Senators Launch New Effort To Promote Woody Biomass

U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) partnered with U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) to introduce the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act. This new bipartisan, bicameral legislation proposes to modernize the definition for renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard, establishing a strong market for woody biomass generated through forest management activities and boosting wildfire resiliency efforts at the same time.

“Reducing wildfire risk demands innovative solutions and using all the tools at our disposal to invest in wildfire prevention efforts,” Sen. Merkley says. “Woody biomass that comes from responsible forest management activities—like hazardous fuels reduction—presents a huge opportunity for communities in Oregon and across the nation. By updating the definition for these materials to qualify as renewable fuels, we can harness their power to create new markets for these materials, reducing wildfire risk and supporting healthier public, private, and Tribal lands.”

In addition to Merkley, Hyde-Smith, Bentz, and Thompson, the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Angus King (I-ME), and U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), James Gallagher (R-CA-01), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), Max Miller (R-OH-07), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), and Bob Latta (R-OH-05).

The bipartisan, bicameral bill is supported by over 75 organizations, including the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO), Intertribal Timber Council (ITC), Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, American Forest Resource Council, and American Farm Bureau Federation.

The full text of the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act can be found online.