Biomass Carbon Neutrality Language in Senate Appropriations Bill

Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2020 Interior Appropriations bill. The bill includes language directing the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, and Energy Department to coordinate in creation of a permanent policy to "reflect the carbon-neutrality of forest bioenergy and recognize biomass as a renewable energy source." This language has been included in Interior Appropriations bills in recent years, but was left out by the House's Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations bill earlier this summer. SLMA supports the Senate's language being included in the final Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations package, and finalization of a permanent policy by the Environmental Protection Agency.