Oregon Department of Forestry

NEWS RELEASE

Forest Biomass Work Group meets May 7 in Salem

April 28, 2009

Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427

A panel of representatives from state government, forest industries, renewable energy development and the environmental community will meet to talk about the role of Oregon’s forests in providing energy production from wood.

The Forest Biomass Work Group will meet on Thursday May 7 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administration Building (Tillamook meeting room) of the Oregon Department of Forestry complex, 2600 State Street in Salem.

Timber that may not have a market saw-log value -- either from being too small, damaged, waste from mill production or being too far from a potential milling market – holds great potential for producing energy. Forest biomass is a renewable source of energy, as wood biomass is generated as a by-product of active forest management.

The proposed agenda for the meeting includes update reports from Work Group subcommittees assigned to topics including policy development, outreach, research, economic development and fuel supply. Discussion is also planned regarding the opportunity for wood biomass fuel projects in Oregon created by federal stimulus funding.

The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 945-7427.

Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF’s web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF.

###

Kevin Weeks

Public Information Officer / Private Forests Division   

ODF Agency Affairs

(503) 945-7427