Western Governors' Request for Coordinated Federal Bio-energy Policy Gets Positive Response from EPA

DENVER -- EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson recently announced she would delay for three years a decision on how to calculate the greenhouse gas benefits of biomass.  The decision by EPA acknowledges the governors' request to develop a better understanding of the environmental benefits provided by forest management, but also places an emphasis on the need for expediency in providing regulatory certainty.  Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, Chairman of the Western Governors' Association, and Christine O. Gregoire, Vice Chair, said they look forward to being a partner in that effort.  
 

In August, they wrote to Carol Browner, White House Energy and Climate Advisor, expressing the governors' concern that there is not a clear, cohesive policy on the use of biomass for energy production.  In their letter, the governors said:

"Without such a policy, decisions made by an array of competing federal authorities could negatively impact efforts to improve forest health, as well as local and state investments in renewable energy projects that utilize forest residues and other biomass materials."

The letter cites a number of additional issues that will require resolution in order to create the certainty needed for land owners, bio-energy companies, and the forest products industry to operate in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.  The Western states have a substantial interest in ensuring there are no disincentives created that will impair jobs and economic development in rural communities.

A copy of the letter is available on the WGA Web site at www.westgov.org.