Land Air&Water

since 1988 Commonwealth of Kentucky Steven L. Beshear, Governor

Energy and Environment Cabinet Dr. Leonard Peters, Secretary

Department for Environmental Protection R. Bruce Scott, Commissioner

Department for Natural Resources Carl Campbell, Commissioner

Department for Energy Development and Independence Dr. Leonard Peters, Acting Commissioner

Editor and Graphic Designer Cynthia Schafer

Agency Coordinators Lynn Brammer Lee Colten Allison Fleck Mary Jo Harrod Leslie Isaman Linda Potter Kimberly Richardson Elizabeth Robb Schmitz

Biomass Task Force makes recommendations to develop new industry in Kentucky

An executive task force formed by Gov. Steve Beshear has forwarded to the governor its recommendations for advancing the discussion on the development of a biomass and biofuels industry in Kentucky. A report from the 22-member group lists five key recommendations that can create a viable alternative energy industry for the Commonwealth.

“The development of a biomass and biofuels industry is certainly promising, and I will take the recommendations under advisement,” said Gov. Beshear. “The task force estimates that biomass production and processing can generate up to $3.4 billion of net output annually along with 10,000 jobs, much of which will be concentrated within rural communities statewide. That is a plus for everyone in Kentucky.”

The five recommendations are:

1. The Division of Biofuels within the Energy and Environment Cabinet will serve as a single agency point to coordinate and facilitate biomass and biofuels development statewide. The Division of Biofuels must be fully integrated with the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, Department of Agriculture, the Cabinet for Economic Development and Division of Forestry, whether by formal or informal structure, to facilitate the merger of the biomass provisions of Kentucky’s strategic plan for energy and its strategic plan for agriculture into a Roadmap for Biomass Development to 2025.
2. A Kentucky-specific Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard be mandated that will provide significant opportunities for biomass and job development in Kentucky.
3. The Division of Biofuels will publish analyses and summary findings identifying current biomass development and technology within the Commonwealth, along with demand projected from developing technologies and mandates.
4. The Division of Biofuels, in collaboration with stakeholder groups, will facilitate development of a Kentucky Standard for Biomass Sustainability.
5. The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy and the Energy and Environment Cabinet will assess public opinion of funding mechanisms that foster the development of biomass production and that stimulate the development of a biomass-based liquid fuel and power industry.

“While the task force recognizes that some of the recommendations depend upon the economic health of Kentucky, we firmly believe that we must move forward in finding and developing viable alternative energy resources,” said task force co-chair Len Peters, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet. “This work product will be a guideline and roadmap to making that happen.”

Much of what appears in the report relies on collaborate efforts among several state agencies as well as the private sector. The report will be forwarded to leadership in the Kentucky General Assembly for review and comment. A copy of the full report will be available online at www.energy.ky.gov/biomass

The report will be forwarded to leadership in the Kentucky General Assembly for review and comment. A copy of the full report will be available online at www.energy.ky.gov/biomass

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