A new report from Governor Steve Beshear’s task force on biomass recommends that the state ramp up biomass production for electricity generation and transportation fuels. That’s in order not only to meet Kentucky’s growing energy needs but also federal regulations requiring increased use of renewable fuels. The group laid out several recommendations to give the bioenergy industry a boost in the, although Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters says implementing some of those could require new laws.
“If we can extend incentives into the biofuels industry, that will require some legislative action. We already have some incentives in place but we feel that is very important,” says Peters.
The task force found that Kentucky is capable of producing at least 25 million tons a year of biomass—from timber product leftovers or agricultural residue, among other organic sources. It also found that producing and processing biomass could create as many as 10,000 jobs.
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