I am a forester with 34 years of experience and work for forest industry in Virginia.  I am a member of the Virginia Forestry Association, currently serving as President, and of the Society of American Foresters.

It is important that the Virginia DEQ continue to recognize that biomass used to make energy and steam is largely carbon neutral.  Bark and sawdust is produced by facilities that process logs, and using this material for energy benefits the environment by reducing the need for other energy sources.  Likewise, using harvesting residue such as cull trees or tops and branches provides an efficient, local source of material for wood-burning boilers.  These boilers should maintain their current exemption from regulation.  I believe in protecting and improving the environment, but I believe that Virginia should not join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative because of the concern that biomass will not be recongnized as carbon neutral.