Steps toward burning biomass in coal plants

Science Daily reports on progress towards making it feasible to burn biomass in coal power plants, using the "torrefaction" process to reduce plants to a burnable powder. I read Joe Romm a year or two ago talking about using biomass at coal plants, and this is another step in that direction.

The importance isn't just in a new potential carbon-neutral power source - it means potentially co-opting the coal power industry away from denialism and opposition to action. The coal mining industry would obviously have a different view, but this could strip them of an ally.

It's important politically as much as in any other way.