Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC)

In July 2012, the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) assumed the programs of the Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC), building upon the long-lived cooperation and mutual support between the mission-driven, non-profit organizations.

BERC strengthens local economies by increasing energy security through the development of sustainable biomass energy systems, with a particular focus on the use of woody biomass.

Sustainably harvested wood is an important source of biomass fuel. This fuel can be obtained from conventional forestry practices such as thinning and trimming as part of sustainably managed woodland and as a byproduct from primary and secondary wood product manufacturers. Community Scale Biomass (CSB) helps to keep regional forests healthy, creates local jobs, and can stabilize or reduce fuel costs for energy consumers.  Over the past decade, and with generous support arranged by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, BERC published numerous documents that provide useful information about biomass energy feedstocks, sustainable forest management, community-scale biomass district energy systems, and more.

For additional resources, click on the links below:

• Fact Sheet – Learn about current issues surrounding woody biomass energy
• Video – Watch an informative video about the biomass supply chain challenges and opportunities
• Case Studies – A comprehensive collection of woody biomass case studies that document the development and operational experience of various community-scale facilities in the United States, Canada, and Europe.*
• Publications – A sampling of educational publications developed by BERC
• Community Scale Searchable Database – Listing of community–scale facilities in the United States and Canada that use biomass for heating or combined heat and power (CHP).

* These case studies and database development were made possible with funding from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the U.S. DOE