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Placer County, California

The Placer County, CA, BDO Zone for Woody Biomass is rated ‘A’.

Rating Issue Date: September 9, 2025.

‘A’ ratings denote high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. Capacity to support new biobased plant operations is considered strong.

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BDO Zone Rating

A

Placer County, CA, BDO Zone Overview

Feedstock quantities are expressed in bone dry tons per year (bdt/yr), while feedstock costs are expressed in USD ($). Maximum transport distance is based on a 75-mi driving distance from the center point (Ophir, CA).

BDO Zone Assets:
  • 74,600 bdt/yr of woody biomass potentially available at low risk, with three times as much potentially available with higher risk profile.
  • Minimal competition for available Pulpwood due to the absence of pulp and paper mills, leading to limited competitive pressure on pricing.
  • A strong local support for utilization of biomass from regional forest restoration and wildfire fuel removal activities.
  • A unique opportunity for joint development with the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), which intends to use biomass to power its water treatment processes.
BDO Zone Liabilities:
  • Potential fluctuations in biomass quality and quantity arising from forest restoration, salvage, and wildfire mitigation activities.
  • Higher utility and labor costs compared to national averages, and a high cost of living, potentially increasing operational expenses and affecting workforce recruitment and retention.

Infrastructure

Ophir (Newcastle) Industrial Site:
  • Location: Ophir (Newcastle), CA; <1 mile from I-80, ~4 miles to Union Pacific rail
  • Site Size: 10 acres, industrial-zoned (M-Industrial)
  • Availability: Existing storage yard; minimal site preparation required
  • Overview: Development-ready industrial site with full utilities and strong power infrastructure; well-suited for biomass energy projects
  • Infrastructure:
    • Electric: PG&E – up to 15kV; substation adjacent
    • Natural Gas: 6” line; expandable for industrial volumes
    • Water: 12” main (~1M GPD capacity)
    • Wastewater: Available
    • Fiber: Fiber optic connectivity
  • Transportation Access:
    • I-80 (<1 mile)
    • Union Pacific rail (~4 miles)
  • Ownership & Upside:
    • Owned by Placer County Water Agency
    • Potential for behind-the-meter power (reduced cost, improved reliability; subject to future on-site generation)
  • Setting: Established utility-served site with excellent highway access and low development barriers
Foresthill Industrial Parcels (Former Sawmill Site):
  • Location: Foresthill, CA; along Foresthill Road with year-round truck access
  • Site Size: ~71 acres (2 adjacent parcels), Industrial Park (INP) zoning
  • Availability: Vacant land; previously developed sawmill site
  • Overview: Disturbed, relatively flat industrial site with strong suitability for biomass and other industrial redevelopment
  • Infrastructure:
    • Electric: Nearby Foresthill substation with available capacity (~1.1 MW feasible)
    • Water: Available nearby
    • Wastewater: Available nearby
    • Natural Gas: Not specified
    • Fiber: Not specified
  • Transportation Access:
    • Direct truck access via Foresthill Road (year-round feedstock logistics)
  • Development Advantages:
    • No rezoning required (INP zoning)
    • Located away from residential areas and schools (streamlined air permitting)
    • Former industrial use reduces site prep complexity
  • Setting: Rural industrial location with strong permitting advantages and rare available grid capacity for small-scale generation
Colfax Landfill Site

  • Location: Colfax, CA; 8635 Fruitridge Road, off Iowa Hill Road with year-round truck access

  • Site Size: ~16.5 acres Public/Quasi Public zoning

  • Availability: Vacant land; previously closed landfill

  • Overview: Disturbed, relatively flat paved industrial site with strong suitability for biomass and other industrial redevelopment
  • Infrastructure:
    • Electric: Nearby Colfax substation with available capacity (~1.1 MW feasible)
    • Water: Available to site
    • Wastewater: Available nearby
    • Natural Gas: Not specified
    • Fiber: Not specified
  • Transportation Access:

    • Direct truck access via Iowa Hill Road (year-round feedstock logistics) to Interstate 80

  • Development Advantages:

    • No rezoning required, Conditional Use Permit

    • Located away from residential areas and schools (streamlined air permitting)

    • Former landfill site reduces site prep complexity

  • Setting: Rural industrial location with strong permitting advantages and rare available grid capacity for small-scale generation.

Colfax Waste Water Treatment Site

  • Location: Colfax, CA; 23550 Grandview Avenue, off Iowa Hill Road with year-round truck access

  • Site Size: ~ 3-5 acres Public/Quasi Public zoning

  • Availability: Vacant land; adjacent to operating waste water treatment site

  • Overview: Disturbed, relatively flat industrial site with strong suitability for biomass and other industrial redevelopment

  • Infrastructure:
    • Electric: Nearby Colfax substation with available capacity (~1.1 MW feasible)
    • Water: on-site well

    • Wastewater: on-site

    • Natural Gas: Not specified
    • Fiber: Not specified
  • Transportation Access:

    • Direct truck access via Iowa Hill Road (year-round feedstock logistics) to Interstate 80

  • Development Advantages:

    • No rezoning required, Conditional Use Permit

    • Located away from residential areas and schools (streamlined air permitting)

    • Existing waste-water treatment site reduces site prep complexity

  • Setting: Rural industrial location with strong permitting advantages and rare available grid capacity for small-scale generation.

Contact Info

Ryan Magwood

Head of Business Development

BDO Zone Initiative

ryan@bdozone.org

647-962-3286

BDO Zone Local Development Leaders

Ava Westin

Economic and Workforce Development Specialist

Placer County

Gloria Stearns

Economic Development Director

Placer County

Local grants and Incentives

Local Incentives:

Access to a diversely skilled workforce due to leading educational institutions in the region to include Sierra College, Sacramento State University, and the University of California, Davis. UC Davis is home to the California Biomass Collaborative which provides tools and resources to support the development of biomass facilities in California.

Data and reports through the Placer County Office of Economic Development.

State Incentives:
  • California I-Bank (CA Treasurer’s Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank) (IBank) offers industrial development bonds, small business loan guarantee (1-750 employees), and tax-exempt financing for manufacturers facilities and equipment.
  • CA I-Bank Climate Catalyst Program – offers a range of financial instruments to help bridge the financing gap currently preventing advanced technologies from scaling into the marketplace – with biomass management and utilization as one critical focus.
  • California Competes Tax Credit – significant incentives for job creation and investment, evaluated annually by the Governor’s Office.
  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – promotes the hiring of individuals who qualify as members of target groups, by providing a federal tax credit incentive of up to $9,600 for employers who hire them.
  • Sales Tax Exemption – Administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) – for manufacturers and certain research and developers, certain electric power generators and distributors, may qualify for a partial exemption from sales and use tax on the purchase or lease of qualified machinery and equipment primarily used in manufacturing, research and development, and electric power generation or production, storage or distribution.
  • Sales and Use Tax Exclusion (STE) Program – Administered by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced
  • Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) – provides a full sales and use tax exclusion for advanced manufacturers and manufacturers of alternative source and recycled feedstock.
  • The Employment Training Panel (ETP) – provides funding to employers for training that upgrades the skills of their workers.
  • Economic Development Rate Program (GO-Biz) – This program gives special utility discounts for businesses that require high-energy loads to operate or continue operating in California.
  • Business Investment Services(CalBIS) – Help businesses with incentive navigation, site selection, connecting with other state agencies and permit assistance.
  • Export Support STEP Grant – Grant funding for CA small businesses seeking to expand into foreign markets.

BDO Zone Connect Webinar

Additional Information

‘Living in Placer County’ video

Press Release

Tahoe Central Sierra Cal FRAME Project - Case Study: Biomass Supply Report

Foresthill Biomass Utilization Feasibility Study

Placer County Promo Map Graphic Final

Placer Couny Business Brochure

Placer County Slides- BDO ZoneConnect Webinar

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