San Juan County, Utah Issued BDO Zone 'BB' Rating for Woody Biomass
San Juan County, Utah Issued BDO Zone 'BB' Rating for Woody Biomass
– ‘BB’ Rating Establishes Foundation for Future Forest Biomass Development –
May 13, 2025 – San Juan County, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of a BDO Zone ‘BB’ Rating for San Juan County, Utah, marking a key step toward expanding forest biomass development in the region. The BDO Zone is rated for 10,000 bone dry tons per year of woody biomass and extends within a 75-mile radius from the center point, Monticello, UT.
San Juan County’s ‘BB’ rating indicates moderate prospects for Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure, with an elevated vulnerability to risk over time, particularly during adverse business or economic conditions. The region features limited current competition for roundwood and forest residue sourced from the Manti-La Sal National Forest, sufficient logging capacity to ensure recovery of rated quantities, and established regional forest residue supply experience. Three industrial-zoned project development sites ranging from 3 to 20 acres benefit from strong local government and community support for industrial growth, offering streamlined permitting, inexpensive utilities, and affordable housing and living costs.
Talia Hansen, Economic Development, San Juan County, stated, “The ‘BB’ rating offers a clear and constructive snapshot of where we stand today. It highlights not only the challenges we face—such as supply chain uncertainties and our remote geography—but also the significant opportunities within our region. We have strong forest resources, a committed local workforce, and growing interest in sustainable development. With strategic investment and collaboration, San Juan County is well-positioned to become a competitive hub for biobased innovation.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “San Juan County’s ‘BB’ rating reflects a balanced assessment of the region’s biomass potential, acknowledging both its promising attributes and existing limitations. With proper risk mitigation strategies and thoughtful development planning, the county could enhance its position for appropriate-scale biobased projects.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for San Juan County, UT, please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.
BDO Zone Project Development Support:
About The BDO Zone Initiative
The Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Initiative certifies ‘regional readiness’ for biofuels manufacturing, creates global connections and ignites an influx of new energy opportunities for farmers, economic developers, and rural businesses. A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized, standards-based technical risk assessment of a region’s feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential for new biofuel plants. BDO Zone ratings are site location bullseyes for biofuels development. Investment grade ratings are force-multipliers for attracting new biofuels plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed, drive investment and create jobs.
For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org. Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.
Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance. Jordan Solomon (jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com) is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com).