Originally published February 4 2006
Trees killed by beetles could prove a source of biomass energy for Canadian plants
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to a report made by the BIOCAP Canada Foundation, trees destroyed by the Mountain Pine Beetle could prove useful as a clean fuel source for biomass energy plants.
The BIOCAP Canada Foundation, a multi-stakeholder research foundation, released a report showing that a portion of the trees killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) could be a clean energy source.
The trees, the company says, could supply a climate-friendly fuel for a 300 MW electrical power plant at reasonable cost while creating jobs, contributing to a clean environment and helping Canada meet its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.
New Society Publishers "Our study shows that a large scale power plant using about 7 per cent of the tree biomass killed in the MPB infestation could provide central BC with 300 MW of power for the next 20 years.
The MPB infestation has reached epidemic proportions in British Columbia (BC), affecting an estimated 10 million hectares of forest.
Vast areas of dead, standing timber create a significant fire hazard, and threaten the way of life for thousands of people in the affected communities who have relied on traditional forestry for their livelihood.
"Our study shows that a large scale power plant using about 7 per cent of the tree biomass killed in the MPB infestation could provide central BC with 300 MW of power for the next 20 years," said Professor Kumar.
"It would also help Canada meet its climate change commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, and put British Columbia in the forefront of biomass power generation in the world."
"The huge amount of dead biomass in a concentrated area creates a unique opportunity for the affected communities to make the transition to a sustainable, bio-based economy -- an economy in which our forest and agricultural lands provide not only food and fiber, but the energy that we now get from fossil fuels."
The estimated cost of the power, ranging from $68 to $74 per MW hour, is very competitive compared to other green sources; power cost includes a 10 percent return on investment.
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