In a series of recent letters submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) strongly urged the leaders of those agencies to acknowledge the existence of biomass energy as a legitimate, sustainable and efficient source of energy.
The letter — led by Wicker and Cochran, and co-signed by a bipartisan group of 44 fellow senators — makes its case for the significance and benefits of using forest bio-energy, and encourages the agencies to keep federal policies consistent in recognizing the carbon neutrality of biomass derived from residuals of forest products in manufacturing and agriculture.
“Biomass could have an enormous impact on our nation’s energy capabilities, job creation and economic growth,” Wicker said. “Cutting red tape is an important step as we work to unlock forest bioenergy as a realistic, renewable energy source.”
“Wood-based bioenergy offers great potential for improving national energy security and job creation, and should be a more important part of America’s comprehensive energy plan,” Cochran, who is known for his work in promoting the inclusion of biofuel provisions in the 2014 farm bill, said. “Federal agencies need to remove regulatory barriers that hinder forest biofuel production, which could be more widespread throughout the Southern states.”