The Big Switch: Coal To Biofuel

Tuesday,  September 15, 2009 10:40 AM

Video
SHADYSIDE, Ohio — It's a sign of the times and a going green revolution.  Going from coal to biofuel. 

"This is really somewhat uncharted territory." said First Energy Spokesperson Ellen Raines. "Ultimately we'd like the biofuel to come from a fuel crop that would be grown specifically to be made into fuel for the purpose of burning at the plant."

There are plenty of options to eventually power the Burger plant.  One option is a string, fast growing grass like plant.  It's called Elephant Grass.

All this innovative thinking came from court litigation.  Plant owner First Energy was ordered to emit less pollutants.  Everyone put their heads together to save this community mainstay and more than 100 jobs. 

"It was very much a collaborative effort from the workers at the plant, the unions, the plant management, and company management." said Raines.

The piles of coal won't be so high in the future as First Energy's Burger plant stays at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. 

"By converting this plant to biomass, it would be the largest biomass facility of it's kind in the country, possibly the world." said Raines. 

This is a green solution that's helping one community and corporation look towards the future together.

For more information, you can go to the Green Ohio Links page.

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