Solid waste: woody biomass: collection and conversion.

Existing law establishes the CalRecycle Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Loan Program, administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, to provide loans to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases by promoting in-state development of infrastructure or other projects to reduce organic waste or process organic and other recyclable materials into new value-added products. This bill would create a 5-year woody biomass rural county collection and disposal pilot program, to be administered by the department, consisting of awarding funding to participating counties with a total population of less than 250,000 for the purpose of conducting community collection days at which individuals can dispose of woody biomass free of charge. The bill would require a county awarded funding under the program to contract with a local biomass conversion facility to collect and convert the biomass in a way that results in fewer greenhouse gases emitted than if the biomass had been disposed of. The bill would require the department to report specified program information to the Legislature after the conclusion of the program.