# Senator Collins’ Biomass Amendment Transforms Burning Forests to a Carbon Neutral Fuel Source

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/04/senator-collins-biomass-amendment/
- Published: 2016-04-25T04:44:49-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Asheville, NC – In early February, U.S. [Senator Susan Collins](https://www.collins.senate.gov/)(
R – ME), introduced an biomass [amendment](https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/bipartisan-energy-bill-passes-senate-senator-collins-biomass-amendment)
to the Energy Modernization Act  of 2015 (S. 2012). For it declares the carbon neutrality
of all forest bioenergy. Moreover it also  recognizes biomass as a renewable energy
source. This biomass amendment was also passed by a voice vote without discussion.

# Amendment Details

Specifically, the amendment would require the Departments of Energy, Agriculture,
and the Environmental Protection Agency. All to work together. I mean to jointly
work together.

For that’s especially so federal policy relating to forest bioenergy is consistent.

That’s across all departments and agencies.

Moreover and that the full benefits of forest biomass for energy. Also for conservation
and responsible forest management. This must all be  recognized. Then I know that
clear and simple policies must come. All for the utilization of biomass as an energy
solution.

[⌊Asheville, NC – In early February, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R – ME), introduced
an biomass amendment to the Energy Modernization Act of 2015 (S. 2012).⌉⌊Asheville,
NC – In early February, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R – ME), introduced an biomass
amendment to the Energy Modernization Act of 2015 (S. 2012).⌉[

This amendment echoes the principles. I mean ones outlined before. I mean in [a June 2015 bipartisan letter](http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=Vb8OPZ7f5wZwQaziFaM5W0mCqpP7WIKdIVDdCP3hrYw15oQNfTzSeIUk0tXzEJ7a5-2BG1CG5t74sbwsKw8Hc7YHnrxuntagRRP6tUB3IdcVGXncaNMuAGwkcWt2K-2Bk2zGgsKql8mFJJ8HCpAnMYDAYRjOCjODsjwl-2Fi3fOCb5oJg-2B4NErsNHz7hokKwE7YX3jTibjQdnLpynUTdu75-2BkM6XW7VT47x5YqO9t6BF443PJXa3w4ocB297nwRR08fLCw6NhIdRmX02AWO2u2UU8OLjvzHUqBpq6GbPiSDxXcDmXqDe7-2FtHZc2aDy4zmNLCXK-2FvDY0Q3EB4guklDYbbX-2F7QCiVlPccMj0OfMzZRfGuKQt9oU1SURdb6F5kHZXWVq9Wh1H8qA6uAhX5eW5l-2Byk7powz6MMgSjNtgahbPjtJYV7YHJYaM0IMH6InkBjmP-2BQwWhBxYN87oWl0TH47xvssIDiwXVCxzUtWY0EWhf9RhOqhgxXDvHu73rIwoBnDZgdxURB243-2FHjdIsm9nVG-2FV2sKSpuLbD5N5gG8Pek-2FErT4ShqJq0VVxzF6ntHe0fjIv6x-2BesgQ-2Bosbp6Kk6Gb0UrHPeAe5ZH591eLhiTWTyoh5Sts5KTD9U0m1cbQuHk4RmrXJ3X2z3-2BrE55-2B2Sd3semedLBDBei2Of6gvGpoBzqYkPTE39L7lJOJF5DmSRui-2Fra6Zhaqo7XtPgFGGdZJp2mg8MzDjQPQoCUFqaqwOB2WpkwOp-2FdAyHIrKKYxrSN9c2iw3eLLFufLqrWQLHtz25Y8bLIwvQgbAzxHLZ7e074MM-3D_SxlW-2BqgGRy0kFuEiAjmexwfidJuMeADq971P9xi2xfzAWe81SLkNDqw-2FrFd2yMkSxXYQW74M7NWV6N5YS24oyjwY1BtJVJLnTf0bPBnrA3EWavQq3Jtf44gE-2F6o5H2F6jnxTou2WO7DOSBXqZ0rGVib25NqQe4Zuaz9F8zIPhHzUKrR0Q-2F2GE2iw8re5eX1YBJseOb7pOfBYBP-2Bo03iFhDm7vOzMWzBIDzEwTpyqBiXlqls88aUKkks1FJpCdKPlJXkXjGkcyRQDmn50hhQlZPj00K32Zm5Vp4c6qoZafrxTwxNNC16cGmUbKUvpEVLS5gQOuRsaEzTtaPAzJ9Ycp8IBmxUpzXCqnMUy3DOXi-2Fk-3D).
A letter that Senator Collins sent to the Department of Energy. Also the Environmental
Protection Agency. Finally, the Department of Agriculture. This letter I leaned 
was signed by 46 Senators.

## Support for the Amendment

Most importantly this amendment is also supported by the

 1. National Alliance of Forest Owners
 2. American Forest and Paper
 3. Biomass Power Association
 4. American Wood Council

So I have heard that in March 2016 support took a new level. For more than 100 nationally
recognized forest scientists. Then also 80 universities too. I mean they all got
together. For they [wrote to EPA. All stating the long-term carbon benefits of forest bioenergy](http://email.prnewswire.com/wf/click?upn=J6qBPRVgziwoCR2OIJDNffG3znb4X79ADV66C-2B4ksSYpE0VWFWq2nmdfe-2FcLHVOeZSY4nxvKVHAwhEHutc1JiEOcir9BIHWffNwi-2BO7oW-2Fq3I7nf-2FtmBgDfD8FreL03V_SxlW-2BqgGRy0kFuEiAjmexwfidJuMeADq971P9xi2xfzAWe81SLkNDqw-2FrFd2yMkSxXYQW74M7NWV6N5YS24oyjwY1BtJVJLnTf0bPBnrA3EWavQq3Jtf44gE-2F6o5H2F6jnxTou2WO7DOSBXqZ0rGVib25NqQe4Zuaz9F8zIPhHzUKrR0Q-2F2GE2iw8re5eX1YBJseOb7pOfBYBP-2Bo03iFhKh3QitxrT7drUNI33TPKWW-2BQMZouglphBQBYsEN5YKrSPlrrNbXK4VMaA8QGpOhH1snkKDy913AAznctK0qMlOKVjTze6itEGmPJcdtlwTgsQfPOTJzcLTSBUdZvQLNqxy6dgybyeNeYSmVfUNGuQc-3D).
This group weighed a comprehensive synthesis. That’s of the best peer-reviewed science.
In addition and affirmed the carbon benefits of biomass.

Yet U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ tripartisan biomass amendment happened. For it was
cosponsored by Senator Angus King. In addition it was included in the final Energy
Policy Modernization Act. One that passed the Senate 85 to 12.

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