Biomass tops agenda of wood group meeting

Biomass is the topic for several speakers at this week’s annual meeting of the Montana Wood Products Association in Whitefish.

The feasibility of a biomass project of NorthWestern Energy is slated for discussion, along with talk about the use of biomass versus coal.

Several other timber-related topics also are on the agenda for discussion at the meeting Sept. 22 and 23 at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish.

Craig Rawlings of the Missoula Community Development Corp. will lead the biomass feasibility study discussion.

Jay O’Laughlin of the University of Idaho will address the Manomet Center study on the use of biomass versus coal.

Both of those topics are listed for discussion during the Wednesday, Sept. 22, technical seminar.

Craig Gannett of Davis Wright Termaine will talk about regulations affecting green energy during the seminar. Those three speakers are scheduled during the final block of Wednesday’s technical seminar from 2:45 to 5 p.m.

Earlier Wednesday, members of the association’s fiber quality and production committee speak from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Transportation issues are to be addressed from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday with conversations about Montana Rail Link, a truck dispatch model presentation by Arron Stephens of Optware Solutions and a discussion about surviving in today’s business climate.

Mary Sexton, director of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, speaks at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, video presentations from Montana’s congressional delegation are slated from 8:30 to 9 focusing on the forest jobs and recreation act.

Also Thursday, Charles Keegan from the University of Montana will address the current and future status of the timber industry at 10:15 a.m.

An analysis of fiber pricing is slated for 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Discussion of the changing North American fiber market is also on the agenda for 11:15 a.m.

Thursday afternoon tours are planned of the fuels for schools project at Glacier High School in Kalispell, the wood algae project at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber and the Plum Creek water bath reclamation project. The tours begin at about 1:30 p.m.

The wood products association is a trade group representing mills and manufacturers of value-added wood products. For more information about the meetings, contact the association office at 443-1566.