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Deschutes County authorizes Allen Foundation LOI to pilot biochar from fuels‑reduction biomass
Summary
The board authorized submission of a Jan. 15 letter of intent to the Allen Foundation to seek seed funding for a multi‑partner project that would convert fuels‑reduction biomass into biochar and explore carbon‑credit finance and operational models; staff and local experts said the grant would fund study, a pilot and business modeling.
Deschutes County authorized staff Jan. 14 to submit a letter of intent to the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation seeking approximately $1.6 million to fund a multi‑partner fuels‑reduction project that would pilot production of biochar from biomass produced by hazardous‑fuels treatments.
Will Groves (planning manager) described the project as a potential complement to the county’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) work: the pilot would process biomass from about 585 acres of county property and roughly 100 miles of rights of way identified in the CWDG project, produce biochar with mobile pyrolysis or air‑curtain systems, and explore how credits from carbon accounting and other revenue could help pay disposal and operational costs. The Allen Foundation’s opportunity requires a short, low‑barrier letter of interest by Jan. 15; invited full proposals will be requested Feb. 5 and will be due March 10 if selected.
Matthew Agai and partners (Veridian and local operators) explained operational questions the study would address: throughput and staffing models for mobile units, lifecycle carbon accounting and permanence assumptions for biochar, air-quality and smoke impacts, and a business and financing model to make operations economical for local contractors. Agai said voluntary carbon markets currently price biochar per‑ton values in a range the team is modeling ($100–$150/ton) but stressed strong measurement, verification and protocol work is required to access those markets.
Commissioners asked technical questions about scale, air curtain burner throughput, permanence of carbon sequestration, and likely roles for county staff. Staff and the presenters said the LOI is low risk for the county and that any future full proposal would include a detailed budget showing monies to support county project management and partner costs. The board voted to authorize the submittal of the LOI by the county; staff said they will return if requested to prepare a full proposal and a budget for board approval should the Allen Foundation invite a full application.
What’s next: The foundation will invite full proposals on Feb. 5 from selected LOIs; if Deschutes County is invited, staff will return for authorization to submit a full proposal and a project budget.
