Act No. 37

(H.152)

Conservation; energy; biomass

This act establishes a biomass energy development working group to enhance biomass energy production in the state while maintaining forest health. The working group is required to analyze current issues in the biomass industry and make recommendations addressing incentives for the biomass industry, biomass harvesting guidelines, and biomass procurement standards. The working group is authorized to meet over three years and would consist of members from state government, the forestry and forest products industry, the electric industry, environmental groups, and universities. The working group shall issue two interim reports and one final report to the general assembly addressing its recommendations for biomass energy production in the state. Prior to reporting to the general assembly, the working group shall seek public input and shall allow the department of forests, parks and recreation, the public service board, the agency of agriculture, food, and markets, and others to review and comment on the recommendations of the working group. In addition, the act defines biomass to mean material from trees, woody plants, or grasses, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, and other woody parts, grown in a forest, woodland, farm, rangeland, or wildland-urban environment that is the product of forest management, land clearing, ecosystem restoration, or hazardous fuel reduction treatment.

Date Signed by the Governor: May 26, 2009

Effective Date: July 1, 2009