U.S. Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Region
Earl Ford, Plumas National Forest Supervisor…
“We are anxious to have the Loyalton plant open because of the significant help it will provide in our management of the national forest.”
Plumas Rural Services, Loyalton Biomass Power Plant Revitalization
The Forest Service has awarded a grant of $70,125 to Plumas Rural Services to help obtain the necessary engineering services to complete the purchase and restart Sierra Pacific Industries’ Loyalton Biomass Power Plant. The plant was closed in 2010 because of low power prices, but a new owner will open up different market options. The Loyalton Biomass Power Plant was the largest private, year-round employer in Sierra County before it closed, with 19 jobs on-site and another 50 jobs off-site in the supply chain. The unique partnership between Plumas Rural Services and Sierra Pacific Industries will significantly benefit the economic well-being of a rural county, and reopen a critical disposal site for excess urban, agricultural and forest woody biomass from both private and public lands.
“These grants will help dispose of materials that increase fire danger and reduce smoke pollution while creating renewable energy for California,” said Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester. “This is truly a win-win since these projects create sustainable jobs and renewable energy from excess forest biomass that could otherwise contribute to catastrophic wildfires.”
This is huge for Plumas county loggers and land owners. Since the mill in Quincy has stopped taking chips (biomass) from most loggers it has put loggers out of work. Not to mention the tops of the trees that are usually used for biomass are left in the forest to rot and create fire danger. Land owners such as Graeagle Land & Water company will not log their land if the mill will not take their biomass because they don’t want to leave the tops of the trees in the woods. It looks bad, increases fire danger and is a financial disadvantage. Having the Loyalton plant back up and running will not only help loggers and land owners but keep the competition fair between the regions biomass power plants.