Big Valley Power Plant

Big Valley Power is set to begin operations soon:

Big Valley, Feb. 28 2005: (from an interview with the Owner,   Glenn Zane and others)

Copyright 2005 by http://bigvalleynews.net

Introduction:

Big Valley Power LLC, an electric generating plant fueled by biomass (wood chips) plans to begin generating electricity again after being shut down in 2001. Big Valley Power is almost ready to go on line. The operators are building an inventory now and the plant will use about 14 loads per day when in operation.

The plant is a welcome return to Big Valley as it will employ about 10 people at the plant and will keep about 30 people working in the woods and hauling fuel. The stated intent is to give local contractors first position in the fuel effort and to date all the employees are local.

Operations are expected to begin in March 2005.

The site already has large piles of wood chip fuel in place and is presently bringing in even more.  Machinery is being worked on and tested at this time.  There presently are several employees on site and specialists are coming in from outside to assist. 

The power generating plant:

The power generating plant is left over from the Big Valley Lumber Companie's mill which ceased operations in 2002 .  Big Valley Lumber's mill equipment was sold at auction and the power plant which remained was purchased by Big Valley Power. 

The electrical power generated is about 7.5 Megawatts which is about 2/3 the power generated by the smallest of the Burney power plants and about 1/4 as much as the largest plant. The plant will furnish electricity into the nationwide power Grid and it will be sold. The generating capacity is greater than 7.5 megawatts, which is greater than the power use of the entire Big Valley area. 

The electricity generated will be delivered at this constant rate 24 hours a day into theWestern Electric Coordinating Council Grid. This means that the power plant is a net EXPORTER of power from the Big Valley area

Economic benefits to Big Valley:

Big Valley Power feeds electricity into the grid so that Bieber residents use a part of it. The standard multiplier for basic industry jobs to support work is a ratio. One  industry job ultimately creates about 4 support jobs.

Environmental impacts to the area:

The power plant itself is subject to  strict federal and state regulations on emissions and waste and will be very clean and friendly.  Very little, if any, smoke will ever be seen from the stacks and the plumes coming from the cooling tower will be nothing but steam.

The fuel for the power plant will come from two primary areas overstocked with stands of conifer timber ripe for a conflagration  (fire) and from juniper stands well known to be usurpers of water on a massive scale.

The reduction in fire risk is an environmental good that seems without many detractors.

The reductions in the invasive juniper stands have a history of beneficial effect on water flow from nearby springs and streams.

The burning of fuels in a controlled, enclosed space is generally recognized to be greatly preferable to open burning or to wildfire conditions. In addition, the local use of bio-waste will assist in thinning the forests for regrowth and revitalization.

Jobs at Big Valley Power:

For information about jobs and contracting to supply fuel, email Glen Zane <GZane@crsinet.com>