National Bioenergy Day 2020
We’re uniting organizations across the country that support bioenergy.
On October 21, 2020, participating organizations will open their doors to their communities to demonstrate the many benefits that bioenergy provides on the local level.
Biomass in Minnesota
Koda Energy, a biomass power facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, provides power to the grid as well as heat and power for neighbor Rahr Malting’s beer malt manufacturing. Koda is fueled by barley leftovers, urban wood waste, and oat hulls from General Mills derived from the manufacture of breakfast cereals at such as Cheerios. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the Rahr Corporation, owners of the facility, generously contributed to the production of this video, along with the Heating the Midwest.
For the last 6 years, the U.S. Forest Service has partnered with Biomass Power Association to promote National Bioenergy Day and produce an educational video to showcase the importance of local renewable wood energy markets to sustainably manage forests, prevent forests from being permanently converted to non-forest uses, and create rural jobs.
Biomass in Northern Montana
Bioenergy is a crucial part of Northwest Montana's economy and forest management strategy. Bioenergy is used to power the FH Stoltze sawmill, which also sells 2 MW of power to Flathead Electric Coop. RBM Lumber uses bioenergy in its production of high-end wood products, and its leftover wood fibers heat Glacier High School. SmartLam uses bioenergy in its manufacturing of cross-laminated timber (CLT), an innovative building material. The U.S. Forest Service discusses the need for more bioenergy in the area.
Bioenergy in California
California is experiencing a drought and, along with it, significant tree mortality across the state. An estimated 66 million dead trees pose safety hazards and fire risks - and biomass can help alleviate the problem. U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore discusses the benefits of biomass.
Biomass in Northern Maine
Ashland, Maine is home to J.D. Irving Sawmill, ReEnergy Ashland biomass facility, Morris Logging, Northeast Pellets, and countless other forestry-focused businesses. Bioenergy is an essential part of a thriving forestry industry that employs hundreds of Mainers - and keeps the forests healthy.
Bioenergy in Colorado
The Eagle Valley Clean Energy facility in Gypsum, Colorado, generates clean power from the otherwise unusable parts of trees diseased by the widespread pine beetle blight that has devastated 5 million acres of Colorado's forests. The model bioenergy project was made possible by a public-private partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Biomass Success in Oregon
The town of Burns, Oregon, installed a biomass heating boiler in its court house to save money on heating fuel, support the local forest products industry and help manage the forests nearby.
Find a
National Bioenergy Day
event near you
View the events listNational Bioenergy Day 2019 is the seventh annual event, made possible by contributions from:
