ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to take this opportunity to thank several groups and individuals who helped formulate my thinking on the subject of this book. It may seem unusual to some, but the Institute of Gas Technology, an education and research institute that specializes in the fossil fuel natural gas, is where I first became interested in biomass after spending several years in the petroleum industry. IGT’s policy, which was very close to one of academic freedom, and my association with colleagues in both research and education were invaluable in encouraging and stimulating me to structure and sustain a biomass research program. I also had the opportunity to develop the conference “Energy from Biomass and Wastes” that was started almost simultaneously with the renewal of interest in biomass R&D in North America in the 1970s. The conference was presented annually until I retired from IGT in 1992. Literally hundreds of researchers and project developers presented the results of their efforts at this conference. I learned much about biomass energy research and commer­cialization from these meetings. The exchange of new ideas and information always inspired in me fresh approaches to new projects. My association with the directors and many of the members of the Biomass Energy Research Association (BERA) and direct contact with the Washington scene as a result of this affiliation since the early 1980s had the same stimulatory effect. I thank all of my colleagues, many of whom are still involved in biomass energy development, for sharing their thoughts and expertise with me. Without their contributions to my “data bank” over a period of three decades, it would have been impossible for me to prepare this book. Finally, I want to extend a special thank you to Dr. DonJ. Stevens, a director of BERA and consultant with Cascade Research, Inc. I invited him to review the manuscript of this book. He accepted and performed a superb job of providing me with an objective assessment and numerous suggestions.

CHAPTER