California issues 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan

California has released its 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan, which is designed to accelerate clean energy development, job creation, and protection of public health and safety. The plan was developed by state agencies and outside experts under the leadership of Gov. Jerry Brown’s office.

State agencies responsible for developing and implementing the plan include the Natural Resources Agency, Department of Food and Agriculture, California Environmental Protection Agency, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalRecycle and the State Water Resources Control Board.

 “Swift action on bioenergy will create jobs, increase local clean energy supplies, and help businesses grow in California,” said California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird. “Increasing bioenergy opportunities will also help California meet its climate change goals and protect public health and safety.”

The plan contains more than 50 recommended actions to increase the sustainable use of organic waste, expand research and development of bioenergy facilities, reduce permitting and regulatory challenges, and address economic barriers to bioenergy development.

The 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan updates last year’s plan, and provides a more detailed action plant to achieve several goals, including:

• - Increasing sustainable energy production from organic waste
• -  Encouraging development of diverse bioenergy technologies that increase electricity generation, combined-heat-and-power facilities, renewable natural gas, and renewable liquid fuels for transportation and fuel cell applications
• - Creating jobs and simulating economic development
• - Reducing fire danger, improving air and water quality, and reducing waste

Major recommended actions in the plan include:

• - Increasing research and development of diverse bioenergy technologies and applications
• - Continuing to develop  and make accessible information about the availability of organic waste and opportunities for bioenergy development
• - Streamlining and consolidating permitting of bioenergy facilities
• - Assessing and monetizing the economic, energy, safety, environmental and other benefits of biomass
• - Facilitating access to transmission, pipelines and other distribution networks

A fully copy of the plan can be downloaded from the California Natural Resources Agency