2025 Biomass & Beyond: Growing a Resilient Regional Bioeconomy
On November 5th, Valley Vision hosted a Biomass Symposium to help create a resilient regional bioeconomy. At this second interactive workshop, attendees learned about biomass utilization in the region, challenges with upscaling biomass solutions, and opportunities for local and regional collaboration. Additionally, attendees heard from state and local experts, learned about regional projects, and were informed about policies and programs that can advance biomass solutions for our forests and agricultural lands.
Thank you to all contributors who helped make this event a success!
This event is in partnership with Placer County Water Agency, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, the Cleaner Air Partnership, the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative, and We Prosper Together.
Huge thank you to our guest speakers and subject-matter experts who joined us at the event, shared valuable insights, and helped moved the needle on biomass solutions for our forests, agricultural lands and communities:
- Kate Gordon – Chief Executive Officer, California Forward
- Eric Guerra – Board of Director for Sacramento Region Air Districts, California Air Resources Board
- Dr. Cindy Chen – Woody Biomass & Forest Products Advisor, UC Ag & Natural Resources
- Eric Martin – Director of Public Works, NorthStar Community Services District
- João Mario Soares – Chief Executive Officer, Engeman Energy
- Matt Summers – Chief Operating Officer, West Biofuels
- Elizabeth Betancourt – Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor, California Department of Conservation
- Julia Levin – Executive Director, Bioenergy Association of California
- Lisa Lien-Mager – Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildfire Resilience: Wildfire Task Force, California Natural Resources Agency
Included is the full presentation from the symposium:
Why should California and the Capital Region invest in Biomass Utilization?
In 2023, biomass diverted over 7 million tons of waste from landfills, and provided approximately 5% of California’s in-state energy supply. With an estimated 47 million bone- dry tons of biomass resource potential statewide, California is poised to lead in bio-based innovation through forest restoration, waste diversion, and bioindustrial development.
Biomass utilization has untapped potential to help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, manage agricultural and forest waste for rural and urban economic growth, and protect and improve public health and natural resources in all of our communities.
Keeping Up the Momentum and Ways To Stay Involved!
Our region is positioned to be a leader in the bioeconomy. We saw it clearly at the Biomass Symposium. Projects are coming online, local municipalities are prioritizing and investing, and there is growing interest and engagement from communities. We also heard that investors are pulling together billion dollar funds and ready to build up business. Valley Vision is excited to support the movement by putting in time, resources, and collaborative energy into building an ecosystem that works for everyone.
We’re thrilled to announce our first set of resources to keep this momentum going:
- Technical assistance for those ready to start a project including personalized one-on-one support.
- A webinar series designed to turn great ideas into financeable, actionable projects.
- And a new advisory committee to help guide policy recommendations, build the ecosystem, and identify emerging opportunities for collaboration and investment.
If you signed up for the biomass symposium, you will receive updates and information on upcoming webinars, events, and resources. Feel free to reach out to Lindsey Nitta, Working Lands Sector Investment Coordinator, at lindsey.nitta@valleyvision.org to receive technical assistance, share ideas, needs, and opportunities.
To recap last year’s Biomass Symposium, access event materials and resources here and watch the recording below :
For inquiries about the Biomass Symposium and Valley Vision, please contact Kathy Saechou, Project Manager, at kathy.saechou@valleyvision.org.
