Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a legislative side-by-side comparison between current law, the House Agriculture Committee's amended text (May 2024), and the pending Senate version of the Farm Bill regarding the Community Wood Grant Program. The program, managed by the USDA Forest Service, funds community-led thermal wood energy systems and innovative wood product manufacturing facilities.

This research paper examines the concept of 'cascading' woody biomass, focusing on the principle that material use of wood should be prioritized over energy use, particularly within the European Union. It analyzes the terminology, policy implementation, and potential risks to international bioenergy markets, concluding that without harmonized rules, such policies may lead to regulatory loopholes and legislative complexity.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor examines the expansion of woody biomass power in Japan and South Korea, arguing that these technologies are being used to meet renewable energy targets despite lacking financial viability and failing to reduce emissions. The document highlights that woody biomass can emit 30% more CO2 than coal and warns that subsidies for biomass are delaying the transition to truly renewable sources like wind and solar.