Central New York Biomass Crop Study Results to be Presented at Local Public Meetings

(New Hartford, NY) The recently completed Central New York Biomass Crop Study offers new insight on the potential for growing energy in the region. Information from this study is vital both to farmers interested in producing biomass crops and energy users considering biomass as an energy source.

“We were asked to look at whether this area could produce enough biomass, at an affordable price, to support a mid-sized renewable biomass energy project? We look forward to sharing what we learned, and to answering any questions we can, at a series of meetings that are being organized with the help of Cornell Cooperative Extension,” says Dan Conable a partner in Cato Analytics, the consulting firm that conducted the study.

This study was sponsored by the New York Farm Viability Institute, as part of its multi-year effort to develop opportunities for farmers in the green energy sector.

During the study a project research team assessed the biomass crop production potential of more than 150 properties distributed throughout Madison and neighboring counties. Each property was evaluated for its potential to produce native grasses, cool season grasses, warm season grasses and hybrid willow. The team also interviewed 113 landowners, asking questions about their plans for their land, their reasons for owning the land, and the conditions under which they would consider producing biomass or leasing their land for biomass production.

The study has attracted the attention of many farmers and landowners in the region. The cross-section of rural landowners who participated showed a wide range of views about how energy crop production would fit into what they want to do with their land. Based on this sample data, the study concludes that there could be as many as 120,000 acres available to produce at least one of the four biomass crops evaluated in the study. At the public meetings, members of the research team will discuss what the study indicates about the price levels needed to achieve a substantial level of biomass output, characteristics of the land base in the region and the potential effect of government incentive programs.

Meetings will be held on Wednesday, March 10^th at 10:00 a.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, 100 Eaton St, Morrisville, NY 13408, Phone 315-684-3001; Thursday, March 18^th at 7pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County, 99N Broad St, Norwich NY 13815, Phone 607-334-5841; and Saturday, March 20^th hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at the offices of Gilroy, Kernan and Gilroy, 210 Clinton Road, New Hartford. The Oneida County meeting will begin at 9am with information for rural landowners, the results of the biomass crop study will be presented 11 am, Phone 315-736-3394 ext. 129. Registration is not required for any of the meetings.

For more information on the biomass study, call the Central New York Biomass Crop Study Hotline at 315-893-4004.

Central New York Biomass Crop Study Results to be Presented at Local Public Meetings

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