New Report Finds Bioenergy Critical

To Achieve Carbon Neutrality in California

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Governor Issues Emergency Order

Calling for More Forest Bioenergy to Reduce Wildfire Risks.

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California can generate enough biogas from organic waste to

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Replace all of the diesel used by motor vehicles in the state.

Bioenergy projects add jobs

and tax revenue for local economies.

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California uses only 15% of its organic

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waste potential for renewable energy.

Biogas generated from livestock waste

Is the lowest carbon fuel of any kind

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The Bioenergy Association of California

The Bioenergy Association of California (BAC) was established in 2013 to promote sustainable bioenergy development. Bioenergy includes renewable electricity, low carbon transportation fuels and pipeline biogas generated from organic waste such as dairy and agricultural waste, food and yard waste, wastewater treatment, organic waste diverted from landfills, and forest biomass . BAC’s members include private companies, public agencies, local governments, investors, consultants, nonprofits, individuals and others interested in promoting community-scale bioenergy generation. BAC focuses on policy advocacy, public education and outreach, research, and industry best practices.

Recent Policy Updates

All/Biopower/Pipeline Biogas/Vehicle Fuels/Bioenergy and Climate Protection

March 2, 2021/by Julia Levin

Air Board Adopts Plan to Phase Out Open Burning of Agricultural Waste in San Joaquin Valley

CARB has approved a plan to phase out the open burning of ag waste that calls for increased bioenergy as a much cleaner, more beneficial alternative to open burning.

January 26, 2021/by Julia Levin

California Finalizes Organic Waste Diversion Regulations

To reduce methane and other emissions, state law requires a 75 percent reduction in organic landfill waste by 2025. The new CalRecycle regulations require local government to procure bioenergy or compost instead.

January 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

Governor Proposes California’s 2021-22 Budget

Governor Newsom has released his January budget proposal for the next 18 months, with several changes related to bioenergy funding.

November 7, 2020/by Julia Levin

CPUC Issues Proposed Decision on Voluntary RNG Tariff

The CPUC has issued a Proposed Decision to adopt the voluntary biomethane (RNG) tariff proposed by SoCalGas and SDG&E.

March 2, 2021/by Julia Levin

Air Board Adopts Plan to Phase Out Open Burning of Agricultural Waste in San Joaquin Valley

CARB has approved a plan to phase out the open burning of ag waste that calls for increased bioenergy as a much cleaner, more beneficial alternative to open burning.

January 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

Governor Proposes California’s 2021-22 Budget

Governor Newsom has released his January budget proposal for the next 18 months, with several changes related to bioenergy funding.

November 5, 2020/by Julia Levin

CA Board of Forestry Adopts Biomass Utilization Plan

The California Board of Forestry has adopted a comprehensive plan for forest biomass utilization, including many recommendations to increase bioenergy from forest waste.

August 16, 2020/by Julia Levin

BAC Comments on CPUC Microgrid Proposal

See BAC's comments on the CPUC Staff Proposal on Microgrids, which addresses longer term actions to increase the use of microgrids in California.

November 7, 2020/by Julia Levin

CPUC Issues Proposed Decision on Voluntary RNG Tariff

The CPUC has issued a Proposed Decision to adopt the voluntary biomethane (RNG) tariff proposed by SoCalGas and SDG&E.

March 5, 2019/by Julia Levin

BAC-CASA Comments on CPUC’s Proposed Pipeline Biogas Decision

BAC and the California Association of Sanitation Agencies filed joint comments on the CPUC's Proposed Decision on pipeline biogas standards.

March 5, 2019/by Julia Levin

CPUC Proposes Revised Pipeline Biogas Standards

The CPUC has proposed revising the BTU and siloxanes standards for pipeline biogas, based on recommendations from the California Council on Science and Technology.

September 3, 2018/by Julia Levin

BAC’s Reply Comments on Pipeline Biomethane

BAC filed Reply Comments on pipeline biomethane in late August that ask the CPUC to adopt a biomethane procurement requirement, increase incentives for biomethane, and increase R&D for biomethane.

September 14, 2019/by Julia Levin

CEC Adopts Clean Transportation Funding Program

The California Energy Commission has adopted the 2019-2020 Clean Transportation Funding Program, cutting biofuels funding in half but focusing it on waste-based fuels and renewable hydrogen.

September 14, 2019/by Julia Levin

Legislative Analyst Critiques State’s Transportation Climate Programs

The California Legislative Analyst's Office has released an assessment of the state's climate programs, including a detailed study of the effectiveness of the state's transportation programs which found that investments in heavy duty vehicles are the only ones providing measurable reductions in climate pollution.

September 3, 2018/by Julia Levin

Biofuels Coalition Opposes LCFS Infrastructure Credit

BAC and other biofuels producers opposes a recent proposal to give Low Carbon Fuel Standard credit to fueling infrastructure for certain types of vehicles regardless of the amount or carbon intensity of the fuels provided.

April 24, 2018/by Julia Levin

BAC Comments on Proposed LCFS Changes

See BAC's Comments on proposed changes to the LCFS program that would have major impacts on biomethane production and use in California.

January 26, 2021/by Julia Levin

California Finalizes Organic Waste Diversion Regulations

May 12, 2020/by Julia Levin

Air Board Prepares for New Climate Change Scoping Plan

California Air Resources Board staff have begun laying the groundwork for a new Climate Change Scoping Plan that will have big impacts on bioenergy going forward.

November 3, 2019/by Julia Levin

BAC Comments on CalRecycle SB 1383 Regulations

BAC submitted comments on CalRecycle's nearly final draft of SB 1383 regulations.

November 3, 2019/by Julia Levin

CalRecycle Released Nearly Final SB 1383 Regulations

CalRecycle's Draft Regulations on Organics Waste Diversion from Landfills.

Raven SR Announces Joint Venture to Build Hydrogen Fueling Hubs Across US

Raven SR has announced a joint venture to build 100 new hydrogen fueling hubs, starting in California, that will convert organic waste to low carbon and carbon negative hydrogen fuel for heavy duty vehicles.

March 29, 2021/by Julia Levin

Princeton Study Highlights Need for Bioenergy, Renewable Hydrogen

Princeton University has released a study led by top climate scientists in the US that shows that bioenergy and renewable hydrogen are critical to achieve carbon neutrality in the US.

March 23, 2021/by Julia Levin

SoCalGas Announces Zero-Carbon Goal by 2045

SoCalGas has announced a goal of zero net carbon emissions, from its operations and energy deliveries, by 2045, which is the same as the state of California's goal for reaching carbon neutrality.

March 12, 2021/by Julia Levin

WATCH: HZI Converting Food Waste to Power and Compost in San Luis Obispo County

See local news coverage of the Hitachi Zosen Inova project in San Luis Obispo County, one of the first food waste to electricity projects in operation in California.

February 16, 2021/by Julia Levin

New Fact Sheet Highlights Job Benefits of Bioenergy

BAC and the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership have released a new fact sheet on Bioenergy and Jobs that shows that bioenergy from organic waste can generate tens of thousands of good jobs in California, while providing huge benefits for the climate and air quality as well.

February 9, 2021/by Julia Levin

Bakersfield Californian: Bioenergy Interest Heats up in Kern County

Article highlights the jobs, climate change, air quality, and waste reduction benefits of bioenergy.

October 27, 2020/by Julia Levin

CalMatters: CA Needs Bioenergy and Green Hydrogen for Reliability

BAC's Executive Director authored this CalMatters opinion piece on the need for bioenergy and green hydrogen to maintain a reliable and renewable electricity grid.

June 21, 2019/by Julia Levin

Environmental Law News Article on Importance of Bioenergy

Environmental Law News has Published an Article on the Importance of Bioenergy in California.

April 27, 2021/by Julia Levin

Raven SR Announces Joint Venture to Build Hydrogen Fueling Hubs Across US

March 29, 2021/by Julia Levin

Princeton Study Highlights Need for Bioenergy, Renewable Hydrogen

Princeton University has released a study led by top climate scientists in the US that shows that bioenergy and renewable hydrogen are critical to achieve carbon neutrality in the US.

March 23, 2021/by Julia Levin

SoCalGas Announces Zero-Carbon Goal by 2045

SoCalGas has announced a goal of zero net carbon emissions, from its operations and energy deliveries, by 2045, which is the same as the state of California's goal for reaching carbon neutrality.

March 12, 2021/by Julia Levin

WATCH: HZI Converting Food Waste to Power and Compost in San Luis Obispo County

See local news coverage of the Hitachi Zosen Inova project in San Luis Obispo County, one of the first food waste to electricity projects in operation in California.

June 25, 2017/by Julia Levin

National Academy of Sciences Paper Underscores Need for Bioenergy

The National Academy of Sciences has found that the U.S. can achieve 100% renewable power by mid-century, but only with a diverse portfolio that includes bioenergy to provide flexible generation power.

March 21, 2017/by Julia Levin

GNA Releases Report on Ultra Low Emission Trucks

Gladstein Neandross has released "Gamechanger," a groundbreaking report on the potential for renewable gas and ultra clean engines to cut climate and air pollution emissions.

March 21, 2017/by Julia Levin

E3 Releases Study on Decarbonizing Pipeline Gas

E3's study found that decarbonizing California's pipeline gas supply can help to meet the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals more easily and with greater benefits than through electrification alone.

March 21, 2017/by Julia Levin

State of the Sierra Nevada’s Forests

California state agency issues urgent report on the state of California's forests, calling for more bioenergy to reduce catastrophic wildfires and air pollution emissions.

About Us

BAC members include private companies, public agencies, local governments and others working to promote sustainable bioenergy development in California.

Policy Activity

BAC supports policies to promote renewable electricity, low carbon transportation fuels, pipeline biogas and greenhouse gas reductions from organic waste.

News

See news about BAC and its members and our calendar of events related to bioenergy.

Resources

Visit our library of bioenergy resources, including Fact Sheets, Presentations and Reports.