World Temperate Rainforest Network, Olympic Environmental Council and Olympic Forest Coalition.
Those groups also are appealing the Nippon plant’s plans and are joined in that action by the Center for Environmental Law and Policy of Spokane and the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club.
After Monday’s presentations, questions will be taken from the audience.
Those interested in a follow-up discussion are invited to a meeting Wednesday, April 6, also at the Port Townsend Community Center.
For more information, phone Helen Lauritzen at 360-379-2987 or Kolff at 360-379-4858.
