This is nearly four times greater than the biomass available from wood waste and paper, the next largest feedstock category. Forest thinning is not only necessary to help western softwood forests regain their natural health, but it will also provide a large supply of waste wood that can be converted to biomass power or biofuels. Due to the large volume of waste generated by industry and private homes, landfills are becoming increasingly expensive and closely regulated. Many landfills are being forced to close because of more stringent regulations required for their operation. Instead of burying this waste in landfills, much of it could be used to make biofuels or generate biopower.
Energy crops are crops developed and grown specifically for fuel.
These include fast-growing trees, shrubs, and grasses, such as hybrid poplars, willows, and switchgrass. Energy crops can be grown on agricultural lands not needed for food, feed, and fiber. In addition, farmers can plant energy crops along riverbanks, around lakeshores or between farms and natural forests or wetlands to create habitat for wildlife, renew the soils, and encourage biodiversity. Trees can be grown for as long as a decade, then be harvested for energy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that there will be about 100 million acres available for growing energy crops in the 21st century.