Austin Approves $2.3 Billion Biomass Energy Project
Last week, the Austin City Council approved a $2.3 billion purchasing agreement with what will become the largest wood-waste-fueled biomass plant in the United States. The city will buy all power produced by the 100 megawatt facility for the next 20 years
Once completed—which should be sometime in 2012—the Sacul, Texas plant will be the largest of it’s kind in the country. The facility will generate power from burning wood waste from logging and mill operations, urban waste from tree clearing and trimming, and from shipping pallets.
All sources of fuel are required to meet Texas Renewable Energy Credit Standards and Texas Forestry Management Practices.
Businesses and some environmental groups have nonetheless voiced concern over the cost of the project and its environmental impact.
