Governor Gregoire signed a bill into law, the Forest Biomass Supply Agreements Bill (2SHB 2481) that was passed nearly unanimously through the legislature near the end of the regular session.  Peter Goldmark, Lands Commissioner, requested the bill as part of the Department of Natural Resource's new emphasis on making use of forest biomass to encourage green industry in rural areas, thin out forests and prevent forest fires.

The bill will allow the DNR to enter into long-term biomass supply arrangements with forest practitioners who do forest restoration and biomass recovery work.  Long-term contracts on DNR lands ensure that emerging biomass recovery specialists are able to provide a steady stream of woody biomass to mills to produce wood pellets, thus providing a renewable energy for home, business and institutional heating that can displace oil or wood.