Rome (NY) ethanol plant will convert wood chips into fuel

[jpak]

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=fee4904e-6288-497b-8d86-d20f8829ff97

Rome, New York (WSYR-TV) - High gas prices have a lot of us wondering how quickly alternative fuels, like ethanol, might be available.

Two different companies are working on it right here in Central New York, but only one uses non-grain sources to make alternative fuel.

Massachusetts-based Mascoma is building a demonstration plant in Rome that primarily uses wood chips to make ethanol. There are a few companies willing to hedge their bets on this method of creating alternative fuels; General Motors and Marathon Oil both stand firmly behind the project.

“From our standpoint we'd like to think our process is the one that overall would be the most competitive long term," says Mascoma plant manager Eric Olesen.

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[Selatius]

1. Where do the wood chips come from, again? Hmmm...let me think. nt

[JohnWxy]

4. In general, less than 50 percent of the tree ends up in the final product

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/bamf_woodwaste.pdf

"Wood waste is one of the most abundant,
cost-competitive, and environmentally
friendly biomass resources. Currently the
most cost-effective wood sources are
residues from manufacturing and wood
waste otherwise destined for landfills.
Manufacturers generate an enormous
amount of waste residue in the process
of making products such as lumber,
furniture, pallets, and paper. In general,
less than 50 percent of the tree ends up
in a final product, and the balance
represents a vast underutilized resource."

[liberal N proud]

2. Great

Divert production away from grain.
Great as long as they don't start clear cutting the forest to create ethanol. Yes America is that stupid.

[kristopher]

3. "General Motors and Marathon Oil both stand firmly behind the project" 'nuff said.

[excess_3]

5. better than oil from the middle east ..n/t

[whistle]

6. Does Italy have trees?