The Nevada County Board of Supervisors has allocated $90,000 to a BiomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More Pilot Project aimed at converting green waste into biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More. Set to begin this month, the project will operate until June at a county property on La Barr Meadows Road in Grass Valley. The goal is to process up to 10,000 tons of biomass, transforming materials such as logs and wood rounds into biochar, a carbon-sequestering material that helps reduce atmospheric emissions.

This initiative supports Nevada County’s climate resiliency and emergency preparedness strategies. “This project will turn waste that might otherwise go to landfills into a valuable resource, supporting sustainable energy production,” said Hardy Bullock, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. The project will also aid wildfire resilience by prioritizing the removal of green waste from high-risk areas identified in the Nevada County Evacuation Study.

The $90,000 funding will go to Mountain Enterprises for grappling truck services to transport large green waste. Partnerships with the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services, local fire districts, and nearby cities will help coordinate efforts, while Pacific Gas & Electric Company is expected to subsidize truck services. Earth Foundries, responsible for managing the worksite, will oversee daily operations. By turning waste into biochar, Nevada County aims to advance climate goals and improve community safety.

LEARN MORE: Nevada County Supervisors approve Biomass Pilot Project to improve wildfire and climate resiliency