Hawaii extends public land leasing rights to biomass producers in new legislation

In Hawaii, Governor Linda Lingle signed legislation that expands the definition of “renewable energy producer” to include feedstock growers.  Previously, leasing rights to public land were reserved to biofuel producers, although producers typically needed commercial and industrial sites and feedstock growers use public lands to grow biomass. The legislation will facilitate more effective use of land, where previously producers were incentivized to site their plants on agri-friendly public lands in order to secure the leases for cultivation of feedstock.

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