Woody Biomass Energy Production Presentation January 27th at GCC

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, January 17, 2011 - Bill Cook, a specialist with Michigan State University’s Forest Biomass Innovation Center, will offer a presentation about Woody Biomass Energy Production at Gogebic Community College later this month. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.

WHEN: 5:30 PM, Thursday, January 27, 2011
WHERE: Room B21, Solin Center, Gogebic Community College

Generating energy from wood products is nothing new. Cook however will provide insights into the emerging technology of woody biomass – particularly looking at “district energy production,” talk about some biomass energy projects, and discuss the feasibility of such a project in the Ironwood Area.

“It seems wasteful to not use wood for an energy source, when it’s inexpensive, renewable, abundant, clean, and keeps our jobs and dollars local,” said Cook. “Nationally, much of the wood energy development has been in the mountain west, southeastern states, and in New England.  Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula, and especially the western UP, represents one of the largest ‘wood baskets’ in the nation, and this wood resource is among the most underutilized in the country.”

MSU’s Upper Peninsula Extension Forester & Wildlife Biologist, Cook has worked with regional private forest owners, natural resource agencies & industries, and within public education communities.  Currently, much of his focus involves wood energy outreach and education, especially about the role of woody biomass as an energy source.  Prior to this position, Cook worked over eight years in American Indian country, for various public and private agencies, Trees for Tomorrow Natural Resources Education Center. He has international forestry experience in Germany, Great Britain, Malaysia, and Sweden.

Cook earned Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in forestry, wildlife management, biology, and natural resources.  His Masters Degree in International Forestry and Third World Development is from the State University of New York, College on Environmental Science & Forestry.

“We don’t know if this technology is feasible for our area,” said Scott Erickson, Ironwood’s City Manager, “But we need to take a look at it and see if there are energy production, business and job benefits for our area.”

The presentation is sponsored by the City of Ironwood, the Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Ironwood Industrial Development Corporation, and the Gogebic County Soil Conservation District.

http://www.biomasscenter.org/index.php/resources/faqs.html

http://www.maes.msu.edu/fbic/pubs.htm#biomass