By Angela Hatton
Murray, KY – Governor Beshear's Biomass Task Force has released recommendations for developing biomass and biofuels in the Commonwealth. Energy officials say the state is seeking to comply with looming federal mandates that would increase the amount of energy generated through renewable methods. The five-point strategy includes assessing developing technologies, exploring funding mechanisms, and developing a statewide plan that carries the idea through 2025. 1st District State Senator Ken Winters of Murray served on the 22-member task force. He says the panel purposefully kept the recommendations general.
"That doesn't mean that we won't evaluate those recommendations to augment, to encourage, to put in place actions that will move us forward."
The task force report will go before the Kentucky General Assembly for review next month. Estimates predict biomass and biofuel industries could bring in 3-point-4 billion dollars in net profit to the Commonwealth and provide ten thousand jobs.