The South Carolina Biomass Council (SCBC) is a syndicate of biomass energy production companies in the United States's state of South Carolina. Dr. Nicholas C.Rigas, the Director of South Carolina Institute for Energy Studies heads the syndicate.
The South Carolina Biomass Council works in co-operation with United States government legislators, biomass trade businesspersons, and product end users to create awareness about the full benefits of biomass products. The state currently is a net importer of electrical energy. The development of biogas plants is expected to partially offset the dependence on imported energy.
The South Carolina Biomass Council aims to make energy from biomass a practical alternative to large commercial scale fossil fuel energy producing plants. The initiative is needed for a more diversified energy source. Biomass is one of the practical solutions to this problem.
The SCBC has invested its economic and intellectual resources in the following renewable energy areas:
Solid biomass fuels: It is a naturally occurring renewable fuel resource. Most of the solid biomass available in South Carolina is wood. Other solid biomass sources include urban municipal waste, debris from construction, and residues from agriculture. Solid biomass is burned to produce steam that runs a turbine.
Gaseous biomass fuels: It is a type of renewable fuel resource that exists in a gaseous state. Methane gas forms a prime example. The gas is produced naturally from decomposing natural matter like animal waste, organic trash, and also from food products that have decomposed with time.
Liquid biomass fuels: It is a type of renewable energy resource that exists in a liquid state. Typical examples of this biomass fuel include biodiesel and ethanol. Corn and soybeans form a major source material. Liquid biomass fuels may also be extracted from cotton residues. Non-plant sources like animal fat and grease are also used.
The South Carolina Biomass Council offers incentives to entrepreneurs and businesses to exploit the renewable energy resources present in the state. The SCBC has catalyzed to bring about the provision of tax benefits of purchasing landfill gas in the state. The benefit may be utilized by entrepreneurs up to a period of 10 years. Tax rebates are also granted on the procurement of flex-fuel vehicles.
Tax benefits are also given to alternative fuel manufacturers in South Carolina State. Persons owning cars that run on renewable fuels may claim income tax deductions. Hybrid cars are included within this gambit. Renewable fuel retailers are also given incentives to sell ecofriendly biomass fuel.