"Sustainable Biomass" Legislation: State of Connecticut
Several states have adopted policies intended to foster renewable energy and establish renewable portfolio standards (RPSs). However, the legislative language dictating the eligibility of biomass power under such policies is often vague and open to varied interpretation.
Section 4 of this 2008 Connecticut legislation defines sustainable biomass very explicitly as biomass that is cultivated and harvested in a sustainable manner. By this definition, sustainable biomass can most likely be certified as a Class I renewable energy source and generally would not include construction and demolition waste, finished biomass products from sawmills, paper mills or stud mills, organic refuse fuel derived separately from municipal solid waste, or biomass from old growth timber stands. However, there are some exceptions as detailed in the bill.
For local governments developing policies that promote biomass, this legislation may serve as good model.
Energy that comes from sources that are not depleted by use. Examples include energy from the sun, wind, and small (low-impact) hydropower, plus geothermal energy and wave and tidal systems.Plant or animal byproduct material that can be converted to produce energy (electricity, fuel, etc). Typically, the biomass is burned or chemically processed to produce energy. The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
