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BDOzone briefing: San Juan County rated 'BB' for bioeconomy potential; county pursuing pilot projects
Summary
Ecostra presented a BDOzone rating of Double B for San Juan County, identifying limited woody biomass (≈10,000 bone-dry tons) and infrastructure gaps but recommending small-scale pilot projects (wood-for-life, juniper utilization) and further permitting work to improve investment prospects.
San Juan County commissioners heard a briefing June 2 from Ecostra on the county's BDOzone (biofuel development opportunity) rating and what it means for economic development and potential bio-manufacturing projects.
Alex Bud, head of strategic initiatives for Ecostra, explained the three pillars used to rate regions—feedstock surplus, supply-chain strength and industrial infrastructure—and said San Juan County received a Double B rating. He said a Double B is not 'investment grade' in the program's rating scale and reflects constraints in locally available woody biomass (Alex said the report estimated about 10,000 bone-dry tons of woody biomass), limited supply-chain capacity and the need for host sites. Bud described how the rating is used as a signaling tool to investors and noted that BDOzone ratings have been associated with large private capital pipelines in other regions.
The county's economic-development staff described ongoing, locally tailored responses to the rating: pilot programs to repurpose sawmill residuals through a 'Wood for Life' program, scouting uses for invasive juniper species, and seeking USDA funding to build small-scale production capacity for local agricultural and forestry products. Commissioners asked about re-assessment pathways; Bud said the county can request a re-evaluation after meaningful changes (expanded feedstock, permitting changes or supply-chain improvements) and that Ecostra will work with the county on follow-up webinars and developer outreach.
The briefing concluded with staff agreement to coordinate next steps (permitting advocacy, pilot funding applications and a planned 'BDOzone Connect' webinar) and to pursue USDA and other grant opportunities that could strengthen county readiness for future private investment.
