USDA Improves Forest Health by Harvesting Biomass for Energy

More than 200,000 tons of biomass have been removed from federal lands through the USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) to use for renewable energy and help reduce the risk of forest fires. BCAP provides incentives for the removal of dead or diseased trees from National Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands. This summer, 19 energy facilities in 10 states participated in the program. “This initiative helps to retrieve forest residues that are a fire risk, but otherwise are costly to remove,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “In just three months, working with private partners across the country, the program helped to reduced fire, disease and insect threats while providing more biomass feedstock for advanced energy facilities.” Eligible farmers, ranchers or foresters participating in BCAP received a payment to partially offset the cost of harvesting and delivering forest or agricultural residues to a qualified energy facility. Up to $12.5 million is available each year for biomass removal. Learn more.