Portable biomass facility coming to county

Eric Jaramishian

Staff writer

A portable biomass facility is slated to come to El Dorado County next year.

The Air Quality Management District permitted Gold Seal Industries, a waste-toenergy company, to construct a portable anhydrous pyrolysis facility that will convert excess biomass into liquid biofuel. The pyrolysis-capable machine is set to go in on Eldorado National Forest property near

Grizzly Flat in the footprint of the Caldor Fire. Construction for the facility is expected to begin next June with operation beginning as soon as August 2024.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture fact sheet, pyrolysis is the heating of an organic material, such asbiomass, in the absence of oxygen. Because no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char. Most of these combustible gases

“The facility can be moved to other counties or different locations within our county like Georgetown or anywhere the need is and where there are agreements to operate it.”

— Dave Johnson, El Dorado County Air Pollution Control officer can be condensed into a combustible liquid, called pyrolysis oil (bio-oil).

The biofuel Gold Seal will produce is diesel derived from biomass that can be used in vehicles that run on diesel fuel, including equipment that will support the facility.

Gold Seal, based in Las Vegas, Nev., will market the rest of the fuel o site. This is the first portable biomass facility to operate in El Dorado County, according to Air Pollution Control O cer Dave Johnson, who noted the portable characteristic of the facility allows Gold Seal to move it to other places where it is needed.

“The facility can be moved to other counties or di erent locations within our county like Georgetown or anywhere the need is and where there are agreements to operate it,” Johnson said. “There is currently a Forest Service agreement for the Caldor Fire area for Gold Seal to be there at least a year based on the amount of material in the area.”

■ See FACILITY, page A5

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Eugene Phillip Mummy

Eugene Phillip Mummy of Placerville, CA, passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Gene was born on April 24, 1933, to parents Catherine (McLaughlan) and Arlie Mummy in Laguna Beach, California, the 3rd of 4 children. In 1937, the family moved to Elsinore, CA, where he met his future wife and soulmate, Frances Ambriola, in the 8th grade. They married soon after Frances graduated from high school in 1953 and began their 63-year marriage together in Anchorage, Alaska, where Gene was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He served during the Korean War as a Radio Operator, Foreign Code Communications Reviewer, and Morse Code Operator. After his Air Force service, he worked for 35 years for Pacific Telephone in microwave toll transmission, ending his career in Placerville. Gene and Frances raised six children, as well as a nephew. In 1977, Gene and Frances and the youngest three children moved from Banning, CA to Pine Grove, where Gene built the home that he and Frances lived in for 40 years until her death in 2017. In 2021, Gene moved to Placerville to be closer to family. Gene is survived by his brother Arlie G. Jr. (Gordy), his children Greg, Mark (Beverly), Marie (Vaughn), Chris (Tami), Kathleen (John), Patrick (Lee Anne), 12 grandchildren, and 15 greatgrandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances, his brother Raymond and his sister Ann, his nephew Joe, and his daughtersin-law Pam (Greg) and Lauren (Patrick). Gene was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. For many years, Gene and Frances volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He was deeply devoted to Frances and was profoundly a ected by her passing. Gene was an outstanding four-sport high school athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. After high school, he was an excellent fast-pitch softball pitcher with a wicked rising fastball and multiple no-hitters over his softball career. Gene was an avid baseball fan and had a deep understanding of the game. He coached at the Pony League, Colt League, and American Legion levels, as well as volunteered at the high school level. Gene and Frances loved the outdoors and had a special fondness for the Virginia Lakes area, where the family camped for many summers. He loved birds and birdwatching and was thrilled when bluebirds nested in one of the many birdhouses on the Pine Grove property. Gene loved to garden, was an excellent mechanic, and could fix almost anything. He was most comfortable in bib overalls! He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and had a great love for his family. He leaves an empty place in our hearts, but we are comforted by good memories and Services were held at St Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish on June 29, 2023. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Funeral Notice

Richard Liddell

January 12, 1940 – June 21, 2023

Richard Liddell passed away on June 21st. He was born and raised in Placerville before moving to Orangevale. He leaves behind Jean Liddell and 5 sons, numerous grand children and great grand children. Services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Mt Olive Lutheran Church, 320 Montrose Dr., Folsom, CA.

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