The Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency to create a system for generating renewable fuel credits from electricity produced by renewable biomass sources. Currently, the renewable fuel program covers traditional biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, but this bill would extend it to include electricity generated from biomass that can be used as transportation fuel, potentially opening a new market for renewable energy producers. The legislation requires the EPA to review pathway petitions and facility registration requests within one year for complete applications, establish transparent timelines for decision-making through public disclosure requirements, and finalize regulations for generating renewable identification numbers within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill also expands what qualifies as renewable biomass by allowing materials from both federal and non-federal forestlands, including those owned by Indian tribes, and removes some current restrictions on forest thinnings used for restoration purposes. Additionally, the bill requires the Energy Information Administration to track and report electricity generation from renewable biomass separately in its monthly and annual reports.
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