The American Biomass Energy Association will seamlessly step into BPA’s role leading the charge to advance the use of clean, renewable, and reliable domestic biomass energy through legislative and regulatory advocacy. ABEA members own and operate more than 80 biomass power plants in 20 states across the U.S. and produce eco-friendly renewable energy solutions that provide communities with always-on, locally-sourced power that replaces the need for foreign oil or burning fossil fuels.
Most ABEA member companies convert wood and wood products including forest debris, wood “leftovers” from logging activities, and other discarded items into clean electricity. Some ABEA members create renewable electricity by using the same technology on rice hulls and nut shells. These processes prevent atmospheric emissions of methane released from rotting wood, and help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk in our forests. The biomass energy industry provides approximately 14,000 jobs nationwide, many of which are in rural areas.
“ABEA as an organization is going to maintain and build on BPA’s well-earned reputation as a strong presence among policymakers in Washington when issues relating to American biomass are on the table,” said Carrie Annand, ABEA’s executive director. “So not much is changing - ABEA just better captures who we are and what our members do, which is converting forestry and agricultural byproducts into renewable electricity. We will continue charging ahead on policy that supports our mission, while giving our members the forum to exchange ideas and collaborate.”
ABEA members include biomass power facilities, suppliers, plant developers, and others along the biomass power supply chain. The Association educates policymakers at the state and federal level about the benefits of biomass and provides regular briefings and research to keep members fully informed about public policy impacting the biomass industry. As policymakers at every level explore ways to lower domestic reliance on greenhouse gasses and to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, ABEA is a leader in the renewable energy sector with its strong commitment to clean, renewable biomass energy.
Recently, ABEA has vocally supported the creation of a national “eRINs'' program, which would allow renewable electricity producers to be eligible to earn tradable credits for supplying electric vehicles with their electricity. Additionally, they have engaged with the U.S. Forest Service in the creation of programs that incentivize removal of wood debris from forests in fire-prone areas. ABEA also has an eye to the future, helping its members unlock the potential new technologies such as biochar production, hydrogen production and carbon capture.
