Biomass Resource and Technology Assessment, Union of Concerned Scientists

ANTARES prepared a report for the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) to assist them in their efforts to interface with other environmental advocacy groups on a wide range of issues associated with biomass energy resources and technologies. Issues considered included policy proposals, initial costs and overall project economics relative to other renewable and non-renewable energy technologies, comparisons of chemical compositions of a range of biomass and fossil fuels, and the environmental impacts of growing, harvesting and using biomass to generate electricity. ANTARES used an extensive library of technical resources to prepare a balanced assessment of the potential environmental impacts of using different biomass resources and technologies for generating electricity relative to conventional electricity sources and typical alternative fates for biomass. The report used credible studies based on sound science and measured data.

ANTARES also provided biomass supply curves (cost vs. quantity) to UCS for use in numerous policy analyses that consider the environmental impacts, costs, and key strategies for implementing key policy measures such as Renewable Portfolio Standards and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Limits in the U.S. These results have been published in numerous reports and have been presented to state and federal legislatures throughout the United States.