Butte Renewable Energy Inc.
About BREI | Clean, Reliable Energy for Oroville
Butte Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI) is a local clean‑energy developer serving Oroville and Butte County with dependable, affordable, low‑emission power. We pair modern biomass with large-scale solar and battery storage to enhance grid resilience, support local industries, and improve air quality. Our approach is practical and community‑driven: do what’s best for Oroville, meet or exceed environmental standards, and keep benefits local.
Our Mission
Deliver reliable, affordable clean energy for Oroville by combining modern biomass, large‑scale solar, and battery storage—reducing wildfire fuels, improving air quality, and supporting local jobs and training.
Our Values
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Health & Environment – We use best‑available emissions controls (SCR + ceramic filtration) and continuous monitoring to meet or exceed AQMD standards—then share results publicly.
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Local First – We prioritize Oroville hiring, local suppliers, and training with regional schools (e.g., Butte College).
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Transparency & Accountability – We publish permit milestones, host open houses, and maintain a community contact channel.
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Reliability & Resilience – A hybrid portfolio (biomass + solar + storage) designed for 24/7 coverage and local energy stability.
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Stewardship & Innovation – We turn waste biomass (forest residues, ag waste) into energy and future clean fuels (CO₂‑to‑e‑methanol), helping prevent methane from rotting vegetation and reducing open burning.
From POPI to BREI: Oroville’s Energy Heritage
For four decades, this site has anchored Oroville’s energy story. Today, BREI is writing the next chapter—cleaner technology, local power, and community‑first outcomes.
At-a-Glance
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20 MW: Legacy biomass capacity at POPI (decommissioned 2012).
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≈320,000 tons/year: Historic feedstock handling (about 40 chip‑truck loads/day at peak).
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1984 → 2025: From POPI start‑up to BREI’s rebrand and redevelopment plan.
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3050 S. 5th Ave: Same Oroville site—modernized for a cleaner, hybrid future.
History & Milestones
1984 — POPI begins operation
Pacific Oroville Power Inc. starts up as a biomass cogeneration plant designed to generate electricity using wood waste.
1997 — Acquired by Covanta Energy, Inc.
Under new ownership, the plant increasingly utilizes agricultural and forest residues as feedstock.
2000s — Local economic contributor
POPI spends roughly $11 million per year in Butte County and provides a critical outlet for agricultural and forest waste.
2012 — Decommissioned
Economic pressures and evolving regulations make electricity production unprofitable. The 20‑MW facility is retired. At peak, the site handled ~40 chip‑truck loads/day (≈320,000 tons/year of biomass).
2021 — New ownership
MRGD, LLC purchases all shares of POPI, securing the legacy site for future redevelopment.
Late 2024 — Joint Venture formed
BREI enters a JV with Albion Energy US LLC to evaluate an integrated clean‑energy campus: modern biomass, large‑scale solar + battery storage, and future clean fuels (green hydrogen and e‑methanol).
2025 — New name, same site
POPI is renamed Butte Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI). BREI owns the land and improvements at 3050 S. 5th Ave, Oroville, CA.
The Site Today
BREI owns the decommissioned biomass facility and property. Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc. (MFE) leases most of the site for crew and equipment staging, and operates a wood grinding yard supporting regional vegetation management and wildfire‑mitigation work.
Built for the Long Run: How Our Partnership Works
BREI brings together the technical expertise, local insight, and development capacity needed to deliver a hybrid renewable energy system that combines solar with battery storage and biomass baseload generation—a rare but powerful dual-technology model.
Strong Joint Venture Leadership
BREI is backed by a strategic partnership between Albion Energy LLC, an international renewable energy infrastructure developer, and Butte Renewable Energy Inc. This pairing blends global energy project delivery experience with deep local engagement and site control.
Proven Technology Partners
BREI has contracted with leading EPC and technology suppliers—such as Hurst Boiler, Triveni, and Precision Partners—with successful installations in biomass gasification, solar PV systems, battery storage, and advanced emissions control.
Phased Development Model
The project is being executed in coordinated phases—with solar + storage built first to meet immediate local energy needs, and the biomass facility following with 24/7 baseload power. This approach minimizes risk and maximizes community benefit over time.
Local Support & Government Alignment
BREI works closely with the City of Oroville, which has endorsed the project and is collaborating to streamline permitting and integrate the microgrid into city infrastructure—particularly for the Southside Initiative.
Site Readiness & Grid Access
The biomass facility will be built on the former POPI site, repurposing industrial land with existing access to PG&E’s infrastructure. BREI has also secured interconnection capacity and has mapped out long-term fuel supply contracts.
Sustainable & Financeable
BREI’s business model is supported by federal incentives (ITC), renewable energy credits, and local power purchase agreements (PPAs). The project has been vetted through third-party feasibility and due diligence studies, ensuring long-term operational and financial viability.
What stays the same for Oroville
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Local operations: The facility and team are based here in Oroville.
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Environmental standards: Best‑available controls (SCR + ceramic filtration) with transparent monitoring and AQMD oversight.
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Community commitments: Public meetings, published milestones, and a community contact line.
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Local benefits: Jobs, workforce training, and preference for local suppliers.
Why this partnership makes the project stronger
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Access to capital & expertise to build on schedule and maintain reliability.
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Stronger accountability via performance guarantees and third‑party audits.
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Cost stability from shared risk and disciplined long‑term asset management.
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Future‑ready platform for clean fuels (CO₂‑to‑e‑methanol; ag‑waste‑to‑fuel).
Our Promise
Our promise is simple: reliable local power, cleaner air, and jobs for Oroville—long term.
To deliver that, BREI is partnering with Albion Energy to combine local stewardship with world‑class project delivery.
Next Steps
Final design, permits, and financing. We’ll keep the community informed at each milestone.
Meet Our Team
At Butte Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI), our leadership team brings together international renewable energy expertise and deep local commitment. Through our joint venture with Albion Energy LLC, we are guiding the development of Oroville’s clean energy future with a clear vision, strong technical foundations, and a focus on community benefit.
Benjamin Churchill Talbott
Technical Director – Albion Energy LLC
Ben is a veteran engineer specializing in biomass gasification and emissions control technologies. He leads the technical design and system integration for BREI’s biomass power facility. Ben has overseen similar installations across Europe and the U.S. and ensures the project meets California’s highest air quality and performance standards.
Doug Lindgren
Local Partner – Owner, Tubit Enterprises Inc.
Logging & Strategic Advisor with Albion
Doug is the owner of Tubit Logging, a respected local forestry firm, and a strategic advisor to Albion. With decades of experience in sustainable timber operations and biomass logistics, Doug ensures the project’s forest management practices are safe, sustainable, and beneficial to Butte County. His long-standing ties to the Oroville community inform BREI’s local engagement approach.
Michael Spencer
Strategic Lead – Albion Energy LLC
Michael is the Managing Partner of Albion Energy LLC and leads commercial strategy for the BREI joint venture. He brings over 25 years of global experience in renewable energy infrastructure, energy finance, and public-private partnerships. Michael is responsible for guiding BREI’s long-term investment and development roadmap.
Hollis (Les) W. Day
Site Development & Community Strategy Lead – BREI
Les has been a foundational leader in the BREI project from day one. He has played a critical role in shaping the project vision, guiding early site development, and building trust with local agencies, landowners, and the Oroville community. Les leads site management, coordinates with regulatory stakeholders, and brings valuable forestry and land use insight to the project’s biomass and solar components. His hands-on leadership has been key to securing project momentum, facilitating inter-agency collaboration, and ensuring the BREI site reflects both local values and long-term environmental goals.
Our Promise to Oroville
Cleaner by design: best‑available emissions controls and transparent monitoring.
Wildfire risk reduction: turning hazardous fuels into useful energy.
Diversified renewables: biomass + solar + storage, with future clean fuels.
Local benefits: jobs, training, reliable power for Oroville’s industry and services.