"Assemblyman Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, said the need to support biomass facilities has been a concern of his for some time. Thanks to SB 859 at least 400-450 jobs in the biomass industry are saved in the North State, including plant operators and truck drivers hauling lumber from forests.

Coupled with drought, wildfires and bark beetle infestation in the Sierra National Forest, the need for an option to dispose of wood fuels is at an all-time high and biomass is a natural fit say proponents of the SB 859."