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,
Trade

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,
product

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