Hold on! Apparently an announcement has been made about the The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) acquiring the property in Loyalton for a research facility by Sierra County supervisor Paul Roen however the UCANR director of communications tells us that they are still exploring the viability of procuring land and facilities, associated with the biomass facility in Loyalton, to develop a new Research and Extension Center (REC) focused on development of high-value biobased products.
Furthermore, they provided a statement that includes the following:
As California grapples with the many challenges of forest stewardship, it is vital that we invest in research on new, and innovative, ways to utilize biomass. Recent progress on commercial bioplastics, cellulosic nanofibers, and biomass as a feedstock for chemicals and polymers offer great opportunities to both improve forest health while supporting viable new industries. UC ANR is currently initiating environmental and engineering reviews and assessments of the Loyalton plant and land; final decisions on this particular property will depend on those assessments and subsequent negotiations with the owner. Regardless of whether UC ANR procures the Loyalton facility, we are strongly committed to expanding our efforts to serve California’s forest communities through improving the health of its ecosystems and people while also supporting vibrant regional economies.