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Wood-Peat Municipal Solid Waste Agricultural Byproducts Alaska Bioenergy Program Semi-annual Report Jan-Jun 1996
wood - peat municipal solid waste agricultural byproducts Alaska Bioenergy Program Semi-annual Report January - June 1996 State of Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs Division of Energy TABLE OF CONTENTS |. REGIONAL ADVISORY GROUP ACTIVITIES ..........eeessssesesseeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseteeeee ee 2 Il. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. ..........cseeseeeseees 2 Il INTERAGENCY AND INDUSTRY CONTACTS & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT... 3 IV. RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT / SMALL-SCALE RURAL BIOENERGY FACILITY DEMONSTRATION ..........::ccecssseeeseeeeeeeeees 4 V. INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES IN ALASKA.........cccccssssssessssssesssesseseseeeeeesseeeteseeseataeeetets 4 Appendix A Partial List of Alaska Bioenergy Program Contacts Appendix B Bioenergy News Appendix C Current Industry-Related News Articles REGIONAL ADVISORY GROUP ACTIVITIES Coordination with Other Group Members. In January the Division of Energy met with other members of the PNA Regional Bioenergy Program in Tumwater, Washington to present updates of regional and state activities and to assess alternatives for new projects. During the reporting period the Alaska program provided regular written and verbal reports of state activity to the RBEP program manager and consultant. Regional Project Monitoring--Copper Center Incinerator. The Division served as contracting officer’s technical representative for Entech Inc.’s Thermal Oxidation System Energy Recovery Project in Copper Center. During most of the six- month period the USDoE NEPA office continued its year-long review of the environmental assessment for the one TPD incinerator project, prepared in February, 1995 by the Alaska Program. During the period the we monitored and attempted to facilitate the review by providing information to the NEPA office, USDoE general counsel, and the associated consulting firm. We also gave periodic project updates to co-funder Alaska Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Foundation In June USDoE gave its approval to the project EA, thus satisfying a special condition in Entech’s $100,000 grant from the regional program. Other Task Force Activities. In February, on the behalf of the PNA regional program, the Division submitted review comments on the draft Pellet Consumer Pamphlet, prepared by the Hearth Education Foundation. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE During this period the Division of Energy received and responded to 37 requests for technical assistance and information regarding small-scale bioenergy power feasibility, incineration, waste-to-energy, densified wood, charcoal production, peat utilization, financial assistance for renewable energy, marketing ethanol technology, fuel availability, power generating capacity, and other topics. A partial list of contacts is given in Appendix A. This period we distributed over 500 copies of the Bioenergy News to private companies involved in the forest products and solid waste industries; Native corporations; universities; federal, state and local agencies; the Alaska state legislature and media throughout Alaska. A copy of the newsletter and mailing list is in Appendix B. This issue contained e Anarticle on promising small-scale biomass power technologies Nv e Updates on Alaskan bioenergy projects: Quinhagak incinerator, Copper Center heat recovery incinerator, the Rural Heat project, Thorne Bay Wood Waste assessment, and the performance of wood-fired boiler in Sutton. e A\listing of upcoming conferences and new publications INTERAGENCY AND INDUSTRY CONTACTS & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Interagency Coordination During this period the Division maintained regular contact with state forestry and environmental managers regarding ongoing and potential projects. (See Appendix A for a partial list of contacts.) In February we worked with Southeast Regional Health Corporation and Alaska DEC to line up incineration presenters at a waste management workshop in Sitka. In March, at a meeting sponsored by ASTF, we met with numerous timber industry and government officials to discuss how to promote secondary wood processing and the organization of a manufacturing assistance center. Project Development. This period we continued cooperation with University of Alaska Fairbanks to finalize their proposal to ASTF for funding pre-design work fore residential-sized cogeneration systems linking Stirling engines, thermoelectric chips, and thermovoltaic cells to wood stoves. In June ASTF turned down the funding request, but indicated possible support if the proposal were modified. The University is currently modifying the request. Also during the period we worked with Sandia National Lab, California consultant Ecotrade, and regional Native non-profit corporation Tanana Chiefs Conference to organize a feasibility assessment of small biomass power systems in Interior Alaska villages. Late in the process, Indian Resources funding from USDoE, which had been earmarked for the work, became unavailable. The project is on hold. Related to this effort, in January we assisted the Electric Power Research Institute in finding Alaskan utility partners in a project which seeks to develop and market a small-scale power system fueled by biomass. During the spring, we provided information and direction to the Governor's Office and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development in responding to a proposal by JMCA Inc. and a local entrepreneur to test plant the ethanol crop “Sun Spuds’ in Alaska. Significant interest was generated in the state and the state sent two officials to Colorado to witness the harvest of the tubers. An Alaskan test planting was to be conducted in summer; however nematodes were found in the seed stock, making transport to Alaska impossible. Interest we IV. remains, and the Division of Agriculture is seeding clean seed stock for a future planting. Juneau Waste-to-Energy. During this period we assisted Channel Corporation in finalizing their proposal for cost share of a study of recovering energy from its incinerators in Juneau. In June the Division sent Channel a draft grant agreement for pass-through of up to $45,000 in regional program funds. The agreement requires a 1:1 match by Channel, Division approval of a contractor, and Division review and approval of study work products. An RFP is expected to be released in September. RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT/ SMALL-SCALE RURAL BIOENERGY FACILITY DEMONSTRATION Rural Heat Conservation and Fuel Substitution Project. During this period the Division and consultant, USKH Engineering, completed the first phase of this project. The first phase assessed energy usage in major buildings in rural Alaska, such as schools and community buildings, and identified feasible energy efficiency and wood fuel substitution retrofits. The Division took responsibility for contact with building managers and spent considerable time tracking down energy cost and consumption figures. Consultant USKH Engineering prepared a final draft report in February. After two rounds of Division review and modification by USKH the report was finalized in March. We mailed out 90 copies of the report to study area building managers, government staff, and members of the PNA RBEP in May. A major question for possible retrofits of oil-fired space heating systems to wood boilers has been the capital cost. In order to refine the wood boiler cost estimates from phase 1 we began work in June with the village of Dot Lake to analyze feasibility of a retrofit there. Preliminary economics looked favorable and Dot Lake is interested in using local wood fuel in their district heating system, which uses around 18,000 gallons per year of fuel oil. INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES IN ALASKA A. Forest Products Forest products news was dominated by the Alaska Congressional Delegation’s efforts to provide timber from the Tongass National Forest to sawmills and pulp mills in Southeast. After years of delay, the Forest Service released a draft plan for the Tongass in April. The preferred alternative gave an allowable cut of 297 mmbf/yr, approximately midway between the 0 to 577 mmbf/yr alternatives for economic timber. Senator Frank Murkowski immediately blasted the Forest Service, saying that actual feasible cut would be around 200 mmbf/yr, not enough to sustain a timber industry. Earlier in the year Murkowski had warned that viability of the Ketchikan Pulp Company’s (KPC) Southeast operation alone required at least 200 mmbf/yr. Historically the Tongass allowable sale quantity was 450 mmbffyr. Management of the Tongass also figured heavily into the 1996 federal budget negotiations, which had been stalled since last year. Senator Ted Stevens was the crafter of the “Tongass Rider” on the budget package, which would require that at least 1.7 million acres in the national forest be managed for timber and that 282 mmbf tied up in court be released for harvest. After months of negotiations it was agreed that the rider would remain, but that the President could waive the rider's provisions. If the provisions were waived then $110 million would be appropriated to Southeast Alaska communities as “disaster relief’ for the impact of federal policies. In April, as expected, President Clinton waived the provisions, triggering the federal aid. Meanwhile, the Forest Service and environmentalists settled a lawsuit over the timber which remained from Alaska Pulp Company’s canceled long-term sale. This frees around 100 mmbf of timber in the northern portion of the Tongass. Anger over diminishing federal timber availability prompted Representative Don Young to hold hearings in January on his proposal to transfer the Tongass to state ownership. Sen. Stevens, on his part, held hearings to consider whether the Forest Service should be abolished. Rep. Young has begun work with KPC to extend the long-term timber contract with the Forest Service for another 15 years. The current 50-year contract ends in 2004, and KPC says it needs the extension to obtain financing for around $200 million in improvements to the aging pulp mill. Rep. Young chairs the House Resource Committee, where he would introduce the extension bill. The Governor is supporting extension of the sale. A decline in pulp prices has slowed down chip operations in Southeast and Interior. Delivered interior chips fell from around $500 per bdu to $375 at dockside. Harvest operations have slowed in the Nenana and Glenallen areas, as timber companies and landowners attempt to wait out the market slump. The long-term market for chips and sawlogs still looks good, however, and a number of national companies continue to assess Interior hardwood as veneer and fiberboard stock. Citing saw log shortages, Steve Seley closed his $5.1 million, sawmill in Ketchikan. Capable of sawing 25 mmbf/yr, the mill employed 60. Seley is considering relocating to Prince of Wales Island and other areas with a steady supply of fiber. B. Solid Waste Eielson Air Force Base continued operation of its 6 tph Warren and Baerg paper cuber. The plant is working without major problems and the manager of the coal-fired power plant which fires the cubes reports improved combustion. Eielson is considering the addition of a heated dye extension on the back end of the cuber in order to better utilize plastics in the waste stream. Klawock is considering a heat recovery incinerator. DEC has noted that the City is in violation of solid waste regulations at its landfill, which takes in over 2000 tpy from the City and nearby Craig. The quoted cost of the incinerator is less than the cost of bringing the landfill up into compliance. The City Council has not taken action on a proposal from BJM Environmental for their proposed $556,000 incinerator. APPENDIX A Partial List of Alaska Bioenergy Program Contacts Alaska Bioenergy Program DATE January January 2 January 3, 24 January 8-10 January 11 January 12 January 16 Partial List of Contacts January to June 1996 CONTACT Brent Petrie lliamna-Newhalen Nondalton Electric Coop. lliamna Ron Hansen Hansen Engineering Juneau PNAB Advisory Group meeting Tumwater, WA Bob Valdeghta Seward Tim Cruise BJM Environmental Solutions Inc. Anchorage Paul Roberts Clean Custom Fuels WA Jane Turnbull EPRI Palo Alto, CA Dave Wallingford Alaska DNR Div. Forestry Anchorage Patty Harper Alaska Rural Electric Coop Association Anchorage Bud Duke Yukon-Koyukuk School District Fairbanks DESCRIPTION Nondalton installing incinerator. Juneau WTE project. Review of pre-proposal. Regional and state bioenergy project updates. Seward sawmill remains, local chip and wood products market. “Thermal Oxidizer” hopes to be installed in Hydaburg and Klawock. MSW-derived densified solid, liquid and gaseous fuel. Info request. Partners for EPRI initiative into small-scale bioenergy power systems development. Power statistics for Alaska. Chip market down to $350/bdu from $475-500. Potential interest in EPRI initiative. ARECA’s Rural Issues Forum. Rural Heat project. Price of oil. January 17, 30 January 22 January 23 January 24 Jan 26 Judy McGrath Light and Power McGrath Shelly Tanana Power Wasilla Rodney Yamamoto Delta Hardwoods Delta Junction Chen Sen Lin, Douglas Goering, Deben Das University of Alaska Engineering, Fairbanks Yinka Ogunsola Minerals Research Lab University of Alaska Fairbanks Jim Buckley Alaska Dept. Military and Veteran Affairs Anchorage Sean Thorenson Southeast Alaska Reg. Health Corporation Sitka Rose Hayes USDoE Washington, DC Charles MacArthur Ctr. For Devel. Low Energy Technologies Sangerville, ME Mike Pope Entech Anchorage Maury White Stirling Technology Company Kennewick, WA Matthew Brown National Conference of State Legislators Denver, CO Paul Oliver Oliver Engineering Portland, OR Rural Heat. Electric loads in city buildings. Rural Heat. Electric loads. Info request. Steam engines and other small- scale biomass systems. Division of Energy acceptance of grant proposal for small-scale energy production study. Info request. Bioenergy news, Rural heat. Interest in potential coal, biomass projects Info request. Copper Center incinerator, Rural heat project. Info request. Assistance in lining up incinerator specialists for upcoming MSW workshop. Status of Copper Center incinerator EA review. Status of small WTE incinerator to be installed in Quinhagak. Available for incinerator workshop. Applicability of linking Stirling Engines to small incinerators. STC’s planned beta units. Info request. Overview of Division of Energy programs for financing biomass and other renewable energy projects. Status of South Tongass Wood Waste effort. $30/bdt wood waste delivered to W. Oregon, $40 further south. January 30 Jan 31 February Feb 1 February 2 Feb6 Jim Palen Alaska Science and Technology Foundation Anchorage Peter Powell Mat-Su School District Palmer Jack Whittier NEOS Corporation Lakewood, CO Frank Kandrnal Dynamic Energy Bellingham, WA Jim Seaman Proctor Sales Anchorage Gregg Capito Alaska Dept. Env. Conservation Juneau Ed Enswiler, Glenn Miller Alaska Dept. Env. Conservation Juneau RJ Greider Alaska Health Project Anchorage Gerald Fleischman Idaho Dept. Water Resources Boise Ralph Bartlett Interior Services Fairbanks Joe Burnham Anchorage Jeff James USDoE Seattle, WA wo Copper Center Incinerator status. Considering heat recovery incineration for 1000 ton per year waste paper stream. Info request. Alaska Public Utility Commission initiative on energy conservation and renewables. Info request. Thorne Bay Wood Waste study. Therm-Tec Incinerators. Possible interest in helping at Sitka MSW workshop. Upcoming waste R&D workshop in Anchorage Topics that should be covered at MSW workshop in Sitka. Info request. Bioenergy News. AHP activities in area of waste management Gasification contacts. Price of pellets is $140/ton in ID retail. Wood and paper pelletization operation exporting to Yukon Territory. Developing paper pyrolizer for providing power and heating needs. Info request. Charcoal production and wood- fired boilers. Bioenergy program status. February 8 Feb 12 February 13, 28 February 16 February 20 February 21 North Heat Sales Anchorage Ben Weathersby Decatur, GA Mike Kerr Biomass International Ogden, UT Bill Krieger Municipality of Anchorage Engineering Diatrea Marcel Klukwan Utility Klukwan Craig Chase Cody, WY Brad Ross Stirling Technology Company Kennewick, WA Scott Bell USKH Engineering Fairbanks Marvin Yoder, Jim Van Altvourst City of Klawock Rose Hayes USDoE Washington, DC Bill MacClarence Alaska Dept. Environmental Conservation Anchorage Capt. Paul Cotellesso Eielson AFB Fairbanks Paul Maki Alaska DNR Division of Forestry Fairbanks Wood pellet availability poor. Comments on draft Pellet Consumer Pamphlet. Info request. Contacts for marketing waste to ethanol technology. Potentially interested in ethanol production. Rural Heat project. Power cost and consumption for school. Bi-weekly report. Division of Energy support for STC’s SBIR program funding application. Comments on draft report. Info request. Energy recovery from MSW. Copper Center incinerator EA distribution list. Copper Center incinerator risk assessment. Status of paper cuber/co-firing operation. Info request. Determination of allowable sale quantity. Tanana Valley forest plan process. February 23 February 26 February 28 March March 1-11 March 11 March 12 March 13, 28 Jim Merry Doyon Ltd. Jim Strandberg. Engineer Carl Propes, MTNT Corp W.R. Tonsgard Channel Corporations Juneau Jim Buckley Dept. Military and Vet. Affairs Anchorage Carol Purvis US EPA Research Triangle Park, NC Lee Spratt Palmer Correctional Facility Sutton Peter Crimp on leave Murray McCombs JMCA Inc Silver Spring, MD Gary Moore Tanana Chiefs Conference Fairbanks John Strachan Sandia National Lab Albuquerque, NM Ginny Tierney City of Thorne Bay Harvey Prickett Anchorage Craig Chase Cody, WY Development of FB coal-fired power plant. Possible garbage, wood fuel usage. Juneau WTE project support by Division of Energy. Juneau WTE thermal loads Fuel cell projects. Status of Energeo project. Availability of test combustor. Wood boiler continues to function flawlessly. Burning 1/3 pallets from North Slope, 2/37 split cordwood. Discussions with local entrepreneur re developing “Sun Spuds” ethanol crop in Alaska. Should TCC support proposal for biomass to power feasibility in Interior villages. Background for above proposal. Progress on utility upgrade. City will likely not sell utility. Interest in Sun Spuds ethanol production. Financial backing. Bi-weekly report. March 14 March 15, 20 March 15 April 23 March 18 March 18 and periodically March 20 Doug Witte Alaska DNR Div. Agriculture Palmer Jerry Green Entech Inc. Anchorage Chuck McGee Alaska Dept. Commerce Anchorage Eric Davenport Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Ketchikan Keith Thomas Sustainable Technologies Las Vegas, NV Serge Adamian Ecotrade Inc. Glendale, CA John Zeazeas Dover, ID Dave Shelborne Iditarod Schoo! District McGrath Doc Waterman Jim VanAltwort City of Klawock Elnora Long USDoE Washington, DC Charles Cristy University of Alaska Business Devel. Ctr. Anchorage Phil Badger TVA Muscle Shoals, AL Steve Clautice Alaska DNR Div. Forestry Fairbanks Dealings with JMCA re ethanol production crop trials. Marketing incinerator in Malaysia. Barrow installation proceeding. Governor's office interested in ethanol crop. Pork farm development in Interior. Potential interest by Ketchikan area Natives in biomass power development. Demo anaerobic digester. Performance. Info request. Power Cost Equalization database. Info request. Wood energy publications, paper and wood cubing, contact for Oregon bioenergy program. Heat loads at McGrath School. Cost of oil in Holy Cross and Grayling. Info request. WTE potential in Klawock. Status of incinerator EA review. Feds have been furloughed. Delta Hardwoods interest in wood-fired dry kiln. Background on potential ethanol crop, Sunspuds. Interior Alaska timber markets and harvest overview. March 26 March 27 March 29 April 2 April 2, 16, 23 April 3 Ron Hansen Hansen Engineering Juneau Wood product manufacturer company representatives, agency staff Anchorage Teleconference: Governor's office, Dept. Commerce, Division of Agriculture. Palmer Workshop: Wastewater Management Association Anchorage Serge Adamian Ecotrade Inc. Glendale, CA Mark Shepherd BC Ministry of Env, Lands and Parks Vancouver, BC Craig Chase Cody, WY John White Oregon Department of Energy Salem Dave Swanson WAPA Golden, CO Ray Gavellak University of Alaska Fairbanks Jeff James USDoE Seattle Donna Southcentral Timber Development Inc. Anchorage Juneau WTE. Channel meeting with City of Juneau. Presentation to electric utility. Secondary wood products manufacturing meeting. Proposed manufacturing assistance center, with lumber grading assistance and comparative analysis of production efficiency. Ethanol crop trials. Funding for program. Workshop on research and development of village-scale waste disposal systems. Response to proposed reconnaissance study of biomass power in rural areas. Info request. Bioenergy News, contacts for small biomass power technologies. Regional projects. Alaska project status. 1996 Bioenergy Yearbook Ethanol crop project background. Results of recent Sun Spud harvest observation in Colorado. Conceptual test planting design. Regional projects, PNA meeting scheduling Info request. DENSEFUEL program. April 11 April 12 April 15 April 16-18 April 22, 29 April 23 April 26 April 29 Gene Long Chugachmuit Inc. Anchorage Will Nelson University of Alaska Anchorage Cal Kerr EMCON Alaska Inc. Anchorage Abby Ketchikan Pulp Company Ketchikan Rod Franklin NREL Golden, CO Andi Bayer Wynn-Phillips Washington, DC PNA Bioenergy Advisory Group members Othalene Lawrence USDoE Washington, DC Ron Hansen Hansen Engineering Juneau John Strachan Sandia National lab Albuquerque, NM Ralph Bartlett Interior Services Fairbanks Miles Stumbaugh OR Chuen Sen Lin University of Alaska Fairbanks Info request. Biomass to power feasibility, critical factors. Info request. Bioenergy News Info request. Thorne Bay Biomass study. Info request. DENSEFUEL program. Info request. Bioenergy News, Alaska project overview. Caddet infobase. Copper Center incinerator EA review comments by USDoE general counsel Regional meeting planned in Anchorage. Logistics. Status of Copper Center EA review Dorothy Lake Hydro is possible other power supply for Juneau, but timeline for development is long. Status of small-scale power compendium. Update on wood/paper pelletizer and pyrolysis operation. Experience with “thermal oxidizer’ incinerators, wood waste fired cogen. Proposal to Alaska Science and Technology Foundation for residential wood cogen April 30 May 2 May 6 May 14, 30 May 16 May 20 May 21 May 22 May 27 Gerald Fleischman Idaho DWR Boise Ted Smith Talkeetna Robert Harris Alaska Village Electric Coop Anchorage James Vanderpool McGrath Craig Chase Cody, WY Bill McClarence Alaska Dept. Environmental Conservation Anchorage Tom Wilson Municipality of Anchorage Steve Volz Yakutat City Schools Yakutat Chet Laughlin Daystar Classics Haines Lee Sprat Palmer Correctional Facility Sutton Dawn Bishop Public Utility Commission Anchorage Ginny Tierney City of Thorne Bay Biomass international ethanol dealings Info request. Wood-fired boilers for space heating Talkeetna school. Info request. Small biomass power systems, contacts. Response to proposal for use of peat as fuel for power production and space heating. Activity report. Entech Inc. incinerator permitting Entech Inc. incinerator permitting Rural heat project. Performance of modular wood-fired boilers, contacts for installed units. Advise that wood-fired boilers should not be moved to Pt. McKenzie prison farm. Instead develop new boiler facility. Info request. Thorne Bay upgrade and other proposed power project fund loans. Update on AP&T vs. Thorne Bay utility May 28 May 30 May 31 June 3 June 3, 11 June 4 June 7, 18 Rural heat study area village governments, school districts, and other building owners Ralph Kilborne Department of Corrections Wasilla Jeff James USDoE Seattle Jerry Green Entech Inc. Anchorage Bob Seitz Fluor Daniel Alaska Inc. Anchorage George Harris Daystar Classic Sales Haines Chuen Sen Lin University of Alaska Engineering Fairbanks Sherry Alaska Village Electric Coop Inc. Anchorage Bill Miller Village of Dot Lake Jim Palen Alaska Science and Technology Foundation Anchorage Dan Ancona USDoE Washington, DC Elnora Long USDoE Washington, DC 10 Mailout of Rural Heat study report extracts to 90 individuals. Info request. Wood-fired boiler information. Possible trip by Asst. Secretary Energy to Alaska. Copper Center incinerator progress. Info request. Efficiency of wood gasification, energy content of wood. Central Boiler wood-fired boilers. Efficiency, output, sales. Entech TOS Environmental Assessment Info request. Rural Heat project database. Info request. Wood-fired boiler information. Status of Copper Center incinerator. USDoE renewable energy programs No public comments on Copper Center EA, status of USDoE review June 7, 14 June 10 June 13 June 14 June 19 June 24 Jeff James USDoE Seattle Laurie Olen Alaska Industrial Resources Anchorage Craig Chase Cody, WY Alicia Porter Assoc. Village Council Presidents Bethel Norm Phillips, Doyon, Fairbanks Mike Jones, EERC, ND Jim Strandberg, PE Anchorage Carl Propes, McGrath Mark Peterson Alaska Energy Recovery Anchorage Mike Martin Ecology and Environment Seattle, WA Ron Hansen Hansen Engineering Juneau David Thomas Gwitchyaa Zhee Utilities Fort Yukon Mike Dindinger Pt. McKenzie Prison Farm Wasilla i New USDoE organization, Copper Center project. Greenhouse energy usage Bi-weekly activity report. Quinhagak heat recovery incinerator. Possible need for assistance. Coal-fired power plant analysis, biomass co- firing Info request. Tire-derived fuel opportunities. Info request. Marenco wood gasifier well sampling correspondence. Info request. Potential proposers for Juneau WTE project. Info.request. Rural Heat study findings. Info request. Analysis of payback for wood boilers heating planned greenhouses. APPENDIX B Bioenergy News and Mailing List Division of Energy Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs Division of Energy 333 West Fourth Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 269-4500 {oftice) (90?) 269 4645 (fax) 2s a participant in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regional Bioenergy Program, the Division of Energy promotes the use of bio:nass tesources for eneryy by providing technical assistance and information to the general public ation that to keep re current on regulatory and public policy sues that aifect’ the Vevelopment of new projects. Biomass resources include wood, peat byproducts and man waste Alaska Bioenergy News is the rewsletier of the Alaske Bioenergy Program. For more information on projects or program activities, or for technical assistance on. bioenergy projects, contact Peter Crimp Alaska Bioenergy Program DCRA Divisi (907) 269 ‘ crimp@co Bioenergy News No. 37 February 1996 New Small-Scale Technologies Offer Long-Term Promise in Rural Alaska Finding solutions to high energy prices in Alaska's rural areas is one of the biggest challenges facing some residents of the State. Use of local energy sources such as wind, hydro, wood, garbage, coal, solar, and gas offers alternatives to local residents, who must often export scarce cash for diesel fuel for heating and electrical generation. Along with the bioenergy program, the Division of Energy maintains active partnerships with local and federal government, industry, and research groups to develop alternative energy sources and make existing systems more reliable and efficient. Wood continues to supply much of the energy for heating homes in Southeast and the Interior, but when it comes to powering a small village, in the absence of hydro power, it is tough to compete with diesel generators. This situation is not unique to Alaska; rural areas of many developing nations are not connected to a wide power grid and diesel generation is often the only reasonable alternative. Because of this, Alaska is often looked to by developers as a logical proving ground for energy technologies to be applied in vast markets, such as India and China. Following are summaries of a few small-scale technologies which may prove viable over the next few years as components of systems which convert biomass and other fuels to energy: Stirling Engines The Stirling engine is an external combustion, reciprocating engine which converts thermal energy to mechanical energy by the alternate heating and cooling of a working gas in the engine. Introduced commercially in 1818 it was outperformed and replaced by the steam engine and later by the internal combustion engine. In the 1930s Phillips Research Labs needed a small, quiet, and reliable external heat engine to power remote radio installations and interest in Stirling engines was rekindled. An aggressive program of developing the Stirling engine as a power converter has been underway during the last 20 years. Features that make modern Stirling engines attractive for use in rural Alaska are 1) multi-fuel capability allows use of both Division of Energy Bioenergy News fossil and biomass fuels, 2) high potential No. 37 February 1996 allowing for low maintenance. efficiency, 3) high reliability and long life because of relatively simple design and few moving parts. A number of developers are proposing to use the free piston Stirling engines in small-scale biomass-fired cogeneration Figure 1. Simplified, Stirling engine works by a) compressing cool air, b) heating the air by external heat source, c) heat causes pressure which drives piston down, and d) gas is cooled by external cooling source. (From “Assessment of Energy Technologies”, by A. D. Little for Alaska DCED, 1983). systems (systems that produce power, heat, and/or mechanical energy). Stirling developer Sunpower Inc. of Athens, Ohio and sawmill and dry kiln maker Woodmizer Products have formed a joint venture to develop and market modular systems with multiple capacities of 500 W, 2.5 kW, and 12.5 KW. Fueled by sawdust or other fuels, the systems are expected to provide energy for households, small communities, and 300 kW industrial applications such as Woodmizer's own sawmills Stirling Thermal Motors of Ann Arbor, Michigan has recently teamed with Chiptec Wood Energy Systems of South The more recent “free piston” Stirling engine invented by William Beale, substitutes carefully designed gas springs and working gas spaces for the mechanical linkage and crankshaft shown in the above illustration. During operation pistons oscillate within their respective cylinders at their resonant frequencies without mechanical connection to each other. A linear alternator is part of the power piston and produces electrical energy. The lack of an external mechanical connection allows the free piston engine to be hermetically sealed, Burlington, Vermont, a manufacturer of wood chip-fired gasifiers used to heat schools in New England. A 500,000 Btu/hr Chiptec unit will be coupled with a 20 kW Stirling engine. Around 37% of the energy Wick / Regenerator a / Heat pipe receiver Coalina Figure 2. Free piston Stirling engine. This engine uses concentrated solar energy as a heat source. (From "Compendium of Solar Dish/Stirling Technology, prepared by Sandia ‘Nat. Lab by William Stine and Richard Driver, 1994.) 2 Division of Energy Bioenergy News output from the gasifier will be converted to electricity. Stirling Technology Company of Kennewick, Washington plans to commercialize their 350 W free piston engine for application to off- grid/remote power generation worldwide and residential cogeneration. Quantity production is planned for 1997, with price per unit expected to drop eventually below $1,000. Stirling Technology has logged over 18,000 hours on a smaller engine and is actively soliciting orders for early production test models in Alaska and other parts of the U.S Small Fluid Bed Combustcr and Gas Turbine Also targeting the rura! domestic and overseas market is Energeo, Inc. of San Francisco. whose 200 kW Agripower 200 power plant comb‘nes two established technologies--fluid bed combustion and gas turbines. An overview of the system is as follows (see schematic): Ambient air is compressed and passed through a recuperator where it recovers heat from exhaust, through a convective heat exchanger where it recovers energy from No. 37 February 1996 furnace flue gases, and then through a radiant heat exchanger where it gains energy above the fluid bed combustor. The air then returns to the turbine where it expands through the turbine blades to power the compressor and the electrical generator. Hot air discharged from the turbine is available for cogeneration. An oil combustor is used to start the system. On the combustion side of the system, one fan supplies preheated air to the combustor to “fluidize” the mixture of inert material and biomass in the bed (i.e. cause it to be suspended and in continuous motion). The super hot bed material increases combustion efficiency by its direct contact with the fuel. Another fan introduces overfire air to burn the hot gases formed in the bed. Fuel is fed into the bed by screw conveyors. After giving up energy to the compressed air through heat exchangers, combustion gases pass through a cycione for removal of fly ash. An induction draft fan exhausts the flue gases to atmosphere The variable speed fuel conveyors and fans are controlled by a digital computer with feedback from the generator output, the air temperature of the turbine inlet, and US EPA; and A. Philip Bray, Energeo, 1994.) Figure 3. Agripower 200 system schematic. (From “Demonstration of a 200- Kilowatt Biomass Fueled Power Plant”, by Charles Sanders, Energeo; Carol Purvis temperatures of key locations in the furnace. Despite the ' apparent complexity of the system, the operator controls are simple. Plans are to demonstrate the power plant at the Sutton Lumber Company in Tennga, Georgia. Supported in part by the EPA, USDoE, Department of Defense, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Sandia National Lab, the project seeks to operate the unit for 8,000 hours to assess its technical and economic feasibility and environmental effects. Installed cost is estimated at $2,250/kW, and fueled by 612 Ib/hr of 5,270 Btu/Ib wood Division of Energy Bioenergy News waste, cost of power output is estimated at $0.06/kWh. Thermoelectric Conversion Thermoelectric conversion is the direct generation of electrical current from heating the junction of two dissimilar conductors. Although thermoelectric conversion was discovered in the mid 1800s, it is only recently that the USDoE, Department of Defense, and industry have supported research for better materials and widened applications. Current applications for thermoelectric devices include continuous operation of gas-fired furnaces and water heaters, remote telecommunications, and power generation from waste heat of large diesel engines. Figure 4. Hi-Z's 13 W thermoelectric module. Hi-Z Technology, Inc. of San Diego has developed a 13 W thermoelectric module which consists of 49 thermocouples arranged electrically in series and thermally in parallel. Made of bismuth telluride, the conductors enable the module to operate continuously at 575 °F and intermittently at 750° F without degradation. The cost of a 19 W module from Hi-Z was $195 last year, but costs are expected to decrease to less than $1/W if production rates increase to a million units per year. No. 37 February 1996 A potential use of the module which has stimulated interest of University of Alaska Fairbanks engineers is to couple thermoelectric modules to woodstoves or other home heaters for off-grid residential cogeneration systems. One concept would be to charge battery storage systems with wood-generated pewer in tine heating season and with photovoltaic in the summer. More detailed descriptions of the above technologies are available. Please contact the Division of Energy for additional information. Alaska Bioenergy Program Update Copper Center Heat Recovery Waste Burner Back on Track After a delay to address requireinents for federal environmental review, Entech Inc. of Anchorage and Copper River Native Association (CRNA) are proceeding with the planned 1 ton per day “Thermal Oxidation System” in Copper Center Supported with funding from USDoE and the Alaska Science Technology Foundation, the incinerator will provide heat to the Ahtna Construction Inc.'s shop facility. (See January, 1995 Bioenergy News.) The environmental assessment for the project includes the health risk assessment that was performed by CH2M Hill Engineers last summer. Despite the facility's location near CRNA's office and other buildings, the assessment projected insignificant health risk from nine potential air pollutants. CRNA and Entech have pressed the federal government to proceed with funding the project since the assessment was released. Fabrication is projected for this spring and start- up is anticipated in the summer. Wood and Conservation Options Considered for Rural Buildings An analysis of fuelwood substitution and energy conservation measures for rural facilities has been completed. Conducted by USKH Engineering under contract to the Division of Division of Energy Bioenergy News Energy, the report targets facilities which consume more than 5,000 gallons per year for space heating in communitics with access to significant wood resources. The overall goal of the project is to minimize importation of expensive oil into rural communities. After contacting managers of 131 facilities in 44 communities, USKH and the Division obtained detailed energy consumption and cost information on 48 facilities, mostly schools, water plants, and district heating systems. The report also presents preliminary economics on retrofits of wood boilers for five representative situations and 24 promising energy efficiency measures Economics for the wood boiler retrofits of existing oil-fired units were based on cost and performance data of Garn boilers, manufactured in Minneapolis. Similar to the units at the Palmer Correctional Facility (see below), Garn boilers are fed by cordwood and store thermal energy in insulated water tanks. Hundreds of Garns and other wood boilers are used in the Lake States and other portions of the Lower 48 to heat schools and other large buildings Economics of wood boiler retrofits in Alaska are sensitive to the local cost of oil and the installed cost of the retrofit. which depends on site- specific factors, such as the amount of space in the boiler ;oom and whether the work is contracted out or done in-house. The Division plans to follow up on this work by supporting on-site analysis in promising locations during the spring and summer. Woocd-fired Boilers Keeping Palmer Correctionai Facility Warm In its fifth season of operation at the Palmer Correction Facility in Sutton, the wood-fired boiler plant is continuing to provide reliable heat to the prison’s greenhouse and shop complex. The correctional facility and the Alaska Energy Authority installed the two Dumont 350,000 Btu/hr wood boilers and 3,000 gallon accumulator tank in Summer, 1991 as demonstration project. Since then the facility No. 37 February 1996 has burned an estimated 65 cords of wood per year, including cordwood from clearing operations around the prison farm, scraps from a local truss plant, or more lately waste pallets and timbers which ARCO has provided from their North Slope operations for free. At an estimated thermal recovery efficiency of 70% and assuming 21.4 million Btu per cord, the wood boilers are offsetting around 10,000 gallons of fuel oil per year. Almost no fuel oil has been used to heat the greenhouse/shop complex over the last five years, and prison officials have been very pleased with the system performance. Replacement of fire brick from a local firm at a cost of $1,000 this winter has been the only significant system cost. Thorne Bay Puts Wood Waste Cogeneration Plant on Hold The City of Thorne Bay has decided that, for the present, plans to install a 1.5-2 mW power plant fueled by Ketchikan Pulp Company's sort yard wood waste do not pencil out. Utilizing the 40,000 tons of cull logs, trim, bark, and other debris for fuel, the City had hoped to replace the City's 400 kW diesel power system and provide heat for lumber drying, key to economic development in the area. Another motivation for Thorne Bay was to eliminate air quality impacts of open burning of wood waste in the sort yard and avoid the need for a new wood waste landfill, projected by the Forest Service in two years. A study paid for by Thorne Bay, the state, and the USDoE projected capital costs of a conventional wood power plant, community lumber drying facility, wood yard, power distribution system, and associated equipment at $11.3 million if purchased new. (Reconditioned equipment would cost substantially less.) Faced with an attractive bid by Alaska Power and Telephone to link the city to its newly-developed Black Bear hydro project and high costs for the wood-fired plant, the City has dropped its plans, at least for now, to convert its waste to energy. Division of Energy Bioenergy News Quinhagak to Install Heat Recovery MSW Incinerator In a move to improve its landfill problem, the Bering Sea village of Quinhagak has linked with a Sangerville, Maine firm to demonstrate its low- tech heat recovery incinerator. Center for Development of Low Energy Technologies is currently fabricating its “Town Waste Energy Recovery Process” (TWERP) and plans to install the unit in Quinhagak this spring. Smaller than a phone booth, the TWERP is to be located in a steel shipping container near the community building which it would heat. Residents are to separate noncombustibles for recycling, or in the case of glass, reduction in a portable grinder to be supplied. Waste is to be provided by hand to the top-fed crucible-shaped combustor on either a batch or continuous basis. After the system is up and running, a non-pressurized water tank will collect thermal energy output at up to 1.25 million Btu/hr for distribution to the community building. No supplementary fuel or electrical power is said to be needed for the combustion process. Publications and Software 1994-1995 Yearbook, Pacific Northwest and Alaska Regional Bioenergy Program, U.S. Department of Energy/Oregon Department of Energy, 1996. Gives recent developments in Alaska and the Northwest in waste-to-energy, biogas, liquid biofuels, wood energy, and other bioenergy-related projects. Contact John White, Oregon Department of Energy, 625 Marion St., NE, Salem, OR 97310. Ph: 503/378- 3194, Fax: 503/373-7806, Email: john.white@state.or.us. Waste-to-Energy Screening and Permitting Guides. The Electric Ponet estar Institute (EPRI) publishes technical reports and software which are free to member utilities and available for a fee to non-utility/members. Three products were Published in 1992 to assist in analyzing solid waste disposal options: 1) a 2-volume screening guidebook characterizes technologies and costs (TR-100670, licensed material), 2) PC software, WTE SCREEN available only to EPRI members from Evan Hughes, No. 37 February 1996 415/855-2175, and 3) a separate environmental permitting guide (“Waste-to-Energy Permitting Sourcebook”, TR-100716). Although the publications are geared toward large facilities and economics must be revised for Alaska conditions, they contain substantial useful information. Contact EPRI Distribution Center, PO Box 23205, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, Ph: 510/934-4212, Fax: 510/944-0510. [From SERBEP Update, Tennessee Valley Authority] Wood Pelletization Source Book: A Sample Business Plan for the Potential Pellet Manufacturer, prepared by NEOS Corporation for the Council of Great Lakes Governors, 1995. Gives a business plan for Hoosier Pellets, an imaginary outfit which wants to go into the pellet manufacturing business Gives a useful sample market analysis, marketing strategy, manufacturing analysis, and financial assessment. Contact Fred Kuzel, Great Lakes Regional Biomass Energy Program, 35 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60601. Ph: 312/407-0177, Fax: 312/407-0038. DENSEFUEL, An Investment Spreadsheet For Small-Scale Densified Biomass Fuel Manufacturing For Local Markets is software for determining feasibility of developing a wood/biomass pellet operation. Developed in 1989 by Richard Folk & Robert Govett, University of Idaho Department of Forest Products. Contact Peter Crimp at the Alaska DCRA Division of Energy 997/269-4631 Meetings And Conferences Hearth and Home Expo ‘96. Hearth Products Association,, March 22-25, 1996, Charlotte, NC. Wood, pellet, and gas appliances, pellet fuels, relatec equipment and services. Over 1,100 booths. Contact Hearth Products Association, 1555 Wilson Bivd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209. Ph: 703/875- 8711, Fax: 703/812-8875. Bioenergy ‘96. The Seventh National Bioenergy Conference. Partnerships to Develop and Apply Biomass Technologies, September 15-19, 1996, Nashville, TN. Contact Phil Badges, TVA Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program, Muscle Shoals, AL 35662-1010. Ph: 205/386-2925, Fax: 205/386-2963 , Fame | Aadress [ely, slate Zip Afognak "lative Corporation Wr_Jim Carmichael Kodiak, AK 99615 General Manager P.O Box 12/7 ‘Agriculiural and Forestry ©xperiment Station Wir Ed Packee Fawbanks, AK 99775 University of Alaska mar — PO Boao Gianna, AR YOER ‘Mlaska Business Monthly Ms Jud inchorage, AK 9952 P.O Box 241288 Mlaska Center for Appropriate Technolog Attn: Mar Alen Nasilla, AK 996 P.O. Box 872020 Alaska Center Tor 'ntemasonal Business Wi. Ec Downey ‘Anchorage, AK G9508 4201 Tudor Center Drive Maska Corrector d Wir. Leland Sprat a K WAS Production P.O. Box 919 laska Correctional Industies ae Juneau, AK GSBTT-2000 Klaska Division of Forestry We. Paul WiakT irbanks, byes Forester Taska Nalural Energy Institute Maska Power & Telep'ione ‘Nlaska Power & Telephone Co. Naska Public Ubifies Commission ‘“Maska Pulp Co. Nlaska Pulp Corporabon ‘Alaska Pulp Corporation ‘Naska Reclamation Center NTaska Relorestation Cound Alaska Resource Co Center, inc. ska Ruralite Magazine Klaska Science and Technology Foundation — NJaska Timber Corp SIQATIISIAVIL) Aibertson, Doug EPI ceurd Alene. 1D 538 4006 industnal Avenue XTeuban/Pribilot Islands Association TIE Fireweed Lane W207 Knchorage, AK 9950521 , Mr Lee Star Route A Palmer, aK TAS P.O, Box 6762 5 a Memalive Energy Division Wines fiowa K CAN Ms, Jody Barclay 580 Bocth St., 7th Floor a an SQUTIISIBVE2) iowang Tanber Tie Mr_Waune Browning, President Buck Handing Systems 579 Highway 141 ih Dor Gober 1040 Arrowsmuth Builders Supply 8375 Old Dairy Road ‘ureau .T Land Management Wir Kent Tresidder 1300 NE 44th Avenue P.O. Box 2965 Burfoot Dan POBox 30t Bushneh, Dwight lista Corporabo ‘ant Products, Tnc: 7205 Cole Road Mir John OTC” Seal, Sate G2 arroll, Hatch & Associales, inc. Wir John Vranizan Box 8583 rannel Sanitation Corporatio Chase, Mr. Cr. We PRIS nchorage, AK GSTS EIN P.O. Box Chugach National Forest’ incho K GS-30 3301 C #300 kchi Community College ice Kotzebue, AK W875 Tifor, Inc. Wi. Bob Pica Sealtle, WA 98104-7090 Vice President 701 Sth Avenue, #7272 “Toss, Mr Robert V Wheelabrator Enviro Spokane, 4 1322 North Monroe ‘oeur TAlene Fiber Fuels Coeur a Alene, 10 B3BTe 3550 W. Seltice Coeur d'Alene Fiber Fuels cour OA D383 Coeur d'Alene. Fuels Talumbo, Nick Dalla Joncion, Al ommerce & Economic Development Division of Business Development AKG Alaska Dept of, Me, Frank Seymour P.O. Box D Mr Walley Roman Correctional indusines Manager PO BoxT Mr John Hoist Supenntendent P.O. Box 800 We. Tom Briggs P.O. Box 23 Juneau, AR SST P.O. Box 10412 PO. aes Ooperat fension a iis. Catherine Bro 5 0 9112 Mendenhall Mali Road ‘Doperalive Extension Service Fairbanks, AK 99701 1514 South Cushman opper River Nalive Associabon Kina’ TKene Nene” opper Center, AK 995 Drawer H Sorrections, Dept of Wis. Kathy Christy inchorage, AK 99508-5018 Faciliies Planner 4500 Diplomacy Drive YIQHTELSIBVG) VIQATIISIBV(A) SA Process Equipment, Greensboro Dive, Se. 325 913 NE Ha 9,84 Enwronmental Conservation, Alaska Tar_Glenn Miler Taneau, AK SSBTT-T800 Dept of PO BxO Environmental Conservation, Alaska Southcentral Regional Ofice inchorage, AK 9950 Dept of Mary Ann See & Ron Godden 3601 C Street, Suite 1350 ‘nvironmental Conservation, Alaska Ms. Allison Talley, Librarian joneau, AK 998 Dept. of PO BoxO fvronmental Conservabon, RaaKa Wi kn Sine Joneau, AK O9BTT-T8OU oF Oo Fetter ConseratonT i Cay State of Alaska Juneau, AK S98TT Alaska Dept of Mr. Leonard Verrell P.O. Box O-MS 1800 Protection Agency TOT Steet Anchorage. AK GI50S— nvironmental Recycling, Inc u Kel Banks, AK O9701-4540 1100 W. Bamette St., #102 i Air & Energy Research Lab mm ; M063 PK Kir Programs We. Chats James Seattle, WA SBTUT 1200 Sixth Avenue R Ktin: Ms. Marlene Duckworth, Librart Mal VE-2710 | Foresters and Managers, The Foresty Science: Tab | Forestry Sciences Lab } Frazee, Mr Ken sles, Dave | Eyak Corp PO Box 00 banks Industral Development Co The Ron Ricketis 515 7th A\ Suite 320 enue, | Fairbanks North Slope Borough Wr. Bon Moore Public Works Executive Director P.O. Box 1267 Fish & Game, Alaska Dept of . Mr. Donald E. McKnight we 654% Sexton Rd. NW, Suit F “Ws. Yvonne Weber Wr. Leader Fronfersman Galea, Mr John Gibson, Ms Caro | Gillam, Hank Galdball Corporabo \ Golden Associales, Wie. DIQATIISIRVES) Hanson Ronad G Tones AR OSS0T Hargeshemmer. Mir Jonn Tchorage, AK-9I5U 560 E 34th, Suite 300 Harman Wir Dave Tity Engineer Pelersburg, AX 998 d Box 329 Wi Mike Rilts & Ms. Laura Noggle Kansas Cily, MO 6aTTT 410 Archibald Street Tommissioner Juneau, AK Q9BTT Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development P.O. Box D Palmer, AK S545 HCR-01 Box 6224 #3 Fanbanks, AK 99707 Tanana Chiefs Inc. 122 1st Avenue T AR SBOT- 180 Wir Sam Matthews Homer, AK 95603 3977 Lake Street Wi Jim Elson Kenai, AK 961T Pye austies larington, WA 98233 Pease Road ones, Mr. Pel Tanada XOEOPO Dept. . Gov't NWT Box 390 Ft. Smith, NW Territories jau, City & Borough o ir Bob tahnso AK VIB Public Works Director 155 S. Seward Street Solid Waste Specialist 185 Souh Management P.O. Box 58055 ‘Kaviloo Tne. Wr Cour ichikan, AK 999500 P.O. Box KXA | Kawerak, Inc. Nome, AK 98762 Kenai Peninsula Borough Wr Ken Brown Soldotna, AK GIES Public Works Director 144.N. Binkley OIQATIESIBV(6) ie 7 Cason Pamer AK SSIS TIES ‘Kenai Peninsula Community Colege B20 College Orve “Sarda, AK WICCT G7 IZ Malanvsra: Susiina Borough eae | nat City oF Tom Wi Kenai, AK S96TT 350 € Dania Avenue ett. - + + Matanuska-Susitna Borough Pranning Depa Reps arent 7 Palmer. AK 99645 Rent Cal ze . n Tha Conta Tea aban roe ae wT — Ms be hnene Relchikan arbor Wi. Willam Jones —Kelchikan, AR S990T ska Susiina PO Box 89 ES Ranaing Dpecor faupin, Mr Bert PO Box 100877 _ A ‘Kelchikan Gateway Borough Tir Fred Monrean —Ketcrikan, AR POT ' sa Front Street Kelchikan Public Ubrary Ws. Judy Steams Ketchikan, AK So0T 6 Ca it Wat apes Ketchikan Pulp Company 7 Ketchikan, AR VOT Chief Contract Manager P.O, Box 6600 Kelchikan Pulp Company Tom ‘Ketchikan, AK S990T Kirkland, Lary Klukwan Forest Koch, Peler Kodiak Community College FO. Box 46 “Kodiak, AK 9615. Rodiak Island Borough Ws Unda. Freed Kodiak AK WBTS Director 710 Road tt Kodiak and Boi odkak, A} i Facilities Coordinator Koncor Forest Products inchorage, AK GU503 3501 Denali oniag, Inc TROE Steet Kumin, John R Kssod Cched 3000 A Sweet, Suite 202 Kuskokwim Community College Ruskokwim Nabve Association PO Box 108 TXDept of Forest Wi Mike Buchart 7 P.0. Box 3334 Tamer, Monte Tangr, Ken 100 N. Barstow Sueet Library. Slate of Alaska Florence Ubrarian P.O. Bax G | Gieght: Rozz gnebes, Inc. Ps P.O. Box 1706 Hank Goetz P.O. Box t TOI Haina Chole PO Box 2 ‘Rin: Diane P.O. Box 990218 Star Route B, Box 7221 'Malanuska Electric Associaton “We. Bruce Scott Ms. Judy Inabinetie P.O Box 2929 PQNTIISIBV(S) MQHTITSIRVETY halural Pesources Alaska Dept of Natural Mesources, Alaska Dept of jalural Resources, Alaska Dept ‘orporatio Nickerson, Andrew Division of Forestry ~Enchorage, AK S510 Mr_ Bob Dick P.O Box 107005 Division of Forestry, SERO Juneau, AK SOB0T Me. Jim McAlister e of Alash inchorage, AR Me Dave Walinglord Division of 1, SERO Berea 1569 Mi. Dlablo lo Tacoma Steam Plant No. 2 Hari Taper Way 1385 33ed Avenue S. yn MB-KGl OT Sheet, Sul 0 03 partment of Ei We. Alex Sitford Salem, 0 fegon a ei Ne Oregon Department of ores ‘Salem, OR S731 —_ . 2600 State Street le fle Universi Corvallis, OR S733T _ Hiei Department of Mechanical ‘Room 204 ganized Vilage ot Kate PORTE Keke AK EH acific Energy Systems Wir John Martin, PE Portland, OR 97207 General Manager 1700 S.W. 4th Avenue, #103 Pacific Generation Inc ‘Wi. Kirk Homphries Portland, OR 97732-2039 500 NE Multnomah Street #900 @f Correctional Cenler Mc Art Schmadi, Superintendent Paimer, AK G0645 P.O. Box 919 Pastro, Mir Anthony J . Farbanks, AK 99708 Pease, Vave Eqitortal Director Redmond, OR 97755 — Forest industries “EW 36h Reon Ferabrovich, Notingt d Drag Petawawa Nabona Forestry Tl We Ja ony, Drs a T raneter and KOU 140 jechnology Operations Petersburg, Uy oF Wei tacas ee ag i: Public Works Director P.O. Box 329 Vine, Mi Geo Boxt Tok AK S78 PRW Resear STa0GR Ws. Susan Wilts Portand, OR 97205 Timber Research P.O. Box SONTISIRVID) P.O. Box 850 P.O. Box 462 ince Edward island Forestry Branch Wr Paul Mekngnt Charlottetown Prince edward Deparment ot Energy & Forestry Island P.O Box 2000 C1A 7NB CANADA vince Wilam Sound Comm. College PO Box a7 Valdez. AK 39686 jar Companies Wi_Duane Powell Portland, OR 37220 P.O Box 20128 Interstate 84 Ex 147 Becky 121 W. Fireweed Lane #250 Wir P.O. Box 1026 Wie Frank McManus Exitor and Publisher 5313 - 38th Street NW “Drawer 1120 Envirometics, ine 4803 Fremont Avenue North Wis. Dianne Flabb P.O. Box 100214 VONTISIBV(10) Southeast ccaference Southeast Pellet Stoves PO Bax ~ Ward Cove, “oulhwest Municipal Conference TIO Arctic Bid, Suite 203 Spenard Builders Supply TO Sinith Street Slale and Private Foresty SQA TSIRVELN) University of Alaska Tnchorage “kK se5v6 1558 Siatew ce —7ce of .and Management Rick Rogers. Forester 3890 University Lake Or ' | Universify of Alaska Anchorage —Engineenng Department Anchorage, AK 99508 2651 Providence Dave. University of Alaska-Anchorage “School of Engineering ‘Anchorage, AK 99508 Or. David Junge 3211 Providence Onve vera aw Tea A BITTSTRBT nea anana University of Alaska-Fairb Geophysical Insti ‘airbanks, AK 99775 ' Dr. William J. Stringer of Alaska-Farrbanks: Naska Farbanl ro Saks ER ee ne Tl DQHTIISIBV(L2) Washington State Energy Office Mr. Jim Kerstetter John Steigers Fuel Supply Coordinator E. 1411 Mission SIQA\TIISI8V(13) Table 1 Alternative Components and Options - Tongass Forest Plan Revision Revised Supplement Alternative Comporent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Preferred! Base i992 A 1992 P 1992 P 1992 P 1992 P 1992 P 1992 D++ 1992 D++ Current Plan 1992 P OG Reserves None None All None 4 Prov. 4 Prov. None All None All Rotation Age 200 100 100 200 200 100 100 100 100 100 Silv. System UM dB UM, 2A UM, 2A UM, 2A UM, 2A ES 2A ES UM,2A,ES Karst/Caves K/C S&G 92 S&G K/C S&G K/C S&G K/C S&G K/C S&G 92 S&G 92 S&G Cave Act K/C S&G Riparian: FHIP 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option | Option 2 Option 2 Option 2 Option 3 Option 2 TTRA/BMP Option 2 FHIP 2,3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 2 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 Option 3 TTRA/BMP Option 3 Beach Fringe: z (0-500') S&G S&G S&G S&G S&G S&G None S&G None S&G (500-1000") UM None UM UM UM UM None UM None None Sale Quantity (average annual sawlog plus utility volume): ASQ (MMBF) 0 489 278 145 139 362 689 364 513 357 NIC I (MMBF) 0 406 232 121 114 300 577 305 474 297 NIC II (MMBF) 0 83 46 24 25 62 112 59 39 60 W&S Rivers 112 25 25 25 25 25 11 11 0 25 "This is the Forest Supervisors’ Preferred Alternative. The ASQ figure assumes all two-aged management. Abbreviations and Definitions: S&G: Forest-wide standards and guidelines Base: alternative, from 1992 draft FEIS or elsewhere, on which the alternative was initially based. OG Reserves: All = application of old-growth reserve strategy forest-wide; 4 Prov. = old-growth reserves applied only to four biogeographic provinces. Rotation Age: average length of time in years to next harvest. Silv. (silvicultural) System : UM = uneven-aged management (single tree/group selection); ES = even-aged management (clearcutting); 2A = two-aged management (retention of 10-20% of trees per unit). Karst/Caves: K/C S&G = lowest risk; 92 S&G = moderate risk; Cave Act = highest risk. Riparian (level of riparian management): Option | = lowest risk; Option 2 = moderate risk (incorporates the AFHA report recommendations, as does Option 1); Option 3 = higher risk; TTRA/BMP (Tongass Timber Reform Act/Best Management Practices) = highest risk. FHIP (Forest Habitat Integrity Project): FHIP 1 = higher quality watersheds for sport and/or commercial fish production. FHIP 2, 3 = moderate to less important watersheds for sport and/or commercial fish production. Beach Fringe: standards and guidelines applied to the vegetation adjacent to saltwater shorelines. The 0-500' S&G typically excludes timber harvesting, and also applies to a 1,000' estuary fringe. The 500-1000' beach fringe, if used, would allow only uneven-aged silviculture. Sale Quantity (average annual sawlog plus utility volume, in million board feet): ASQ = allowable sale quantity; NIC I = non-interchangeable component | (the more economic portion of the ASQ); NIC II = non-interchangeable component II (the less economic portion of the ASQ). W&S Rivers: number of eligible rivers or river segments recommended as Wild, Scenic or Recreational Rivers. Tongass Review April 1996 &! No. 100, (USPS 293-940), 58 Pages Ketchikan, Alaska, Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28, 1996 Clinton blocks Tongass Disaster aid fund triggered by president's waiver By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer SASHINGTON — President Clinton, after 1 tteo billion spen tire bell Friday im ly blo keLimpesitien oo bree contro provisions mnciuding + [orgass National Somber mrecasure that he said would cause e e “laer in me yesterday,’’ Stevens said Friday after arriv- ing in Anchorage. '’ Not many people know how to stop a bill, but I do.” ¢Election-year skirmishing over next year's spending begins. — See page A-12 The money — $50 million the first year and $20 million in each of the following three years — could be used for economic development, schools and other purposes, according to the agreement Tongass rider -—— “egregious” harm to the environment The so-called environmental “riders” had been the focus of intense conflict during bucdget negotiations. Under a compromise worked out between the White House and congressional Republican leaders, the measures were kept in the bill, but Clinton was given authority to waive budget Stevens said the moncy won't replace: + nomic activity lost without the timber harve:« but it does give Southeast communities a chan: + to begin economic development efforts “This isn't capital investment. This is mine. to set up a temporary economy,” he said Timber industry officials say they would rv‘ hv 1 have kept the jobs than take the federal mien But they're not faulting Stevens or the rest «-! !! state's congressional delegation. (They) took it as far as it could go to make sure we could come back and fight another «1 said Troy Reinhart, a spokesman for Ketchikan Pulp Co. See ‘Tongass rider,’ page .\ 1 new endangered species, ending a year- the money will be given to local ernments in Wrangell, Sitka, +. tchikan and other Southeast towns Clinton also rejected implementing a measure he said would have “‘drasti- iy undermined the level of protec ‘ion’ to the Mojave National Preserve, 1 newly created park in California. ‘The budget bill would have required the US. Park Service to manage the preserve under less restrictive Bureau of Land Management rules that allow certain commercial and recreational ac- hvities not allowed in parks. The Mojave preserve was created in 1994 as part of a federal desert protection law he third waiver by the president clears the way for the Fish and Wildlife Service to proceed with work on listing Continued from page A-1 ‘ion Agency from taking actions to pro- tect wetlands and a provision that called for extending for three years authority for timber companies to cut so-called salvage"’ timber in federal forests. The salvage timber Provision was enacted last summer as part of another spending bill and now will expire Sept. long moratorium on new listings The budget bill called for extending the moratorium except in emergency cases, a ban that environmentalists con- tend would have brought endangered species protection programs at the Inte- rior Department to a halt. Supporters of the moratorium argued that no new listing activities should take place until the Endangered Species Act is over- hauled to provide greater protection to property owners. Several other environmental provi- sions were dropped from the bill during final negotiations between Republicans and the White House. These include a measure that would have barred the Environmental Protec- them lhe Tongass provision blocked by Clinton would have cleared the way for more timber cutting in the forest than conservationists and the administration consider prudent. To get the support of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R- Alaska, who had championed the Tongass rider, the budget negotiators agreed to provide $110 million over four years to communities within the federal forest to make up for lost logging revenues Stevens had argued the current federal log- ging policies are too restrictive in the Tongass and are harming the region's economy “They knew they couldn't pass that bill around Ketchikan to receive $25 million in aid By BETTY MILLS Daily News Washington Writer WASHINGTON — Southeast Alaska communities are in line to receive $110 million in federal economic disaster funds under an agreement reached Wednesday night by top Congressional and White House negotiators. The long-stalled budget package for fiscal year 1996 was expected to be approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Clinton before midnight. That is when the latest stopgap spending bill for nine Cabinet agencies expires. The deal was struck between Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Leon Panetta, White House chief of staff, after mara- thon private talks. Stevens insisted on some provisions to aid Southeast com- munities in the Tongass National Forest as his price for agreeing to the entire budget bill. In an interview Th , Stevens said, ''I could not countenance it. You have to be forceful with these people. I told them I would not sign the confer- ence report ... and I would try to stop the bill on the floor if they didn’t do some- thing about our situation in the Tongass.” The deal contains the Tongass timber management directives inserted by Stevens last year into the appropriations bill for the U.S. Forest Service. These amendments would release 282 million board feet of timber which have been tied up by a court challenge and would guarantee a timber base of 1.7 million acres. However, the president can waive implementation of the Tt provi- sions — which he is to do. This means they would not take effect. By waiving the Tongass amendments, the president then would trigger the $110 million appropriation to Southeast communities. Of that total, $50 million would be available in fiscal year (FY) 1996, which ends on Sept. 30. The re- mainder would be allocated in $20 mil- lion increments during FYs 1997, 1998 and 1999. The funds would be distributed for community development projects inthe city and boroughs, as follows: ® To Sitka, $8 million in FY 1996 and See ‘Southeast aid,’ page A-8 Economic disaster fund Congress would set aside a total of $1 10 million for Southeast Alaska over the next four years. $70 million in direct grants would go to Ketchikan, Wrangell and Sitka to offset econofhic losses caused by the downturn of the timber industry. Here is how that money would be distributed: FY 1996 FY 1997 @FY 1998 $16,000,000 4 $12,000,000 + OFY 1999 $8,000,000 $4,000,000 $0 Sitka Ketchikan Wrangell Source: Alaska Congressional Delegation Staff graphic by Jolie Lewis Local leaders would rather have healthy timber industry By NIKKI MURRAY JONES A provision in the federal ‘tal passed Thur could give the Ketchikan provision in area up to $25 million, but local leaders say they'd r have a healthy timber If President Clinton waives the 1.7-million acre timber base protection provision from the bill, then a $110 million economic disaster fund goes into effect. The congressional delegation, led by Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, crafted the fund to help Southeast communities in the Tongass National Forest hit by a timber industry downturn, said congressional aides. "My response would be to keep the timber base that we were promised under the 1990 Tongass Timber Reform Act,” said Ketchikan City Mayor Alaire Stanton. “I would prefer that we have a very healthy timber industry, not one dependent cn economic disaster funds. On the other hand, if we do have a decline and Clinton waives the provision, then it’s wonderful that we have some dollars.’ Alaskans are looking for jobs, said Steve Seley of Seaborne Lumber in Ketchikan. “If the intent is to provide $110 million in lieu of timber, the proposal stinks,” Seley said. “Alaskans in the timber industry are not looking for welfare. We're looking for employment and ownership opportunities w! Alaskans are abie See ‘Local reaction, ' page A-8 Seley shuts down on Southeast aid * To Wrangeil, $13.7 million in FY .736 and $4.7 million in each of FYs 1997, 1998 and 1999. ¢ To Ketchikan, $13.3 million in FY 1996 and $3.3 million in each of FYs 1997, 1998 and 1999. In addition, the agriculture secretary would allocate $10 million in each of the four fiscal years to communities accord- ing to the following percentages: © The Ketchikan Gateway Borough, 4.5 percent. * The city and borough of Sitka, 10.8 percent. © The city and borough of Juneau, 10.3 percent. ¢ The borough of Haines, 5.5 percent. ¢ The city and borough of Yakutat, 7.4 percent. © The unorganized boroughs within the Tongass, 61.5 percent. These percentages are based on the tevel of timber sale receipts received by the communities in the past. ‘We have to take care of the people harmed so far,"’ said Stevens. Pais is not some sort of buyout. ... This is a recognition by of the disaster caused by the policies of this adminis- tration, just as in the Carter administra- tion with regard to the Redwoods and in the Clinton administration with regard to the spotted owl.’’ He added, '‘Sitka is closed. Wran; is closed. They've killed them. recognizes that fact and provides assis- tance." The Tongass deal culminates a battle that began last fall and became more politicized as the 1996 elections drew closer. In the overall budget fight, the Clinton administration came out strongly against several environmental riders Continued from page A-! Unorganized boroughs within Tongass National Forest 61.5 % Source: Alaska Congressional Delegation added to the bill by the Republican-led Congress, including the Tongass mea- sure. . This week's negotiations on the Tongass also highlighted the differences between Stevens and the Knowles ad- ministration. In the agreement made Wednesday night, the governor was to be consulted before the president instituted a waiver of the Tongass provisions, and before ae ee ibuted in South- east. ursday morning, both st: of consultation with the state were elinai nated at the request of Panetta, said Lost timber receipts $40 million of the total $110 million allocated by Congress to Southeast Alaska over the next four years would be distributed in the same proportion as 1995 timber receipts: Haines 5.5 % Juneau 10.3 % Ketchikan 4.5 % Sitka 10.8 % Yakutat 74% Staff graphic by Jolie Lewis "The governor his support for a rational or developing the Tongass and for the economic de- velopment fund," said King. Jack Phelps, executive director of the Aone Forest zeetates: said that if president waives ‘ongass provi- sions, ‘‘it is an admission on the part of the administration that damages are due to the of Southeast Alaska as a to i y."” Bart Koehler, executive director of the Southeast Alaska Conservation Coun- cil, said the federal aid provides ‘‘an Stevens. piectenlty Sor the communities to put Spokesman Bob said Gov. Tony money to use for economic diversi- Knowles conferred by: with White fication and to establish an infrastruc- House officials several times in recent ture for the value-added secondary days. s KON 4/27 S ml By NIKKI MURRAY JONES Daily News Staff Wnter oly the most important player in that group.” ~rliny, a network of harvest and manufacturing capabilities can make the ‘Call wood cutin the Tongass National Forest and more effectively meet rend KPC is an important part of that network because it provides «for harvest and also uses the lowest end wood for high-value pulp, he said »xpects to begin dismantling his $5.1 million Seaborne Lumber mill at ecause he can’t get enough woed The mill had been capable of sing 2 to 2 1/2 million board fees timber supply has ekend Hie's closing tdivide and sell that prope iE sea pr ro» = hinyard this w t a month, but the ¢ ll ‘hough he’s shutting down his mill this weekend, longtime independent wr operator Stove Seley is looking toward the future. ‘the industry to survive, we need to get together as a group,” he said. “KPC Seley’s mill ——— wanted, but more than independents That's because the Forest Service has a contract with KPC but only a commit- ment to the Small Business Administra- tion sales, said Seley. The 1995 supply for independents not only was low, it was late and much of it was uneconomica! for him. More than 40 of the sales were for 150,000 board feet. That's about a two-day sup- ply for his mill and not worth harvest- ing, said Seley. Small sales also haven't been eco- nomically viable because the Forest Service's appraisal system doesn’t work. It lags behind market conditions, he sad ‘The cost collection data can be more than a year old” by the time of the sale, Setey said. ‘You'd be bidding timber for oday’s use at yesterday's prices.” Che last wood at the sawmill was cut Friday. In the past few months he has laid of more than 60 people, he said. At full capacity, the mill and related de- partments employed 80. He is considering sites on Revillagigedo Island and Prince of Wales Island. Lewis Reef on Gravina Island was a possibility but the permit delay, which could take a year, has changed his mind. He wants to use the time that the mill is down to relocate, he said. “But before | make an investment, I have to nail down the fiber supply is sue,” he said. Without that, people will be unwill- ing to invest and banks will be unwilling to make loans for new or expanded operations “The demand for finished wood prod ucts is strong white the demand for low grade cants is poor,” Seley Southeast necds to incre: ue Sen. Stevens: Abolish Forest Service? By bait SONNER ssociated Press Writer WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Stevens is considering an effort to abolish the Forest Service in light of anew report that says most of the agency's money is being a by recreation and only a tiny fraction by iB. tevens, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Govern- ment Affairs Committee, said his panel ‘will hold hearings to determine whether the Forest Service's functions should be handled by other federal agencies. ‘This administration is taking the Forest Service out of a reset. Stevens said. e Forest Service projects that by the 2000 i programs will contribute $130.7 billion tc the nation's economy — three-fourths, or $97.8 billion, in the form of money generated by recreation on national forests. Only $3.5 billion, or about 2.6 percent, will be 4 he ri — 3 __ Fish-and ildlife-related activities, including hunt- ing and fishing, will contribute about siz billigs ‘and minerals another $10.1 billion. A variety of other Seley Mal [Cut] produced for years,” Seley said. programs would account for the rest of ibu- ‘ to ed gross national product. of the contribu james Lyons, deputy agriculture secretary i “ Lae Forest Servi Se, Eremmeates the fi wel Wednes uring a hearing before the Senat iati sub aanltten = the interior. —_— ‘Timber production is one of many things we do We provide more recreation than : | nee be sald any other federal ‘Why should there be a Forest Service?’ Stevens, also a member of the appropriations sub- committee, said he is working on a variety of plans to reorganize and shrink the size of government by the year 2000, although no dates were immediately set for eel ig on the Forest Service. __ “If the Forest Service targets less than 3 its activities toward tiashes prodiectian, oP y should there = = Poses Service?" Stevens asked. “It looks as though the Sierra Club's position will be achieved by the year 2000: no timber i national forests,” he said. —_— Lyons said Wednesday that logging on national its finished form at this point.” Now, wood is sent south to be dried forests is expected to produce about 4.2 billion bx feet of timber in the next fiscal year beginning Oc ch ta s down from peak annual harvests in excess of feed on board feet during the 1980s before a series of federal court rulings found logging in the Northwest — U.S. environmental laws. At the same time, demand for campgrounds, hiking trails, wilderness areas and other ceseniion fia ities on national forests is sharply on the rise. wit, example, visitor days for use of national fu1et w = rose from 614,000 in 1960 to 13.8 nulhon “Recreation is sadly under-funded,"’ Forest Sv : ed Jack Ward Thomas told the subcommittee: on ednesday. ‘We are about $500 million behind 11 maintenance of recreation facilities."’ The revenue projections for the year 2000 are based pn visitor days recorded at national forests — each visit by each person that lasts 12 hours or longer They include indirect revenue generated as a resull of the visit to the national forest, including such thing: gasoline, travel, food, lodging. buyer and the 60 to 70 percent of t lower grade wood could! ‘Engineered wood products from Chile, Finland and Rus- sia going to Japan were taking over the market share of baby squares and other products we had produced for years.’ —Steve Seley ee added capability to meet that demand. His new mill would have drying and planing, as well as sawing capability. "Engineered wood products from Chile, Finland and Russia going to Japan were taking over the market share of haby squares and other products we had Anexample of the change is the posts the Japanese use for house building. They formerly used a clear square-cut spruce post visible on three or four sides. Now they use a laminated post and cover it with a spruce veneer. “They use the same volume of wood for one post and use it to cover the exposed faces on 50 posts,” Seley said. *That makes jobs in Japan that could be created here, he said. Southeast Alaska easily could pro- vide engineered wood, he said. *One tree has so many different grades, and specialities are using only one part of it,” Seley said. “We have to go for 100 percent use of the product.” Southeast mills already have manufac- turing capability “but no one has the capability to take low-end product into and sent back. That service adds $80 to $100 per thousand board feet. That work should be done here, he said. His solution for independent opera- tors, and maybe the timber industry in general, is a manufacturing plant with various cutting, drying an' planing ca- pabilities in a central location. It could sell processed wood to all operators who would then use it for finished products. That would allow asmall operation with three or four people to work in a remote site, he said. The 30 to 40 percent of the wood that is clear grade could be sold directly toa remanufactured, he said. Gov. Tony Knowles and the state help the industry. Knowles could wo for a stable timber supply and the st: could share in the risk by helping nance manufacturers, said Seley. *If the state of Alaska wants peo} employed it will have to help take | risk for several years,” Seley said. “I' doesn’t help, the industry will fail. | 1 think the state is a willing partner Seley is critical of Clinton's conc for old growth timber. There's ! enough focus on saving families # communities, he said. Young hopes to push KPC bill through By BETTY MILLS Daily News Washington Writer WASHINGTON — Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, said Thursday he hopes to push his bill to extend the KPC contract through the House Resources Commit- tee within two weeks despite strong opposition from the top Democrat on the panel. “I'm going to try to move it, either as a separate bill or as an addition to an- other one,” Young said at the conclusion of a three-hour hearing on the issue. ‘We have our backs against the wall. I want people to work ... This is not any sweetheart deal. We are trying to survive.’ — Ralph Lewis, KPC president Asked if he has taken a head-count for votes, Young said, "My heads are all together.” Young chairs the panel and controls nearly all the Republican votes. But the top Democrat and former chairman, Rep. George Miller, D-California, vowed to fight the measure and warned Young that he should not “slam-dunk this legis- lation by adding it to a parks bill or some other one.” peat, the hearing, Miller sparred with officials about the need to extend the contract for 15 years beyond its expiration date of 2004. “I don't know whether this is neces- sary for the survival of KPC,” Miller said. “This legislation substantially over- reaches.” Miller added: “You say but for this legislation, this mill will close down. How can that be? There are other people who have a vital interest — the state of Alaska, the region, the city of Ketchi- kan. Where are they?” He was sharply critical of the $110 million in federal aid recently approved for Southeast Alaska, which he termed “the consolation prize Sen. Stevens got for the region.” He also called the KPC contract “reprehensible and repugnant to the American people.” Miller said, "Ketchikan just got $25 million in federal money. Why isn't Ketchikan ponying up some money? Why is this a federal problem? There are some rich cousins here.” KPC President Ralph Lewis replied that the timber is federally controlled. He said the contract extension is needed to amortize the $200 million investment in new pollution control equipment. “I don't know anyone who wall lend you moaet without you paying it back,” he said. "Except the federal government,” See ‘House hearing,’ page A-2 House hearing Miller shot back. "They get a return ... millions of dollars,” Lewis replied. Lewis added, “You unilaterally changed our contract. You took away any profit We want to make the changes back. That's why we are here. Congress is the une that interfered with our contract.” He made a personal plea to Miller. “We have our backs against the wall. | want people to work. That's my town. I've been there 30 years. I've raised my family there. This is not any sweetheart deal. We are trying to survive.” Continued from page A-1 'T don't know whether this is necessary for the survival of KPC. This legislation substantially over-reaches.' — Rep. George Miller, D-Calif. aE Miller suggested that perhaps the federal government “ought to cut our losses, let the contract run out and be on our merry way.” But Lewis said, "We're not going to make it to 2004. ... If we can’t get this bill passed, we probably in the very near future will have to announce a shutdown.” At the end of the hearing, Young came under heavy attack from a panel of environmentalists. Young interrupted Robert Lindekugel, SEACC conservation director, when he criticized the congressman’s landless native bill. “That is a separate piece of legislation. If you don't want to stick to the script, I'll go to the next witness,” Young said. Young also asked several of the panelists if they had ever visited the Tongass or lived there, dismissing them as “so-called expert witnesses.” Anchorage Daily News Recycling system turns Ejelson The Associated Press FAIRBANKS — Eielson Air Force Base is cutting government waste — liter. ally — with a recycling Program that includes burning pellets made from unwanted paper. The base is trying to reduce its solid waste output by 30 percent this year. Last year, the base sent 8,933,250 pounds of solid waste to the borough land- fill. To cut that total, Eiel- are ground and mixed with water to make a slurry. The slurry is then com- pressed into pellets and dried. The finished product looks something like a Square sausage, Heinen said, and has the same heat value as coal when burned. The Fairbanks North Star Borough landfill char- ges Eielson $40 a ton. Eiel- son officials hope to save about $1.2 million in four years through reduced landfill fees and a lower Thursday, February 8, 1996 son officers are salvaging Paper, cardboard and wood, turning them into fuel pellets. They’re also recycling glass into con- struction materials. “The purpose is to create our own market,” said Col. Bill Heinen, chairman of Eielson’s recycling work- ing group. ‘‘We take the Paper and make fuel pel- lets, then burn them with a coal mix in our plant.” The system went into coal bill. The savings would be enough to pay for the facility, Heinen said. Eielson officials are try- ing to make the transition to recycling as convenient as possible. Office collec- tion and drop-off sites have been established around the base, and those who live off base can bring their recyclables to the sites. Glass collected in the re- cycling program will be pulverized, then reused for Timber: 5/3) New Tongass timber deal gets okay operation Feb. months of plannin ig, con- 1 after struction of a recycling cen- ter and placement of re- cycling containers. Collected paper products waste into fuel pellets construction. “There is no market for glass in the Interior. We have created a way to recy- cle and reuse glass prod- ucts,” Heinen said. ‘We crush and pulverize the glass to the consistency of sand and mix it with as- phalt for construction ag- gregate, which is used for road bases. “We are crushing glass now and expect a pulveriz- a place by March 1,” he said. A federal judge approved a modified settlement between the U.S. Forest Service and a coalition of conservation and tourism groups that frees up 105 to 110 million board feet Tongass National Forest tim- ber sales. A total of 282 million b/f was tied up in litigation. The suit, filed by the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association two years ago sought new environmental studies before the USFS could resell timber pledged to now-closed Alaska Pulp Co. pulp and saw mills in Sitka and Wrangell. The ruling required remaining timber covered by the suit to undergo new environmental reviews before they can be reoffered. One clear win for the industry was the judge’s order that the EIS process begin in September if the forest service’ s long-term planning process isn’t complete. An original settlement pro- posal ied the start of the two-year EIS to the lon erm plan, which industry thought could subst: vis