Biomass Energy

Biomass refers to the use of living and recently dead biological material as an energy source. It contains stored energy from the sun, either through photosynthesis in plants, or passed on to the animals that eat those plants. Some examples of biomass fuels are wood, crops, alcohol fuels, manure, landfill gas, and some garbage. Biomass can be converted to usable forms of energy, including methane gas or transportation fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Not only does it burn cleaner than fossil fuels, it also supports the agricultural industry and cuts back on the amount of waste going into our landfills. Biomass fuels provide about 3 percent of the energy used in the United States. Some companies in Jefferson County, Colorado are developing technologies to bring biomass fuel use to the forefront.