Bioenergy Action Plan - 2006 Bioenergy Action Plan

2006 Bioenergy Action Plan

The original plan was written based on reviews and recommendations from public workshops and more than 40 public documents, as well as multiple prior research programmes and policy developments around the world. Stakeholder considerations for California’s potential as a leader in renewable energies was taken into account. The plan established a biofuel production target of California producing a minimum of 20% its own biofuels by 2010, 40% by 2020, and 75% by 2050. The production target for the use of biomass electricity was a 20% increase from the prior in-state goals for renewable generation by both 2010 and 2020. The 2006 plan also sought the building of at least four afforestation and carbon sequestration projects, across the state, which would supply 3 to 5 megawatts of biomass-fueled electricity to an electricity gasification plant or bio-refinery . Potential sources of energy, fuel, and chemicals from forest fuel, harvest residues, and other small wood forest products were also identified, as well as the efficiency of harvesting small forest biomass. (Each individual agency also had its own specific set of responsibilities towards meeting the goals of the Bioenergy Action Plan.)

The 2006 Bioenergy Action Plan outlined five statewide policy objectives:

1. Maximize the contributions of bioenergy toward achieving the state’s petroleum reduction, climate change, renewable energy, and environmental goals.
2. Establish California as a market leader in technology innovation, sustainable biomass development, and market development for bio-based products.
3. Coordinate research, development, demonstration, and commercialization efforts across federal and state agencies.
4. Align existing regulatory requirements to encourage production and use of California’s biomass resources.
5. Facilitate market entry for new applications of bioenergy including electricity, biogas, and biofuels”.