February 7, 2008

The Honorable John Dingell

US House of Representatives

Washington DC

The Honorable Joe Barton

US House of Representatives

Washington DC

Dear Chairman Dingell and Ranking Member Barton,

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) urges Congress to modify the definition of renewable biomass in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) provision. As currently written, the definition restricts the types of feedstock that can be used as well as limiting where that feedstock can originate. Our nation's forests can provide a ready supply of feedstock for renewable fuels, and any exclusion of woody biomass from the Renewable Fuel Standard would hamstring the nation's efforts to reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

As it stands, the definition in the Energy Bill would severely constrain the ability of non-federal forest lands to supply feedstock to our nation's burgeoning appetite for biomass. Mandating that the over two-thirds of our nation's forests that fall outside of federal ownership can only supply feedstock as a byproduct of other production, ignores the fact that our state and private forests can supply biomass effectively and in an environmentally sustainable manner. Limiting the ability of forest landowners to profit from their forests increases the likelihood that the forest will subsequently be converted to some form of non-forested development.

The current definition also completely eliminates the ability of our National Forests to supply feedstock for renewable fuels. With overstocked conditions existing throughout the National Forest System, permitting our public lands to supply feedstock would provide a multitude of benefits, including improved overall forest health and the reduction of the hazardous fuels that serve as the lynchpin for catastrophic wildfire. Leaving National Forests out of the Renewable Fuel Standard would curtail our ability to create economical renewable fuels, and further hamper attempts to reduce the effects of wildfire.

NASF strongly urges Congress to take another look at the renewable biomass definition in the renewable fuels standard. The benefits of our nation's forest need not be mutually exclusive, and our nation's energy policy cannot afford to ignore this ready source of biomass. Thank you for your effort and NASF looks forward to working with you to achieve this important modification.

With warm regards,

Kirk Rowdabaugh

NASF President

Cc: Saxby Chambliss, Tom Harkin, Pete Domenici, Jeff Bingaman, Collin Peterson, Bob Goodlatte

Click here for full document