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Libby, Montana

The Libby, Montana BDO Zone for Woody Biomass is rated ‘A’.

Rating Issue Date: July 18, 2023.

‘A’ ratings denote high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. Capacity to support new biobased plant operations is considered strong.

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BDO Zone Rating

Libby, MT BDO Zone Overview

Feedstock quantity is expressed in green tons (gt), while feedstock cost is expressed in USD ($), FOB Destination, delivered to Libby, Montana, with a maximum transport distance of 80 miles.

BDO Zone Assets:

225,000–275,000 green tons per year (gt/yr) of woody biomass available to new plant development.
Few competing markets for Forest Residuals and Pulpwood.
Reliable anchor supply
Available forest products labor market.

BDO Zone Liabilities:

Strong demand for Sawmill Residuals from existing markets. Limited and competitive access is likely for new markets.
Strong likelihood of material supply chain impacts from externalities: slow lumber markets, periodic wildfires, and extreme weather events.
Significant feedstock derived from National Forest Service land and subject to associated risks.
Increasing fuel prices stress logging and transportation costs.
Fiber from federal lands does not qualify for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), which is a limiting factor on commercial development.

Infrastructure

Overall, Libby has a positively rated infrastructure profile which supports its low-risk designation and score. Along the top-rated assets are landfill access, a sewage disposal truck line, outdoor recreational activities, highway access, and land cost.

Libby is home to the Kootenai Business Park, located at the junction of State Highway 37 and US Highway 2. The 400-acre park is home to suitable infrastructure including water and sewage treatment, electrical, natural gas, and broadband connectivity. The park also has a strong road network that consists of both paved and gravel roads making it suitable for commercial and industrial redevelopment.