Project Status
In September 2022, Marin RCD approved a motion to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Spatial Informatic Group (SIG) to complete the study.
Q2,2023
A draft of the second phase of the study, Task B (utilization pathways assessment) was submitted by SIG to the RCD at the end of Q2. This draft will be reviewed by the Steering Committee of the RCD as well as by the Collaborative during Q3. Additional work on the study included the collection and analysis of data related to Part C (greenhouse gas assessment). Data quality enhancements to Part A (biomass feedstock confirmation) were initiated.
Q1,2023
A draft of the first phase of the study, Task A (Biomass Feedstock Confirmation) was submitted by SIG to the RCD. This draft was reviewed by the Steering Committee of the RCD as well as by the Collaborative.
The Collaborative held two meetings – an introductory meeting in early January, and a meeting in February to review the draft report of Task A. During the February meeting SIG made a presentation of the draft chapter and then received feedback from Collaborative members. The feedback from the Steering Committee’s review as well as the Collaborative will be taken into consideration for development of the final version of the study.
During the quarter the Steering committee met with the consultant team working on Task B (Utilization Pathways Assessment) to discuss progress on this chapter. The Task B will identify current and potential utilization pathways suitable for transforming biomass feedstocks in Marin County into valuable products that minimize GHG impacts. A draft of this chapter is due in Q2, 2023.
Q4,2022
For the first phase of the study TSS Consultants, as part of the SIG group, conducted the biomass supply availability assessment, which represents Task A of the Study. The goal of Task A is to determine amounts, types, and timing of current and projected utilizable biomass feedstocks in Marin County.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, TSS (part of the SIG Group) contacted Marin County based waste managers, foresters, and land managers to discuss current biomass waste collection, processing and utilization. In addition, biomass waste management from planned forest/woodland fuels reduction activities and organic waste management tied to implementation of Senate Bill 1383 was a key topic of discussion during these interviews
The Steering Committee invited community representatives to participate in the Marin Biomass Collaborative, a multi-year engagement with representatives from wildfire prevention, landfill diversion, governmental entities, water and energy providers, and carbon farming organizations in or around Marin County.