$4.2 million in grants awarded to Woody Biomass Utilization grantees
By Melissa Coon
© Copyright Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.
Washington, June 24 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that $4.2 million in grants will be awarded to 13 small business and community groups developing innovative renewable energy products 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 impact of global climate change.”
Earlier this week, Vilsack released a report outlining how America can meet the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2).
“The RFS2 will create new market opportunities for American agriculture to help fulfill its mandate: the American economy will be using 36 billion gallons of renewable transportation fuel per year in its transportation fuel supply by 2022,” read the report.
The report also stated that America’s forest resources would contribute to wood-based energy and bioproducts that enhance the environment; secure, sustainable, renewable energy sources; and strong rural economies.
The 2010 grant recipients were chosen from 185 applications and will be required to provide at least 20 percent of the total project cost.
The following are the 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
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