Senate Bill 5979 - Ferry County

Senate Bill 5979 - Ferry County
DNR may develop and implement two forest biomass energy
demonstration projects (projects), one east and one west of the crest of the Cascade mountains. The projects must be designed to: 

• reveal the value of the state's public and private forest biomass;
• create green jobs;
• generate renewable energy;
• improve forest health;
• Reduce pollution; and
• Restore ecological function

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DNR may form forest biomass energy partnerships or cooperatives (partnerships or cooperatives) to assist in the development and implementation of the projects. The partnerships or cooperatives are encouraged to be public-private partnerships focused on bringing together entities necessary to grow, harvest, process, transport, and use forest biomass to generate renewable energy.
The partnerships or cooperatives may include, but are not limited to:

• entrepreneurs
• industrial electricity producers;
• contractors;
• tribes;
• federal land management agencies;
• county, city, and other local governments;
• the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development;
• state trust land managers;
• an organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the jobs, rights, and working conditions of Washington's working families;
• accredited research institutions;
• an industrial timber land manager;
• a small forest landowner; and
• a not-for-profit conservation organization.

DNR must provide a progress report to the Legislature by December 2010 on its efforts to develop and implement the projects.

DNR may seek grants or financing from the federal government, industry, or philanthropists.