Clean and Renewable Resources

Biomass is probably the most underutilized renewable resource in the U.S. today. How much of this alternative energy material is available for use in this country right now? Here's an example. Space heating accounts for approximately 50% of our total annual energy budget and is also responsible for more than 25% of our total greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately six quadrillion BTUs of energy were consumed for space heating in the United States, representing about $45 billion in expenditures. According to the 1997 census, there are 101 million homes in the U.S. Current available biomass resources could potentially heat the equivalent of 260 million homes! By displacing more polluting forms of energy generation, biomass resources for energy will also assist America in reducing its dependence on imported oil and cut emisions of those harmful greenhouse gases. Using biomass to address our energy needs will also create jobs and fuel economic growth across America.