FirstEnergy to convert plant units to burn biomass

[Fledermaus]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Electric power company FirstEnergy Corp. said Wednesday it plans to spend $200 million to convert two units at an eastern Ohio power plant to burn renewable biomass like wood chips and crops grown as fuel.

The Akron, Ohio-based company said the conversion will make its R.E. Burger plant in Shadyside one of the nation's largest biomass facilities.

"Retrofitting the Burger Plant for biomass will expand our diverse generation portfolio even further and continue our support of state and federal efforts to increase reliance on renewable energy sources," FirstEnergy chief executive Anthony Alexander said in a statement....

"This project will help jump-start the biomass renewable energy industry here in Ohio and also serve as a model for projects throughout the U.S.," Strickland said in a statement.

The converted units will potentially have the same generating capacity as the current coal operation, enough to power 190,000 homes. Some smaller units at the plant that burn coal or oil are not part of the conversion.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ii2n7vvRFIy81WbsRNHWFeLXXrowD979UBM01

[appal_jack]

1. Good start.

Good start. Now start growing the biomass from woody species that tolerate wastewater and coppicing (e.g. - willows) and irrigate them using sewage or lagoon wastes, and we will be approaching something resembling sustainability.

k&r

-app