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Home > Programs and Policy > Policy and Legislation > Energy Policy and Legislation > Renewable Energy > Biomass Energy

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is energy derived from recently living (as opposed to fossil) biomass.

Types of Biomass Energy

The term " biomass energy" or "bioenergy" refers to any energy derived from (non-fossil) biomass. Burning wood is of course the oldest and still most widely used form of biomass, but the term can also include anything from wood to ethanol to natural gas captured from manure and landfills.

In terms of fossil fuel replacement, there are three general categories of bioenergy:

  • Biopower
  • biobased products
  • biofuels

Learn more

General Principles for Biomass Energy Production

While there are many advantages to expanding the use of biomass energy to generate heat electricity and replace gasoline as automotive fuel, we also recognize that even clean, renewable energy can have environmental impacts. Defenders of Wildlife supports the following principles regarding biomass energy production.

Biomass Energy Production Should:

  • Be Greenhouse-Gas Neutral or Positive
  • Not reduce Native Habitat
  • Maintain the Environmental Gains of the Development of No-Till Agriculture
  • Utilize Agricultural Waste Appropriately
  • Avoid Perverse Incentives for Forest Stewardship
  • Maintain Air and Water Quality
  • Contain Adequate Regulatory Safeguards With Respect to Biotechnology

Learn more about these general principles for biomass energy production

Detailed Recommendations For Biomass Energy

Defenders of Wildlife supports the use of biomass energy, but we have a number of detailed recommendations for the development these resources in a manner that reduces adverse impacts on wildlife habitat and the environment. The recommendations range from developing local production capabilities to improving air quality.

Learn more about each of our recommendations.

Resources

Biofuels in the Farm Bill

For Additional Information

Donovan, D., S. Clemmer. A. Nogee and P. Asmus. 2001. Powering Ahead: A New Standard for Clean Energy and Stable Prices in California. Union of Concerned Scientists.

Garelick, G. 2001. Beyond Oil. Audubon Magazine, September 2001.

Heavner, B. A. Aurilio, I. Frishberg, S. Rakov and W. Coyne. 2001. A New Energy Future: Options for a smarter Cleaner Energy Future. U. S. Public Interest Research Group.

NRDC. 2001. Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence: A Real Energy Security Policy.

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (Golden, CO)

U.S. Department of Energy, Bioenergy Information Network (Oak Ridge, TN):

U.S. Department of Energy, Renewable Resource Data Center