Governor Schweitzer: Montana has Great Opportunities in Biomass

5/11/2009 -- (HELENA) – Today, while biomass experts are meeting in Missoula at a Western Governors Association bioenergy workshop hosted by Montana, Governor Brian Schweitzer announced a new study conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. It reveals a substantial supply of biomass to meet existing utilization demands, and potentially much more.

“Biomass is one more leg under the table of our energy future. We will continue to find ways to use this valuable resource as we manage forests near our towns and reduce the fire threat presented by red trees,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer, who will take over as Chair of the Western Governors Association in June. “Better yet, we can help to ensure the viability of timber jobs in an industry that is very important to both western Montana communities and forest health alike.”

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The assessment, funded by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, notes current in-state consumption of woody biomass is approximately 2-3 million dry tons annually for manufacturing pellets, particle board, fiberboard, linerboard and for generating heat and electricity. This annual demand represents a small fraction of the biomass available on forested lands across the state. The total amount of woody biomass on Montana’s 20 million acres of non-reserved timberlands exceeds 850 million dry tons; of that, an estimated 40 million dry tons is physically accessible and suitable for utilization. This figure represents a multi-decade supply at current utilization rates, without even considering annual growth and mortality.

The report notes that 70% of this potentially available biomass is located on national forests. On average, biomass densities on national forests are far higher than other forested lands, and federal forest management will be critical to ensuring the availability of woody biomass for energy production.

“The report zeros in on biomass availability by refining the data based on distance to roads, stand age, slope, and size class” said Angela Far, Biomass Utilization Coordinator for the Montana DNRC. “All of this material is within ½ mile of an existing road, and much of it is near communities. In many cases, this is material that would need to be removed at a greater expense because it hasn’t traditionally been commercially viable. Biomass utilization creates commercial value in this product, and it can partially offset the cost of work we are already doing.”

“Having a healthy supply of this resource – through utilization that will be sustainable over the long term – is great news for biomass users,” said DNRC Director Mary Sexton “This report reinforces that there is adequate supply to support both fiber and energy needs at remaining wood products facilities, and additional supply for future renewable energy or biofuels production. Much of it is within the wildland urban interface, where fuel reduction is needed to help protect Montana communities from wildfire."

The report is available on the Montana DNRC website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/Forestry/Assistance/Biomass/default.asp.

Source: Montana Governor