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Secretary of Ag awards more than $4.2 million for woody biomass utilization projectsU.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack Aug. 26 announced more than $4.2 million in grants to 17 small businesses and community groups to develop innovative uses for woody biomass from hazardous fuel reduction projects on the national forests. Uses of this woody biomass include renewable energy and new products that could be developed, which is consistent with the vision Vilsack outlined two weeks ago about the future of our nation's forests. The investments announced today will help further the goal of conservation, management, and restoration of these natural treasures, which will reduce catastrophic fires, disease and pests that have all led to declining forest health in recent decades. "By harnessing the full potential of woody biomass, America's forests can produce renewable energy and new products and we can create new, green job opportunities for local workers," Vilsack said. "These grants will help restore our forests by reducing hazardous fuels, handling insect and disease conditions, and treating forests impacted by catastrophic weather while creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from these areas." These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues into marketable forest products and green energy. The Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization grant program has been in effect since 2005 and has provided over $26.3 million towards various projects, ranging from biomass boilers for schools and prisons, to helping businesses acquire equipment that improves processing efficiencies. During this time period, 110 grants have been awarded to small businesses, non-profits, tribes and local state agencies to improve forest health, while creating jobs, green energy and healthy communities. The Forest Service, a USDA agency, selected 17 small businesses and community groups as grant recipients for these $250,000 awards. According to requirements, all 17 recipients provided at least 20 percent of the total project cost. Non-federal matching funds total more than $10 million. The Forest Service's State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, at the agency's Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wis., will administer the grant program. The recipients were chosen from 109 applications.
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