Oregon Sen. Wyden wants biomass in federal buildings

February 22, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is touting the success of the biomass programs in Oregon, and is asking federal government to replicate that success within the state. According to KTVZ, the senator believes the federal government should use the same renewable energy tactics when it builds or leases federal facilities in Oregon.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. Credit: United States Senate/Wikimedia Commons

Sen. Wyden wrote a letter to General Services Administrator Dan Tangherlini and U.S. Forest Services Chief Thomas Tidwell, asking them to rethink their limitations on using biomass for heat, or combined heat and power, in federal facilities.

"In Oregon, we are beginning to see considerable advances in the production of biomass for energy uses,'' Wyden wrote. "Additionally, demand for biomass energy is expanding rapidly across Oregon."

Sen. Wyden has a long history with supporting biomass as a heat source in Oregon. In 2009, Wyden and fellow Oregon Senator Merkley announced that $11.85 million from the Department of Agriculture was awarded to five Oregon counties to create jobs and help reduce wildfire threats -- as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"The promotion of biomass is a key element in two issues vital to Oregonians -- jobs and forest health. That's why I have been working to promote the use of the biomass we have right in our backyard," Wyden said at the announcement in 2009. "This funding will help breathe new life into our timber-dependent communities and put hardworking Oregonians back to work thinning overstocked forests and pioneering a promising energy source."

In his recent letter, Wyden explained the recent investments in Oregon by forestry and lumber businesses in pellet mills and other biomass-related products. Many rural communities in the state have turned to biomass as a heating source because of their lack of access to natural gas. According to KTVZ, Wallowa Resources in Wallowa County saved $40,000 in energy costs each year by converting an old hospital into office spaces that utilitized biomass boilers. The Enterprise School District is also saving $70,000 on energy costs each year by switching their heating source to biomass.

"Despite these promising developments, I have heard from my constituents that the GSA process is making it difficult for new Forest Service building leases to utilize biomass for heat and energy," Wyden wrote.

The Forest Service has shown support in the past of programs that use biomass, as well as restoring forest ecology and reducing threats of wildfire.

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/oregon-sen-wyden-wants-biomass-federal-buildings/2015-02-22