These stories about forest biomass issues in the Pacific NW appeared within the past few days:

Lakeview biomass construction starts

Klamath Herald and News, December 20, 2010

LAKEVIEW - The first phase of construction of the Lakeview Biomass Cogeneration Plant, a project that's expected to cost $75 million to $100 million and provide 70 permanent jobs, is nearing completion.

"By next week, we'll have accomplished what we set out to do," said Jan Johnson, spokeswoman for Iberdrola Renewables, the Portland-based company building the plant. "Despite the weather, we've been able to get quite a bit done so we'll be ready to go in the spring."

The company needs to have 5 percent of the value of the project completed by Dec. 31 to qualify for federal tax credits. Site preparation and engineering work, along with buying necessary equipment including boilers and steam turbines, is being done to meet that requirement. Johnson said crews have been pouring cement foundations, which will be completed next week, and completing site grading and security fences.

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Washington DNR announces biomass assessment team: www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101209/news/312099989/forest-biomass-supply-research-team-chosen

McKinstry study favorable towards biomass gasification at TESC: www.evergreen.edu/sustainability/docs/bmg/mckinstry_presentation_120610.pdf

Port Angeles upholds Nippon Paper shoreline permit: www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101208/news/312089990/protest-groups-mulling-further-appeal-of-nippons-biomass-permit

Biomass considered central to Nippon mill’s future: www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20101213/news/312139991/biomass-boiler-called-crucial-to-way-nippon-mill-can-survive-thrive

Foresters – plenty of wood for Nippon, another big project not so much: www.konp.com/local/6419

Post-consumer digester proposed for Portland: news.opb.org/article/20343-metro-consideres-biogas-plant-northeast-portland/

Greenwood Resources poplar plantations for Boardman bioenergy: www.capitalpress.com/othernews/profit/ml-poplar-farm-110510-art

Bend-area biomass plant debated: www.ktvz.com/news/26073416/detail.html

Kevin Weeks, Oregon Department of Forestry (503) 945-7427