Environmental
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Biomass

Biomass is biological material from living or recently living organisms. As a renewable energy source, biomass can either be used directly or converted into other energy products such as biofuel.

On one level, biomass is plant matter used to generate electricity or produce heat, usually by direct incineration. Examples include forest residues (such as dead trees, branches and tree stumps), yard clippings, wood chips and even municipal solid waste. On another level, biomass includes plant or animal matter that can be converted into fibers or other industrial chemicals, including biofuels.

Although the biomass power-generating industry in the U.S. currently produces only about 1.4 percent of the total electricity supply, Graphic is keeping an eye on the fast growth of this industry.

$6 Billion-a-Year Ethanol Subsidy Dies — but Wait, There’s More
On Jan. 1, companies making ethanol will lose a tax credit of 46 cents per gallon, and even the ethanol industry is OK with it — thanks in part to high oil prices that make ethanol competitive.

Obama Announces $510M for Biofuels
Government departments will invest up to $510 million over the next three years to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation.

Five Groups Sue EPA Over Punt on Biogenic Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Despite having initially included “biogenic” CO2 in the greenhouse gases to be regulated, the EPA announced it needs three years to decide how biomass carbon emissions should be monitored.

Biomass Demand Will Soar in Next 10 Years
RISI study presents forecasts for biomass demand for 2015 and 2020, and scenarios on how the demand will be met, providing implications for biomass prices and import requirements.

NCASI Releases Web-based Presentations on Forest Carbon
Watch these videos on the forest carbon cycle, carbon neutrality and the factors to consider when assessing the greenhouse gas benefits of using forest biomass.

(Bio)Mass Confusion
High costs and environmental concerns have pushed biomass power to the sidelines in the U.S.

Biomass Power Plants Wary of EPA Carbon Accounting
A rule issued by the EPA causes worry that biomass may lose its long-standing green status and be lumped in with coal as a greenhouse gas polluter.

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