BioEnergy Producers Association

Late last year, after careful consideration, CalRecycle issued a finding that Plasco Energy of Canada, winner of an RFP to build a waste-to-clean energy facility for the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, could meet the intent of the existing definition of gasification, a major step forward toward bringing California into the world of waste-to-clean energy production.

However, in late March, the office of the Senate's President Pro Tem, Darrell Steinberg, wrote to the Natural Resources Agency and the Governor’s Office demanding a rescission of this ruling--sending a message that the Legislature, at least a small minority of its controlling Democrats, was not interested in addressing the state's need for renewable energy through the recycling of the carbon in its municipal wastes.

David Roberti, President of the BioEnergy Producers Association and a Democrat who served 27 years in the legislature, including 13 years as President Pro Tem of the State Senate, wrote to Senator Steinberg to express his concern with that action.  CLICK HERE to read his letter.

In June 2010, the Union of Concerned Scientists published a comprehensive study on the need for second and third generation biofuels production in America.  Entitled "The Billion Gallon Challenge," the study strongly advocates the production of ethanol from municipal solid waste.  On page 37, it even profiles two California-based companies--Fulcrum BioEnergy and BlueFire Renewables, which have elected to construct their initial municipal waste-to-ethanol plants in other states--Nevada and Mississippi.  To read the entire report, CLICK HERE.