Interior Department invests in biomass projects

Posted May 27, 2009, at 10:04 a.m. CST

The U.S. Department of Interior recently announced it will invest $15 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to fund 55 projects in 12 states that will reduce hazardous fuels on federal land, in order to protect at-risk communities from wild land fires, support local economies and rehabilitate ecosystems damaged by wildfires.

The final selection criteria ensured project planning and environmental compliance work was complete or substantially complete and that projects have the potential to provide additional economic benefits to support local or regional employment through post-treatment use of biomass in wood products or power generation.
California received the most funding at $3.3 million, followed by Montana with $2 million and Arizona at $1.3 million.

To view a complete listing of projects and awards by state, visit http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/office-of-wildland-fire/.