PORTLAND, ME -- The nation's leading biopower association, USA Biomass, says it will be changing its name to the Biomass Power Association -- but not changing its commitment to promoting clean, renewable, sustainable biomass power throughout the country.
"Generating clean, renewable power is what our members do, so we thought it was high time that 'power' be a prominent part of our association's name and identity," said Robert Cleaves, Chairman of the Biomass Power Association, whose members include owners and operators of biomass power facilities across the country.
"We recently launched a nationwide education campaign aimed at federal policy makers on the critical benefits of biomass power and its role in reducing greenhouse gases," said Cleaves. "We hope that our new name, which more accurately defines our industry, will aide in these efforts.
"Our industry is at the heart of two very dynamic and challenging issues facing our nation -- energy and the environment," said Cleaves. "Our members and our association are com-mitted to helping the U.S. meet its growing energy needs in a way that protects and even enhances our country's environmental health. This is exactly what we do, and we're proud to be a part of the solution."
According to Department of Energy estimates, biomass-powered plants currently provide about 2% of the nation's energy. DOE projects that the potential for biomass could grow to 15% by 2020 -- a goal that must be realized to meet federal and state renewable energy and greenhouse.
ADVERTISEMENT
Biomass Power Association is the only national organization devoted solely to the growth and long-term viability of biomass-powered electric generation -- a growing industry that is strengthening America's rural economy, promoting energy independence and reducing car-bon emissions. It has 41 member companies operating 80 power plants in 20 different states.
These power plants use a broad range of biomass fuels -- from wood chips in Maine, ba-gasse in Florida and rice hulls in Louisiana, to forest waste in Arizona and orchard prunings in California. Their website is www.usabiomass.org .
