Forest Action Plans

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Waxman-Markey bill talks on biomass definition unresolved

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The latest draft of the Waxman-Markey bill contained a compromise on the definition of a renewable feedstock that would allow the use of some non-commercial biomass removed from federally managed forests but may not be enough to generate new wood-based bioenergy markets particularly in the western U.S. On Tuesday the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted down Rep. Greg Walden's (R-OR) more permissive amendment, which included language similar to the renewable biomass definition found in the 2008 Farm bill. NASF continues to work with both House and Senate chambers to advance a definition which is consistent with six core principles.