Commissioner Goldmark’s statement on $80 million biomass-to-jet fuel award to UW and WSU

Slash piles, previously burned on site or left behind, can be put to a higher value use: biofuel for aviation and other uses. Photo: Aaron Toso/DNR

In a statement released today, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said:

“Congratulations to the University of Washington (UW) and Washington State University (WSU) for each receiving $40 million grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to foster a biofuels industry here in Washington State and the Northwest. Thank you to the USDA and Secretary Vilsack for investing in the future of renewable, sustainable fuels from biomass. This complements our work with UW on a soon-to-be-completed study to determine the amount of forest biomass that can be sustainably harvested from all forestlands in Washington.”

The vision of converting biomass to aviation fuel in the near future brings together two of Washington’s traditional core industries—timber and aviation—to create a brighter energy future for the nation.”

I came to office with a goal of turning forest biomass from a waste product to a renewable energy source that could create jobs and help address climate change. Our state forest trust lands can play an important role in combating climate change by using logging slash for jet fuel instead of seeing it go to waste.”

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