The U.S. Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2013 Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Program.

According to information published in the Federal Register, request seeks proposals for wood energy projects that require engineering services. Eligible projects will use woody biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, forest management due to weather events, or thinning overstocked stands. Projects eligible for funding will also utilize the biomass in commercially-proven technologies to produce thermal energy, electrical power or liquid or gaseous bioenergy.

Grant funding awarded through the program must be used for planning of these facilities. Some permitted uses for the grant money include funding engineering services necessary for final design and cost analysis.

The Forest Service expects to award approximately $3 million in grants under the funding round. Individual awards cannon exceed $250,000. To be considered, projects must have already completed a comprehensive feasibility assessment of the project by qualified and credible parties and a woody biomass resource supply assessment. Eligible parties must also submit three years of financial statements.

Applications for this round of funding will be accepted through April 8. Additional information on the program and its requirements can be found on the Federal Register website. 

I wish you luck with your applications.