of the substantial capital investment it called for. The sale of carbon offsets was identified as one of the requirements to justify the investment. “The potential for receiving offsets were certainly considered as a factor in helping to decide to go ahead with the project,” says Slaco. In 2007, the government of British Co-lumbia made the bold decision to become carbon neutral and thereby provide the framework for a low carbon economy. A key component was the creation of Pacific Carbon Trust. Pacific Carbon Trust was es-tablished in 2008 to help companies, pub-lic sector organizations and individuals reduce their carbon emissions and usher in a new clean economy standard in the province. Pacific Carbon Trust both acts as a reliable provider of verified carbon offsets and facilitator for those seeking to implement a project. “Pacific Carbon Trust has been instru-Photo: Interfor Morbark Advantage 3 Chipper Drum ® ™ NEW! “The investment coincided with the company’s master plan for modernizing the entire mill site,” says Interfor’s Richard Slaco. The new Morbark ® Advantage 3 ™ high-performance chipper drum gives you improved biomass fuel chip quality, reduces your costs, and is backed by a limited three-year warranty. It comes standard on most new Morbark drum chippers and can be retrofitted to most Morbark units without modification. Either way, you get three significant advantages: • Higher-Quality Chips – The Advantage 3 is wider, has higher inertia, and incorporates Babbitt-style counter-knives, so it produces better, more consistent chips. • Dramatically Lower Costs – The drum’s AR 400 heat-treated steel skin, enhanced knife design, and recessed pockets provide wear-part and maintenance cost savings of more than 70%. • World-Class Warranty – The Advantage 3 comes with a limited three-year warranty, and is supported by Morbark’s extensive dealer network for unsurpassed peace of mind. The exceptional Morbark Advantage 3 chipper drum comes standard with most units in our full line of heavy-duty industrial drum chippers. Learn more at www.morbark.com or call 1-800-831-0042. mental in terms of moving British Co-lumbia in this direction,” Slaco says. He highlights the rigorous accountability stan-dards that anchor Pacific Carbon Trust’s decisions to proceed with offset projects. “We’re all paying close attention to how to implement the methodology,” he says, referring to the stringent process of ensur-ing that the switch to biomass did indeed constitute a verifiable reduction in carbon emissions. To date, the project has meant the avoidance of nearly 41,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions through the switch to the cleaner burning, on-site fuel source in the form of wood waste. For Slaco, Interfor’s involvement in this project also showcases unrecognized potential for innovation in the forestry sector. “I’m just glad to see that there is encouragement for companies either on their own or through initiatives like this to be moving forward with projects that demonstrate what we can do to provide quality products that are also good for the environment.” • BIOMASS CANADIAN www.canadianbiomassmagazine.com Building EquipmEnt that CrEatEs OppOrtunitiEs For the latest industry news and products, visit us at 26 Canadian BIOMASS JULY/AUGUST 2012
Canadian Biomass July/August 2012: Page 26
