The Bioenergy Alliance Network of the Rockies (BANR) is led by Colorado State University and is investigating use of insect-killed trees as a sustainable feedstock to produce biofuels and biochar.
BANR brings together scientists, educators, and extension specialists from universities and government agencies across the mountain-prairie region to work with industry partners to develop a comprehensive program that addresses the major challenges that limit feedstock development, production, logistics and sustainable utilization of insect-killed trees for the production of biofuels and biochar. A robust Advisory Board includes advisors from environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry, government labs, universities and community leaders.
BANR is determining the economic, environmental, and social feasibility of harvesting insect-damaged trees and converting them to advanced liquid transportation fuels and carbon-sequestering biochar soil amendments using a mobile thermochemical (pyrolysis) conversion platform.