Wisconsin PSC approves switch of Ashland plant from coal to biomass

In Wisconsin, the state Public Service Commission OK’d a proposal by Xcel Energy to switch its Ashland plant from coal-fired power to forest-residue gasification by 2012. The conversion project at the Bay Front Power Plant will cost $58.1 million, according to the utility’s plan, and will utilize wood waste from logging operations.

The utility already has two wood gasification boilers in use at Ashland, and the cost of conversion covers the third boiler, and would convert the entire 60 MW facility to renewable power generation, enough to serve 50-60,000 homes. The state PSC also noted that the proposal would allow the plant to switch from out-of-state feedstock to local resources.

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