Lincoln County, HDR launch biomass feasibility kickoff; officials seek site, vet air-quality and feedstock

Lincoln County commissioners and engineering firm HDR convened an afternoon kickoff on Jan. 21, 2026, to begin a feasibility study into a possible biomass and municipal solid-waste (MSW) energy facility that could serve Libby and Eureka.

HDR project lead Zack Mason told the board, "We're heading the project up for you guys," and asked commissioners whether the study should prioritize biomass, MSW, or a combined system that could handle both streams. Mason said HDR was collecting data and would use that information to recommend technology: "the data's going to drive the technology," he said.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the project as a potential way to reduce truck hauling from Eureka, improve forest-fire resiliency by using slash piles for fuel, and in time generate local energy. HDR flagged early performance targets and constraints: the team said a minimal feasibility threshold would be about "100 tons a day," and that a smaller facility footprint might be feasible—possibly in the 5–10 acre range for a compact plant, with larger acreage needed for fuel storage and preprocessing.

Site options, utilities and water: HDR and commissioners discussed several candidate locations. The Libby port was noted for its proximity to a major substation and for holding acreage (the transcript cites 74.78 acres reserved for fiber industry uses). County-owned options near the Eureka landfill, a 25-acre tract adjacent to the road department, and an old sawmill property owned by a local landowner (referred to in the transcript as Pat, surname variously recorded) were also proposed. HDR warned that utility, transmission and water availability will drive feasibility; the port was described in the meeting as having substantive water rights tied to Libby Creek (the transcript cites roughly 11 million gallons/day subdivided among landowners), but HDR said staff must verify capacities and permitting paths.

Air quality and permitting risks: HDR and county participants reviewed preliminary air-quality research for Libby and cautioned that while modern emissions-control systems (scrubbers and best-available technology) can substantially reduce particulates, introducing MSW raises additional emissions issues (metals, plastics). County staff recommended involving the health department (Kathy Hooper) and state agencies early to map air-quality zones and inversion-day restrictions; the meeting specifically referenced EPA PM2.5 standards as a regulatory constraint. HDR said air-quality concerns for biomass-only combustion are manageable with current control technology, but confirmed regulatory review will be required.

Feedstock logistics and economics: Commissioners said diversion of woody waste from current hauling patterns could deliver savings. County staff reported the county runs roughly three 40-yard roll-off loads per day from Eureka to the Libby landfill on weekdays; HDR noted that diverting that material locally could reduce hauling costs. HDR and commissioners discussed mechanisms to compensate loggers and timber contractors for hauling slash rather than burning or leaving it—an important consideration because current forest-service timber sale practices and stewardship agreements can leave economics unfavorable for contractors removing slash.

Benchmarks and outreach: The board suggested reaching out to Tuolumne County, Calif., and the Sierra Pacific biomass operation near Sonora as a case study; HDR confirmed that facility's scale (about 10 MW) is a useful benchmark. HDR also recommended early engagement with Flathead Electric, Bonneville-linked transmission interests and the state DNRC for water-rights and interagency issues.

Next steps and schedule: HDR said site evaluation and baseline analyses are intended to be completed by the end of March, with a full feasibility deliverable targeted for the end of September. HDR will arrange site visits (the team proposed a Stoltz/Kalispell tour and plans for local visits to the Libby port and Eureka landfill) and will circulate site maps, action items and meeting invites. The board agreed to monthly follow-ups and to invite county air-quality and health staff to the next meeting.

Procedural note: Earlier in the morning the board approved the Jan. 14, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The chair also announced two procurement openings (disaster debris removal and disaster debris monitoring) were postponed to add required Libby amphibole asbestos language before reposting.

What’s next: HDR will circulate the kickoff notes, site maps and a list of outstanding items for county staff (including verification of acreage, water rights and truck-haul quantities). The board and HDR set tentative dates for site tours in early February and agreed to reconvene monthly to track progress toward the March and September deliverables.