A bill introduced on April 17 by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and several colleagues aims to require the U.S. EPA to change the way it assesses lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forest biomass. The American Biomass Energy Association, however, stresses that any lifecycle GHG assessment must accurately account for the alternative fate of biomass fuels.&nbsp;The bill, S. 4153, was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works following its introduction. To date, Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass.; Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; Chris Van Hollen, D-M.D., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., have signed on to cosponsor the legislation.&nbsp;According to Booker’s officer, the Forest Biomass Emissions Act is intended to address concerns related to the combustion of forest biomass for electricity generation and its impact on both environment and public health. It would required the EPA to account for the full life cycle GHG emissions associate with the production of electricity from forest biomass when enacting relevant rules and regulations; task the agency with evaluating how biomass harvesting areas, pellet mills and power facilities impact local communities; and require the EPA to collect data on air and noise pollution considering the race and socioeconomic status of impacted individuals and submit a report to Congress.In reaction to the bill, ABEA Executive Director Carrie Annand emphasized that an any accurate lifecycle GHG analysis of woody biomass fuels must account for the alternative fate of these fuels. &nbsp;“American-based biomass power facilities responsibly serve their communities by utilizing non-pelletized wood and agricultural waste - such as flammable forest buildup - derived typically from within a 75-mile radius,” she said.“Any biomass life cycle assessment should take into account the alternate fate of these fuels,” Annand continued. “If not used for biomass, these fuels could end up in a landfill releasing methane, which the EPA says is 28 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. Much of the fuel used by U.S. biomass power facilities is removed from forests to reduce fire risk; the avoided emissions and other potential harms from wildfires must also be taken&nbsp;into consideration.“Rural, forested communities reap huge benefits from having an outlet for non-merchantable timber, including encouraging landowners to preserve their forestland,” she added. “Biomass also provides full-time jobs and supplements the livelihoods of other workers like loggers.”A full copy of the bill is available on Booker’s <a href="https://www.booker.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/forest_biomass_emissions_act_2024.pdf">website</a>.&nbsp;

2024-04-19 - Booker introduces Forest Biomass Emissions Act of 2024 (Biomass Magazine)

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A bill introduced by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., would require the U.S. EPA to alter the way it assesses lifecycle GHG emissions from forest biomass. ABEA stresses that any accurate assessment must account for the alternative fate of biomass fuels.

Booker introduces Forest Biomass Emissions Act of 2024

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