For Immediate Release: July 22, 2004
Contact:  Hillerie Patton     BLM 303-239-3671
Vaughn Whatley  BLM 303-239-3766
 

Secretary Norton Signs Agreement with Jefferson County to Explore Development of Biomass Utilization Facility

GOLDEN, Colo. – Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton joined state, federal, county and local business leaders today to announce an agreement that creates a partnership and directs a study to determine the feasibility of bringing a biomass demonstration facility to Jefferson County.

“I am delighted to join Jefferson County and its partners in exploring opportunities to reduce hazardous fuels build-up in the nations’ forests, while utilizing the woody biomass for electrical energy the public can use,” Norton said. “This important agreement allows us to work together to maximize the benefits and value of biomass utilization.” 

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed today by Secretary Norton and representatives from the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, Jefferson County, Xcel Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory agree to conduct a feasibility study that explores the potential for developing a biomass demonstration conversion facility in Jefferson County, Colo.  The focus will be on using forest debris and converting it into electricity while reducing hazardous fuels that serve to fuel catastrophic wildfires.

The project’s goal is to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires within populated mountain communities, also known as the Wildland Urban Interface.  Coloradoans continue to be at risk of wildfire.  Experts estimate that Colorado contains 6.2 million acres in the “Red Zone,” an area of high risk for catastrophic fires.  In Jefferson County alone, more than 40,000 residents live within this potentially dangerous zone.  Forest thinning efforts for the use of biomass projects will reduce the level of fuels available, and can be used statewide to lessen the potential for wildfires and the resulting negative effects on the ecosystem.

 The biomass facility feasibility study will look at the viability of a program that would utilize small diameter trees and wood debris taken from overgrown forest areas – reducing the risk of catastrophic forest fires – while creating environmentally and economically-friendly bioenergy.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 8.3 million acres of public lands in Colorado. These lands are managed for a multitude of uses including, but not limited to, recreation, mining, wildlife habitat and livestock grazing. Along with these 8.3 million acres, BLM oversees 27.3 million subsurface acres for mineral development in the state.

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