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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The Oregon Department of Energy today issued this news release on behalf of the Forest Biomass Working Group…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Aug. 1, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>2012-45<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>CONTACT:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lisa Joyce, 503-378-6510<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Cliff Voliva, 503-378-3637<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In Oregon 1-800-221-8035<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Oregon’s Forest Biomass Working Group releases draft strategy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>SALEM — Oregon’s Forest Biomass Working Group on Tuesday released a draft Forest Biomass Strategy that lays out a practical approach to developing the state’s forest biomass industry. The draft strategy, which will be open for comment through September 30, focuses on market development and foundational actions needed to grow the industry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Effective use of forest biomass provides for forest health, economic benefits and energy independence. The draft strategy recommends four market development initiatives and other actions that will help build a successful and sustainable forest biomass industry. The four market development initiatives are:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>1. Biomass Thermal: heating or cooling with advanced biomass thermal systems.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>2. Distributed Generation: the generation of heat and electricity at existing wood product facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>3. Existing Markets: expanding opportunities for landscape bark, shavings, bedding, and other commercial products.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>4. Emerging Markets: commercializing and developing biofuels, biochar, cellulosic ethanol and other developing markets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>More than 40 stakeholder groups representing forestland managers, conservation interests, industry representatives, governmental entities and others developed the strategy. The strategy is online for review on the Oregon Department of Energy website at: <a href="http://cms.oregon.gov/energy/RENEW/Biomass/Pages/forest_biomass_working_group.aspx">http://cms.oregon.gov/energy/RENEW/Biomass/Pages/forest_biomass_working_group.aspx</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For more information about the working group or the draft strategy, please contact Matt Krumenauer at 503-378-6043.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>About Oregon’s Forest Biomass Working Group:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The FBWG comprises a wide range of stakeholders from the private, public and non-profit sectors that work to advance sustainable biomass utilization in Oregon. Participation in the FBWG is open to anyone interested in contributing to this end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The FBWG is a statewide forum for information sharing, problem solving, and knowledge creation about forest biomass. The group provides education, strategic recommendations, and advice to state agencies, policy makers, the biomass industry and other stakeholders. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The FBWG operates under the basic premise that biomass utilization is a unique opportunity that can provide a myriad of benefits to the state, our forests, and our citizens. Forest biomass that is harvested and utilized in a ecologically and economically sustainable manner can help accomplish important goals for Oregon: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Increase the health and resiliency of Oregon’s forests, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Reduce wildfire threats to communities and restore Oregon’s forest to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Improve air quality, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Diversify and strengthen rural economies, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Provide renewable energy and bio-based products, and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>• Maintain the existing forest products industry and support job growth and retention in Oregon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY: The Oregon Department of Energy provides tax credits, grants, loans, technical assistance and energy information for home owners, businesses, manufacturers, farms, ranches, schools and governments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Oregon Department of Energy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Main Office <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>625 Marion Street N.E.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Salem, OR 97301-3737 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Phone: 503-378-4040 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Toll-free in Oregon: 1-800-221-8035 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Fax: 503-373-7806 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Website: <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY">www.oregon.gov/ENERGY</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>