Cleantech Transit (CLNO) recently reported that the 500 KW biomass gasification facility located in Merced, California has successfully passed its interconnection tests and is now connected to the utility distribution grid—The gasification technology uses a non-combustion process to convert Ag and other woody residues into a hydrogen rich gas also known as syngas, which is then converted into electricity, along with heat and biochar (a useful byproduct that captures carbon in solid form and can be used as a soil amendment–The Phoenix Energy technology used in Merced essentially cooks the biomass in an oxygen-deprived environment to release the elemental gasses from the wood— In the process biomass is converted into a carbon rich biochar– With the carbon fixed in solid form this process not only provides a valuable soil amendment but also serves as a source of carbon sequestration–The Merced plant is expected to produce enough electricity to power about 400 homes–