The climate bill released this week by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) includes a definition of renewable biomass that is nearly identical to what was included in HR 2454 passed by the House last June (E&E News -- subscription req'd). The definition identifies the types of biomass that can be used by energy facilities without being subject to mandated greenhouse gas reductions.

The definition identifies areas on federal lands (e.g., old-growth, late-successional forests, roadless) where biomass—if harvested—would not be considered “renewable." On private lands, the bill would recognize any organic matter available on a renewable or recurring basis, including trees, other plants and leftovers from the agriculture, forest and forest products industry. The Kerry-Lieberman definition of renewable biomass can be found on p.486 of the bill (PDF).

MORE: The bill also would require EPA, Interior and Agriculture to collaborate on a study reviewing the impacts of harvesting and combusting biomass including the net greenhouse gas benefits. The bill also requires EPA and USDA to work with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to evaluate how renewable biomass contributes to the goals of energy independence, protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The study will include recommendations for any necessary changes to the definition of renewable biomass.