HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC24-0001 Project Celestite Neal RdDRAFT PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
Project Name:
CELESTITE -Neal Road Soil Supplement Production
Project Contact:
David Kuhnen,CPWM,CSRP
(916)343-4867
celestitedacblp@gmail.com
Project Location:
APN 040-120-007-000
704 NEAL RD,PARADISE,CA 95969
Project Size
3 ACRES
Property Owner:
HORNING MC JR
Project Description:
The proposed project uses an air curtain carbonizer to produce cellulosic char from
woody forest and agricultural biomass.The end product is sold as an organic soil
amendment,which fosters better drainage,aeration,nutrient,and water retention,
enhancing crop yields and soil sustainability.The amendment is particularly
effective in soils that are heavy clays.
The Butte County Bioeconomic Development Opportunity Zone Rating indicates
there are 192,000 bone-dry tons of woody biomass within 75 miles of the project
site,and the Butte County Fire Safe Council Biomass Feasibility Study indicates
there are 140,055 bone-dry tons annually that need to be disposed of before the
Park Fire of 2024.The fire has increased the need to process excess woody biomass.
Air curtain carbonizers generate 400%less emissions than open burning or chip
and grind processes.Air curtain carbonizers are portable much like an excavator.
The air curtain technology creates a rotational air current within the heat chamber
as the high-velocity air blows across the top.This powerful air curtain has two
effects:First,the high air volume causes the heat to be highly oxygenated.Second,
the high-velocity airflow over the combustion chamber entraps particulates (i.e:
smoke).The high oxygenation helps raise the burning temperature inside the unit
to 1830°,which contributes to a more complete combustion process and assists in
reducing emissions and particulates.The project would process up to 200 tons of
wood daily.
DRAFT PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
Additionally,the process sequesters carbon,which will be quantified and certified
through carbon offset protocols,with credits (offset,not avoidance)sold through
government auction or on the voluntary carbon credit market.
Land Use Compliance:
The project as proposed is permitted in the Butte County General Plan at the
proposed location.The project is in the AG-20 land use designation.The Project is a
Permitted Use,specifically Agricultural Processing or Forestry and Logging.
Additionally,the project is in the Neal Road Recycling,Energy,and Waste Facility
Overlay Zone designated -RW.
Agency Interface:Butte County Air Quality
The Butte County Air Quality Control District requires a Burn Permit from the Air
Pollution Control Officer before accepting delivery of process equipment or air
pollution control equipment at the proposed installation site.The site is subject to
inspection.Air Curtain Carbonizers used as a Soil amendment process reduce PM
2.5 emissions by 400%compared to open burning and chip and grind operations.
Numerous air quality districts and the U.S.EPA have specific regulations for this
technology.
Agency Interface:CalRecycle
The project is not subject to regulation by the California Department of Resources
Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
DRAFT PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET
The Natural Resources Code does not regulate Air Curtain carbonizers.The Air Curtain
technology is NOT an “incinerator”as defined in California law.
CA Title 14 Section 17225.33 states:“Incinerator includes any equipment used for the
volume reduction or destruction of combustible wastes by burning,from which the
exhaust gases pass through a flue.”
The equipment used in the proposed process does not have an exhaust gas flue;the
waste gasses are destroyed in the device through superheating (over 1300°).
CA Title 14 Section 18751.2.1 states:(1)“Destructive Incineration”means treatment
by thermal destruction at a high-temperature hazardous waste incinerator where
the physical destruction is the sole intent of the treatment process.
The project does not have as its “sole intent”the physical destruction of the waste.
The process uses wood biomass as an ingredient to create a biochar soil
amendment.
Agency Interface:U.S.EPA
U.S.EPA rule published on 02/07/2013 states that:Solid waste incineration unit
means a distinct operating unit of any facility which combusts any solid waste (as
the Administrator defines that term in 40 CFR part 241)material from commercial
or industrial establishments or the general public (including single and multiple
residences,hotels and motels).The term “solid waste incineration unit”does not
include Air curtain incinerators,provided that such incinerators only burn wood
wastes,yard wastes,and clean lumber.40 CFR Parts 60 and 241.
Agency Interface:California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board (CARB)and the Québec Ministère de
l'Environnement,de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques,de la Faune et des
Parcs (MELCCFP)will hold joint GHG allowance auctions.The soil amendments
created by this project will reduce and sequester greenhouse gasses (GHG)under
one or more of the six Board-approved Compliance Offset Protocols.Those credits
will be sold or entered into the CARB/MELCCFP process or the international
voluntary carbon market.