Minneapolis is set to become the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar production facility.
You may be wondering - what is biochar?
It's a charcoal-like material made from wood waste that's superheated and used to absorb toxins and carbon dioxide, and is mainly used to promote healthy soil.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says it's set to speed up the city's goal of becoming carbon negative.
"Now what we can do, is take all of that wood, make biochar out of it, and actually get a solution that works, that for 1,000 years will sequester carbon that would have otherwise been pumped into our atmosphere," Frey explained.
Xcel Energy will provide wood waste such as tree trimmings to the new plant, turning the state's surplus of wood into a resource.
Officials say the new facility is set to open this fall in Minneapolis. The facility will be located on 25th Avenue SE, Minneapolis City Councilmember Robin Wonsley's district.
"It was a byproduct of a lot of community conversation," Wonsley explained. "I know because I got many emails from my constituents who also asked, what in the world is biochar? Why is it coming to Ward 2?"
The new facility is expected to eliminate 3,600 tons of wood waste each year.