"To improve the economic viability, environmental impact, and overall effectiveness of removing and repurposing forest biomass in order to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest and watershed health." (Wildephor Consulting, CA)

“From January 1 to September 8, 2020 there were 41,051 wildfires compared with 35,386 wildfires in the same period in 2019, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. About 4.7 million acres were burned in the 2020 period, compared with 4.2 million acres in 2019.” Insurance Information Institute – Wildfires https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-wildfires

Seems like it would be great for ½ the USA but not the entire USA.

Congress is fast-tracking legislation to address these issues. Currently in committee is a bill to advance biomass conversion and another was just introduced to support fuel management. The latter would include biochar production under the "biomass conversion" label, but the wording for grant criteria (Sec. 201 (c)) is based only on the amount of energy the facility would supply. This is something that I would hope could be corrected in the language as the bill moves forward.

Robert

Thanks Tom,
Just to add to the grim picture / global outlook

Statistics  AUSTRALIA

As of 9 March 2020, the fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; 186,000 square kilometres; 72,000 square miles),
destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and killed at least 34 people.

Burned area: Approximately 18,636,079 hectares ...

Cause: Started fires: Lightning strikes; Accident; ...

Date(s): June 2019 – May 2020

Buildings destroyed: 9,352+: 3,500 homes; 5,8...

2019–20 Australian bushfire season - Wikipedia