-- SB 498 SAMPLE LETTER –

[Date]

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown

Governor, State of California

State Capitol Building

Sacramento, CA 95814

REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE for SB 498 (Lara)

Biomass: Conversion Technology

Dear Governor Brown:

On behalf of __________, I write to respectfully request your signature on Senate Bill 498 (SB 498). As you know, this bill would help to facilitate the development of cleaner and more efficient technologies in California for converting biomass materials to renewable energy.

SB 498 is intended to accomplish the goals set forth in SB 804 (2013), which was enrolled but ultimately vetoed. In your veto message, you stated that you agreed with the intent of SB 804 and directed your Administration to work with stakeholders to develop a more straightforward approach. SB 498 does just that. This bill would simply expand the definition of biomass to include non-combustion thermal conversion technologies. The most recent amendments include important reporting requirements for new and existing biomass conversion facilities requested by your Administration.

Current law limits "biomass conversion" to the controlled combustion of organic materials--such as wood, lawn and garden clippings, agricultural waste, leaves, tree pruning as well as non-recyclable paper--when separated from other solid waste and used for producing electricity or heat. This bill would simply include thermal conversion technologies in the biomass definition, allowing for cleaner and more efficient non-combustion technologies to be used to process biomass and creating a new pathway for low-carbon fuels.

--ORGANIZATION SPECIFIC INFORMATION AS APPROPRATE --

It is for these reasons that we strongly support SB 498, and respectfully request your signature. Should you have any questions, please contact ______________.

 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
YOUR NAME/ORGANIZATION
 
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