Senators urge agencies to embrace biomass as viable energy source

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote a letter, signed by dozens of fellow senators, to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging them to recognize the obvious benefits of including forest bioenergy, or biomass, in federal policy.

“Many states are relying on renewable biomass to meet their energy goals, and we support renewable biomass to create jobs and economic growth while meeting our nation’s energy needs,” the duo said in the letter. “Our constituents employed in the biomass supply chain deserve a federal policy that recognizes the clear benefits of forest bioenergy.”

The term “biomass” refers to organic matter that contains stored energy through photosynthesis. It exists in plants and animals alike, and can be converted for human use through a number of methods.
“We urge you to ensure that federal policies are consistent and reflect the carbon neutrality of forest bioenergy,” the senators said.

Other senators who signed the letter: Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roy Blunt (R-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Boozman (R-AR), Bob Casey (D-PA), Richard Burr (R-NC), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Al Franken (D-MN), Thad Cochran (R-MI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Patty Murray (D-WA), Johnny Isaskson (R-GA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), David Perdue (R-GA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), James Risch (R-ID), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pat Toomey (R-PA), David Vitter (R-LA) and Richard Wicker (R-MI).

Ripon Advance News Service

Recent Posts

Smucker’s bipartisan bill closes Medicare loophole to ease transition from private healthcare

To help protect America’s senior citizens from coverage gaps in Medicare, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker…

3 days ago

Wagner’s bipartisan bill forces reconsideration of U.S.-Qatar ally status

Strict guidelines would require the administration to review and consider terminating the designation of the…

3 days ago

Carter offers bipartisan, bicameral bill to create Georgia’s first National Park

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) joined his home-state congressional delegates on April 30 to unveil…

3 days ago

House advances bipartisan Stauber bill to end restrictions on oil, gas development in Alaska

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Pete…

3 days ago

EV mandates would be reversed under two bipartisan Hoeven resolutions

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) on May 1 proposed two bipartisan resolutions of disapproval that…

3 days ago

Rounds cosponsors bipartisan AI Grand Challenges Act

Bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would create a new federal prize…

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.