Biomass Thermal Utilization Act Introduced; Vermont Is Already Leading the Way

Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced legislation that would recognize and encourage efficient, renewable thermal biomass energy under the law just as other types of renewable energy are encouraged today. Meanwhile, Vermont is forging ahead; a recent report from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities documents hundreds of institutional thermal biomass systems in use across the country; and a report, from FutureMetrics, sees great potential in the Midwest.

The "Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013" (S. 1007) seeks to establish some measure of parity for renewable biomass thermal energy alongside other forms of renewable energy. It would extend the 30 percent investment tax credit for residential renewable energy to renewable biomass thermal energy systems such as highly efficient pellet stoves, and it would create a two-tiered tax credit of 15 and 30 percent for commercial and industrial scale biomass thermal systems, based on the efficiency of the unit. The system must be 60-80 percent efficient to receive the 15 percent credit, and must be better than 80 percent efficient to receive the 30 percent credits. Read more here .

Earlier this month, Biomass Magazine reported on a biomass thermal district energy project now underway in downtown Montpelier, Vermont. The system will meet the thermal needs of 22 government buildings using renewable biomass from nearby woodsheds.

"The State of Institutional Woody Biomass Facilities in the United States," released in April by the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, inventories schools, college campuses, medical facilities, government buildings and correctional institutions that use woody biomass. They found that there are almost 300 facilities operating across the country in 34 states. More than half are schools. And the greatest concentration of facilities is in the Northeast.

The new report from FutureMetrics, "Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass: Vision for 2025," "outlines a vision to achieve a goal of having 15% of thermal energy for residential and commercial needs provided by renewable energy by 2025, with 10% derived from sustainably produced biomass. This document shows what is attainable and sustainable.' Currently, about 97 percent of the region’s thermal energy needs are provided by non-renewable fuels.