The following policies could have an impact on biomass/bioenergy trade with the EU. More detailed information about these policies can be found in the on-line policy database developed within the frame of the sister projects S2Biom, Biomass Policies and BioTrade2020+: https://s2biom.vito.be/policies-s2biom (select the relevant region & country).
Policies stimulating domestic use of biomass, which could restrict availability for export
Country / State | Name | Sector/field | Description |
US (Federal) | Agricultural Act of 2014: Repowering assistance program | Biofuels | Provides funding for biorefineries to install renewable biomass systems for heating and power at their facilities; or, to produce new energy from renewable biomass. |
US (Federal) | Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 2007) | Biofuels | Grants for production of advanced biofuels. Grants for R & D and commercial application of biofuel production technologies. Biofuels and biorefinery information center. Cellulosic ethanol and biofuels research. Biofuels distribution and advanced biofuels infrastructure. |
US (Federal) | Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) | Biofuels | The RFS program is a national policy that requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel. Renewable fuel percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel |
US (Federal) | The President's Climate Action Plan (2013) | Climate | The plan has three pillars: (1) cut carbon pollution in the United States; (2) prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change; (3) lead international efforts to combat global climate change and prepare for its impacts. |
US (Federal) | Agricultural Act of 2014: Community wood energy program | Energy | Grants for biomass heating facilities |
US (Federal) | Energy policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) | Energy | includes grants for forest biomass for electric energy, useful heat, transportation fuels, and other commercial purposes |
US (Federal) | Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 2008) | Biofuels; energy | Increased support for the production of cellulosic ethanol & funding for biofuel plants and cellulosic ethanol; reduction of existing ethanol tax credit, & extension of the ethanol import tariff. Support R&D. Loans for renewable electricity. |
US (Federal) | Federal renewable electricity production tax credit PTC | Energy | Incentive payments for qualified renewable energy facilities |
US (Federal) | Lacey Act (part of Food, Conservation, and Energy Act) | Forestry, | a ban on trading plants or plant products harvested in violation of the law; requirement to declare information for some products |
US (States) | State-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) | Energy | State Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs) are flexible-market based policies which ensure that public benefits of renewable energy are recognised. |
US Alabama | Alabama Reinvestment and Abatements Act | Energy | Incentives for renewable energy facilities |
US Georgia | House Bill 445 More Take Home Pay Act of 2015 | Energy, | Regulation on tax for alternative fuel facilities (for ethanol, biodiesel, butanol) and sale or use of biomass material to be utilised for energy |
US Georgia | Biomass Sales and Use Tax Exemption | Taxation; energy | Exemption for biomass materials from the state's sales and use taxes, if used for energy |
US South Carolina | HB 3649 Biomass Energy Production Incentive | Energy | Production incentives for certain biomass-energy facilities |
US South Carolina | The South Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard | Energy | Target of 20% renewable electricity sales in South Carolina by 2022 |
Policies increasing production of biomass, or ensuring sustainable production of biomass
Country / State | Name | Sector/field | Description |
US (Federal) | Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) | Agriculture; forestry | BCAP provides financial assistance to producers who establish, collect, harvest, store, and transport biomass crops or forest residues |
US (Federal) | Clean Water Act / Best Management Practices | Environment | Water pollution control. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are techniques employed before, during, and after a timber harvesting operation to minimize negative effects on water quality. |
US (Federal) | Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act | Forestry | Establishing and funds forest management with respect to non-Federal forest lands of the United States |
US (Federal) | Forestry Programs | Forestry | Forest service economic action program authorities. Forest products conservation and recycling program authorities. Watershed restoration and enhancement (wyden amendment authorities for nfs related work on other lands). Biomass commercial utilization grant program. Tribal watershed forestry assistance. |
US (Federal) | Principal Laws Relating to USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Programs | Forestry | The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, amended through 2008 |
US (Federal) | SFI Sustainable Forestry Initiative | Forestry | Voluntary scheme for sustainable forest management - endorced by PEFC |