La Pine
Alternative fuels continue to gain a foothold in the state with
Silvan Power
Company’s announcement of a new biomass power
plant in La Pine. Once the $40 million plant is completed it
will employ 25 people with an additional 75 working in the
forest gathering materials. In contrast to traditional burning
methods, the La Pine plant would burn small trees and scrap
lumber from sawmills at high temperatures, creating less smoke
and releasing fewer pollutants into the atmosphere. Silvan
Power has a 10-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to
produce up to 47 megawatts of power at this location.
