The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) has shown both support and criticism for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Biomass Crop Assistance Program’s new rule. According to an article in Renewable Energy World, “BTEC lauded the program’s revised fuel definition and elimination of tiered payments, but has also pledged to work with Congress to remedy remaining biomass issues.” Previously, the program provided matching payments to entities who collected, harvested, or stored biomass. Unfortunately there was so much initial interest in the program, it exceeded expenditures, and changes needed to be made. Although the BTEC supports the majority of the new rule, they have said that, “It is unfortunate that BCAP–through narrowly defining eligible biomass materials–has effectively eliminated forest and mill residuals for matching payments, which excludes a large majority of biomass thermal fuel suppliers nationwide.” The BTEC has pledged to continue to work with the USDA to find a solution that everyone is happy with. To read the full article on Renewable Energy World, click here.