Policy 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.
2017 Policy Priorities:
Passing the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act (BTU Act)
Revamping the Community Wood Energy Program
BTEC scored a legislative win with the following language included in the omnibus spending bill signed in May 2017:
POLICIES RELATING TO BIOMASS ENERGY SEC. 428. To support the key role that forests in the United States can play in addressing the energy needs of the United States, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall, consistent with their missions, jointly- (1) ensure that Federal policy relating to forest bioenergy- (A) is consistent across all Federal departments and agencies; and (B) recognizes the full benefits of the use of forest biomass for energy, conservation, and responsible forest management; and (2) establish clear and simple policies for the use of forest biomass as an energy solution, including policies that-(A) reflect the carbon-neutrality of forest bioenergy and recognize biomass as a renewable energy source, provided the use of forest biomass for energy production does not cause conversion of forests to non-forest use. (B) encourage private investment through-out the forest biomass supply chain, including in- (i) working forests; (ii) harvesting operations; (iii) forest improvement operations; (iv) forest bioenergy production; (v) wood products manufacturing; or (vi) paper manufacturing; (C) encourage forest management to improve forest health; and(D) recognize State initiatives to produce and use forest biomass.
i.e. Reforming Section 9005 of the Farm Bill – this program provides payments to producers of advanced biofuels. BTEC is working to ensure more equitable payments to densified pellet manufacturers. Find out more here
i.e. Oregon S.B. 634 – would add wood heating to the list of qualifying renewable energy technologies in government buildings. State government facilities must put 1.5% of their budgets towards renewables, and this bill would make thermal part of that requirement.
More information:
Emanuel Wagner
Managing Director
Emanuel.Wagner@biomassthermal.org
202-596-3974 x 360
BTEC Sustaining Members
