Bioenergy Council

Council Background

The Bioenergy Council was created in 2009 Wisconsin Act 401 and is charged with identifying “voluntary best management practices for sustainable biomass and biofuels production…” 

The WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is directed to establish and support the work of the Council. Council chairpersons and members were chosen in October 2010 by DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. Members will serve 3 year staggered terms, and replacement members will also be chosen by the DATCP Secretary.  

Prior to the creation of the Bioenergy Council, a multiagency technical team was established to draft sustainability guidelines for planting and harvesting non-forest biomass. The “Non-forest Biomass Workgroup” includes members with expertise in agronomy, soils science, agricultural policy, wildlife ecology, natural resources science. The guidelines developed by the Non-forest Biomass Workgroup will be reviewed by the Bioenergy Council and input from the Council will steer the direction of the final guidelines.

Statutory Charge

SECTION 42. 93.47 of the statutes is created to read:

93.47 Bioenergy council. (1) The bioenergy council shall identify voluntary best management practices for sustainable biomass and biofuels production, which may include consideration of practices related to choosing biomass species, where to plant, crop management, harvest, and processing and transport, and factors such as soil management, chemical inputs, carbon sequestration in soil and root mass, plant and animal biodiversity, and other factors at the discretion of the council. The council shall consider efforts relating to sustainable biomass and biofuels production conducted by other entities, including the council on forestry.

(2) The council shall report its findings, at least biennially, to agencies and private parties that assist producers of biofuel feedstocks and biofuels, as determined by the council. [Emphasis added.]

Membership

The Bioenergy Council membership is comprised of individuals from agricultural, forest, environmental and biofuels stakeholder groups. Click the link above to see the Bioenergy Council membership list.

Council Structure, Function and Procedures

Meeting Materials

April 10, 2012 Barriers Subgroup Conference Call

Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

April 3, 2012 Policy Subgroup Conference Call

Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Meeting Notes (PDF)

February 9, 2012 Subgroup Meetings - Webinar/Conference Call

Agenda (PDF)
Meeting Minutes:

• Policy Subgroup (PDF)
• Barriers to Commercialization Subgroup (PDF)
• Meeting Attendees (PDF)
• Member Updates (PDF)

Bioenergy Council Workplan Timeline (PDF)

July 27, 2011 Meeting

Agenda (PDF)
Non-forest Biomass Guidelines Draft 6-20-11 (PDF)
Meeting Minutes (PDF)

April 12, 2011

9:00am - 12:00pm
DATCP Boardroom

• Agenda (Word Doc)
• Guidelines (PDF)

January 25, 2011

9:00am – 3:00pm
Dane County Extension Building
1 Fen Oak Court, Madison, WI
Room 121

• Agenda (PDF)
• Wisconsin Sustainable Planting and Harvesting Guidelines for Nonforest Biomass on Public and Private Lands
• Review Instructions (PDF)
• Small Group Breakouts (PDF)
• Meeting Notes (PDF)

November 12, 2010

• Agenda(Word Doc)
• Minutes
• Presentations
  • Agricultural Runoff Rules Overview (PDF)
  • Non-forest Biomass Technical Team (PDF)
  • WI Forest Guidelines Presentation (PDF)
  • Charter Street Project Overview (PDF)

Questions about the Bioenergy Council?

Contact Us at: sara.walling@wi.gov or 608-224-5041