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

September 1, 2021/by Julia Levin

CPUC Decision Calls for 1,000 MW of New, “Firm” Renewables, Including Bioenergy

To maintain electricity reliability through the middle of the decade, the CPUC has just issued a Decision calling for 11,500 MW of new renewable power, including 1,000 MW from "firm" renewables such as bioenergy and geothermal that are available when needed.

July 22, 2021/by Julia Levin

BAC Comments on the CPUC’s Biomethane Procurement Proposal

BAC submitted extensive comments on the CPUC Staff Proposal on biomethane procurement, recommending a much higher target that focuses on carbon intensity and includes all organic waste sources of biomethane.

July 22, 2021/by Julia Levin

CPUC Proposes Biomethane Procurement Program

The CPUC has released a draft proposal to require the state's gas utilities to procure 75 billion cubic feet of biomethane annually by 2030.

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.

September 1, 2021/by Julia Levin

CPUC Decision Calls for 1,000 MW of New, “Firm” Renewables, Including Bioenergy

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.

July 22, 2021/by Julia Levin

BAC Comments on the CPUC’s Biomethane Procurement Proposal

July 22, 2021/by Julia Levin

CPUC Proposes Biomethane Procurement Program

The CPUC has released a draft proposal to require the state's gas utilities to procure 75 billion cubic feet of biomethane annually by 2030.

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.

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

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.

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.

Mainspring Energy to Deploy Biogas Fueled Linear Generator in Napa Microgrid

BAC member Mainspring Energy has just announced the first use of a linear generator - noncombustion power generation using renewable biogas - to power a microgrid in Napa Valley.

August 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

SacBee Piece on Need for Forest Biomass Utilization

BAC member The Sierrra Institute published an important piece in the Sacramento Bee on the need for biomass utilization to help reduce wildfire risks and impacts of open burning.

August 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

Raven SR Announces Project to Convert Organic Waste to Renewable Hydrogen

BAC member Raven SR has just announced a partnership with Republic Services to produce renewable hydrogen from organic waste diverted from a landfill in Contra Costa County.

August 9, 2021/by Julia Levin

Biomass Magazine features Phoenix Energy, forest BioMAT projects

Biomass Magazine features Phoenix Energy's North Fork project - and the need for many more forest BioMAT projects - to address California's wildfire crisis.

August 3, 2021/by Julia Levin

SF Chronicle: Reduce Super Pollutants

BAC's Executive Director published a piece in the San Francisco Chronicle on the urgency of reducing climate super pollutants - methane and black carbon - which is critical to avoid catastrophic climate change.

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.

September 5, 2021/by Julia Levin

Mainspring Energy to Deploy Biogas Fueled Linear Generator in Napa Microgrid

BAC member Mainspring Energy has just announced the first use of a linear generator - noncombustion power generation using renewable biogas - to power a microgrid in Napa Valley.

August 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

SacBee Piece on Need for Forest Biomass Utilization

BAC member The Sierrra Institute published an important piece in the Sacramento Bee on the need for biomass utilization to help reduce wildfire risks and impacts of open burning.

August 25, 2021/by Julia Levin

Raven SR Announces Project to Convert Organic Waste to Renewable Hydrogen

BAC member Raven SR has just announced a partnership with Republic Services to produce renewable hydrogen from organic waste diverted from a landfill in Contra Costa County.

August 9, 2021/by Julia Levin

Biomass Magazine features Phoenix Energy, forest BioMAT projects

Biomass Magazine features Phoenix Energy's North Fork project - and the need for many more forest BioMAT projects - to address California's wildfire crisis.

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.