https://news.yahoo.com/boulder-receives-grant-biochar-032400609.html
Boulder receives grant for biochar work. Boulder obtained a $100,000 grant from the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance Game Changer Fund to support its bioenergy-biochar work. Boulder must pay to dispose of more than 1,000 tons of woody biomass "waste" generated in the city. The project aims to capture and convert this material into biochar, which can be used in urban forestry expansion and storm water treatment objectives. The heat emitted in production can be used to displace natural gas use.
https://www.earth.com/news/instead-of-planting-trees-keep-forests-healthy/
Experts say, instead of planting trees, keep forests healthy. “Thinning of forests, conversion of the removed wood to biochar and burial of the biochar in forest soils is a way to bring new jobs to forested rural areas while allowing forests to play a bigger role in keeping carbon out of the atmosphere and thus fighting climate change,” said Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210526185839.htm
People prefer 'natural' strategies to reduce atmospheric carbon. Across the political spectrum, people support nature-based strategies like soil carbon sequestration with biochar over high tech approaches to capture CO2 and pump the gas into underground storage. Bipartisan support will be needed to make things happen.
https://www.islandssounder.com/news/opalco-clears-lines-for-fire-prevention-and-forest-health/
Utility clears power lines for fire prevention and forest health. While clearing trees away from power lines is a routine maintenance practice, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative is now working with the CCC to turn the woody debris into biochar. The biochar created is used on-site as a soil amendment for greater forest health.
https://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=21-P13-00020&segmentID=5
Living on Earth's Casey Troost presents a note on emerging science about the benefits of biochar for retaining water in soil during times of drought. “Farmers in certain parts of Nebraska can save nearly 40% of irrigated water by incorporating biochar into their sandy soils. And water isn’t the only benefit. The little pores in biochar also absorb atmospheric carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and other nutrients, and store them for plants to use. Just think - biochar is like a little lunch box and water bottle combined!”
https://abc7.com/weather/8-ways-to-save-water-as-ca-faces-worst-drought-in-decades/10771662/
California drought coping tips include biochar. Tip #4: Planting with things like mulch or biochar, which can be bought at your local nursey, help prevent evaporation and thus require less water.
https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2021/06/excess-wastewater-disposal-focus-of-eco-friendly-projects/
Biochar to treat island wastewater. Ridge to Reefs is partnering with Sunshine Vetiver Solutions on three strategies for purifying the wastewater — planting vetiver grass and native plants, using bioreactor and biochar filtration technology and testing a modified soil aquifer treatment basin that also uses biochar.
https://www.ecori.org/smart-growth/2021/5/19/newport-unpaves-the-way-to-cleaner-almy-pond
Biochar takes on another algae-filled pond. Almy Pond in Newport has recorded some of the highest measured phosphorus levels of any pond in Rhode Island. Almy Watershed Protectors has plans to run a filtration pilot project on the pond using biochar socks placed on the pond’s edge to help eliminate incoming contaminants.
https://apnews.com/article/wy-state-wire-wyoming-business-technology-402c27c8de07eb5bc9d386ba68dfac3e
Wyoming startup accelerator gives boost to biochar business. Laramie’s High Plains Biochar is getting some business strategy help to develop its carbon-negative biotech technology. The company is a few months out from the fundraising phase, and they are looking for partners to help put carbon back in the ground.
https://www.bioenergy-news.com/news/frontline-bioenergys-iowa-pyrolysis-project-progresses/
Frontline BioEnergy’s Iowa pyrolysis project progresses. The Stine pyrolysis project, a collaboration between Stine Seed Farms and Frontline BioEnergy, will transform biomass into biochar and bio-oil. Stine Seed Farms is currently installing the 9-module pyrolysis plant equipment at its site. “This project will bolster Iowa’s farming industry by creating a value-added market for corn stover and other unused biomass,” said Harry Stine, Stine’s CEO.
https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/east-millinocket-biochar-production-plant-gets-800k-boost-from-fame
East Millinocket biochar production plant gets $800K boost. The Finance Authority of Maine has approved an $800,000 FAME Direct Loan to Standard Biocarbon Corp., to help pay for equipment for the company's biochar operation at the former East Millinocket mill, pending approval of financing from other agencies.