The city of Minneapolis plans to build a $1.5 million biochar production facility, which reportedly is the first city-owned plants of its kind to turn wood debris into biochar. Minneapolis is one of seven cities in the world to receive grant funding for biochar projects, and it is using the funding to build a biochar facility. Partnering with BluSky Carbon, a startup specializing in pyrolizers, devices that convert wood into biochar through pyrolysis, which is the heating of an organic material in the absence of oxygen. Because no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char.  Minneapolis invested $575,000 in BluSky’s technology, which heats the raw material to 700 degrees F. Located near Huntington Bank Stadium, the 4,242-square-foot facility at 670 25th Ave. SE will commence operations this fall.