​Biomass International

As with many other renewable energy sources, biomass is capable of simultaneously addressing the nation’s energy, environmental, and economic needs. Increased use of biomass for energy would lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced dependence on foreign oil, an improved U.S. balance of trade, an improved rural economy, and the creation of a major new American industry. As we are striving to move to a low-carbon economy, biomass energy for both industry and electricity generators will become an increasingly important – and sustainable – source of baseload power

 

Economic Benefits to Biomass

Because biomass feedstocks – the actual crop to be used in energy generation – are typically bulky and costly to transport, conversion facilities will likely be located where the crop is grown. That means local jobs – rural economies will grow because of the development of a local industry to convert biomass to either electricity or transportation fuel. In addition, farmers will see their income rise thanks to the creation of new markets for their products – such as agricultural wastes and crops that can be grown on marginal land. Furthermore, increased investment in biomass conversion technologies can create high-skill, high-wage jobs for the producers of these technologies and the industry or utility that uses them.

 

Environmental Benefits to Biomass

The use of biomass energy provides a multitude of environmental benefits. It can help mitigate climate change; reduce acid rain; prevent soil erosion and water pollution; minimize pressure on landfills; provide wildlife habitat; and, help maintain forest health through better management.

 

Biomass is Apart of Earth's Natural CO2 Cycle

Like fossil fuels, biomass releases CO2 when burned. However, the CO2 released by woody biomass fuel is already part of the earth’s current carbon cycle where CO2

is absorbed from the atmosphere during the growth of a tree

and then re-released after it dies and decays or burns. As

such, the use of biomass fuel does not result in a net

increase in CO2 levels.

 

Fewer Pollutants

Studies at the National Renewable Energy Lab and the EPA,

among others, have demonstrated that co-firing biomass

with coal at utility power plants reduces the emissions of air

pollutants such as sulfur, mercury, lead and arsenic.

 

What impact could biomass really have on our domestic energy supply?

Biomass currently provides about 2% of the electricity produced in the U.S., and, according to the American Biomass Association, it could easily supply 20%. As a result of the available land and agricultural infrastructure this country already has, biomass could conceivably replace all of the power that nuclear plants generate and do so in a sustainable fashion.