BPA Applauds Energy Policies Laid Out in President Obama's State of the Union Address
In Address, Obama Called for a National Clean Energy Standard, “All of the Above” Energy Policy, Incentives for Renewables
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Washington, DC – January 24, 2012 – President and CEO of the Biomass Power Association, Bob Cleaves, issued the following statement today in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“Last night in his State of the Union address, President Obama outlined a welcome set of energy policies designed to take full advantage of all sources of energy that are available to the nation. The Biomass Power Association fully agrees with the President that we must support and develop ‘American-made energy’ in all its forms.
“We especially commend the President’s commitment to a national clean energy standard, which would go far toward solidifying the future of promising renewable energy technologies, including biomass. The establishment of a clean energy standard will necessarily be a lengthy process but, in the near term, we urge Congress to extend the Treasury Department’s 1603 Grant Program along with other tax credits and incentives upon which many in the renewable energy sector rely.
“The biomass industry employs thousands of Americans, many of whom live in rural areas, and supplies thousands of megawatts of renewable energy. Projects across the country – most notably in Gainesville, FL, Nacogdoches, TX and Berlin, NH – are underway that will add significantly to our already strong contributions.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and Congress to ensure the biomass industry’s consistent growth.”
Biomass power is a $1 billion industry with 80 facilities in 20 states and provides over 14,000 jobs nationwide. Power plants are predominately located in rural communities, creating thousands of jobs and producing millions in revenue for small towns. Biomass power is a clean and abundant source of electricity that will allow states to pursue even more aggressive goals for increasing their use of renewable energy in the future.
Advertisement]