On April 25, 2006, Executive Order S-06-06, the Bioenergy Action Plan was issued by the then governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, outlining a set of target goals which would establish the increasing use and production of biofuels and biopower for both electricity generation and substitution of natural gas and petroleum within the state of California. The plan asked multiple state agencies (the Bioenergy Interagency Working Group) to work towards the advancement of biomass programs in California. The order would also help provide statewide environmental protection, mitigation and economic advancement. The plan was passed on July 7, 2006, with progress reports issued in 2007 and 2009. An updated plan was released in 2011. The 2011 plan supports the goals of current California Governor Jerry Brown’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan. The 2011 plan evaluates strategies for overcoming the litigation challenges which deterred progress in the 2006 plan. The 2011 plan also recommends new actions for environmental progress in the state of California Types of biofuels and biomass energies Cellulosic feed stocks derived from forestry, agricultural, and urban wastes Gasification Pyrolysis Biomass-to-liquids conversions Landfill gas use in energy systems Goals and benefits of incorporating plan(s) Capturing methane from landfills and converting manure for overall climate benefits Forest and agricultural waste biomass as a source of fuel Combining heat (from waste biomass) for energy (electricity) Improving forest health and animal welfare via converting urban forestry and agricultural residues Enhancing rural economic development via the exportation of green fuels Creates local jobs (at new refinery and green plants) Protects watersheds and helps to avoid wildfires Reducing statewide petroleum dependence Bioenergy Interagency Working Group responsibilities Use the state and federal budgets to ease the passing of institutional, legislative and regulatory changes which are necessary for plan to be implemented. Carry out the state's target objectives. Prove the commercial readiness of production and conversion technologies for the expansion of biomass and biofuel energies. Develop and demonstrate projects for the biomass-fueled electricity plants and refineries. Help place a value and market potential on renewable sources of energy, fuel and chemicals. Produce and demonstrate new cropping, handling, storage, and distribution systems for renewable energy plants. Demonstrate efficient biomass harvesting systems at (at least) three sites. Communicate the benefits of bioenergy to the general public and policy makers. Research new sources of financing for future project development. 2006 Bioenergy Action Plan The original plan was written based on reviews and