Gaston Mill Explosion

On Wednesday, May 11, an explosion at the Stimson Lumber mill in Gaston, Oreg., injuring Raymond “Butch” Perdew Jr. and killing Steve Allen. (A third man was also injured, but his name hasn’t been released.)

The men were dismantling a hydraulic accumulators and were unaware that the pressure was building. The end of the pipe blew off.

Our hearts go out to the Allen family and the community.

If there is anything to take away from this tragic incident, it’s to be diligent about safety. We need to ensure that everyone goes to their families each day.

Future Vancouver biomass facility

Good news for biomass this week.

After Evergreen College recently said “no” to a biomass plant, the Clark County commissioners gave the Vancouver, Wash., biomass plant their approval.

In Elliot Njus’s article that appeared in The Oregonian yesterday, the next steps are finding a private-sector partner and obtaining permits.

Njus reports stated that: a feasibility study, conducted by Vancouver biomass consulting firm LD Jellison, concluded biomass would be cheaper to operate than the county’s existing natural gas-powered system and that, unlike natural gas, it would be carbon neutral.

Personally, I would like to see this get up and running as quickly as possible. There are a number of reasons to be for this plant:
• It would run on a renewable resource — a renewable resource that this area has a great deal of
• It would provide more work for our struggling timber industry
• It still meets clean air standards, despite the fact it creates more emissions than fossil fuel
• It qualifies for renewable energy incentives.

The biggest reason for me to see it quickly up and running is more of a indirect one. I think once people see up close that a biomass plant is clean and works well in an urban environment, more people will be on board for future projects.

Here’s to a smooth permitting and building process.

Gov. John Kitzhab

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber has been putting forth a biomass plan. His wants folks to say good-bye to the glory days of logging and embrace what’s on the horizon — biomass.

An article in the Daily Astorian goes into details about the obstacles he’ll face, including getting support from the Legislature and getting more material out of the woods.

For those who have been watching the biomass industry in the Northwest, you’re likely saying “I can think of more obstacles than those two.”

But despite the obstacles, the issues, the debates —  things are changing. It was obvious just looking around at the outdoor displays at the Oregon Logging Conference last week. A  good portion of the machines in the outdoor display weren’t big rigs, but mulchers and grinders.

Rikki Wellman, director of the OLC, said that she gets frustrated with the comment, It’s not like it used to be.  ”Of course, it’s not like it used to be. The industry has changed. We have great memories of days past. But we’re creating something new today.”

And I think that’s what Governor is saying. Let’s not waste time mourning the past, the regulations over the spotted owl. Let’s look at what we have in front of us, and make it work for the industry.  Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, it will take time. And yes, it’s  going to take the work of everyone —  from logger to legislator. But it’s worth the effort, because if it works, everyone wins.

Oregon Logging Conference

Have your registered for the Oregon Logging Conference? If not, there’s no time like the present.

The show may not be as big as it once was — everything has trimmed since the recession — but it’s still the largest in the Northwest.

You can read about all the events, competitions, seminars, panels and exhibitors in the next issue of TimberWest Magazine, which is being mailed as I write this. Or, you can just visit the OLC website for all the current info, as well as the registration form.

One of the changes this year is the “new and improved” Sawdust Bowl. This year the event will not only have a hosted beer and wine bar, but also include music and food. And back by popular demand is the 2nd Annual Log Loader competition.

If you’re still on the fence about the show, check it out. And if you make it, stop by the TimberWest booth (next to registration) and say “hi”. I’ll be there!

Diane, editor
TimberWest Magazine

The forecast came from President John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil, who now heads a grass-roots group called Citizens for Affordable Energy. He also predicted little or no new drilling in deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico for the next two years, as Washington continues to respond to the BP oil spill.

“If we stay on our current course, within a decade we’re into energy shortages in this country big time,” said Hofmeister.

The guy is pretty gloom and doom and if you want to see the entire interview you can by clicking HERE.

Preparing for Higher Prices
Personally, I don’t know if we’re headed for brown outs and everything Hofmeister predicts, but my guess is fuel prices won’t be dropping over the coming years.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that in our immediate future we can expect the following:

• EIA expects the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil to average about $84 per barrel this winter (October 1 to March 31), more than $6 higher than the average price last winter.  Projected WTI prices rise to $89 per barrel by the end of 2011, a $2 per barrel increase from last month’s Outlook, as U.S. and global economic conditions improve.  EIA’s forecast assumes U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) grows 2.7 percent in 2010 and 2.1 percent in 2011, while world real GDP (weighted by oil consumption) grows by 4.0 percent and 3.2 percent, in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
• EIA expects regular-grade motor gasoline retail prices to average $2.88 per gallon this winter, 22 cents per gallon higher than last winter.  Projected retail diesel fuel prices average $3.14 per gallon this winter, an increase of 35 cents per gallon over last winter, while residential heating oil prices average $3.17 per gallon this winter.  In 2011, higher crude oil prices combined with higher refiner margins push annual average prices for motor gasoline and diesel fuel to $3.00 and $3.23 per gallon, respectively.

It’s not exactly the jolliest of holiday news, but it’s better than $5.00 a gallon.

EDF

A news release issued by the EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) came out today entitled Biomass Energy Growing, EDF Analysis Shows.

The exciting piece of this new report was the increase in wood demand. Specifically, bioenergy projects are up 35% and wood biomass demand was up 76%.

The stats were taken solely from the southern states, but that is still great news for the industry as a whole.

Emissions
Emissions, a hotly debated topic at the moment, were also addressed.

The science clearly shows that not all sources of biomass are equal in terms of their climate change impacts,” said Will McDow, manager of EDF’s Southeast Center for Conservation Incentives, and a member of both the North Carolina Forestry Technical Advisory Committee and Forestry Council.  “The industry has known that EPA was planning to include biogenic emissions in permitting requirements in some way since last spring, yet this fact clearly has not dampened investors’ enthusiasm for bioenergy in 2010.”

“The stakes are too high for EPA to rush to judgment in making biomass emission rules because these biomass plants will produce greenhouse gas emissions for 20 to 30 years,” concluded McDow.  “EPA needs to take the time to get the accounting right for biomass emissions to spur the right investments and policies our nation needs to protect forest sector jobs and the natural resources we depend upon.”

I hope decisions made are ones that will spur the demand biomass in the Northwest as well.

Freddie Mac’s prediction featured in The Wall Street Journal yesterday was a pretty upbeat one — US Housing Marketing to Rebound In 2011.

As you read further into the article, it’s definitely a gradual recovery they’re predicting.

Accelerating economic recovery, ow mortgage rates, a bottoming of home prices and increased affordability of  homes at the current low prices will be behind the improvement, said Frank Nothaft, the chief economist at the mortage finance company.

But any recovery is a good recovery. Bring it on.

The last few years have been hard on everyone — especially the timber industry. What’s wrong with going into 2011 with some hope and good cheer?

Buyer's Guide now online

For years TimberWest Magazine has provided an annual, comprehensive Buyer’s Guide, which includes distributors, manufacturers and service providers from around the region.

This year, in addition to printing the 2010 Buyer’s Guide in our September/October issue, we’ve also put the directory online. Not only can you look up the product, buy you can now also click to on company websites for further information or email the companies directly.

I’m excited about offering readers the new online version. Our hope is that it will helps our readers more quickly connect with the company they’re looking for.

Check it out and see what you think. I’d love to get your feedback and/or suggestions for making it an even better resource.

Diane Mettler, editor

Vermeer sets benchmark in lean manufacturing.

Vermeer, headquartered in Pella, Iowan, processes over 200 tons of steel each day and over 500 truckloads of equipment leave their company each month for worldwide distribution.

Last week I got to see Vermeer’s manufacturing plants up close. The company said it practiced lean manufacturing, and I assumed they had implemented some new processes, but when I saw it firsthand, I was amazed.

They set the benchmark in lean manufacturing. Every person, tool and machine part has it’s place. Everything is timed to the minute and not a piece of steel or second is wasted.

From what I hear, even the Ford company has come to see them. I have no doubt. The operation is not only efficient run, but employees are cross trained as much at five deep, keeping all the lines running without a hitch.  For example, when the recession hit they didn’t have to layoff anyone, because there was no extra inventory and they could quickly make adjustment.

The lean manufacturing process I saw in action took 18 months to create and fine tune. The manager said it wasn’t rocket science, but you have to commit to doing it and execute.

Nominations for Goodyear's Highway Hero Program end November 30.

I know a number of truck drivers and they can all tell amazing stories that took place on the road. Some of them aren’t just hair raising, but heroic. If you’ve heard a heroic story lately from your trucker friend, think about nominating him or her for Goodyear’s North American Highway Hero Program.

Nominations will be accepted until November 30, and the application process is easy. The forms are online and if you can’t download the form, you can call the Goodyear Highway Hero Hotline at 330-796-8183.

To qualify the nominee must meet these criteria:
• full-time truck driver
• reside in U.S. or Canada
• incident must have taken place in U.S. or Canada
• incident must have taken place on the job or on the way to or from
• must be in the rig at the time
• rig must have 14 wheels or more
• incident must have taken placed between 11/16/2009 and 11/15/2010

Once you’ve filled out the form, mail it to Goodyear Highway Hero Award Headquarters, Dept. 798A, 1144 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44316.

“The Highway Hero program was created by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to recognize professional truck drivers and the life-saving rescues and roadside assistance they provide as their jobs take them across North America,” said Joseph Copeland, Goodyear’s vice president, commercial tire systems.  “Through this program, we’ve heard hundreds of stories of bravery and selflessness.  We believe the public should hear about these acts of heroism as well.”