How does biomass power benefit the environment and the local environment in Ellicottville?
The greatest environmental benefit of biomass power is the fact that the fuel is renewable, rather than finite like fossil fuels, so it does not contribute to the depletion of our natural resources. Another major benefit is that biomass power is cleaner than other forms of electric generation. For example, there is less than one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) sulfur (an acid rain ingredient) in biomass fuels, as compared to five percent (5%) in coal. Additionally, a key environmental attribute of biomass power is that it is carbon-neutral, so it does not create greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change. Another key point is that Ellicottvilles economic prosperity and identity as a tourist destination is heavily dependent on the local ski industry. Recently, many large ski areas around the world have taken the bold initiative to purchase or otherwise support renewable energy, including biomass energy, in an effort to slow global warming. Understandably,
