The costs of brush removal has always been an issue to weigh against
the risk of forest fires. Now though, the enormous energy potential of kindling may be able to be captured cost-effectively
and turned into clean energy. Through a grant program initiated by the Western Governors Association (WGA) and the U.S. Department
of Energy through the National Biomass State and Regional Partnership, the Colorado Partnership for Biomass Utilization has
received a $100,000 grant from the WGA to increase the use of bioenergy from forest fuels.
Governor Bill Owens of Colorado noted a number of potential benefits
for Colorado, "Encouraging bioenergy production will lead to healthier forests and offer a clean, renewable energy source
for Colorado. It could also benefit economic development in many of our state's rural areas."
The Colorado Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC)
and the Colorado State Forest Service will participate in the program through technical assistance, industry surveys and biomass
courses.
The WGA's Western Regional Biomass Energy
Program provides grants through cooperative programs related to energy development from sources such as forest and agricultural
crop residues and wood and food processing wastes. Four states have already received funding under the program.
