DeFazio Supports Biomass Legislation

Statement

DeFazio Supports Biomass Legislation

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) today joined with eleven colleagues in introducing the Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act, legislation that would promote the development and use of biofuel derived from woody biomass on federal lands. The bill would significantly broaden the definition of "biomass" within the Energy Bill recently passed by Congress to include biomass gathered from federal lands.

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) today joined with eleven colleagues in introducing the Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act, legislation that would promote the development and use of biofuel derived from woody biomass on federal lands. The bill would significantly broaden the definition of "biomass" within the Energy Bill recently passed by Congress to include biomass gathered from federal lands.

"Biomass utilization is an important component of our energy independence," DeFazio said. "This legislation will help many innovative companies both inside and outside my district that are actively developing new biomass technology. I am pleased to co-sponsor this legislation which will ensure that we take an environmentally sensitive and yet active approach towards stewardship of our federal forest lands and biomass development."

The Renewable Biomass Facilitation Act addresses a flaw in the recently passed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, H.R. 6. The current definition of renewable biomass included in H.R. 6 prevents almost all federal land biomass, such as trees, wood, brush, thinnings, chips, and slash, from counting toward the renewable fuels mandate if it is used to manufacture biofuels. This provision not only discourages the use of such biomass, but in doing so could result in a decrease in responsible forest management by denying land managers an important outlet for the excessive biomass loads that often accumulate on public lands. This measure would promote the use of energy from waste products gathered on federal lands, including those that are byproducts of preventive treatments and are removed to reduce hazardous fuels, to reduce or contain disease or insect infestation, or to restore ecosystem health. This legislation is particularly relevant to Oregon where there are many areas of old growth forest where small trees have grown up into the old growth canopy as a result of fire suppression and previous management.

This legislation will contribute to American efforts to develop and promote renewable energy solutions. Investments in renewable energy sources of this kind are necessary to increase American energy independence, strengthen national security, lower energy costs, contribute to the growth of the economy, and reduce global warming.

"I am pleased to be a part of the effort to change the definition of biomass, so that we can promote its use," DeFazio said. "This will result in healthier forests, an investment by companies in new kinds of renewable fuels, and a boost to environmental efforts both in Oregon and around the nation. We can't import, dig, drill and burn our way to long term energy security and efforts, such as this one surrounding biomass, are invaluable in our long term search for energy independence. "

Source