Kathryn Baskin: baskin@sseb.org
The Southern States Biobased Alliance was established in 2000 as program of the Southern States Energy Board, addressing the development of biomass for energy within the southern region. The Alliance's mission is to provide leadership and develop strategies that will foster biobased industry and boost rural economies. Alliance membership is composed of both gubernatorial appointees from state legislatures representing SSEB member states, as well as representatives of the public or private sector who are active in energy, environment, agricultural and forestry issues. Key activities are focused on stimulating markets for biomass and learning about policies and incentives in other states.
SSEB is working with the Coalition of Northeast Governors (CONEG), the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG), the Western Governors' Association (WGA) and the Pacific Regional Biomass Partnership hosted by Washington State University under the auspices of The National Biomass Partnership (NBP). The NBP is a union of the five organizations and their long-standing regional biomass energy programs representing all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. All of these organizations are recognized nationally for their combined experience related to biomass technologies and policies. The American Clean Energy and Security Act contains authorizing language to support the five regional host organizations that comprise the National Biomass Partnership.
This year's focus has been to facilitate partnerships among industry, government, academia and others to advance biomass technologies in the region and nationally. SSEB has contributed in many areas, assessing the technical viability of technologies and evaluating business plans for power plant development to bringing interested parties together to explore joint ventures. Numerous activities include technical assistance and policy guidance to our member states and others in the region. Through this guidance, the Southern States Energy Board will continue to foster the growth and implementation of a bioeconomy in the South.
6325 Amherst Court, Norcross, Georgia, 30092 | Tel: (770) 242-7712 | Fax: (770) 242-9956
