American Bioenergy Association: Refocusing Rather Than Major Growth For Biomass Programs

2/4/2002

From: Stephanie Posner, 202-628-7772

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- The President released his fiscal year 2003 budget to Congress today, indicating a shift in funding for biomass programs. While some programs have been cut-such as co-firing with coal, feedstock research, and the regional biomass program-other efforts have been boosted. The American Bioenergy Association (ABA) views biomass as an important renewable resource that can reduce dependence on overseas oil, generate electricity with a cleaner fuel source, and produce chemicals and other high value products with organic waste.

Overall biomass funding was cut by about $1 million, with nearly $6 million shifted away from biomass power programs to other priorities such as integrated bioenergy. "We are pleased that the integrated bioenergy effort has been given a high priority," states Megan Smith, co-director of ABA. "It is critically important that we continue to develop a strong biorefinery effort." A biorefinery is similar in concept to an oil refinery, except that it uses non-hazardous biomass waste to produce biofuels, biomass power, and bioproducts. "Essentially, a biorefinery will use every possible component in the waste stream, converting them to higher value products."

In addition to the biorefinery, biomass gasification has been given a priority in the 2003 budget. "Converting biomass into a gas will be key to our electric generating future," says Katherine Hamilton, Co-Director of ABA. "We can use our sawdust, tree trimmings, yard waste, and crop residues to generate electricity with a cleaner technology than conventional fossil fuels."

While both the DOE and USDA research and development budgets will be important to biomass, equally critical will be tax incentives and other energy policies that Congress will be debating in the upcoming weeks. "We will have to see how biomass fares overall," continues Hamilton. "The budget is only one step toward the success of these technologies."