Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) partnered with U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) to introduce the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act. This new bipartisan, bicameral legislation proposes to modernize the definition for renewable biomass under the Renewable Fuel Standard, establishing a strong market for woody biomass generated through forest management activities and boosting wildfire resiliency efforts at the same time.
“Reducing wildfire risk demands innovative solutions and using all the tools at our disposal to invest in wildfire prevention efforts,” said Merkley. “Woody biomass that comes from responsible forest management activities—like hazardous fuels reduction—presents a huge opportunity for communities in Oregon and across the nation. By updating the definition for these materials to qualify as renewable fuels, we can harness their power to create new markets for these materials, reducing wildfire risk and supporting healthier public, private, and Tribal lands.”
“This bipartisan bill creates avenues to help reduce the wildfire threats in the West but also clears the way for biomass produced from non-federal lands in heavily forested states like Mississippi to contribute to the nation’s renewable fuels resources,” said Hyde-Smith. “With this bill, we will make it easier to develop a new revenue stream for the thinnings, logging residuals, and mill byproducts that Mississippi landowners and forest products manufacturers already generate, without requiring them to change how they manage their timberland.”
“Hundreds of thousands of tons of new wood grow in Oregon’s forests each and every day, increasing the chance and the danger of cataclysmic wildfire. This danger can be reduced by removing brush and excess trees from the forests. Technology has found a way to convert wood into biofuel, so this wood does have value. The challenge, resolved by this bill, is to properly focus existing financial support systems on the removal, transport, and processing of qualified wood from our forests to processing facilities. This bill would provide financial support for such removal by expanding the Renewable Fuel Standard to include woody biomass removed from federal forest land. Removal of this biomass will reduce costs of fire suppression, protect forest health, and improve and preserve watersheds,” said Bentz.
“This bipartisan legislation recognizes that healthy forests and strong rural economies go hand in hand. By creating new markets for woody biomass generated through responsible forest management, we can help reduce wildfire risk, support jobs in rural communities, and expand America’s renewable fuel supply. This commonsense approach creates economic opportunity while helping protect our forests and natural resources for future generations,” said Thompson.
Merkley has been a longtime leader in Congress to advocate for wildfire resiliency efforts, leading a series of bipartisan bills to support mills processing hazardous fuels coming off public lands, train the new generation of wildland firefighters, aid toxic debris cleanup following wildfires, and promote collaborative forest management.
In addition to Merkley, Hyde-Smith, Bentz, and Thompson, the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Angus King (I-ME), and U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), James Gallagher (R-CA-01), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), Max Miller (R-OH-07), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), and Bob Latta (R-OH-05).
The bipartisan, bicameral bill is supported by 75+ organizations, including the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO), Intertribal Timber Council (ITC), Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, American Forest Resource Council, and American Farm Bureau Federation. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.
“NAFO thanks Senator Merkley and Senator Hyde-Smith for their leadership in introducing the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026. Supporting this legislation is an easy call. The bill creates a powerful new tool for addressing the wildfire crisis and the ongoing closures of wood-consuming paper mills by unlocking practical markets for low-value wood and mill residuals. It supports forest health and resilience through active forest management, strengthens the sawmills that supply our housing sector, bolsters rural economies, and helps America meet growing demand for renewable fuels. At a time when forest owners, mills, and rural communities are facing real economic peril, this targeted fix to the definition of wood in the Renewable Fuel Standard is exactly the kind of commonsense solution Congress should advance,” said Dave Tenny, President and CEO, National Alliance of Forest Owners.
“The Intertribal Timber Council supports reforming clean energy frameworks, including the Renewable Fuel Standard. Classification of forest residuals from all forestlands as eligible for market-based incentives will increase the use of these forest materials, which will accelerate hazardous fuel reduction, thus providing a critical defense against catastrophic wildfires that endanger tribal communities, water supplies, and cultural sites,” said Cal Mukumoto, ITC Executive Director.
“One of the biggest challenges impeding the nation’s wildfire risk reduction goals is the cost of treatments. As the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recognized, expanding commercial markets can help to offset these costs and increase the amount of work accomplished for the same federal investment,” said Taylor Reed, Senior Government Relations Specialist at the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience. “The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 is an important step towards the expansion of a wood-based renewable fuel industry, helping to increase risk reduction, decrease fire intensity, and improve air quality. AWR applauds Senators Merkley and Hyde-Smith, as well as Reps. Benz and Thompson for their leadership on this issue.”
“The American Forest Resource Council strongly supports the bipartisan Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act. This legislation is a smart approach to help prevent catastrophic wildfires by creating new markets for low-value biomass fuels removed from at-risk national forests, protecting communities, increasing renewable energy supplies, and ultimately reducing wildfire suppression costs. Active forest management works. A recent large-scale study completed by UC Davis found that every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages. We thank Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman Cliff Bentz for being proactive and focusing on prevention to better protect our forests, communities, public health and safety, and the American taxpayer,” said Travis Joseph, President/CEO American Forest Resource Council.
“Farm Bureau appreciates the introduction of bipartisan legislation that supports farmers, foresters and both public and private forest lands across the United States. Updating the definition of renewable biomass for the Renewable Fuel Standard will support active land stewardship and reduce wildfire risk through improved management of public lands. Farm Bureau encourages the Senate to swiftly consider the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026,” said Dr. John Newton, Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis, American Farm Bureau Federation.
Full text of the Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act can be found by clicking here.
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