Senate committee backs sunset of Colorado biomass utilization grant program

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted to send House Bill 12 13, a measure to sunset Colorado’s biomass utilization grant program, to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation.

Sponsor Senator Wallace described the program’s intent — to demonstrate biomass uses that reduce wildfire risk and diversify renewable energy — and said the Forest Service awarded just under $500,000 across 12 projects after the program’s authorization of up to $2.5 million. "While most of these grants were used to increase the capacity to source and process biomass garnered from Colorado's forests, the forest service provided insufficient evidence of the wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts or benefits of these grants," Wallace said.

No witnesses signed up to testify, and committee members offered no amendments. Senator Henriksen moved the bill to the committee of the whole; the motion passed unanimously and the measure will be considered on the floor.