R2011-10 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED INSTITUTE

Home Browse Search

• Mr. Keith Alexander, City of Decatur—January 24, 2011 —Page 2 SCOPE OF WORK City of Decatur funds provided in accordance with this agreement, along with funding from other sources, will be used by AWI to support a Local Bioenergy Initiative designed to protect Lake Decatur and provide economic development benefits to the City. Specifically, AWI will: 1. Assist local farmers and landowners that want to begin growing energy grasses. This will include workshops, field days, and other educational activities for prospective growers. AWI coordinated an energy grass education area at the 2009 Farm Progress Show and plans to repeat this at the 2011 Show. In addition to outreach and education activities, AWI will continue to provide technical, financial, and in-kind assistance to individual farmers and land owners for establishing perennial energy grasses. AWI will disseminate information about the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and other biomass energy programs and will participate in collaborative efforts to make such assistance available to local agricultural producers. 2. Develop and demonstrate landscape design concepts. Production of energy grasses involves synergies and trade-offs between multiple objectives. AWI will convene a Landscape Design Learning Group to address questions of what to grow, where and how to grow it in order to produce energy feedstock, protect water quality, and achieve other conservation objectives. AWI and our partners will develop and test planning techniques to identify optimal locations for energy grasses. To leverage City financial support, AWI will pursue grant funding opportunities for watershed-scale R&D projects. AWI will continue to participate in Green Lands Blue Waters, a consortium of land grant universities and nonprofit organizations that develops and demonstrates agricultural systems including perennial and cover crops. 3. Develop markets for energy grasses and related 6enefits. In order to get energy grasses planted in the Lake Decatur watershed and elsewhere, it must make economic sense to farmers and land owners. Market development is therefore of critical importance. Energy grasses can be used in the near term for home or commercial heating or for industrial scale heat and power generation. In 2010, AWI purchased biomass densification equipment and began warking with local farmers to make grass pellets and briquettes. We also began a cost share program for pellet furnaces to heat homes or farm buildings. During the period of this agreement, AWI will refine and expand production and use of grass pellets and briquettes for home or commercial heating. We will work with industrial and institutional partners to conduct tests and demonstration projects far the purpose of developing a larger market for grass biomass. In 2010, AWI participated in the formation of the Illinois Biomass Working Group. In 2011-12, AWI will continue to work with IBWG to expand markets and pursue economic development opportunities related to biomass energy. To enhance the economic viability of bioenergy systems, AWI will design and demonstrate "green payment"mechanisms to incentivize environmental benefits such as greenhouse gas reduction, soil conservation,water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat. Bioenergy technology, public policy and programs, and economic circumstances are likely to evolve rapidly during the term of this agreement. AWI, in consultation with City staff, will monitor developments and may make adjustments within the general scope set forth herein to meet challenges and pursue opportunities that may arise. No formal amendment of this agreement will be necessary for such mid-course adjustments unless, at the discretion of the City, they represent a significant change to the scope of work.