Enclosure 4A - Project Summary Form
NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROJECTS
Application for Fuels Utilization and Marketing Projects
Applicant
Applicant/Organization: Yakima County, Washington
Phone: 509-574-1500
Email: carla.ward@co.yakima.wa.us
1
FAX: 509-574-1501
Address (Street or P. 0. Box, City, State, Zip): 128 N. Second Street, Room 416, Yakima, WA 98901
Project Coordinator
Project Coordinator (Name and Title): Wendy Mifflin, Senior Manager
Organization/Jurisdiction: Yakima County Public Works
Phone: 509-574-2455
FAX: 509-574-2281 Email: wendy.mifflin@co.yakirna.wa.us
Project Information
Project Title: Biomass Power Plant
Project End: Fall 2002 for completion of the feasibility study; Spring
Project Start: Spring 2002
2005 for completion of the power plant
Federal Funding Request: $40,000
Total Project Funding: $50,000
Are you submiffing multiple projects? If so, please explain and prioritize:
Brief Project Description:
The removal of tons of forest fuels under the National Fire Plan raises two issues - whether the material can be disposed of in an
envirorunentally sound manner, and whether the material can be utilized for an economic benefit. This proposal provides a viable
solution for both of those issues, as well as providing quality jobs and tax revenues for Yakima County, Washington.
Logistically, Yakima County is a suitable location for a biomass power plant, including the availability of forest debris for use as a
fuel source. However, the county faces a significant hurdle before the project can get under way. A feasibility study must be
conducted to determine the size and location of the plant as well as identify other necessary fuels and users of the steaxn and/or
power that will be generated by the facility. The Fuels Utilization and Marketing Projects grant will fund the feasibility study,
which will be completed within six months. If feasible, construction can begin on the project that will create a profitable use for the
forest fuels while providing a non-polluting method of their disposal.
Project Location: Precise location undetermined
County: Yakima County, Washington
Congressional District: Fourth
I
WWasWashingtonWashington
If the applicant is an unincorporated area, define the geographic area being represented:
• A site recommendation.
Cost
the studyIisof
$50,000,
of which the
grant will provide
$40,000. Costs of the study will
Enclosure
4Bof (Page
3) - Project
Narrative
Description
include plant drawings (20 percent), forest ftiel availability (10 percent), plant process calculations (10 percent), administrative (10
Applications
for funding
must include
a narrative (10
response
that describes
the proposal.
do not submit
responses longer
one page,
percent), combustion
efficiency
and emissions
percent),
power/steam
potential Please
(10 percent),
local administration
(10than
percent),
pro
forma
(5
percent),
plant
location
(5
percent),
necessity
of
alternative
ftiels
(5
percent),
and
infrastructure
needs
(5
percent).
single space, 12-pitch font. Describe project including, but not limited to:
Address
these
0
0
project
2. The development
of a project
biomasslocation
power plant typically takes
from
twoincome
to three years for a five- to ten-megawatt plant. The first year
would
be
dedicated
to
securing:
items as
0
project implementation
* project time frames
• Fuel and power or steam contracts
applicable:
0
specify types of activities and equipment used
• A construction0 siteanticipated outcomes
• Air quality, building
and
zoning
permits
0
measures and reporting
9
amount or extent of actions (acres, number of homes, etc)
• Funding. An Environmental Impact Statement also may be required. Actual construction and startup activities should take about
0
partners
*
environmental,
cultural
one year to eighteen months to complete. A five-megawatt plant
usually occupies
aboutand
20 historical
acres andresource
employs requirements
about 25 people.
Response:
The scope of the project is actually twofold. The grant will help fund a feasibility study, which will lead to the construction of a
biomass power plant.
1. The thrust of this grant is to study the feasibility of locating a biomass plant in Yakima County. Energy Products of Idaho (EPI) or
another independent contractor will conduct the study within six months for the county. It will include the basic elements for a biomass
plant. First is the fuel availability on a continuing basis, and second is the sale of steatn and/or generated electricity on a contractual
arrangement to an appropriate utility or consumer. Additionally, the feasibility study will include the following items as outlined in an
RFP:
•
A review and documentation of the current studies in process and completed relating to forest fuels available;
•
A Gatmt chart listing required tasks and persons responsible for such tasks, the costs for each task and an estimated date for task
completion;
•
A pro forma financial statement, including an economic analysis, outlining the anticipated costs and income factors based upon the
recommended biomass plant size.
•
A biomass plant size recommendation based upon fuel availability, continuity of fuels, and contractual electrical sales (megawatt
production capability);
•
An environmental specifications report identifying the type and wnount of pollutants the proposed plant may create by technologies
evaluated;
•
A report on the infrastructure needs, such as water, of the proposed plant;
Enclosure 4B (Page 2 of 3) - Project Evaluation Criteria
Applications for ftinding must include narrative responses that address the following four criteria. Within each criterion, subcriteria are listed in descending order of importance. Limit your responses to the areas provided.
1. Increasing Local Capacity (35 Points)
A. How would the proposal improve or lead to the improvement of the local economy in terms ofjobs and sustainable economic
activity? How many jobs are expected to be created or retained and for how long (please distinguish between essentially
year-round and seasonal jobs)?
B. Will biomass or forest ftiels be utilized; if so, in what manner and how much?
C. Which, if any, private businesses will participate?
D. To what extent will this project be offered to serve as a model for other communities or businesses?
Response:
A. A five-megawatt biomass power plant will create about 25 permanent, year-round positions at the plant site. Additionally, the
plant would generate an undetermined number of other local jobs related to the harvesting forest fuels and transporting them
to the facility.
B. Forest fuels will be used at the approximate rate of 150 tons per day. Other biomass fuels also could be utilized including
municipal solid waste, animal waste, agricultural and industrial waste and sewage and paper sludge.
C. The contractor, as selected through the RFP process, will conduct the feasibility study. If the project is feasible, the selected
contractor will design and construct the plant with the help of subcontractors. Other private contractors will be involved in
the collection and transportation of forest and other ftiels to the plant.
D. The project will serve as a model in two capacities:
I . Biomass technology is exceptionally clean in terms of emissions, and can combust a much
wider range of fiiels, which allows the owner/operator to compensate if one fuel source
diminishes. This technology is not widely known by municipalities, which could benefit from
its use.
2. Developers of the project will help the Forest Service establish a viable method of collecting
forest ftiels and transporting them to the site of the power plant. These harvesting methods can
be employed by other projects.
2. Reducing fire risl (30 points)
Describe how the proposal promotes reduction of risk in high hazard areas and communities.
Describe how the proposed project benefits resources on federal land or adjacent non-federal land, or how it protects the
safety of communities.
C. To what extent does the project implement or create a cooperative fuels treatment plan or community fire strategy (include
evidence of the plan if it already exists)?
D. Explain how the proposal (a) leads to, enhances or restores a local fire-adapted ecosystem, and/or (b) mitigates or leads to the
mitigation of hazardous fuels conditions.
Response:
A. The project will provide a permanent, non-polluting means of utilizing forest fuels that are adjacent to populated areas. The
forest fuel will be used to produce power, which is a direct benefit to the respective communities and a motivation to remove
the materials on a continual basis.
B. Thinning ladder fuels not only reduces fire danger, but also enhances the health of the forest. However, not all of the ladder
ftiels have an economic benefit. Finding a use for slash and other small-diatneter material could be difficult in the absence of a
biomass power plant.
C. A guaranteed method of disposing of otherwise useless forest waste will help foster a cooperative fuels treatment plan or
community fire strategy.
D. Providing a profitable use for forest fuels will provide the impetus to maintain a mitigation of hazardous conditions.
A.
B.
Social - The project
Enclosure
will provide numerous
4B (Page
well-paying
3 of 3)
jobs
- Project
to the community
Evaluation
as well as Criteria
a reliable, environmentally friendly
Response:
B. Increasing
source ofinteragency
power. Tax revenues
and intergovernmental
from the plant will
coordination.
help fund the
(15community
Points) infrastructure and social programs.
Educational - The project will provide a tangible example of how biomass technology can convert waste into energy
without hartning the environment. Public awareness of the benefits of green power has become a priority of the
government, and Yakima County will be a case in point.
A.
To what extent have interested people and communities been provided an opportunity to become informed and involved in this
proposal?
B.
Describe the extent of local support for the project, including any cost-sharing arrangements
C.
What are the environmental, social and educational benefits of the project?
A.
The Yakima County Board of Commissioners and Public Works Department and the Yakima County Development Association are
informed, involved and supportive of the project.
B.
The level of local support is high. The county commission unanimously has endorsed the proposal, and the Yakima County
Development Association is assisting in the grant application process. Yakima County is providing $2,000 cash of the local match and
assuming the responsibility for the match balance.
C.
Envirorunental - In addition to reducing wildfires and improving the health of the forest by utilizing ladder fuels, the project will
provide a non-polluting method of disposing of the debris. Biomass technology has proven to be the cleanest combustion method in the
industry. The alternatives would be natural decomposition, open burning, or landfilling, none of which are enviroriimentally friendly methods
of disposal.
4.
Increasing interagency and intergovernmental coordination. (20 Points)
A.
Explain the level of cooperation, coordination or strategic planning among federal, state, tribal, local government and community
organizations in developing this proposal. List the cooperators.
B.
Describe how this project implements a local intergovernmental strategy or plan, or creates such a plan. Describe the plan if
A.
Partners in the project include the Yakima County Board of Commissioners and the Yakima County Development Association
B.
The afore-mentioned entities as well as various Yakima County agencies have been aggressively working on an economic
development strategy that will bring jobs to the community. Job creation through a biomass power plant project will have a multiple effect.
2.
Ancillary jobs will be created through the removal of forest ftiels as well as the transportation of materials in the various operations
related to the biomass plant.
3.
Administrative jobs will be created to monitor and manage entire systems ranging from fuels location and extraction to ash disposal
to power sales and transfers.
4.
There will also be a significant boost to the local economy through a dramatically increased tax base and the flow of new dollars to
circulate within the community.
it already exists.
Response:
I . Jobs will be created at the biomass plant site for operation and maintenance.
Enclosure 4C - Project Work Form
Tasks
Time Frame
Responsible Party
Conduct a feasibility study to determine the
size and location of a biomass power plant in
Yakima County as well as identify other
necessary fuels and users of the steam and/or
power that will be generated by the facility.
Six months.
Independent contractor selected
through the RFP process.
Design and construct a biomass power plant in
Yakima County.
Three years maximum.
Contractor.
Agency
Applicant
Partner I Budget
Enclosure
4D -Project
Partner 2 Total
Cost Category
Description
Federal
Personnel
- ------------ -
Fringe Benefits
---- - - - - - ----------- - ---- - ------
Subtotal
Travel
Subtotal
----------------------------------------- I
Equipment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal
---------------------
Supplies
Subtotal
-----------------------------------------
Contractual
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal
Other
Subtotal
------------------------------------------
Total Costs
$40,000
------------------------------------------
------------
$10 ----------------------,00 -----0
---------------------
$50,000
Project (Program) Income'
Program income is the gross revenue generated by a grant or cooperative agreement supported activity during the life of the grant.
Program income can be made by recipients from fees charged for conference or workshop attendance, from rental fees earned from
renting out real property or equipment acquired with grant or cooperative agreement funds, or from the sale of commodities or items
developed under the grant or cooperative agreement. The use of Program Income during the project period may require prior approval
by the granting agency.
1