FLA Urges Passage of Woody Biomass Amendment to Farm Bill That Strengthens Forest Markets
The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) strongly urges Members of Congress to vote YES on Amendment No. 2 to the Farm Bill, led by Reps. Cliff Bentz, Bruce Westerman, Russ Fulcher, and Pete Stauber.
This commonsense amendment corrects the outdated definition of “renewable biomass” in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), ensuring wood byproducts and residuals from forest thinnings, sustainable harvests, and sawmill processing qualify as eligible feedstocks for advanced biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
America’s forest products supply chain is in crisis. Since 2014, more than 35 pulp and paper mills have closed, eliminating essential markets for low-value wood and leaving family forest landowners and timber producers with fewer tools to actively manage their forests. This growing loss of infrastructure underscores the urgent need for new and reliable markets for pulpwood and mill residuals.
Expanding woody biomass in the RFS represents one of the most immediate and scalable opportunities to help fill that gap. Without strong markets, there cannot be strong forest management. When landowners lack viable outlets for low-value material, it becomes more difficult to thin forests, reduce wildfire risk, and maintain healthy, productive working lands.
This amendment is supported by a broad coalition of more than 500 forest sector organizations, landowners, manufacturers, and stakeholders who recognize the critical role that market access plays in sustaining the nation’s forests and forest products supply chain.
By opening the door to innovative domestic energy markets, this policy will strengthen rural economies, support active forest management, and ensure that America’s working forests and the families that depend on them remain resilient for generations to come.
FLA urges swift adoption of this woody biomass RFS amendment as a practical, bipartisan solution to restore markets and support family forestry businesses nationwide.