Bipartisan Wildfire Biomass Bill Aims to Enhance Forest Restoration and Renewable Fuel Markets
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has introduced the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026, aiming to create economic uses for woody material removed during forest management projects. Led by U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz of Oregon and Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, along with Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, the bill seeks to amend federal law to broaden the definition of eligible renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard. This would allow low-value woody materials from hazardous fuels reduction and forest management projects to qualify for renewable fuel production. The legislation has garnered support from lawmakers in both heavily forested Western states and timber-producing regions in the Southeast. It addresses the increasing wildfire threats in Oregon and other states, where excessive vegetation contributes to extreme fire behavior. The bill proposes financial incentives for removing excess vegetation, which would reduce wi... 
