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Caused by years of California’s drought conditions and exacerbated by a bark beetle infestation, the state is experiencing an unprecedented tree die-off. An estimated 66 million trees have succumbed to one or both of the conditions according to the U. S. Forest Service. The dead timber significantly increases the potential risk and volatility of wildfires.
With these conditions and as the state enters yet another year with drought conditions in the majority of the state, the California Energy Commission (CUC) has released a grant funding opportunity heavily focused on research and development projects for converting waste timber to energy. The project supports the state’s climate goals and will help protect our natural forests.
Because of the tree die-off, California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency and directed the CEC to prioritize grant funding form the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program for woody biomass-to-energy technology development.
The EPIC grant funding opportunity provides’
- $5 million for research projects that use woody biomass to generate renewable electricity
- $10 million to demonstrate innovative technologies, techniques and strategies that generate electricity using forest biomass from high hazard zones described in the Governor’s state of emergency message
Pre-application workshops are being offered that will provide an overview of the funding opportunity. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions and network with other interested applicants. Workshops will be held as follows:
July 20, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. PDT
California Energy Commission
1516 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Charles Imbrecht Room (formerly Hearing Room B)
July 21, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. PDT
Castle Air Force Base
4225 N. Hospital Road
Atwater, CA 95301
Castle Building 2100, Sequoia Room #109A
