Ore. tribes seek partners for biomass project

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — The Klamath Tribes are seeking partners for a proposed biomass generation facility north of Chiloquin that could provide energy for about 4,000 homes.

The plant would cost between $8 million and $12 million and is planned for the former Crater Lake Mill site.

The 8-megawatt plant would used biomass sources including woody material and solid waste from urban areas.

"The technology is really extraordinary," said Jeff Mitchell, a Klamath tribal council member.

The Tribes purchased the site in August and have designated the 108-acre parcel as the future home of the Giiwas Green Enterprise Park.

The proposed biomass facility would also would ho use other forest-related industries such as wood bundling services, manufacture of small-diameter poles and posts and juniper products.

Tribal officials estimate the park will produce about 200 family-wage jobs.

Mitchell said the British technology would use of a variety of biomass sources instead of just one.

Woody material or other matter would be decomposed and 90 percent of it would become gas to drive generators. The rest would be a solid carbon byproduct.

Tribal leaders are working with a national American Indian organization as part of a five-tribe project based on forests and tribal economies.

The Tribes also are working with Oregon Institute of Technology and Klamath Community College to provide technical expertise and training for future employees.

Tom Chester, director of the Oregon Renewable Energy Center at OIT, has discussed the project with the Tribes' consultant and said issues remain to be worked out, such as how much energy would be generated and what happens to any leftover material.

Toby Freeman, regional community manager with PacifiCorp, said his company would be open to working with the Tribes but that facility would be in the area serviced by Bend-based Mid-State Electric.

PacifiCorp spoke with the Tribes two years ago about the project and provided some financial analysis, Freeman said.