The Yosemite/Sequoia RC&D considers the retention and expansion of biomass facilities one of the best solutions to significantly improve air quality of the San Joaquin Valley Basin, and mountain regions. Woody biomass is growing at an alarming rate on the agricultural and forest lands of our surrounding foothill and mountain areas. In the past, the primary method for disposing of agricultural and forest “waste products” was to burn these materials, adding PM10 and PM2.5 particulate materials to the air. We view these materials not as “waste products”, but as resources which can be utilized to benefit our communities.

According to the Biomass Energy Alliance, biomass-to-energy power plants have been shown to reduce emissions from agricultural wood wastes by 96.5 percent as compared to emissions that would occur if those same wastes were burned in the open field.

Here are some web resources for additional information on Biomass Utilization:

Biomass FAQ's

Biobased Fuels, Power, and Products State Fact Sheet

Clean Energy Basics: About biomass energy

Benefits of California's Biomass Renewable Energy