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2023 SESSION

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SB 1231 Renewable energy; biomass-fired facilities, Department of Forestry advisory panel, report.

Introduced by: Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Renewable energy; biomass-fired facilities; Department of Forestry advisory panel; report. Removes the renewable energy requirement for each Phase I and Phase II Utility to retire all biomass-fired electric generating units that do not co-fire with coal by December 31, 2028. The bill provides that biomass-fired facilities may qualify as renewable energy standard eligible sources, provided that they are in operation as of January 1, 2023, and (i) supply no more than 10 percent of their annual net electrical generation to the electric grid or no more than 15 percent of their annual total useful energy to any entity other than the manufacturing facility to which the generating source is interconnected and are fueled by forest-product manufacturing materials harvested in accordance with best management practices or (ii) are owned by a Phase I or Phase II Utility, have less than 52 megawatts capacity, and are fueled by forest-product manufacturing residuals, biowastes, or biomass harvested in accordance with best management practices. The bill directs the Department of Forestry to convene an advisory panel to examine the use of forest-related materials, agricultural-related materials, and solid woody waste materials for biomass-fired electric generating units in the Commonwealth and to submit a report of the advisory panel's findings and any recommendations to the House Committee on Commerce and Energy and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor no later than December 1, 2024. The bill further directs the Department of Forestry to develop by December 1, 2023, best management practices for the sustainable harvesting of biomass for biomass-fired electric generating units that are subject to the provisions of the bill. This bill is identical to HB 2026.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Renewable energy; biomass-fired facilities; Department of Forestry advisory panel; report. Removes the renewable energy requirement for each Phase I and Phase II Utility to retire all biomass-fired electric generating units that do not co-fire with coal by December 31, 2028. The bill provides that biomass-fired facilities may qualify as renewable energy standard eligible sources, provided that they meet certain requirements. The bill directs the Department of Forestry to convene an advisory panel to examine the use of forest-related materials, agricultural-related materials, and solid woody waste materials for biomass-fired electric generating units and to submit a report of the advisory panel's findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2023. The bill also requires the Department to develop sustainable harvesting best management practices with respect to the utilization of forest-related materials, agricultural-related materials, and solid woody waste materials for biomass-fired electric generating units, including a lifecycle carbon analysis of all carbon emissions, including supply chain emissions, forgone sequestration, and the emissions from burning biomass for electricity generation.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Renewable energy; biomass-fired facilities; Department of Forestry advisory panel; report. Removes the renewable energy requirement for each Phase I and Phase II Utility to retire all biomass-fired electric generating units that do not co-fire with coal by December 31, 2028. The bill provides that biomass-fired facilities may qualify as renewable energy standard eligible sources provided that they have less than 52 megawatts capacity, began commercial operation before January 1, 2023, and are fueled by biomass, biomass residuals, or crops and trees planted for the purpose of use in energy production. The bill directs the Department of Forestry to convene an advisory panel to develop criteria for biomass-fired facilities beginning operation in the Commonwealth after January 1, 2023, by examining factors related to biomass use in energy generation, including policies in other states, a third-party analysis of the Commonwealth's forest resources, and benefits to the Commonwealth's hardwood forest health as a result of expanded use of biomass for electricity generation and to submit a report of the advisory panel's findings and any recommendations to the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2023.