DTE Energy Converts Coal Plant to Burn Biomass Fuel

DTE Energy Services (DTEES) finished its construction project to convert a shuttered coal-fired power plant at the Port of Stockton to operate on biomass fuel. The plant, known as Stockton Biomass, began commercial operations on Feb. 21. It is selling its renewable power to PG&E. The plant will use about 320,000 tons of woody biomass fuel annually to generate about 45 MW of power. The fuel primarily is derived from urban wood waste, tree trimmings and agricultural processes. The plant began operation in 1989 as a coal-fired power plant and ceased operation in April 2009. DTEES purchased it in June 2010 with plans to convert the plant to biomass.