Green Horizons

If you either live or have forestland within a 50-mile radius of Fredericktown, Cuba or Thayer, Mo., then you might be interested in the Wood-to-Energy Town Hall Meetings that will be happening in each community during the first quarter of 2008.

A recent study by MU foresters of available biomass from forest thinning operations has indicated that sustainable wood-to-energy enterprises could be possible in each of these communities. These enterprises not only have the potential of helping meet the country’s energy self-sufficiency mandate issued by President Bush and supported by Congress, but also the potential to revitalize the rural economy of these communities.

But to realize this potential and move forward in a positive manner, there must be consensus among all stakeholders. MU Forestry Extension partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation and was successful in securing a US Forest Service Wood-to-Energy Jump Start Grant that will allow stakeholders to come together in an initial town hall meeting and learn about the latest woody biomass energy options that are available and have some preliminary interactive discussions. During a four-week interim period, local MU Extension specialists will facilitate additional chat sessions to foster further discussion and allow those who were unable to attend the town hall meeting to participate in the process. Then a second town hall meeting will be held to decide whether or not these technologies make sense for them and what next steps need to be taken.

For more information you can contact either Hank Stelzer, MU State Forestry Extension Specialist at stelzerh@missouri.edu or (573) 882-4444; or John Tuttle, MDC Forest Products Specialist at john.tuttle@mdc.mo.gov or (573) 751-4115 ext 3304.