Policy Issues Overview

Policy Mission

BTEC advocates for public policies that recognize the energy savings and efficiencies that can be provided through the use of biomass in direct heat and combined heat and power (CHP) applications.

Mission Related Goals

1. Increase the percentage of total U.S. thermal energy consumption that comes from clean and efficient biomass thermal energy
2. Maximize the demand for biomass thermal fuels and biomass heating/CHP systems in United States
3. Obtain widespread recognition of the economic, environmental, and job-creation benefits of biomass thermal energy

Policy Priorities and Initiatives for 2011-2012
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Regulatory Advancement
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• Workable biomass boiler emission standards from the Environmental Protection Agency.
  

• Formal recognition of biomass as having a fundamentally different emissions footprint than fossil fuels.

• An inclusive, universal federal definition of biomass.

• Formal recognition of densified biomass as an “advanced biofuel.”

Incentive Development
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• Tax credits for biomass heating (or cooling) systems.

• Incentives for the production or usage of renewable thermal energy.
  

• Assistance for district energy and CHP biomass projects.
  

• Continuation and funding of biomass infrastructure support programs.

Market Research and Analysis

• Funding or government support for the development of biomass thermal market data.

Regional Advocacy

• Cultivation of regional biomass thermal coalitions to address issues outside of BTEC’s national portfolio.