By December 2010, the department shall provide a progress report to the legislature regarding its efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate forest biomass energy demonstration projects and any other department initiatives related to forest biomass. The report may include an evaluation of:

     (1) The status of the department's abilities to secure funding, partners, and other resources for the forest biomass energy demonstration projects;

     (2) The status of the biomass energy demonstration projects resulting from the department's efforts;

     (3) The status and, if applicable, additional needs of forest landowners within the demonstration project areas for estimating sustainable forest biomass yields and availability;

     (4) Forest biomass feedstock supply and forest biomass market demand barriers, and how they can best be overcome including actions by the legislature and United States congress; and

     (5) Sustainability measures that may be instituted by the state to ensure that an increasing demand for forest biomass feedstocks does not impair public resources or the ecological conditions of forests.

[2009 c 163 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2009 c 163: See note following RCW 43.30.835.