New Generation Biomass to develop biomass facility at Holloman Air Force Base

The US Air Force and Chicago-based New Generation Biomass signed a license agreement to develop a biomass energy plant at the Holloman Air Force Base.

Renewable and biomass energy facility developer New Generation Biomass will begin work on determining the potential effects and suitability of the Black Bear Biomass Energy Facility.

Under the license agreement, the Air Force has granted access to 80 acres on the base to the company to determine the project’s feasibility.

The proposed facility is expected to generate nearly 20MW of electricity from biomass to the El Paso Electric grid, from where the Holloman Air Force Base currently purchases its electricity.

Considering the project is approved, a possible Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) program, managed by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center in San Antonio, Texas, would enable installation with either cash or in-kind payments that will fund Holloman AFB.

Air Force Civil Engineer Center and Holloman AFB will jointly develop the project.

The Air Force is also coordinating with government agencies to study environmental impacts, energy benefits and long-term sustainability of the Black Bear Biomass Energy Facility.