Biomass Program
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What is Biomass?Biomass, as a renewable energy source, refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. The Biomass Program within the DNR, Division of Forestry deals specifically with woody biomass. Sources of woody biomass include (but are not limited to): logging residue (non-merchantable tops and limbs left over from a commercial timber harvest along with non-merchantable small-diameter trees and stems, dead standing trees and down logs), primary and secondary mill residue, dedicated energy crops, urban forest clearing material, land clearing material and brushland material. |
Welcome to the DNR's Biomass ProgramBiomass in the News
Wood-to-Energy Roadmap 
now available. Recommendations on making sustainably available a national supply of woody biomass. This series of recommendations stem from the 25X25 group chaired by the state forester out of NC. Recommendations were developed through NGO, scientific, academic, conservation and forestry experts.
Heating the Midwest announces official mission and plans for the future: The Heating the Midwest Steering Committee has formed Action Teams to focus on specific initiatives related to its mission. The five teams are as follows: Demographics, led by Mike Curci of Indeck Energy; Biomass Resources, led by Becky Philipp and Alan Doering of Agricultural Utilization Research Institute; Benefits and Consequences, led by Chris Wiberg of Timber Products Inspection/Biomass Energy Laboratory; Biomass Combustion Technology, led by T.J. Morice of Marth Wood Shaving Supply, Inc.; and Policy, led by Pam Porter of Biomass Energy Resource Center's Midwest office, and Dr. Dennis Becker of the University of Minnesota. The Heating the Midwest Steering Committee is making plans for the first annual "Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass" conference and expo in the spring of 2012. The conference will be similar in content to the annual Biomass Heating Expo organized by the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group. For more information, see Heating the Midwest .
Regional Carbon Dioxide Implications of Forest Bioenergy Production 
To learn more about when immediate implementation of fire prevention and biofuel policies yield net carbon emission savings, check out the recent article published in Nature Climate Change.
Researchers at the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory reveal that regions with the highest rates of forest product output actually have the lowest rates of deforestation and forest carbon emissions. And, regions with the highest rates of deforestation and forest carbon emissions tend to rank lowest in "industrial roundwood harvest". Full article
Wood Energy Business Development
Are you exploring the feasibility or in the process of developing a wood energy facility? The following resources can help connect you with valuable information and state experts along the way.
- The Green Enterprise Assistance . Created by the Minnesota State Legislature, GEA brings together a team of professionals from several state agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Employment and Economic Development, Pollution Control Agency, and Iron Range Resources to help renewable energy and clean tech companies large and small with all aspects of project development, including feedstock identification, financing, environmental permitting, and site selection.
The GEA team will help you navigate the alphabet soup of state agencies and regulations. More information
- DNR's Utilization and Marketing Program. This program routinely prepares biomass supply analyses for individuals interested in developing a biomass facility. This program aims to help individuals make informed decisions regarding the most efficient and sustainable use of our state's woody biomass resources.