Biomass Definition
Biomass, according to the Congressional Research Service is defined as: “…organic matter that can be converted into energy. Common examples of biomass include food crops, crops for energy (e.g. switchgrass or prairie perennials), crop residues, wood waste and byproducts, and animal manure. Over the past few years, the concept of biomass has grown to include such diverse sources as algae, construction debris, municipal solid waste, yard waste, and food waste.”[1]
Congress and state legislatures have and will continue to create incentives for the use of biomass as an energy source.
The problem for paper recycling arises when municipal solid waste (MSW) is defined as a biomass because recyclable materials are included in the definition of MSW in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Burning recyclable paper for energy goes against every environmental principal currently in American law and practice.
The attached letter explains to Members of the United States Senate the economic, environmental, and resource conservation benefits of paper recycling and why it should be excluded from any definition of biomass that includes municipal solid waste in the definition.
[1] Congressional Research Service .Biomass: Comparison of Definitions in Legislation. May 18, 2010 R40529, p 1