SYRACUSE — Scientists are awaiting the results of a test study that could lead to reduced air pollution by replacing coal with biomass at one of the state’s dirtiest power plants. The College of Environmental Science & Forestry in Syracuse is growing young willow trees on 500 acres of farmland, primarily in western New York, with the hope it will help fire the Dunkirk power plant on the shores of Lake Erie. Officials recently conducted a test burn to see how effective willow would be as a fuel source. Findings are expected within the next couple of weeks. “Based on tests that have been done elsewhere, we’re fairly sure the results are going to be positive,” said project coordinator Tim Volk. At present, willow and other types of biomass such as wood products refuse, would only produce about 1 percent of Dunkirk’s total fuel supply. It’s hoped that figure could reach 10 percent or more as the program grows. “The goal is to get pieces to come together so it will get out of the research stage and become commercially viable,” Volk said. Willow is considered a good fuel source because it grows quickly and has a low carbon content compared to coal. If used in large enough amounts, it could also help reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere, prime components of acid rain. Saratoga Tree Nursery on Route 50 has a plot of willow trees it’s growing in conjunction with this program. “Every time you cut it, it sprouts back, which makes the environmental benefits better,” Volk said. Several years ago, the U.S. Department of Energy launched a program called Biomass Power for Rural Development. The idea was to promote alternative fuel sources, while helping farmers diversify their incomes with a new type of crop. “There’s certainly multiple goals in the program,” said Judy Jarnefeld of the New York State Energy & Research Development Authority, NYSERDA. Gaining widespread acceptance for biomass is a “chicken-and-egg” proposition, Volk said. “We have to convince land owners to grow it. That’s not going to occur until there’s a market for it,” he said. Likewise, utility companies won’t retrofit power plants unless they believe large, reliable amounts of biomass are available. If officials can show that biomass has proven anti-pollution benefits, then utilities could sell the electricity it produces for a slightly higher price, hoping environmentally-conscious consumers would buy it. This would give utilities the money needed to pay farmers to grow the crop. “If we can get this acknowledged as a green source, that would close the gap and make the economics viable,” Volk said. NYSERDA allocated $15 million several years ago to promote biomass use. About half came from federal revenues, the rest from state funds and private industry. Money was used for a variety of purposes. These included: Building infrastructure needed to test biomass burning at a coal plant. Volk said biomass is also being considered for smaller private industry projects such as a proposed cogeneration facility in Buffalo. Genetics research, in which different types of willow were bred to find the type best suited for burning. Paying land owners who allowed their property to be used for growing willow crops. “Biomass is the biggest renewable source of fuel in the U.S. right now,” Volk said. Different types of biomass are being grown in other parts of the country depending on their soil type and growing conditions. For example, hybrid poplar is the preferred species in northern Midwest states such as Minnesota, while switchgrass is being raised for biomass in Southern states such as Georgia and Alabama.