Arizona Biomass Plant Comes on Line

On February 17th, Arizona Public Service (APS) brought its 3-megawatt Eager Biomass Project on line. The plant is fueled with vegetation waste from the nearby Apache-Sitgreaves Forest. APS indicated the plant will not only provide clean energy and help the company meet its requirements under the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), but also improve the health of the forest and reduce the risk of wildfires by thinning highly combustible material.  By using the wood chips that are produced from the forested trees, APS expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15,000 tons per year versus emissions that would otherwise result from uncontrolled burning.  APS funded the majority of the $4.0 million cost of the plant and intends it to be a template for similar projects elsewhere in the state.

© Copyright 2004 – Strategic Clean Energy, LLC