Forests and woodlands across the state of Arizona are in need of market development opportunities to facilitate on-the-ground restoration activities. Arizona State Forestry and the USDA Forest Service are committed to advancing the installation of commercially viable wood energy systems in the public and private applications that use woody biomass generated from public lands and other land ownerships, in Arizona.
Arizona State Forestry, with funding provided by the USDA Forest Service, is soliciting cost-share project proposals from $5,000 to $30,000 for woody biomass utilization projects. The funds are made available to assist with the financial costs of procuring preliminary engineering assessments, wood energy conversion feasibility studies, and wood fiber supply studies.
Under the Arizona Biomass Enterprise Grant (ABEG) program, projects that seek to use woody biomass for the following purposes are eligible for funding:
1. Generation of thermal energy;
2. Generation of electrical energy;
3. Production of value-added products such as wood heating pellets or other novel modified wood fuel products;
Eligible Applicants for ABEG program funding are:
• Units of local government (counties, municipalities, cities and towns)
• Non-Profit Organizations 501(c)3
• Public educational institutions
• State agencies
• Tribal governments
Individuals and for-profit companies do not qualify for direct funding. The ABEG program does not discriminate against any person or organization because of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age or national origin.
Downloadable applications can be accessed at https://azsf.az.gov/grants/utilization. Applications are due to Arizona State Forestry no later than 5:00 PM (MST) on April 29, 2016. Proposals received after this date will not be accepted. Proposals should either be mailed to:
Arizona State Forestry
Attn: Arizona Biomass Enterprise Grant
3650 Lake Mary Road
Flagstaff, Arizona 86005
928-637-05499
or sent by email to: PatrickRappold@azsf.gov