[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20054]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 16, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Golden Field Office; Federal Assistance Award to Utility Biomass
Energy Commercialization Association (UBECA)
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Financial Assistance Award in Response to an
Unsolicited Financial Assistance Application; 36-94GO10025.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE
Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.14, is announcing its intention
to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Utility Biomass Energy
Commercialization Association (UBECA) for the development of a Biomass
Energy Development Plan for the development of sustainable biomass
resources and competitive biomass energy conversion technologies.
ADDRESSES: Comments and questions regarding this announcement may be
addressed to the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617
Cole Blvd., Golden, Colorado 80401, Attention: W. Webb, Contract
Specialist. The telephone number is 303-275-4724. The Contracting
Officer for this action is John W. Meeker.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE has evaluated, in accordance with the
DOE Federal Assistance Regulations, 10 CFR Sec. 600.14, the unsolicited
proposal entitled ``Biomass Energy Development Plan'' and recommends
that the unsolicited proposal be accepted for support without further
competition in accordance with Sec. 600.14 of the Federal Assistance
Regulations.
This proposal is in support of the DOE Biomass Power Program and
the President's Climate Change Action Plan. The Climate Change
challenge addresses (1) meeting the energy needs of the Nation, (2)
promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, and (3) promoting
energy policy that protects the environment, as well as supporting the
development of energy efficient measures and low-emission and non-
emitting power generation technologies.
This project involves cost sharing with the Utility Biomass Energy
Commercialization Association (UBECA) for the development of a multi-
year industry supported ``Biomass Energy Development Plan'' that
encourages the development of economically sustainable biomass
resources and economically competitive biomass energy conversion
technologies.
The proposed award will provide funding to UBECA for the formation
of the association, development of the Biomass Energy Development Plan,
and initial execution of the program. The objectives of UBECA include:
(1) creating an industry supported Biomass Energy Development Plan, (2)
providing a voice for developing biomass power technologies and biomass
energy crops in the United States, (3) coordinating consideration of
technology requirements, analyzing the costs and benefits of biomass
power, developing new applications and disseminating information, (4)
expanding utility interest and project involvement, (5) developing a
market/user interface for biomass technology developers, and (6)
coordinating market interests with other organizations.
The use of biomass fuels and technologies offers the opportunity
for decreased emissions both through modification of fossil-fired
boilers for co-firing wood resources and by creating closed cycled
biomass systems whereby the resources are grown specifically for
biomass power production. These ``energy crops'' offer a CO2 sink
during growth and a fuel source to displace carbonaceous fuels. The
proposed association offers a forum for utilities to develop a market-
driven program for technology development and commercialization of
those technologies.
The steering committee formed for the incorporation of UBECA is
composed of a group of utilities that are representative of the market.
The initial plans are well conceived for the recruitment of members,
development of the multi-year biomass energy development plan and the
successful creation of an industry supported program. The Utility
Biomass Energy Association would have the capability to drive market
introduction, increase technology development and biomass resource
production, and increase the probability for commercial success.
The planning, management, and initial utility group support should
provide a high probability of meeting associations objectives. UBECA's
goals are consistent and supportive of the DOE Collaborative Strategy
for Commercialization of Solar Electric Technologies and provides a
unique opportunity for the acceleration of biomass electric
technologies by utilities. The total program cost is estimated to be
$249,200, with the DOE share being $56,000 or 22.5%. This award will
not be made for at least 14 days after publication of this notice to
allow for public comment.
Issued in Golden, Colorado, on August 1, 1994.
John W. Meeker,
Chief, Procurement, GO.
[FR Doc. 94-20054 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
