“There’s a great potential for biomass products to play a role in our nation’s energy future,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee's Energy and Water Subcommittee.  “One of the ways we can spur this potential is using excess tree and branch waste, removed from our national forests, as part of developing this exciting new technology.  I couldn’t be prouder that Montana businesses have an opportunity to be a critical part of how we fuel our cars in the future.”

The grants will help create markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from forest restoration activities, such as reducing hazardous fuels, handling insect and diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impacted by catastrophic weather.

“These grants are essentially killing two birds with one stone,” said Rehberg.  “We’re keeping our forests healthy and reducing the risk of fire while creating new and innovative renewable energy at the same time.”

The Montana businesses receiving grants are:

·       $250,000 for Big Sky Shavings in Hall, MT

·       $250,000 for Kootenai Business Park Industrial District in Libby, MT

·       $211,500 for Marks Ranch and Lumber in Clancy, MT

·       $250,000 for Olser Logging, Inc. in Bozeman, MT