Bioenergy Basics and Project Information

In 2007 the legislature appropriated $300,000 to Bois Forte to conduct a study examining the feasibility of developing a biofuels demonstration project in Nett Lake that would produce renewable energy. 

On this page you will find information on the project, which will have regular updates starting this October.

What is renewable energy?

First things first – just what, exactly, is renewable energy? It is energy that comes from resources that replenish, regrow or replace themselves.  That means renewable energy cannot be depleted; we can always have it, if we manage it properly.  By contrast, so-called fossil fuels like oil and coal cannot be replenished; once they are gone, they’re gone.

Besides being readily available, renewable energy sources offer another important benefit:  they do not pollute as much as fossil fuels.  With the increasing awareness of the dangers of greenhouse gases and global warming, the environmental appeal of renewable energy is growing.

Renewable energy may sound like a new phenomenon, but it’s not.  Humans have a long history of capturing the power of the wind, water and sun.  What is new is the increasing focus on mass-producing large amounts of energy, such as electricity, with renewable sources.  Here is a brief overview of the major types of renewable energy that you might hear about in the months and years to come:

• Biomass – plant and animal matter used as fuel or in industrial production.
• Biofuels – fuel made from biomass, usually plant matter.
• Hydropower – energy obtained from moving water.
• Geothermal power – energy obtained from geothermal heat (heat sources within the planet).
• Solar power – energy obtained from the sun.
• Tidal power – energy obtained from tides and open ocean currents.
• Wave power – energy obtained from ocean surface waves
• Wind power – energy obtained from the wind.

Biofuels 101 – what, where, why and who

• What would the biofuels be made from? 
  Biofuels can be made from a wide variety of plant matter, including corn, soybeans, flaxseed, sugar cane, and many others.  The Bois Forte Band’s proposed biofuels demonstration facility would focus on woody biomass and wood waste, which are known as “cellulosic biomass” because they contain cellulose, the main part of the cell walls in plants.  Sources of cellulosic biomass could include logging resides, forest trimmings, saw dust, and perhaps even a portion of processed municipal waste – all of which are plentiful in northern Minnesota.

• What kinds of fuels would be created?
  The cellulosic biomass would be made into clean-burning fuels such as ethanol, butanol or biodiesel.

• Where would the biofuels be made?
  The demonstration facility would be located on the reservation in Nett Lake.  A specific location has not been chosen.

• Why is this the right time for biofuels at Bois Forte?
  The market for biofuels is growing quickly, and biofuels are emerging as a vital technology for our state and our nation.  Congress voted in 2005 to promote renewable fuels, and last year President Bush said that he wants 75% of fuels currently coming from the Middle East to be replaced by2005.

The 2007 Minnesota Legislature has already passed a bill into law requiring that by the year 2025, the state utility companies must achieve a standard of  25% alternative fuels for our energy consumption.

Also, the technology for creating biofuels has become much less expensive.  That means biofuels will soon be priced to compete with other energy sources.

• Who will have a say in this project?

You will.  Band leaders will seek the input of community members and will only proceed if the project will benefit the people of Bois Forte. 

The Band will also involve the local public in the discussions, and we will work with landowners, saw mill and logging operators, and other potential suppliers of cellulosic biomass.

How would biofuels benefit the Bois Forte Band?

The Bois Forte RTC has outlined several key goals for the proposed biofuels demonstration:

• Create new jobs for Band members.  The proposed facility offers the potential for a dynamic new industry on the reservation, one that could allow Band members to make significant wages, develop technical and scientific careers, and remain close to their ancestral lands.

Strengthen the Band’s economy. The demonstration facility would complement the Band’s ongoing efforts to diversify our economy, such as our retail stores, radio station, and car wash systems business.

Strengthen the region’s economy.  Surrounding communities would benefit from the increase in employment and the resulting increase in the purchase of goods and services.

• Reduce dependence on foreign energy sources.  Like the rest of the country, the Band gets transportation and heating fuels from distant sources.  That means forces beyond our control could threaten our economic future.

• Improve energy self-sufficiency.  Making more efficient use of our resources would be one more way that our sovereign nation directs our own destiny.

• Protect the environment.  In keeping with our long tradition of caring for the environment, we could reduce a modern threat:  harmful carbon emissions.

• Strengthen ties with our neighbors.  This project could strengthen partnerships among the Band, the state, the federal government, and local counties and towns – and that kind of collaboration could lead to more economic growth in the region.  We have already received a $25,000 grant from the Iron Ranges Resources agency for planning, and we are working with area legislators to seek $300,000 in states funds for a detailed technical and feasibility study that will determine how the entire Arrowhead Region can benefit from the biofuels project.

Unique advantages for Indian tribes

• The United States government has made its biofuels research available to all interested parties, along with technical and financial assistance.  Indian tribes in particular have been targeted for a substantial share of the Department of Energy’s renewable energy development grants and low-interest loans.  The Band has already applied for one of these grants to conduct an assessment of the renewable energy resources on the reservation. 

Proposed project timeline

The biofuels project has been divided into three phases.  Each new phase is dependent on the completion of the prior phase.

• Phase one – scoping report (January-February 2007).  The report, which is finished, identifies specific technologies to be examined in greater detail so that we can the select the most appropriate technology to develop a demonstration plant.
  

• Phase two – technical and economic feasibility study (July 2007-May 2008).  This study will look at types of biomass, costs, estimated revenues, possible sites, and permits needed by a demonstration facility.  Phase two would also include a financial and business plan for the project.

• Phase three – demonstration project (2008-2010).  This is when the actual design, permitting, site preparation, construction, hiring and training of personnel, and operation of a demonstration biofuels facility would happen.  Band leaders anticipate be able to capitalize on the state’s and Band’s commitment to the project to obtain federal funds for the demonstration plant.  Grants and low-interest loans will minimize the Band’s financial risk.