Rollcast Energy Greenway project receives $250,000 grant

In the US, Rollcast Energy – a developer of clean, renewable bioenergy projects – has received a $250,000 (€202,000) grant as part of the US Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program.

The funds have been awarded to the company's LaGrange, Georgia-based Greenway Renewable Power project, construction on which will start next year before start-up in 2015.

The money from the Wood Biomass Utilization Grant will go towards more thorough engineering in order to enhance the plant's ability to handle low value biomass such as logging residue and residues from hazardous fuel reduction operations in the forests.

'We're excited about the award and about working with the Forest Service to move forward out second woody biomass project in Georgia,' says Penn Cox, Rollcast Energy president. 'This grant will help us utilise more low grade woody biomass from thinning and hazardous fuel treatment operations.'

Den Len, biomass coordinator for the USFS Southern Region, adds: 'The US Forest Service Southern Region is encouraged by the quality of Woody Biomass Utilization Grant proposals received in 2012.

'The Greenway Renewable Power Project will accomplish multiple important objectives for our agency in central Georgia and Alabama. These objectives include increased use of woody biomass from thinning and hazardous fuels treatment, improved market for this low value material and increase use of woody biomass for wood-to-energy.'