Nenana Biochar
Clean Energy, Clean Future
How It Started
The City of Nenana's biochar is produced as part of Nenana’s community-based biomass heating initiative, developed to address the region’s unique challenges in energy, waste, and forest management. Located in the remote interior of Alaska, Nenana faces high heating costs, limited solid waste infrastructure, and significant wildfire risk from surrounding overgrown forests.
In 2020, the City initiated construction of a biomass heating project designed to provide renewable heat to the Nenana School, the water treatment plant, and future infrastructure such as a community greenhouse. The facility also includes clean water access, restrooms, and wash facilities for residents living in dry cabins—enhancing local resilience and quality of life.
The heating system utilizes a 2.2 MBTU Hurst Boiler that combusts woody biomass feedstocks under fast pyrolysis conditions (low oxygen). Instead of producing ash, this process yields a fine to moderately coarse biochar that seeks to meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Climate Action Reserve U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol. This ensures that production, handling, and end use follow verified environmental safeguards to maintain carbon stability and traceability for potential inclusion in carbon credit programs.
Annually, the Nenana biomass system is projected to process 500–600 tons of wood chips, generating 50–60 tons of biochar. With potential for expansion to additional infrastructure it is anticipated that production will increase in the following years. This operation not only supports the local circular economy by reducing heating oil consumption and wildfire hazards, but also produces a carbon-rich, soil-enhancing biochar suitable for agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications under approved end-use categories. Climate Action Reserve End Use Categories
The City of Nenana is working with Soil Control Lab to test the biochar product under the Climate Action Reserve approved testing protocol. Results are anticipated at the end of calendar year 2025. Once testing results are received they will be included in the labeling and posted on our website.
What Is Biochar?
The Pro's & Con's
Biochar is produced when burning organic material in a high heat low oxygen environment. For this project, waste wood from firewise and sustainable forest management practices is burned in a BET high efficiency hydronic boiler. Biochar is low density, has a high carbon content, and is porous. The molecules in biochar and its porous structure attach to and hold onto water molecules and organic nutrients making it ideal for fast draining low nutrient soils. Biochar is an organic compound that reacts with its environment in positive and sometimes negative ways. Applying a soil amendment, biochar can rob soil of its nutrients in the short term and cause loss in yields for several rotations. Charging biochar with compost or other organic matter is a solution when done appropriately. As with any tool in your tool box there is a right and wrong way to utilize biochar as a soil amendment or carbon storage mechanism. For more information on the science of biochar utilization and recommended practices please visit the following resources.
International Biochar Initiative
United States Biochar Initiative:
Climate Action Reserve:
Utility of Biochar
1. Agriculture:
Field Agriculture
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soil amendment
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water retention improvement
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nutrient efficiency enhancement
Greenhouse & Controlled Agriculture
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growing media blending
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moisture buffering
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root zone improvement
Compost Integration
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nutrient stabilization
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microbial habitat
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odor reduction
Nenana Biochar – Tested Properties
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Surface Area: Results ~275 m²/g, Relevance - Long term nutrient & water retention
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Organic Carbon: Results ~73%, Relevance - Long-term soil carbon
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pH: Results 10.15, Relevance -May improve acidic soils
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PAH's: Results Non-detected/very low, Relevance - Clean production profile
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Heavy Metals: Results- below concern thresholds, Relevance- Supports aagriculture use.
Why Biochar Works in Soil Systems
Research shows biochar may improve soils through:
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nutrient adsorption
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water retention
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microbial support
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improved soil aggregation
Charged and conditioned biochar products may improve:
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fertilizer efficiency
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drought resilience
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root development
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long-term soil structure
🧭 Alaska-Specific Use Cases
Potential Alaska applications include:
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Interior Alaska agriculture
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greenhouse production
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cold-climate gardening
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revegetation projects
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remote community food systems
Important Application Guidance
Nenana Biochar is supplied as an uncharged bulk carbon material.
Agricultural applications generally require:
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pre-charging with nutrients or compost
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blend testing
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application timing considerations
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crop-specific evaluation
Nenana supplies feedstock material for downstream refinement and application development.
Technical Resources- Agriculture
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USDA Climate Hubs Soil Restoration with Biochar
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USDA ARS Biochar Research for Soil Systems
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Biochar in Agriculture Toolkit Farmland Information Center
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US Forest Service Biochar Production & Use
2. Compost: Improve Compost Quality. Stabilize Nutrients. Build Better Soil Products.
Commercial Composting
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windrow systems
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static pile composting
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municipal compost operations
Soil Product Manufacturing
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premium soil blends
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biochar compost products
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greenhouse media inputs
Organics Management
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nutrient capture
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odor reduction
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leachate reduction
Nenana Biochar – Tested Properties Compost
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Surface Area: Results ~275 m²/g, Relevance- Microbial habitat
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Organic Carbon: Results ~73%, Relevance - Stable soil carbon
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Porous Structure: Results - High, Relevance- Aeration support
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PAH's: Results - Non-detect/very low, Relevance - Clean material profile
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Heavy Metals: Results- below concern thresholds, Relevance- Supports compost use
Why Biochar Works in Compost Systems
Research shows biochar may improve compost systems through:
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nutrient adsorption
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pore structure development
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moisture balancing
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microbial support
Conditioned compost blends may improve:
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nutrient stability
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finished product quality
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soil performance
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water retention
🧭 Alaska-Specific Use Cases
Potential Alaska applications include:
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municipal compost systems
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greenhouse compost production
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remote community organics management
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soil restoration projects
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cold-climate compost operations
3. Mine Reclamation:
🌍 Why Biochar for Mine Reclamation?
Mine-impacted soils often suffer from:
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poor water retention
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low organic matter
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high acidity
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metal mobility
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poor vegetation establishment
Research from the U.S. Forest Service and USDA Climate Hubs shows biochar may improve degraded soils by:
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increasing water holding capacity
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improving soil structure
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reducing acidity
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immobilizing some metals
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supporting revegetation efforts
Nenana Biochar – Tested Properties Reclamation
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Surface Area: Results ~275 m²/g, Relevance- Adsorption & water retention
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Organic Carbon: Results ~73%, Relevance - Long term & stable soil carbon
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H:C Ratio: Results - 0.38, Relevance - Stable carbon structure
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PAH's: Results - Non-detect/very low, Relevance - Clean material profile
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pH: Results - 10.15, Relevance- May help offset acidic soils
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Heavy Metals: Results- below concern thresholds, Relevance- Supports compost use
🌱 Potential Mine Reclamation Benefits
Soil Stabilization
Biochar can improve aggregation and reduce erosion potential.
Revegetation Support
May improve:
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moisture retention
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microbial activity
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root establishment
Water Management
Highly porous structure may improve:
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infiltration
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water retention
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runoff reduction
Metal Immobilization
Research suggests biochar may reduce mobility of some metals in mine soils depending on site conditions and amendment strategy.
🧭 Alaska-Specific Applications
Nenana Biochar may be appropriate for:
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abandoned mine land reclamation
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disturbed gravel sites
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remote revegetation projects
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erosion control systems
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cold-climate soil restoration
Technical Resources
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USDA Climate Hubs Using Biochar to Remediate Abandoned Mine Lands
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U.S. Forest Service Mining for Answers: Using Biochar to Remediate Abandoned Mine Lands
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USDA ARS Biochars Reduce Mine Land Soil Bioavailable Metals
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American Biochar Initiative Biochar for Mine Lands Reclamation
4. Waste Water Treatment & Water Quality Applications:
Stormwater Treatment
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roadside drainage systems
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industrial runoff
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sediment control
Mine Water & Remote Infrastructure
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remote Alaska operations
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reclamation water treatment
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passive treatment systems
Wastewater & Filtration Systems
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fixed filter columns
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adsorption media
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polishing treatment stages
Nenana Biochar – Tested Properties- Water Treatment
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Surface Area: Results ~275 m²/g, Relevance- Contaminant Adsorption
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Organic Carbon: Results ~73%, Relevance - Long term & stable soil carbon
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H:C Ratio: Results - 0.38, Relevance - Stable carbon structure
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Porous Structure: Results - High, Relevance- Supports filtration media
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PAH's: Results - Non-detect/very low, Relevance - Clean material profile
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pH: Results - 10.15, Relevance- May help offset acidic soils
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Heavy Metals: Results- below concern thresholds, Relevance- Supports compost use
Technical Resources
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Wastewater Treatment Review Biochar Technology in Wastewater Treatment: A Critical Review
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Water Pollution Control Waste-Derived Biochar for Water Pollution Control and Sustainable Development
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Fixed Filter Systems Biochar-Based Fixed Filter Columns for Water Treatment
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Organic Pollutant Removal Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water
5. Light weight Concrete & Materials Applications:
Lightweight Concrete Systems
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non-structural blocks
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insulating fills
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lightweight panels
Carbon-Storing Materials
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low-carbon building materials
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experimental masonry products
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carbon-enhanced composites
Thermal Performance Applications
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insulation systems
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thermal buffering materials
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cold-climate construction systems
Nenana Biochar – Tested Properties- Materials
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Surface Area: Results ~275 m²/g, Relevance- Contaminant Adsorption
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Organic Carbon: Results ~73%, Relevance - Long term & stable carbon
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H:C Ratio: Results - 0.38, Relevance - Stable carbon structure
-
PAH's: Results - Non-detect/very low, Relevance - Clean material profile
-
pH: Results - 10.15, Relevance- May help offset acidic soils
-
Heavy Metals: Results- below concern thresholds, Relevance- Supports compost use
Why Biochar Works in Material Systems
Research shows biochar may improve engineered materials through:
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Performance: Increases splitting tensile and flexural strength by up to 19% at optimal doses.
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Optimum Dosage: A 2 weight % substitution of cement with biochar can increase compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strength by 12–19.6%.
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Lightweight Applications: Biochar is used to develop carbon-rich lightweight aggregates, easing handling, and strengthening concrete.
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Efficiency: Improves thermal insulation properties, lowering lifetime building energy demands.
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Integrity: Decreases internal shrinkage cracks by regulating water release during hydration.
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Microstructure Refinement: Biochar's high absorption capacity reduces capillary pores and internal damage, improving resistance to high temperatures (e.g., 300–550 °C).
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Environmental Impact: It converts organic waste into stable, carbon-negative building components, aiding in net-zero construction goals.
Engineered and sized biochar products may improve:
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density reduction
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insulation value
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carbon storage
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sustainability metrics
🧭 Alaska-Specific Use Cases
Potential Alaska applications include:
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remote construction systems
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cold-climate materials
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modular building systems
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experimental concrete products
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energy-efficient construction
Carbon Credit Program
Pursuing carbon credit eligibility under the Climate Action Reserve, Nenana aims to enhance economic security for the city and its residents—creating new opportunities for local revenue generation, job growth, and environmentally responsible resource management through the verified sale of high-quality biochar. The Climate Action Reserve (CAR) is a nonprofit organization that establishes rigorous standards for measuring, verifying, and certifying greenhouse gas reductions across North America. Its U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol provides a science-based framework for ensuring that biochar production and use result in long-term carbon sequestration and measurable climate benefits. The City of Nenana recognizes the value of participating in this certification program as part of its broader commitment to sustainability and community resilience. Climate Action Reserve
Certification procedures are in progress, updates on timeline coming soon!
Quality Control - Product Standards
The City of Nenana strives to manage an environmentally and economically sustainable biomass heat and biochar program. This program aims to provide quality heat and economy to their region. Testing our biochar under the rigorous testing standards set forth by Climate Action Reserve will provide our customers with transparent guaranteed quality biochar.
Nenana Biochar – Verified Test Results- March 2026
The City of Nenana has completed third-party laboratory testing of Nenana Biochar to evaluate quality, safety, and performance characteristics.
🔬 High-Quality Carbon Material
Testing confirms that Nenana Biochar contains:
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~73% organic carbon
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Low hydrogen-to-carbon (H:C) ratio (~0.38)
These results indicate a stable, long-lasting carbon structure, suitable for soil improvement, environmental applications, and carbon storage.
PAH Results- AST Laboratories
Organics Results- Soil Control Laboratories
Material Data Safety Sheet: https://frereswood.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/biochar-sds-us-6-4-21_frereswood.pdf
Biochar Sales
Dear Customer,
First, thank you for your business! The biochar produced in Nenana is produced under the Climate Action Reserve Protocol to ensure international/national environmental standards and quality are upheld based on sound science and tracking standards. We graciously ask you to help us with our tracking requirements by completing the Biochar End Use Destination Address and Biochar End Use from the list provided. For more information on the Climate Action Reserve
Why End Use Information Is Required (for Carbon Credit Program)
Under the Climate Action Reserve U.S. and Canada Biochar Protocol, documentation of biochar end use is critical because the carbon credit value depends on the stability and permanence of carbon storage in the final application. Different end uses—such as soil amendment, composting, construction materials, or waste management—affect how long biochar carbon remains sequestered. Providing this information ensures that the biochar is applied responsibly, complies with environmental safeguards, and qualifies for verified carbon credits under the Reserve’s standards.
Coming Soon!
New Biochar Products: While the City of Nenana is in the early phases of producing biochar for retail, plans are being developed to offer charged (nutrient infused biochar) for sale, soon!
Shipping: We are currently working on shipping options.
Customer Pick Up: The City of Nenana will be coordinating customer pick up for biochar Thursdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
For shipping, customers should coordinate with their shipping company and schedule a pick up time with the City of Nenana at least 48 hours in advance. Special arrangements can be made for an additional cost.
Shipping Contact:
Nenana Administrator: Nichole Shreeve
phone:
Email: administrator@cityofnenana.com
Green Dump: The City of Nenana will be opening access to the City Green Dump in the spring of 2026. The green dump will allow residents to dispose of yard/land clearing waste. Disposing yard waste in this way reduces the frequency of on site open pile burning which creates risks of wildfire. Green Dump Location:
Contact Us
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