The burning of biomass- trees, trash, manure and just about anything else- qualifies as “renewable energy” under state and federal laws. Across the country there is a virtual gold rush by large energy corporations to cash in on this windfall opportunity, based on a myth that burning biomass and our forests is carbon neutral. Yes that’s right–– burning up our forests to lower green house gas emissions! This is nonsense.

Since 2010, BFC led the development and execution of a comprehensive campaign that successfully challenged certification of Ohio's oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants to burn woody biomass (trees) and to receive "renewable" energy credits (RECs) from the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO). Applications to feed 2,400 megawatts (MW) from woody biomass presented a significant threat to our forests, air quality, and climate.  Requiring nearly 30 million tons of trees to fuel them each year, these burners could have led to clearing Ohio of forests in as little as 20 years.  BFC was instrumental in the cancellation of 544 MW of woody biomass co-firing proposals for certification by the PUCO, including from the nation's largest woody biomass-to-energy proposal, FirstEnergy, Burger.

We continue to support, expand, and lead the Ohio campaign to end utility-scale woody biomass permits and proposals in Ohio. As part of our ongoing program, we educate Ohioans, legislators and rulemakers at the federal and state levels to oppose and end subsidization of this dangerous program. At the same time, we strive to create a forest-literate public to advocate for ecological forest management and a regulatory framework that prioritizes essential ecosystem services and intact, interior forest habitats over destructive extraction practices.