Since burning wood releases more 50% CO2 per MW than coal, 70% more than oil, and 150% more than gas, how is switching to burning forests from burning fossil fuels improving anything? Since the additional logging will also negatively affect the ability of the forest to sequester carbon, I see biomass as nothing but wishful thinking that will just help us dig our deep hole even deeper.

The biomass plant at Middlebury College in VT, though, that’s what all such plants should shoot for.

Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network

Thanks for your positive feedback — it carries additional weight coming from a boardmember of Co-op Power.

We’ll reach out to Bob Saul and request elaboration on his CO2 capture and burning comment. A big catalytic converter?

As for your co-generation comment, I imagine you’re familiar with the Brattleboro Thermal Utility that is planning on doing just that. Check it out at http://www.brattleborothermalutility.com/

My colleague Ralph Meima, head of the Marlboro MBA in Managing for Sustainability, chairs the board, which also has on it Alex Wilson of Building Green, a former Sea Change guest.

Best,
Bill

Thanks so much for your kind words — and for spreading the word on this show! We got a lot of traffic that seems to have come from you.

Best,
Bill

My sense is that the proposed plant in Greenfield, and in Russell for that matter, is way too big, especially without recapturing the heat in a combined heat and power system.

Erik Hoffner, Orion Grassroots Network