Forest Biomass Work Group meets February 22 in Salem

February 8, 2010

Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427

A workgroup of representatives from state government, forest industries, renewable energy development and the environmental community will meet in Salem on February 22 to talk about the role of Oregon’s forests in providing energy production from wood.

The Forest Biomass Work Group will meet on Monday February 22 at 10:00 a.m. in the Administration Building (Tillamook meeting room) of the Oregon Department of Forestry complex, 2600 State Street in Salem. Time is provided in the agenda for a working lunch - participants may bring their own lunch or contribute money towards a shared lunch. Members of the public attending the meeting are encouraged to bring a lunch.

An agenda for the meeting is under development.

Members of the public are invited to participate in the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 945-7427.

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.

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

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Kevin Weeks

Public Information Officer

ODF Agency Affairs Office

(503) 945-7427