State and Federal Policy

Working at the state and federal levels, the Center advocates for public policies and regional investment that support community economic development opportunities, markets for sustainably produced forest products and services, and forest stewardship and conservation.

As a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status from the IRS, the Center does not support or oppose candidates for public office nor engage in partisan activities.

Wood Heat Policy

State and federal energy policy is focused predominantly on transportation fuels and electricity, not on heating. Yet it is in thermal energy use that the Northern Forest has the most to gain (or lose). The Northeast consumes 84% of the entire U.S. supply of home heating oil—5.5 billion gallons annually. Buying this oil sends $10 billion out of the region each year.

To complement our wood heat programming, the Center works with partners across the region and beyond to identify and advocate for ways that federal and state energy policy can support the region in realizing this potential. These policies include state pellet boiler rebate programs and federal tax credits, for example.

The Farm Bill

Every five years, the US Congress revises the Farm Bill, which directs the majority of federal policy and funding for agriculture, forestry, conservation, and food in the United States. The bill directly affects the type of federal rural development, forestry, and conservation programs available in the Northern Forest.

Thanks in part to the Center’s efforts, the 2014 Farm Bill included new support for regional approaches to rural development as well as reauthorization for key regional programs such as the Northern Border Regional Commission.

During reauthorization of the 2018 Farm Bill, we worked with partners across the region and nationally, such as the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition and the Rural Development Innovation Group, to make Northern Forest voices heard.

Staff Contacts

Joe Short

Vice President

Cell: 603-491-2651

Wood Heat Policy

The Farm Bill

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Staff Contacts

Joe Short

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Wood Heat Policy

The Farm Bill

Check out the Bike Borderlands website for riding challenges, special events and more.

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Advancing Rural Economy

Improving Federal Programs

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Staff Contacts

Joe Short