News & Updates

BREI is developing solar, battery storage, and biomass energy opportunities in Oroville, with a focus on serving industrial energy users. Current work includes project design, utility coordination, and evaluation of the requirements for future development.

As of September 10, 2026, the PG&E System Impact Study for the biomass project is underway. A separate solar and battery storage interconnection application is being prepared. These steps support the evaluation of potential connections; they do not constitute permission to operate or export power.

BREI continues coordinating with the City of Oroville as planning progresses. Further approvals, final project configurations, and construction schedules remain to be determined. Confirmed milestones will be shared as the project advances.

California lawmakers have passed AB 706, a proposal to support the productive use of forest residues through qualifying biomass energy facilities. The bill was presented to the Governor on September 4, 2026.

The proposal addresses an issue relevant to BREI’s development planning: creating productive uses for material generated by forest management and wildfire-risk-reduction work. Any future program participation would depend on enactment, funding, and applicable eligibility requirements. This legislative milestone does not establish funding or eligibility for BREI.

Status reviewed September 10, 2026. See the official bill history for subsequent action.

An independent assessment of dioxins and furans in specified areas of the former POPI site was completed in February 2026. Soil sampling focused on areas associated with historical ash management and other former industrial activities.

Although some samples exceeded initial screening values, measured concentrations were within or below DTSC commercial and industrial soil remediation goals. The consultant recommended no additional investigation for the areas assessed. These findings apply to the sampled areas and do not establish clearance of the entire property for redevelopment.

The assessment is part of ongoing environmental due diligence. Read the report using the link below.

Historical update, January 15, 2026: BREI was advancing planning for the South 7th Avenue solar project following the November 2025 environmental review and Planning Commission approval.

Updated September 10, 2026: Earlier schedule and customer-service assumptions have been superseded. BREI’s current focus is industrial energy users, with further approvals, final configurations, and construction schedules still to be determined. See the September 10, 2026 development update above for current status.

On November 10, 2025, the Oroville Planning Commission approved the BREI Solar Farm project. The City’s Notice of Determination, posted on November 13, records adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and mitigation measures as conditions of approval, together with a mitigation monitoring program.

This milestone applies to the solar farm project described in the public record. Further permitting, utility interconnection, and development requirements remain part of project planning. The action does not constitute approval of the separate biomass project or permission to begin generating power.

The City of Oroville City Council passed Resolution No. 9417, formally establishing Oro Verde as a municipally-owned electric utility to serve customers within the City. The resolution authorizes the City Administrator to take all necessary steps to create and establish the Municipal Utility, including identifying service areas, negotiating agreements, and recommending utility rates. The vote passed 5-1-1 with Council Members Reynolds, Johnstone, Webber, Vice Mayor Smith, and Mayor Pittman voting in favor.

The City of Oroville published the draft Initial Study for the BREI Solar Farm, opening a public comment period for community input on the proposed solar generation facilities.

The study evaluates potential environmental impacts across multiple resource areas including air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, and hazards associated with portions of the project located within the Koppers Superfund site.

The Enterprise-Record highlights renewed public concern over potential health risks linked to emissions from a biomass power plant in Northern California. Residents and environmental advocates are raising alarms about possible cancer risks, citing past health patterns and calling for updated testing and stricter oversight. While the facility asserts compliance with current regulations and emphasizes its role in renewable energy and wildfire mitigation, the controversy underscores a broader tension between clean energy initiatives and community health protections.

Oroville, California is planning a biomass plant to enhance local energy independence and reduce wildfire risks by converting dead forest wood into clean energy using gasification technology. The facility will also serve as a lab and educational center, create hundreds of jobs, and potentially lower fire insurance costs. It’s expected to be operational by 2029 and will expand in phases based on community needs. Public input sessions are being held to engage residents in the planning process.

Oroville is exploring the development of a biomass energy plant on South Fifth Avenue to convert organic waste into renewable power. City officials are seeking public input through a community meeting, emphasizing education and transparency. The project aims to reduce energy costs, create jobs, and mitigate wildfire risks by clearing dead vegetation. If approved, the plant could be operational by 2029.

BREI plans to rebuild and reopen the long-shuttered Pacific Oroville Power plant, creating a 12 MW biomass facility to supply clean energy and jobs to the Oroville area.

BREI pitched a biomass-powered microgrid at a city council meeting. Councilors expressed support, citing economic, environmental, and energy resilience benefits.

Oroville’s City Council has approved a new power plant to be operated by Biomass Renewable Energy. The facility will generate clean energy from biomass materials, aiming to lower energy costs, create jobs, and support housing expansion.

BREI proposed a phased municipal microgrid to supply Oroville with locally generated solar and biomass power, cutting reliance on PG&E.

According to a City Council agenda report, representatives of Biomass Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI) were slated to present their plan at the July 1 council meeting to build a new renewable energy facility in Oroville and eventually develop a local microgrid for homes and businesses.

Butte Renewable Energy has proposed a new biomass power plant in Oroville aimed at converting organic waste into renewable energy. Initially, the plant will supply power to industrial users and later expand to homes and businesses via a locally managed microgrid. Benefits include reduced energy costs, job creation, and more reliable infrastructure during PG&E power shutoffs. Officials also highlighted the agricultural and wildfire prevention advantages. However, environmental concerns persist about biomass combustion and its potential impact on air quality and forests.

BREI (misidentified as “Biomass Renewable Energy”) presented plans for a biomass plant with a future transition to a citywide microgrid in Oroville.

At a July 1 Council meeting, the City of Oroville officially endorsed a partnership with Butte Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI) to develop a city-owned renewable microgrid utility. This initiative—combining solar, battery storage, and biomass generation—is designed to give Oroville control over its energy rates, improve resilience, and support economic growth into the future.

Butte Renewable Energy Inc. filed project applications with the City of Oroville for a utility-scale solar energy facility across three sites totaling approximately 116 acres.

The project will generate renewable energy for local businesses, residences, and potential future industrial facilities, supporting Oroville's vision for energy resiliency and local control.

Biomass Renewable Energy Inc. is set to present plans to the Oroville City Council for building a new facility that transforms regional organic waste into renewable energy. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, with future plans to expand into microgrid infrastructure serving homes and businesses. The city staff recommends continued collaboration, noting strong potential for positive economic and environmental impact.

Butte County received a “BBB” rating under the BDO Zone system for its biomass potential. The Oroville site, owned by BREI, is central to this designation.

Ecostrat designated Butte County’s Oroville region (BREI’s project site) a “BBB” biomass BDO Zone, opening investment pathways for bioenergy.