State, Local, and Tribal Government
Woody Biomass Utilization Activity
States and local governments have recognized the benefits of utilizing woody biomass. This page provides links to efforts by and opportunities offered by state and local governments to promote the utilization of woody biomass.
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency - Many States have Renewable Portfolio Standards that require a certain percentage of energy used in the state be derived from renewable sources, such as biomass.
- State & Federal Incentives & Laws - U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. Some States provide biomass grants and incentives.
- The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) - signed an agreement with DOI and the Forest Service to increase public understanding of the benefits of using wood biomass to reduce fuel buildup on public lands. The NACD uses publications, national and regional conferences, field tours, news media, websites and email methods to reach a broad audience. They have also developed a Speakers Bureau to assist in outreach/education; engaged their natural resource committees and field units in policy and project development; and have led many community efforts in reducing hazardous fuels on thousands of acres in the WUI.
- The Western Governor’s Association - an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S. island possessions in the Pacific, have endorsed an initiative to promote the development of 30,000 MWs of clean and diversified energy by 2015. This initiative includes an estimated 11,000 MWs of woody biomass utilization.
Harvesting Guidelines
- Guidance on Harvesting Woody Biomass for Energy in Pennsylvania (PDF, 396 KB) - prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, "to help frame the issues surrounding the emerging biofuel industry, including existing markets, inventory, supply, demand, best practices, sustainable forest management, potential impacts, and opportunities. This document addresses biomass harvesting on both state and private forestlands."
- Minnesota Forest Resources Council (MFRC) Biomass Guideline Committee - biomass harvesting guidelines for forestlands, brushlands and open lands.
- Silvicultural and Ecological Considerations of Forest Biomass Harvesting in Massachusetts (PDF, 1.14 MB) - Prepared for the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. This report examines the levels of biomass fuels available in Massachusetts forests, and the impact of biomass harvesting on forest ecological processes.
Tools and Resources
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Reports
- Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Development Potential on Indian Lands, April 2000 (PDF, 3.4 MB) - A study of energy on Indian lands to include: the electricity use and needs of Indian households an tribes; the comparative electricity rates that Indian households are paying, and; the potential for renewable resources development of Indian lands.
- Western Governors Association, Biomass Taskforce Report - The Western Governors’ Association’s Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee (CDEAC) commissioned this task force report in February 2005.
Training/Outreach Materials
- National Association of Conservation Districts - Provides woody biomass information to help districts meet forestry needs on private forest, urban and agricultural lands.
Financing Opportunities
- Florida Renewable Energy Technology Grants Program - Provides grant information for renewable energy projects.
Contacts
- California Biomass Collaborative - The mission of the California Biomass Collaborative is to enhance the sustainable management and development of biomass in California.
- Western Governors Association, Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative - In order to help achieve the Governors' clean and diverse energy goals and track the implementation of the Advisory Committee's recommended policies, WGA has developed an implementation strategy.
- National Biomass State and Regional Partnerships - This Biomass Program primarily carries out state and regional partnerships through cooperation with the National Biomass State and Regional Partnerships which consists of five Regional Organizations: Coalition of Northeastern Governors Policy Research Center, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Southern States Energy Board, Western Governors Association, and DOE's Western Regional Office.