The Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC), as administrator of the California Statewide Wood Energy Team (SWET), is now accepting applications for assistance for development of wood energy projects. SWET is a partnership formed with the ad hoc California Forest Biomass Working Group and funded through a Cooperative Agreement with the USDA Forest Service to provide early stage wood energy assistance to communities across the state of California.
If your organization, group, or community is interested in early-stage assistance with a current or future wood energy project, please visit www.cawoodenergy.org to learn more. The SWET will consider a variety of assistance including access to our network of information about site assessment, pre-feasibility and feasibility assessment, financing, and workshop and outreach assistance. There is also potential for limited reimbursement of cost of consultants. Assistance with other barriers to development will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The SWET’s implementation members are experienced professionals representing a variety of fields including government, academia, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. SWET organizational partners include:
| USDA Forest Service | University of California |
| Watershed Research and Training Center | TSS Consultants |
| Sierra Nevada Conservancy | The California Energy Commission |
| CAL FIRE | Sierra Institute for Environment and Community |
To get started, the first step is to contact the team. Call or email Angie Lottes at 314-610-2237 or angie@thewatershedcenter.com. You will be asked to fill out a brief application (available at www.CAWoodEnergy.org). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and considered monthly. It should not take longer than two months for requests for assistance to be processed. Basic questions, information and networking requests will be considered immediately. Funds for assistance will be available until expended.
Download official announcement here
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