USA Biomass launches national education campaign

USA Biomass, the nation's leading association of biopower companies, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Energy Foundation to promote the importance of renewable, biomass energy generation in meeting the nation's growing energy needs, while reducing our "carbon footprint' and promoting a healthy environment.

The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that biomass-based power currently provides nearly 45 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, or about 1.2% of the nation's electric sales. DOE projects that overtime, biomass could supply as much as 14% of the nation's power needs. Biomass in all forms, including for heat and industry, power generation, and motor fuels, supplied 3.5% of America's total energy supply in 2007.

According to recent studies, the greenhouse gas reductions from operating biomass plants are significant. For every megawatt hour of biomass power, approximately 1.6 tons of CO2 are avoided, resulting in a projected reduction of almost 30 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

USA Biomass is the only national organization devoted solely to the growth and long-term viability of biomass-powered electric generation -- a growing industry that is strengthening America's rural economy, promoting energy independence and reducing carbon emissions. It has 41 member companies operating 80 power plants in 20 different states. These power plants use a broad range of biomass fuels -- from wood chips in Maine, bagasse in Florida and rice hulls in Louisiana, to forest waste in Arizona and orchard prunings in California. Their website is www.usabiomass.org.