New MA Biomass Regs - Harmful or Helpful?

New MA Biomass Regs - Harmful or Helpful?

By Genevieve Fraser

Though the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resource’s (DOER) goal of incentivizing the development of high efficiency biomass facilities may be laudable, its recently finalized regulations for renewable energy credits (REC) for biomass may have significant detrimental consequences for the industry as well as the health of the forest and may accelerate climate change.

Instead of offering a full credit for all sustainably managed and harvested forest biomass, layers of additional requirements and costly accounting practices have been added to receive ½ or less of a renewable energy credit (REC).  However, if the forest is converted to a non-forest use such as a parking lot, mall or housing development, such a clear-cut receives full REC credit prized by developers.  Ironically, any resulting biomass is no longer a renewable energy because the trees can no longer grow back.

Red Pine Scale destroyed trees at Quabbin Park

Utilization of biomass for thermal (heat) and power (electricity) has long been considered a valuable tool for removing woody debris from landfills where it biodegrades, forming oxygen robbing methane considered to be twenty times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2.  The utilization of biomass derived from forest thinning also encourages the removal of invasive species as well as disease infested dead or dying trees.

Researchers at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies recently reported that diseased trees in forests may be a significant source of methane that causes climate change with concentrations as high as 80,000 times normal ambient air quality levels. (8/7/2012 Science Daily)  “These are flammable concentrations,” according to Kristopher Covey, the study’s lead researcher.

But despite benefits to the overall health of the forest, wildlife habitat and a reduced risk of forest fire, the cost of removing such a low quality product from the forest can be prohibitive for most landowners without biomass facilities willing to offset the cost and be available for disposal. Unfortunately, the excessively stringent standards now imposed by the MA DOER may soon drive these renewable energy utility companies out of business.