U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Biomass Program

Pending Policy/Legislation

For information about pending legislation and policy issues, see the resources below.

The Energy Policy Act of 2003 (HR6) included:

• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): A similar version to the Senate's RFS legislation (S. 791) was part of the drafted 2003 Energy Bill. It requires that 5 billion gallons of renewable fuel be used in the nation's fuel supply by 2012, establishes a national ban on MTBE, and eliminates the Clean Air Act's 2 percent oxygenate standard for reformulated fuels.

• Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) (PDF 406 KB) Download Adobe Reader: The PTC for renewable energy expired at the end of 2003. In the draft 2003 Energy Bill, the wind and biomass energy production tax credit would be extended through January 1, 2007.

• Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS): The drafted Energy Policy Act of 2003 (H.R. 6) did not include a renewable electricity standard. However, a version passed by the U.S. Senate had an RPS that would have increased sales of electricity from renewable sources to 10% by 2020 (see a comparison of Energy Legislation) (PDF 236 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Resources for Information on Pending Legislation

• Legislative information in a searchable database can be found at the Library of Congress' THOMAS web site. For instance, type "biomass" in the "word/phrase" box to find a comprehensive list of biomass related bills.
• The Biomass Initiative maintains a list of current biomass related bills on the hill.  
• Governor's Ethanol Coalition Ethanol Legislation
• National Corn Growers Association Legislative Action Center
• Renewable Fuels Association Public Policy
• Environmental and Energy Study Institute fact sheet details current biomass policies and incentives, along with pending Federal and State legislation.

Opinions expressed on non-government sites do not represent those of the United States Department of Energy or the United States Government.