In 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service awarded $80 million in Wood Innovation Grantsto support wood products manufacturing, expand active forest management, and accelerate energy innovation. West Biofuels is one past grant recipient showing how investing in wood innovations can power rural communities and increase the health of our nation’s forests. National forests and grasslands provide plenty for the American public, from recreation opportunities to resources like drinking water, minerals, gas, oil and timber. Forests across the country are also ramping up production of another common good—electricity. The Hat Creek Bioenergy Facility, located in Burney, California, began Commercial Operations in late June and converts biomass from surrounding forests into electricity for the local grid. The facility hosted its ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 to celebrate the commissioning and successful first months of operations.