Biomass Program
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Welcome to the DNR's Biomass Webpage|
Division of Forestry's Biomass personnel will be presenting at the International BIOMASS Conference & Expo, |
International BIOMASS Conference and Expo is the world's largest biomass utilization event May 4-6, 2010.
The conference and expo includes biomass utilization to power, fuels, and chemicals tracked by feedstock categories. Expectations for May 2010 are 2,000 attendees, 205 exhibits, 30 paid sponsors, 12 supporting organizations, and 100 speakers.
What is Biomass?
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. The Biomass Program within the DNR, Division of Forestry deals specifically with woody biomass. Sources of woody biomass include (but are not limited to): logging residue (non-merchantable tops and limbs left over from a commercial timber harvest along with non-merchantable small-diameter trees and stems, dead standing trees and down logs), primary and secondary mill residue, dedicated energy crops, urban forest clearing material, land clearing material and brushland material.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP)
The US Department of Agriculture is moving forward to fully implement the Biomass Crop Assistance Program 
(BCAP) for crop season 2010.
BCAP will provide financial assistance to producers, such as farmers, landowners or loggers that deliver eligible biomass material to designated biomass conversion facilities for use as heat, power, bio-based products or biofuels. Bio-based products will include intermediary products such as wood pellets. Initial assistance will be a dollar per dollar match, up to $45 per dry ton, for biomass that is delivered to a designated biomass conversion facility.
A wide range of forest biomass will be eligible for the program. Producers, such as loggers, will be eligible for payments for up to two years as part of the farm bill.
The program will also assist landowners with the planting of energy crops. The USDA has begun taking applications from biomass conversion facilities. For producers to access the BCAP payments they must sell biomass to a qualified facility. To register a facility, please go to Biomass Crop Assistance or talk to your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) representative. A list of registered facilities nationwide is available at this website. FSA county offices will assist producers, such as landowner and loggers, with registering and eligibility requirements.
The Utilization and Marketing Program along with the Biomass Program routinely prepare biomass supply analyses for individuals interested in developing a biomass facility. These two programs aim to help individuals make informed decisions regarding the most efficient and sustainable use of our state's woody biomass resources. The resources below outline the current facilities in the state that use woody biomass for heat, fuel or power. Additionally, the MN Logged Area Residue Analysis 
provides a more in-depth look at how biomass supply estimates are developed. While these resources are meant to provide an overview of the current utilization and supply of biomass, they should not be used in place of a formal analysis or consultation that is needed when seriously considering the development of a new biomass facility. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Biomass Coordinator.
Available Woody Biomass Resources
- Active Wood Energy Facilities Listings (57kb )
- Proposed Wood Energy Facilities Listings (29kb)
- Minnesota Woody Biomass Report (220kb )
- Minnesota Woody Biomass Facilities Directory (341kb )
Minnesota Logged Area Residue Analysis (399kb ) - This report summarizes the results of data collected on woody logging residue remaining on harvested sites across Minnesota. Tables showing estimates of average harvest acreage by county, forest, and harvest type are also presented.
Biomass Exchange - This resourceful website connects bioenergy buyers with sellers. This website includes connections for both agricultural and forest-derived resources.
Links to other biomass websites
- Woody biomass harvest for habitat restoration
- Minnesota Forest Resources Council - information pertaining to the development and use of Minnesota's Biomass Harvesting Guidelines, please visit
- United States Department of Energy Biomass Program
- United States Forest Service Woody Biomass Utilization
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Energy from Biomass
- Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security
Biomass Coordinator Contact Info |
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Anna Dirkswager |
