Congress

Forest Legacy Program

The US Forestry Service could use its discretion under this program to allow for bioenergy feedstock production, while requiring decarbonization-standards for such lands.

Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act

Funds state initiatives aimed at helping private forest owners achieve helping private forest owners achieve forest stewardship management planning. This program could condition future aid on incorporating decarbonization techniques.

Biomass Research and Development Initiative

USDA and DOE provides grant funding for projects addressing research, development, and demonstration of biofuels and bio-based products and the methods, practices, and technologies for their production.

Biomass Assistance Program

First federal subsidy program for energy biomass. It provides financial assistance for the growth of biomass crops as long as feedstocks are renewable biomass cultivated from eligible land.

US Woody Biomass Utilization Strategy

Contemplates the use of excess woody materials from national forests for energy generation in order to improve ecosystem health, restore forest resilience and productivity, slow the pace of global climate change, and reduce US fossil fuel dependence.

Report, Climate Consequences of Low-Carbon Fuels

Offers insight on the economic rebound effect for global fossil fuel consumption in a scenario where the US significantly offsets petroleum consumption in transportation with biofuels.

Energy Policy Act of 2005

Established a program to support the expansion of hydropower at existing dams and impoundments through incentive payments. Congress funded this program in 2014 and 2016.

America’s Water Infrastructure Act

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act, among other things, requires expedited review and decision-making on proposed projects at non-powered dams.