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Department of Conservation Funds Forest Biomass to Advanced Biofuels Projects

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The California Department of Conservation ((DOC) has approved grants to five BAC members to conduct the environmental planning and permitting for projects to convert forest waste to carbon negative biofuels including hydrogen and bio-oil. The projects will also include either biochar production or carbon capture and storage (CCS) to ensure that the fuels are carbon negative on a lifecycle basis.

The DOC grants are just the first round of funding that the agency will provide for advanced biofuels produced from forest waste (material that is removed for wildfire mitigation or forest health). The second round of funding will provide much larger grants for the facilities themselves.

The first rounds of DOC grants include:

Arbor Energy – will convert forest waste to hydrogen with CCS

Biogas Energy – will convert forest waste to bio-oil and biochar

Mote – will convert forest waste to power and transportation fuels with CCS

Sierra Institute – will convert forest waste to hydrogen with CCS

Yosemite Clean Energy – will convert forest waste to hydrogen

For more information about the grants and DOC’s forest biomass to carbon negative biofuels program, click here.

California Launches Climate Catalyst Fund for Advanced Technology Forest Biomass to Energy Projects

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The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, is now accepting project proposals for a new state program to combat climate change. Dubbed the Climate Catalyst Fund, the program will jumpstart critical climate solutions through flexible, low-cost credit and credit support. The program is open to both private and public sector applicants and will be flexible in offering a range of financial instruments to support innovative forest biomass projects.

Starting with a $47 million fund, the Climate Catalyst Fund’s initial focus will be on projects that reduce wildfire threats through forest biomass management and utilization. Starting in 2022-23, the Climate Catalyst Fund expects to expand to include climate-smart agriculture projects.

For more information, visit: The Climate Catalyst Fund website.

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

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The CPUC’s Decision calls for 11,500 MW of new renewable power generation to offset the closure of California’s last nuclear power plant and several natural gas plants along the coast that use “once-through cooling.”  The Decision also calls for 1,000 MW from “firm” renewable power – bioenergy and geothermal – that is available when needed and has a capacity factor of at least 80 percent (is in operation 80% of the time throughout the year).  The new generation must be online by the end of 2026.

The requirement for firm renewable power begins on page 35 of the CPUC’s Decision on Mid-Term Reliability Procurement.

New Fact Sheet Highlights Job Benefits of Bioenergy

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See the new Bioenergy and Jobs Fact Sheet developed by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates for BAC and CNGVP.  The fact sheet highlights the jobs and other economic benefits that bioenergy provides from a range of organic waste sources and bioenergy end uses, including electricity generation, pipeline biogas, carbon negative vehicle fuels, and more.