District outlines biomass‑to‑hydrogen pilot and EcoMode proposal as part of ag‑waste alternatives push

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District received a multi‑part briefing on March 2 about emerging opportunities to convert agricultural and forest biomass into energy, fuels and byproducts including hydrogen and biochar.

Amy Roberts of the Air District summarized the rationale: converting ag waste and woody biomass into higher‑value products can reduce pile burning, lower particulate and NOx emissions, reduce wildfire risk and create renewable fuel feedstocks. Roberts said the Northern Sacramento Valley produces large annual tonnages of woody and agricultural biomass and urged the board to consider those materials as a “resource” rather than waste.

Roberts noted state legislative activity related to biomass utilization, identifying SB 88 as part of the policy landscape; she deferred detailed statutory discussion to the Air Pollution Control Officer. Jaime Lemos, the district’s Director of Transportation and Climate Change, outlined logistical, permitting and feedstock challenges and introduced private developers engaged in a proposed first project in Sacramento County.

Jeff Dershey, CEO of EcoModev, and Steve Rambaugh, CEO of WindBridge Energy (co‑founder and head of development for the EcoMode proposal), described a planned small‑scale biomass gasification facility and hydrogen fueling station off Twin Cities Road near Highway 5 in southern Sacramento County. The developers said the plant would use a non‑combustion gasification/pyrolysis process to convert woody biomass and agricultural residues into syngas, produce biochar for sequestration or filtration, and refine hydrogen for on‑site dispensing to light, medium and heavy‑duty vehicles. Dershey said the first phase would produce about 500 kilograms of hydrogen per day with planned scale‑ups, and estimated initial annual biochar sequestration of more than 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent (presenters described this as sequestration via biochar and later CO2 capture in later phases).

Presenters emphasized co‑benefits: local hydrogen fueling infrastructure to support truck fleets, reduced open burning, and potential local jobs. They also described outreach to nearby landowners and early coordination with local fire officials. Board members questioned feedstock sourcing, economics and siting: Director Dickinson and Director Hume asked how much material would come from Sacramento County orchards versus outside counties; developers said a majority could be sourced locally but acknowledged logistics and seasonal supply are significant constraints. Director Sander pressed on economics and said farmers often find burning or low‑cost disposal the cheapest immediate option; EcoMode representatives said their model offers farmers lower removal costs and that hydrogen produced from biomass could be cheaper per kilogram than current retail station prices if scaled.

No board action or formal approvals were taken. Directors and staff discussed next steps including continued outreach, permitting pathways (CEQA and local land use), and coordination with Basinwide Control Council advocacy work and state policy discussions.