Colorado Biomass Plant Set For Auction

Eagle Valley Clean Energy in Gypsum, Colo. filed for bankruptcy in spring 2024, after the facility closed abruptly in November. Officials report an Illinois real state company has the leading bid to acquire the facility and will likely do so for $2.45 million. Started up in 2013, the plant was the first in the state constructed primarily to utilize biomass material coming off timber salvage and forest health restoration projects, and the closure eliminates a major market that allows such projects to go forward. The plant utilized 250 tons/day, and produced 11.5 MW. 

Acquired by Greenbacker Renewable Energy in 2019, Eagle Valley Green Energy’s bankruptcy filing includes more than $600,000 owed to logging and forest restoration specialist West Range Forest Products. West Range has multiple forest health projects in regional national forests that produce biomass and related fuel wood. Noting that the plant buyer’s proposal included not renewing Eagle Valley Clean Energy’s power sales contract with a local utility, there’s little likelihood the facility will be put back into service and its 90 acre site will be repurposed.