Forest biomass bill signed into law

April 30, 2009

Olympia…The House version of a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, authorizing two demonstration projects to create energy from wood waste was signed into law on April 22.  

The measure, House Bill 2165, was co-sponsored by Rep. Joel Kretz, R-Wauconda. The Senate version co-sponsored by Morton was Senate Bill 5979. The measures were introduced at the request of the state Department of Natural Resources. 

There will be one project in Eastern Washington and one on the west side. The projects will make good use of a carbon-neutral, renewable resource – wood waste from timber harvests and timber thinned from overstocked forests that make trees susceptible to disease and bug infestations. 

“The demonstration projects will use current technology,” Morton said. “However, the hope is these projects will give rise to new technology and bring new businesses and jobs into our state.” 

Morton’s ongoing efforts to reduce the loss of trees from disease, insects and fire is a key element in his support for these projects. 

“One of the things we need to do is remove dead and dying trees to protect the healthy ones,” Morton said. “If we can use this timber to produce energy, so much the better.”  

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Additional contact: Penny Drost (360) 786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov