Biomass Feasibility Study

DESCRIPTION: The Montana Community Development Corporation is seeking  proposals for a biomass feasibility study. The applicants can be private companies or consulting firms with experience developing biomass energy generation plants.

1. Description of Proposed Biomass Generation Facility(ies). The proposal will provide detailed information on the applicant’s plans for developing one or more biomass energy generation plants in Montana as a result of the feasibility study. The applicant should be as specific as possible about the potential plants that may be built as a result of the analysis. The analysis will include cost/benefit information that provides potential investors with sufficient information to determine the potential financial and operating viability of one or more proposed biomass energy generation plants.

2. Biomass Fuel Supply Assessment in Western Montana. The applicant will identify specific potential public and private biomass supply in the western region of Montana which would potentially be used as feedstock for the proposed, potential biomass generation facility the applicant is interested in developing. The applicant should discuss all potential sources of fuel that would be used in their potential facility(ies). The applicant should include a discussion of biomass fuel supply types including wood manufacturing waste, wood chips, sawdust, forest thinnings and removals.

3. Potential for Power Generation. Based on the above estimates of woody biomass, the applicant will estimate the potential power that would be generated (megawatts) for the applicants potential, proposed biomass generation plant(s). The applicant should also identify the major existing transmission infrastructure in Montana that could be a recipient of generated power.

4. Biomass Facility Infrastructure and Operations Requirements. The applicant will describe the site development, on-site facilities, process inputs, transportation needs, and off-site feedstock characteristics and requirements, and energy transmission linkages for the potential, proposed woody biomass facility.

5. Impacts. The applicant will describe the sustainability impacts, including economic, societal and natural environmental impacts, of the potential, proposed woody biomass facility(ies). The applicant will also Identify both positive and negative potential impacts of the potential, proposed facility(ies).

6. Regulatory and Permitting Requirements. The applicant will explain any and all federal, state, and local permits needed for the potential, proposed woody biomass facility(ies), including the associated information and data requirements, typical approval timeframes, and agency contacts.

7. NEPA and MEPA Requirements. The applicant will identify how NEPA might be triggered for the potential proposed woody biomass facility(ies) and who the likely lead and participating agencies might be. Identify how MEPA may apply to the project(s).

8. Risk Assessment. Based on the information collected, including experiences from other woody biomass facility developments, identify and describe the risks associated with your facility development and operation and the typical barriers.

Deliverables: Applicant’s comprehensive feasibility study, executive summary of applicant’s feasibility study, PowerPoint presentation describing the outcome of the applicant’s analysis

9. Cost. Include the fixed cost of your proposed feasibility study.

SUBMIT PROPOSALS BY: January 20, 2010 via email to the address listed below.

Schedule: Approximately 2 months from Notice to Proceed

Please make inquiries and submit applications to:

Craig Rawlings, Forest Business Consulting Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it