Biomass export opportunities of Great Lakes touted by economic development official of Erie County in Pennsylvania, a state with 6 million tons/year of woody biomass potential; two Lake Erie ports, inland railroads being developed for exports

Bdebbie Garcia

LOS ANGELES , October 12, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – To attract investment in biomass facilities, Erie County in Pennsylvania is touting Lake Erie’s export potential and developing the infrastructure to make it a reality, while lining up overseas markets, reported Biomass Magazine on Oct. 12.

The Economic Development Corp. of Erie County (EDCEC) is developing partnerships with buyers, ports and businesses in Europe that are interested in biomass supply from the Erie area, said John Elliot, president and CEO of the EDCEC.

Biomass businesses could lower transportation costs by shipping their products via the St. Lawrence Seaway, which has a similar travel time to Europe as the Port of Baltimore, said Elliot, speaking at BBI International’s Northeast Biomass Conference & Trade Show, Oct. 12.

Pennsylvania has over 14 million acres of forestlands that can produce 6 million tons per year of biomass, said Elliot, Biomass Magazine reported.

The development group started the Erie Inland Port Initiative to “grow the Lake Erie region’s manufacturing, timber, shipping and logistics industry,” according to the EDCEC.

The EDCEC has approached inland rail transportation and port authority officials about strategic relationships to support export growth in the area, and it is developing certain sites near the port that would be good locations for biomass businesses, reported Biomass Magazine.

The group is offering to help potential biomass businesses interested in relocating to the region, including incentives, said Elliot.

Transportation costs are a crucial part of the biomass trade, and 23% of the Erie area’s intermodal transports are wood products, according to research, he said, Biomass Magazine reported.

The primary source of this article is Biomass Magazine, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Oct. 12, 2011.

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