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Entrepreneur pitches LifeRaft biochar plant near Atalissa; promises odor reduction, jobs, and research ties
Summary
William "Will" Cowell of LifeRaft presented a proposal to build a biochar production facility on U.S. Highway 6 near Atalissa, describing feedstock sources, production capacity, estimated jobs and local partnerships; he said the company would seek a rezoning to industrial and has not yet submitted zoning paperwork.
William “Will” Cowell, founder of LifeRaft, presented plans on June 16 to the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors for a proposed biochar production facility along U.S. Highway 6 about 4 miles outside of Atalissa.
Cowell described biochar as a porous, carbon-rich soil amendment made by pyrolyzing organic waste and said his company would convert municipal and industrial wood waste and other plant-based residues into biochar and compost additives. He said the facility would operate two reactors at full scale, produce roughly 18,000–20,000 tons of biochar a year and consume about 100,000 tons of feedstock annually; LifeRaft has not submitted rezoning applications and is seeking local feedback before doing so.
Cowell said LifeRaft plans to source material from municipal brush piles and industrial wood waste within roughly a…
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