Posts Tagged: wood utilization
Upcoming Public Scoping Meeting for Carbon Sink Act (AB1504) Implementation
UPCOMING PUBLIC/STAKEHOLDER MEETING
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
Meeting Date:
September 5, 2014 Time:
9:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. Location: Natural Resources Building Auditorium Sacramento, California Also broadcast via Webinar at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/323819858 For more information, visit http://ucanr.edu/carbonsinkact |
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has initiated the development of an analysis work plan in response to the “Carbon Sink Act” (Assembly Bill 1504, Skinner 2010). The Carbon Sink Act amends the Z'Berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (PRC § 4512.5) to require that the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection' (BOF) regulations governing commercial timber harvesting take into account the capacity of forests to sequester carbon dioxide and meet the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emission-reduction goals mandated for the state's forestry sector by California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32, 2006).
Under this legislation the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is to assess the capacity of its forest and rangeland regulations and non-regulatory forestry programs to meet or exceed the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals. At a minimum the BOF must consider:
- Whether relevant statutory or regulatory requirements governing a timber harvesting plan, sustained yield plan or its equivalent, non-industrial timber management plan, or any other discretionary approval for timber harvesting are sufficient to ensure a net reduction or sequestration of carbon emissions from primary forest carbon sources, sinks or reservoirs.
- Whether regulations governing conversion of timberland and forestland to non-timber and non-forest uses are sufficient to offset lost sequestration capacity and carbon emissions associated with the non-timber use.
- Whether forest growth, harvest and conversion information obtained through the BOF's regulatory and non-regulatory programs and other local, state and federal sources is sufficient and reliable to track changes in carbon stocks, including net emissions and reductions, across the state's forested landscape.
The BOF is requesting public and stakeholder input on the scope and analysis methodologies to help guide the BOF response to the Carbon Sink Act of 2010. At this meeting the project team will provide the public and stakeholders with the background and scope of the effort; will outline opportunities to provide feedback and; seek input on specific technical issues.
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection requests public and stakeholder comment on the following technical questions:
- Which forest practice regulations affect carbon sequestration processes and trends?
- What forest carbon measurement and reporting frequency should be considered?
- What time duration for measuring the effect of forest practice regulations should be considered?
- What are the appropriate spatial scales needed to measure carbon sequestration trends?
- Which data sources can be used to quantify forest sector greenhouse gas emissions?
- Should forest growth models be used to understand effects of forest practice regulations on carbon sequestration? If so, which models should be considered?
- Which climate models are recommended?
- What other analytical methods and tools are recommended to assess the effects of forest practice regulations on carbon sequestration.
Friday, Sept. 5, 2014
9am – 12:00pm
Natural Resources Building
Auditorium (Ground Floor)
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA
Webinar link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/323819858
The public and stakeholders are encouraged to comment on any item on the agenda in writing. Submit written comments to the project webpage at:
For further information about the project, please go to the following link: http://ucanr.edu/carbonsinkact
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals who, because of a disability, need special assistance to attend or participate in a State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Meeting, may request assistance at the Board Office, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1506-14, Sacramento, California or by calling (916) 653-8007. Requests should be made one week in advance whenever possible. These facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
2014 Hawai'i Workshop Presentations Now Available
Wood Utilization in Hawai'i: From Bioenergy to Buildings
July 14, 2014 and July 22, 2014
Background
The Woody Biomass Utilization Group recently hosted two workshops in Hawai'i. The first was held in Hilo on July 14, 2014, and the second in Wailuku on July 22, 2014. These workshops focused on types of wood biomass products and wood utilization opportunities available to forest operations there. The presenters included specialists from UC Berkeley, the University of Hawaii, and USDA R5 State and Private Forestry.
Agenda
Bioenergy Overview
- Fundamentals of Bioenergy – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
- Public Funding Opportunities – Larry Swan, USDA R5 State and Private Forestry
- Considerations for Successful Bioenergy Facilities – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
Hawaii Energy
- Overview – Scott Turn, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii – Manoa
- Biomass Fuel Resources – Scott Turn, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii – Manoa
- Facilitated Discussion of Local Bioenergy Potential – Moderator: John Shelly, University of California, Berkeley
Wood Properties and Market Integration
- Higher Value Properties of Wood – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
- Challenges to Entering New Markets – John Shelly, UC Berkeley
Please visit the workshop information page to download and view the presentations above. Recordings of the proceedings will soon be made available through our Youtube page.
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2014 Wood-to-Energy Program Overview Webinar
2014 USFS Wood to Energy Grant Program Overview
Friday May 15, 13:30 - 15:00
Background
The Woody Biomass Utilization Group hosted a webinar on the US Forest Service Wood to Energy Grant Program. As the deadline for submission is nigh, this webinar was dedicated to answering questions applicants developing proposals. The presenters included application reviewers from previous years as well as successful applicants from the region.
Recording
Agenda
Introduction and Objectives -- 5 min -- Peter Tittmann (UC Berkeley)
W2E Grant Program Overview -- 15 min -- Larry Swan (USFS R5 State and Private Forestry)
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Large file application upload link
Tips on a successful application -- 10 min -- Mark Knaebe (USFS Forest Products Lab)
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Repetition in the application is a negative, be kind to reviewers and site appropriate sections instead of repeating.
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Create text-searchable pdf applications. Generate pdf directly from the word processing program used (eg Word). Don't print ad scan
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Adjust image resolution to reduce file size
Case Studies:
Mik McKee: Sierra Institute for Community and Environment -- 10 min
“A compelling story with no holes”
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economically sound
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ecological impact
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letters of support
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feasibility studies
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financial pro-formas for a range of technologies
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how is your project innovative and viable?
Elissa Brown: North Fork Community Development Corporation -- 10 min
- Feasibility study may provide most of the information needed for the application
- Feasibility studies are critical
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2 bids for engineering services
- System Impact Study necessary for interconnection (Rule 21) PG&E does the work $40-50k but can be more or less.
- Proven technology and experienced management team.
Q&A -- 40 min
Presenter Contact Information & Links
Peter Tittmann UC Berkeley Center for Forestry (510) 665-3518 |
Mik McKee Sierra Institute for Community and Environment (530) 284-1022 |
Larry Swan US Forest Service Region 5 State and Private Forestry (707) 562-8917 |
Elissa Brown North Fork Community Development Corporation (559) 877-2432 |
Mark Knaebe USFS Forest Products Lab (608) 231 9422 |
Large file application: |
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