Fuel Procurement Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin - Placer County ...

Figure 7. Fuel Blend by Percent of TotalThis fuel blend was selected to meet LTBBE objectives of providing a long-term marketsolution for fuels reduction activities in the region. Urban wood is the most cost effectivefuel; however, procuring large volumes of urban wood does not meet the project’sobjective of providing a ready market for forest-sourced fuels reduction residuals. Thisoptimized fuel forecast assumes a fuel blend comprised of 75% hazardous fuels reductionresiduals, thus meeting the project’s stated objectives.This fuel assessment confirmed that the LTBBE facility (scaled at two MW) could besustainably supplied with biomass fuel sourced from within a 20-mile radius of KingsBeach. With a 20-mile radius fuel sourcing area, over 80% of the fuel could be providedby fuels treatment activities within the LTB and the balance (20%) provided by treetrimmings and pine needles from the Eastern Regional Landfill and transfer station atTruckee. Most of the fuels treatment material would not be available economically toother markets or biomass power plants, as transport costs are very significant. PlacerCounty is working with land management agencies to cost share the collection,processing and transport expenses for biomass material that is currently open pile burnedor masticated (chipped and scattered).FUTURE FUEL SUPPLY SOURCES AND RISKSThere are opportunities to expand the recovery and utilization of both forest-sourced fueland urban-sourced fuel. Collection and recovery techniques and equipment have evolvedsignificantly over the last several decades. Continued innovation and improvedFuel Procurement Plan for the Lake Tahoe Basin Biomass Power FacilityTSS Consultants25