Senator Megan Dahle highlights the role of biomass power in managing forest health across the North State. Biomass plants turn wood waste from forest-thinning projects into renewable electricity.
The challenge lies in the high cost of extracting fuel from forests, which makes running these plants difficult as businesses. To address this, Dahle co-authored Assembly Bill 706 with Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Gail Pellerin.
The bill allows the State Board of Forestry to use funds from the Timber Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. These resources will support maintaining and expanding biomass energy, as well as restarting idle power plants. The focus targets areas with high tree mortality and urgent forest management needs.
The Senate passed the bill recently, marking a step toward preserving this part of California’s forest-products industry. Dahle credits Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and fellow legislators for recognizing biomass as a statewide concern, not just a local one.
This legislation aims to keep biomass power plants operational, supporting forest health while generating renewable energy. How will this affect your community’s approach to forest management and clean energy?
