Ampersand Chowchilla Biomass LLC - 12.5 MW Biomass Power Plant in Chowchilla, California

Ampersand Chowchilla Biomass LLC is a biomass power plant located in Chowchilla, California, United States. With a capacity of 12.5 MW, it operates as a small-scale facility within the biomass power generation sector, contributing to the state's renewable energy portfolio. The plant utilizes waste as its primary fuel source, converting organic materials into electricity. As a biomass facility, it operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and applicable state-level emissions standards. The technology employed is typical for small biomass plants, often involving direct combustion or gasification processes. Operational since its commissioning, the plant plays a role in local waste management and renewable energy production. Its location in California's Central Valley places it within an agricultural region, where biomass feedstocks are readily available. The facility supports grid stability and provides a sustainable energy option for the surrounding community.

The plant's use of waste as fuel reduces landfill methane emissions and provides a renewable energy source. However, biomass combustion releases CO2, SOx, and NOx, though these emissions are generally lower than fossil fuels. Located in an agricultural area, the facility benefits from proximity to biomass feedstocks but must manage air quality impacts in compliance with EPA regulations.