Quesnel, B.C., issued BDO Zone ‘A’ rating for woody biomass

Quesnel, B.C., has been issued a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone ‘A’ rating for 100,000 oven-dry tons per year of forest residue

“As British Columbia’s first ‘A’ rating, the Quesnel BDO Zone is capitalizing on an opportunity to transform their presently underutilized forest residue resources into a meaningful expansion of the value-added wood products industry,” said Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative.

The Quesnel BDO Zone encompasses a 120-km drive distance from the center point in the City of Quesnel, BC, and is the first ‘A’ rated BDO Zone in British Columbia for forest residues, according to a press release issued by Ecostrat and the City of Quesnel.

The Quesnel BDO Zone features robust feedstock supply chains and infrastructure supported by an experienced forestry workforce, it said. The Government of British Columbia along with a network of dedicated organizations and stakeholders are committed to integrating forest residue recovery into pre-existing value-added supply chains.

“The BDO Initiative will help Quesnel start utilizing the types of low-value residual fibre that is often piled and burned,” said Byron Johnson, city manager, City of Quesnel. “The large piles that are left in the forest not only increase risk of wildfire for our community, but this wood could be used for products or energy production. We are hoping to attract investors with fresh and innovative ideas to turn this low value waste into products that can be used in Quesnel, the Cariboo Region, and beyond.”