The scraps and small trees from forest thinning projects would otherwise decompose, releasing greenhouse gases into the air and creating fire hazards. U.S. Forest Service officials say they have had trouble selling excess timber because there is no commercial use for the waste left behind. They say the new technology could save taxpayers millions of dollars in fire suppression costs.
Existing pipelines can be used in forest waste conversion to biomethane to create a very low carbon fuel at low delivery costs to urban centers, lessening our reliance on petroleum.
"Forest waste is one of the largest potential resources for biofuels and bioenergy in California," said California Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott. "Bringing more technologies like the G-4 Insight technology, which can sustainably convert waste materials from forest restoration activities into low carbon transportation fuels online, would be a significant achievement."
