CE Seminar: Biorefinery Siting in the Western Montana Corridor

Event Description:
Title: Biorefinery Siting in the Western Montana Corridor

Abstract: Biorefinery siting is a key factor in creating a biofuel that is cost-competitive against traditional petroleum products. This research evaluates existing paper mills and industrial sites for their potential to be retrofit into a biojet fuel biorefinery based on a multi-criteria approach that integrates GIS, economics, and supply chain logistics. The research is part of a broader U.S.D.A. grant project to determine the feasibility of converting forest residuals (or slash piles) into biojet fuel to promote energy security within the US and revitalize rural economies in the Pacific Northwest.

Bio – Natalie Martinkus is a licensed Civil Engineer with 11 years of experience. She has worked for private consulting firms and for Yakima County, mainly focused on stormwater and river modeling. She went back to school to pursue a PhD after the market crash in 2010, and will graduate this summer with a PhD in Civil Engineering.