Tag Archives: Rep. Keith Goehner

Hawkins pleased Methow Valley biochar project funded in Senate budget proposal

Sen. Brad Hawkins is pleased to see support for a North Central Washington biochar project included in the Senate operating budget proposal released today.

Hawkins said the budget appropriation is the product of discussions he has had with C6 Forest to Farm, a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Methow Valley. Hawkins discussed the project with the organization during both his 2019 and 2020 listening tours. Representatives Mike Steele and Keith Goehner of the 12th District are also supporters of this funding request.

Biochar is a charcoal-like product produced through pyrolysis, a process that superheats biomass without burning. A demonstration project is planned to produce biochar from excess forest waste to reduce risk of wildfire to improve soil in agricultural lands and sequester carbon.

The Senate’s proposed 2021-23 operating budget includes $160,000 in funding toward a biochar research and demonstration project and initial efforts toward full-size operation of an industrial-sized facility in the Methow Valley. The budget proviso for the biochar project can be viewed here.

“I’m pleased the Senate budget proposal includes this funding and hope it will be retained in the final budget approved by the Legislature,” said Hawkins. “Our state must continue our active forest health efforts if we are ever to get in front of the growing costs of fighting wildfires. This includes strategic thinning and responsible prescribed fire. Figuring out a good way to repurpose the harvested biomass – without burning it – is definitely something that should be supported.”

Wildfires have had a devastating impact on North Central Washington. Engaging in responsible forest management practices to clear small-diameter trees, woody debris, and logging slash throughout timberlands can help significantly reduce wildfire risk.

The Senate’s operating budget proposal will receive a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee tomorrow. The committee is expected to vote on the budget on March 29.

What supporters are saying

“As the Commissioner of Public Lands leading the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, I recognize the critical role this effort plays in helping meet our forest health needs. C6’s desire to turn wildfire fuels in our forests into a product with market value represents the type of innovative approach needed to move forward our forest health, public safety, and rural development goals.”

Hilary Franz, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands

“I’m excited to support this effort and first learned of C6 from Tom and Gina McCoy in 2019 during a listening tour stop in Twisp. This demonstration project makes sense on many levels and could have big benefits if it proves successful. I’m glad it is gaining support.”

Brad Hawkins, State Senator, 12th District

“I appreciate all of the hard work being done to pursue this very worthwhile investment in our forest health through the use of biochar. I look forward to supporting this budget proviso in the House.”

Mike Steele, State Representative, 12th District

“This is a worthwhile and innovative project using our forest resources. With the potential benefits of biochar to forest health and agriculture it is promising to see this happening right here in the 12th District.”

 Keith Goehner, State Representative, 12th District

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end April 25.

12th District legislators sponsor Methow Valley biochar project

Following discussions in recent years with C6 Forest to Farm, a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Methow Valley, the 12th District lawmakers have agreed to support the organization by seeking funding for a biochar demonstration project.

Biochar is a charcoal-like product produced through pyrolysis, a process that superheats biomass without burning. C6 Forest to Farm is planning a demonstration project to produce biochar from excess forest waste to reduce risk of wildfire, improve soil in agricultural lands, and sequester carbon.

Wildfires have had a devastating impact on North Central Washington, including in the Methow Valley. The local legislators recognize that engaging in responsible forest management practices to clear small-diameter trees, woody debris, and logging slash throughout timberlands can help significantly reduce wildfire risk.

The 12th District legislators have requested $160,000 in the 2021-2023 state operating budget, a relatively modest amount, to assist C6 Forest to Farm for work toward a biochar research and demonstration project and initial efforts toward full-size operation of an industrial-sized facility in the Methow Valley. For more information, see C6 Forest to Farm.

What Supporters are Saying

“Conversion of excess biomass into biochar designed for specific benefits is rapidly gaining attention, particularly for its potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon. Our legislators’ support will allow C6 Forest to Farm to move forward rapidly with research on designing biochars made from local forest waste materials for a range of valuable products. Such research lays the groundwork for productively using the excess forest fuels that feed extreme, destructive wildfires.”

Tom McCoy, Executive Director, C6 Forest to Farm

“C6’s approach is to establish local infrastructure to cleanly and efficiently process forest waste materials into “biochar” (a scientifically produced charcoal). Biochar production offers the opportunity to sequester about half the carbon contained in the forest waste materials, with little CO2 release, and produces a highly stable soil amendment that can significantly increase crop yields by helping to improve our agricultural soil health. Biochar, contained in the soil, is an enormous asset for our farms. C6’s efforts will create good jobs and spinoff economic development in rural areas. To me, this is a win-win for the environment and our economy.”

John Willett, Founding Board Member, C6 Forest to Farm

“I’m excited to support this effort and first learned of C6 from Tom and Gina McCoy in 2019 during a listening tour stop in Twisp. This demonstration project makes sense on many levels and could have big benefits if it proves successful. I’m glad it is gaining support.”

Brad Hawkins, State Senator, 12th District

“I appreciate all of the hard work being done to pursue this very worthwhile investment in our forest health through the use of biochar. I look forward to supporting this budget proviso in the House.”

Mike Steele, State Representative, 12th District

“This is a worthwhile and innovative project using our forest resources. With the potential benefits of biochar to forest health and agriculture it is promising to see this happening right here in the 12th District.”

Keith Goehner, State Representative, 12th District

Hawkins’ hydropower tax incentive bill approved by key House committee

The House Finance Committee today has approved Senate Bill 6012, a hydropower tax incentive bill sponsored by Sen. Brad Hawkins that helps acknowledge hydropower’s important role in providing clean energy. Improved tax treatment for hydropower has been a key priority for Hawkins, the mid-Columbia PUDs that he represents, and many other hydropower owners throughout the state.

Senate Bill 6012, related to renewable energy incentives, was approved by the Finance Committee in an amended form. The committee’s changes broaden the eligibility for the tax incentives beyond oil-free technology in an effort to benefit hydroelectric projects owned by municipal utilities, private utilities, and public utilities over an 11-year period, an extension of one additional year. To qualify, the refurbishments would need to provide additional support for the transition toward the Clean Energy Transformation Act.

Hawkins was pleased to advance SB 6012 further in the process. His first version of the bill was introduced last year as an effort to promote equal tax treatment between hydropower clean energy and non-hydro clean energy, such as wind and solar. He narrowed the bill earlier this session to advance it out of the Senate and to keep the bill moving.

“I’m very excited that the bill is advancing and has been broadened to pick up the support of more hydro stakeholders. They clearly sensed that the bill was on the move and wanted to join in with support,” said Hawkins.

The next major step in the legislative process is a vote by the House of Representatives and then what is known as a “concurrence vote” by the Senate. The bill’s revenue impacts – now approximately $5 million per biennium as amended by the House Finance Committee – must also be implemented in the final supplemental operating budget to be approved at the end of session. The Finance Committee chair, Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-36th District), helped structure the committee amendment with an expanded fiscal benefit.

Hawkins thanks Chair Tarleton and his 12th District seatmates, Rep. Keith Goehner and Rep. Mike Steele, who both sponsored an oil-free hydro tax incentive bill earlier this session. Hawkins said successful passage of a hydropower tax incentive, if a bill makes it to the governor, will be a “12th District team effort” and added, “We are pushing very hard to get a bill across the finish line.”

Hawkins expressed appreciation for what this bill would signify statewide for hydropower.

“The Clean Energy Transformation Act approved last session was heralded by many of my colleagues and promoted nationally by the governor, but our state cannot achieve such a level of clean energy without our renewable hydropower. Last year’s bill extended tax benefits to all of the other clean energy sources, so I’m thankful my colleagues are recognizing the need to include hydropower as well,” said Hawkins.

Last December, Hawkins was awarded the Washington PUD Association’s “Legislative Champion” Award for securing the passage of SB 5588 (PUD renewable hydrogen) and for his efforts last session toward promoting hydro tax treatment in SB 6012.