Tule River Biochar Project

The Tule River Tribe Biochar Project is a tribal-led carbon removal initiative under development in California’s Central Valley, supported by a $14.7 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Led by the Tule River Economic Development Corporation (TREDC), the project involves construction of a biochar production facility designed to convert woody biomass residues into stable carbon products while generating renewable electricity. The plant is expected to process approximately 31,500 tons of woody feedstock annually, producing around 4,500 tons of biochar and roughly 4,000 MWh of renewable power per year. The facility will utilize ARTi pyrolysis technology, which heats biomass in low-oxygen environments using a modular five-unit system; the process recycles thermal energy and converts syngas components such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide into electricity. The project aims to remove up to 10,600 tonnes of CO₂ annually through durable carbon storage in biochar, creating new carbon credit revenue streams while supporting regional agricultural markets through soil amendment applications. The development is also expected to generate local employment opportunities and expand economic activity for the Tule River Tribe.