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Developers pitch biomass-to-fuel project at Oroville’s former plant site; council expresses support and requests follow-up
Summary
A joint venture led by Butte Renewable Energy presented plans to redevelop the old Popeye biomass site in Oroville into a modern facility producing energy, capturing CO2 and potentially making e‑methanol; developers estimated hundreds of construction and permanent jobs and sought city collaboration on zoning and permitting.
Developers from Butte Renewable Energy and partners introduced an early-stage proposal on Jan. 30 to redevelop Oroville’s decommissioned Popeye biomass site into a state-of-the-art biomass processing facility and a subsequent power-to-X (e‑methanol) production complex.
The pitch: Patrick (meeting presenter) introduced a team led on the podium by Michael Spencer and Ben Talbot, who described a two-phase project: a modern biomass plant that processes forestry and agricultural residues to reduce fire risk and generate energy, and a later phase that would capture carbon and combine hydrogen from electrolysis with captured CO2 to produce e‑methanol, a fuel being considered by global shipping regulators.
Developers said the modern plant would emphasize low emissions and advanced combustion controls; Talbot cited prior projects in Europe that meet strict emission standards. The team proposed ancillary uses of process heat (district heating/cooling), potential use of local agricultural waste (peach pits and orchard residuals), partnerships with local forest-management firms and training opportunities with Butte Community College. The presenters estimated the construction phase would create about 500 jobs and the operation/ancillary employment another roughly 500 long‑term jobs. They also presented an initial capital estimate: roughly $100 million for the biomass plant and a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar second phase for e‑methanol and electrolysis (the team’s modeling referenced a half‑billion dollar buildout in later phases).
Why it matters: Councilmembers welcomed the economic-development and wildfire‑mitigation potential. Members asked about environmental permitting, air emissions, feedstock supply and community benefits. Multiple council members and staff described the project as promising but in the early stages and raised the need for formal environmental review and interagency coordination.
Regulatory and feedstock points: Presenters said the facility would comply with stringent emissions requirements and that California and EU emissions standards (cited by the team) are high benchmarks for modern biomass plants. They noted the International Maritime Organization’s upcoming standards and market demand for low‑carbon shipping fuels such as e‑methanol. Presenters said the Oroville site’s industrial zoning and regional timber and agricultural supply make it a favorable location and discussed the possibility of creating an "energy zone" in the industrial area to streamline local permitting.
Council reaction and next steps: Council members asked for additional details on air‑quality controls and historical operational issues at the older plant. Staff and the presenters said they have been in discussions with Butte Fire Safe Council and other partners about feedstock availability and that there appears to be a multi‑decadal supply of woody biomass for fuel. City staff indicated willingness to explore zoning, a localized permitting approach, and potential incentives while leaving environmental review and air‑quality permits to the appropriate state and federal agencies. The council directed staff to continue engagement with the developers and to bring potential zoning or incentive ideas back to council for consideration.
