§15855 Grants to Improve the Commercial Value of Forest Biomass for Electric Energy, Useful Heat, Transportation Fuels, and Other Commercial Purposes

Summary

Gives money to help places buy leftover forest wood and brush so they can make electricity, useful heat, or transportation fuel, and to pay for projects that make that wood more useful or valuable. Payments to buy biomass can be no more than $20 per green ton delivered. Research or development grants can be up to $500,000 and will favor applicants in certain communities. Grant recipients must keep records and let agency staff inspect the facility, inventory, and records when asked. When choosing projects, the agency will look at public benefits like energy production, support for small businesses, job creation, cleaner or more efficient technology, and reducing hazardous fuels. Congress set aside $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $35,000,000 for each fiscal year 2007 through 2016. A report was required by October 1, 2010, showing the size, type, and use of biomass given grants, how far the biomass traveled to the facility, and the economic effects, especially new jobs. Definitions in one line each: Biomass — leftover trees, wood, brush, chips, or slash removed to lower fire, disease, or insect risk. Indian tribe — the federal definition in 25 U.S.C. 5304(e). Nonmerchantable — parts of removed material not used for higher-value products. Person — an individual, a community, an Indian tribe, a U.S. small business or corporation, or a nonprofit. Preferred community — an Indian tribe, a town with 50,000 people or fewer, or a non-metropolitan county near at-risk federal or Indian land, as the Secretary decides. Secretary concerned — the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior.