Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP): Analysis of Proposed Options for 'Matching Payments' for the Collection, Harvest, and Transport of Forest Biomass

Abstract

The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) is authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) and has two general objectives. First, to support the establishment and production of crops, including woody biomass, for conversion to bioenergy; this part of BCAP is called “establishment of annual payments” and is not discussed herein. Second, to assist with the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of eligible material for use in biomass conversion facilities; this is called “matching payments.” BCAP is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) effort in response to a presidential directive to accelerate development of advanced biofuels.To improve problem situations that have arisen during early implementation of BCAP, new applications for “matching payments” were suspended in February 2010 until new rules can be adopted. The USDA is taking public comments on proposed rules through April 9, 2010. We provide an overview of the proposed rules, and comment on them to assist others in formulating their own opinions. In short, we support BCAP’s “matching payments” approach and believe in government subsidies for the removal and utilization of forest biomass because such action creates a triple win for society by 1) improving forest conditions and wildfire resiliency, 2) providing renewable energy feedstocks, and 3) revitalizing rural communities. In addition, using forest biomass as an energy source has more favorable environmental impacts than piling and burning it in the woods. As research in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley demonstrates, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 40%, particulate matter by 60-90% depending on whether boilers have emissions controls, and the net energy return averages 21 units of bioenergy produced for each unit of diesel fuel energy used to collect, grind, and transport forest biomass.