County hoping to attract biomass development

LETHBRIDGE – A new study shows Lethbridge County just how much organic material is being produced, that could be used in a biomass industry.

“It’s an opportunity to formally take stock of how much biomass… biologically generated organic material, whether it’s crops and crop leavings from agriculture, wood and wood products from forestry, or even things like manure from beef or hogs or chickens and so forth,” economic development officer Martin Ebel said in an interview.

He explained it could lead to a plant at some point, as companies look at Alberta and the byproducts from the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Ebel said there’s a lot of interest, both national and international. But at this point the concept is still being studied. During a presentation on the study at the county council meeting Monday, Nov. 22, a representative was on hand from one European company, Beta Renewables, which is exploring Alberta’s potential, and Ebel said he’s talking to others.