Energy Department Takes First Step in Its Bioenergy Initiative
June 24, 1999
OIT MEDIA CONTACT:Mike Terwilliger, 202/586-5806
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced the first in a series of grants under its new bioenergy initiative. Champion International and Georgia Pacific Corp. will receive $1.75 million each to support the development of black liquor gasification, a new forest product industry technology. The new process harnesses reusable chemicals and generates electricity from pulp and paper mill waste products, leading to lower emissions, increased electric power generation, higher thermal efficiencies, improved operational safety, and lower capital costs. If all paper companies were to utilize the black liquor gasification technology, the industry would generate 11 to 22 gigawatts of energy a year, rather than being a significant energy consumer. In addition, this technology could cut carbon emissions annually by more than 30 million metric tons which is equivalent to removing 6.5 million cars from the road.