• Increase the health and resiliency of Oregon’s forests
• Reduce wildfire threats to communities and restore Oregon’s forest to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire
• Improve air quality
• Diversify and strengthen rural economies
• Provide renewable energy and bio-base products
• Maintain the existing forest products industry and support job growth and retention in Oregon

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Oregonians have a strong connection to our natural resources. Stewardship of our forests is inseparable from our environmental and economic well-being. This strategy provides a series of actions that will increase forest biomass utilization, create Oregon jobs, revitalize rural economies and community prosperity, generate home-grown energy, and sustain healthy, resilient forests for future generations.

The forest biomass strategy was adopted by the FBWG on Nov. 1, 2012. Click here for a copy of the strategy.

This strategy recommends four market development initiatives that target specific growth opportunities and industry sectors, supports and enhances existing forest industries, and creates additional market opportunities for forest landowners and forest-based businesses. The initiatives are:

1. Biomass Thermal: the generation of on-site heat at commercial and institutional facilities.
2. Distributed Generation: the generation of heat and electricity at existing wood product facilities
3. Existing Markets: landscape bark, shavings, bedding, and other commercial products
4. Emerging Markets: biofuels, biochar, cellulosic ethanol and other nascent markets

Implementing these initiatives, as well as pursuing recommendations included in this strategy, will create a setting in Oregon that is conducive to successful commercial enterprises utilizing biomass.

The combination of forest restoration and economic development, along with the opportunities to grow the biomass industry into new and advanced markets, will diversify and improve Oregon’s energy system. 

This strategy represents a practical approach to developing Oregon’s biomass industry. The strategy draws from and supports related efforts such as the Federal Forest Advisory Committee Implementation Work Group, the Forest Cluster Economic Development team, Oregon’s Conservation Strategy, Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy and Oregon’s Ten Year Energy Action Plan.  
 
In developing the strategy, FBWG participants and other stakeholders reviewed work completed to date, the recommendations from the 2007 FBWG report to the Renewable Energy Work Group, and identified the barriers, opportunities and key considerations from industry, conservation, environmental and governmental through a series of roundtable meetings conducted throughout early 2012. The results of those meetings are included below.

1. Coordinate: Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, cooperation and coordination between government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector, leveraging the information and resources of all participants.
   
   
   • Coordinate with the other state Biomass Workgroups to promote the use of biomass as a sustainable source of renewable energy and value added products.
   • Assist rural communities with implementing strategies for economic expansion through the development of biomass-based businesses.
   • Increase understanding of local issues and needs relating to biomass energy development.
   • Monitor and encourage developing technologies that use forest biomass for energy and biochemical production.
   • Identify barriers that prevent establishment of a favorable business climate for businesses that use forest biomass as a raw material.
     
2. Educate:Educate the public, government, environmental and business interests on the opportunities and benefits of forest biomass as a source of renewable energy through integrated statewide education and consensus building.
   
   
   • Inform state and federal policymakers of opportunities that will encourage forest biomass energy in Oregon and nationally.
   • Increase public understanding that biomass utilization is an effective tool for restoration of forests and rural economic development.
   • Establish and maintain a central clearinghouse via web pages and other tools for information on forest biomass energy and biofuels production.
   • Support strategies which provide for habitat needs, clean air and water, while meeting social and economic needs
     
3.  Direct and Promote:Act at federal, state and local levels to accelerate the transference of best forest biomass management practices and energy development practices to chart a clear action plan forward.
   
   
   • Promote and support the goals of the Governor’s Renewable Energy Action Plan (REAP), and the Board of Forestry’s Forestry Program for Oregon.
   • Promote the use of stewardship contracting authority on federal lands to help establish a sustainable/levelized supply of raw materials from those lands.