Formerly considered the unknown renewable, biomass became the central focus of the clean energy debate when policymakers recognized that it was essential to meeting a strong renewable electricity standard. Congress now has the opportunity to take meaningful action on climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Biomass is the keystone to a national energy policy that can achieve both goals.
As the organization dedicated to expanding and advancing the use of clean, renewable biomass power, Biomass Power Association recently launched a full-scale education campaign to promote the economic and environmental benefits of biomass power. The organization is playing an active role in helping to shape energy and climate legislation. This legislation moving through Congress presents a tremendous opportunity to expand and advance the use of clean, renewable biomass power.
The first step to reducing greenhouse gases and achieving energy independence is a strong commitment to American sources of renewable energy. To help achieve this, the BPA is working in partnership with the RES-Alliance for Jobs, a coalition of businesses and organizations supporting an aggressive renewable electricity standard. In cooperation with the RES-Alliance, BPA is demonstrating how a renewable electricity standard of 25 percent can spur sustainable economic growth and investment and create thousands of new jobs in the renewable energy industries. The energy legislation currently being debated in Congress calls for a 15 percent renewable energy standard (RES) with loopholes and caveats that water down an already modest proposal. We have the resources to do better.
Source: Biomass Magazine