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| Release No. 0340.10 |
Contact:
Susan Paulson
(608) 231-9249
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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Awards Woody Biomass Utilization Projects
Federal grants support the Forest Service Wildland Fire Management efforts aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire and providing economic incentives to rural communities
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of more than $4.2 million in grants to 13 small businesses and community groups developing innovative renewable energy projects and new product development using woody biomass from hazardous fuel reduction projects on National Forest land.
"Energy derived from woody biomass, switch-grass and other sources has enormous potential benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing clean, home-grown energy, and providing economic opportunities for rural America," Vilsack said. "Markets for woody biomass can also bolster forest restoration activities on both public and private lands, improving the ecological health of our forests and reducing the impacts of global climate change."
Earlier this week, Vilsack released a report which provided a roadmap on how America can meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) Biofuels Report 6/23/2010. All regions can contribute to meeting America's long term energy needs, and USDA's Forest Service released its strategic direction for bioenergy and biobased products that ties directly to the Obama Administration push to develop alternatives to fossil fuel use in the U.S. The report, found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/research/pdf/RD_Bioenergy_Strategy_March_2010.pdf, says there's an opportunity for America's forest resources to significantly contribute to U.S. energy security, economic development and environmental quality that will result in:
- Wood-based energy and bioproducts that enhance the environment;
- Secure, sustainable, renewable energy sources; and
- Strong rural economies.
Woody biomass includes small-diameter and low-value wood residue such as tree limbs, tops, needles and bark that are often byproducts of forest management activities. Innovative uses for such biomass can help offset expensive thinning operations and enhance the health and resilience of forest ecosystems.
Grant recipients are required to provide at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Non-federal matching funds total more than $9 million. In Arizona, for example, Cooley Forest Products will purchase a mobile canter saw allowing them to process small logs at a forest landing, thereby reducing transportation costs. West Range Reclamation in Colorado can now acquire a delimber/debarker allowing them to efficiently process beetle-killed trees.
The Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization grant program was established in 2005 and is administered by the State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis. The program has provided over $30.6 million toward various projects, ranging from biomass boilers for heating schools and prisons, to helping forest-based businesses acquire equipment to improve processing efficiencies. In total, 123 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, tribes and state agencies working to improve forest health while promoting jobs, green energy and healthy communities.
The 2010 recipients were chosen from 185 applications. The following are the 2010 Woody Biomass Utilization grantees:
2010 Woody Biomass Utilization Grantees
Headrick Logging
Anderson, CA $350,000
Sierra Resource Management
Jamestown, CA $329,000
Del Logging, Inc.
Bieber, CA $350,000
Cooley Forest Products
Phoenix, AZ $350,000
J. W. Bamford, Inc.
Oroville, CA $300,000
West Range Reclamation
Crawford, CO $350,000
Arizona Log and TimberWorks
Eagar, AZ $350,000
JL Shavings
Tularosa, NM $350,000
San Carlos Apache Timber Products
San Carlos, AZ $272,770
Warner Enterprises
Redding, CA $350,000
Foothills Firewood
Lyons, OR $325,014
Restoration Solutions
Corona, NM $350,000
ABCO Wood Recycling
Post Falls, ID $200,000
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
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