BTEC News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2011

BTEC Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, January 26 - The Biomass Thermal Energy Council has expressed its support for President Obama’s State of the Union endorsement of a national clean energy strategy.  In the address, President Obama called for 80% of the nation’s energy by the year 2035 to come from clean sources, noting traditional renewables like wind and solar in addition to nuclear power, clean coal, and natural gas.

“We are encouraged by President Obama’s call to ramp up clean energy development,” said Kyle Gibeault, BTEC Executive Director. “We look forward to working his Administration to ensure that renewable thermal energy from biomass is a key component of our country’s clean energy strategy.”  

In the 111th Congress, Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced S. 20, a bill that would establish a clean energy standard requiring utilities to provide steadily increasing amounts of low-emissions energy to consumers.  S. 20 contained a provision rewarding the production of thermal energy from renewable sources, including biomass. 

“Incorporating biomass thermal energy into a national clean energy standard is not only possible, but it already has an existing framework and congressional champions,” said Gibeault.  “We will look to both new and current congressional allies to move energy reforms like this forward.”

###

About the Biomass Thermal Energy Council

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) is an association of biomass fuel producers, appliance manufacturers and distributors, supply chain companies and non-profit organizations that view biomass thermal energy as a renewable, responsible, clean and energy-efficient pathway to meeting America’s energy needs. BTEC engages in research, education, and public advocacy for the fast growing biomass thermal energy industry.