A Resolution Regarding The Renewable Energy Standard (RES)
Supporting the Work of
The Congressional Energy and Commerce Committee
For Consideration By The Oregon Logging Conference
WHEREAS, The Renewable Energy Standard, would require electric utility suppliers to use 20 percent of renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures by 2020. The Renewable Energy Standard will reduce global warming pollution, create clean energy jobs and save consumers money.
WHEREAS, Wood is necessary to meet a Renewable Energy Standard: If, as a nation, we are to truly meet renewable energy goals, whether electricity or Biofuels, wood must be allowed to make its full contribution. Renewable Forest Biomass could account for up to 1/3 of the energy needed to meet the Renewable Energy Standard.
WHEREAS, Promote the efficient use of renewable forest biomass: Limiting Renewable Forest Biomass harms conservation, consumers and the climate. Oregon’s logging industry has the expertise to help landowners manage forests for wood products and Biomass Energy in a sustainable and substantial manner while conserving the environment.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Federal lands must be included within the Renewable Energy Standard (RES): Many federal forests desperately need treatments to improve forest health, control insects and disease and lessen impacts of catastrophic wildfire. Appropriate thinning and Biomass removal in these forests could help generate conventional forest products and renewable energy while also improving forest health and allowing forests to act as climate “sinks” rather than “emitters” through untreated insect and disease infestation and catastrophic wildfires that emit millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases each year.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Oregon Logging Conference go on record to support that, any definition of Biomass being formed in Congress must be broad, open and inclusive. An open and easy-to-implement definition for Biomass for private and federal forests will provide a tremendous opportunity to perform much-needed restoration work, improve forest health while also keeping and creating family-wage jobs in rural communities, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The Oregon Logging Conference members are willing and able to adapt to changing circumstances quickly and efficiently. We are the key players in getting the work done to have Renewable Biomass as a significant part of our nation’s clean energy supply.