University of California
News & Information Outreach
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Over the past few months, there have been several changes to the wood bioenergy landscape in California. On the legislative front, three new bills have been introduced to the state legislature:
SB 32 was introduced in December of last year to amend the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32). This bill will require the State Air Resources Board to approve a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 to below 80% of 1990 levels. This has an opportunity to drive a need for increased fuel reduction treatments throughout the state to as a means to manage current wildfire emissions.
On February 24th, AB 590 was introduced to the state legislature for the purpose of allocating funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to a newly created Biomass State Cost Share Account. This account will be used to maintain the current level of biomass power generation in the state and to revitalize idle facilities in strategically located areas.
SB 350 calls for a series of changes including a call for state power utilities to increase energy from renewable sources to 50 percent by 2030. Current California law only requires 33% of energy be generated from renewable sources. These efforts are aligned with Governor Brown's call for an "increase from one-third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources" in his 2015 inaugural address. While wood bioenergy is by no means the only renewable energy source, support of wood utilization will address multiple goals of fuel hazard reduction and air quality while developing a sustainable renewables infrastructure.
Extensive ownership and status changes to biomass power and wood processing facilities are also occurring throughout the state due to changing market conditions and power purchase agreements (PPA) nearing expiration. More details on PPA Delivery Dates and Contract Terms can be found here.
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New Online Facilities
Cancelled
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Additional
- Ownership or operator changes at Tracy Biomass(now Greenleaf)
- Operation of Shasta Renewable, Rio Bravo (Rocklin, Fresno, Jasmin and Poso), and Chinese Station has been taken over by IHI Power Services Corporation
Non-Operational
For the most current facility information, please refer to our Biomass Power Map. We will continue to update as more information become available, and always welcome firsthand updates of new biomass developments that have been missed.
