Senate OKs Knopp biomass ‘carbon-neutral’ bill

State Sen. Tim Knopp (R- Bend) carried Senate Bill 752 on the Senate floor Monday and the effort to declare biomass “carbon-neutral” sailed through unanimously.

SB 752 declares biomass to be carbon neutral, taking a rule previously created by the Department of Environmental Quality and making it law. It is chief sponsored by Knopp and Sen. Chris Edwards (D-Eugene), chair of the Senate Environment and National Resources Committee.

The bill passed out of committee last week on a bipartisan, unanimous vote and did the same on the Senate floor Monday.

“I believe it’s important for Oregon to endorse the carbon neutrality of biomass. We have the opportunity to create jobs while also pursuing sound environmental policy.” said Knopp.

SB 752 now heads to the House, where Knopp hopes it will be taken up soon. “This is a good bill, especially for rural Oregon,” he said.” I’m looking forward to the House sending this bill to the governor for her signature.”