New Biomass Facility Opens in Tuolumne County

March 12, 2027 – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) announced the completion of the federally funded Community and Watershed Resilience Program with the opening of the Tuolumne BioEnergy facility in Sonora, which, alongside the Tuolumne Biomass facility, utilizes forest-restoration material to create jobs and produce wood products while reducing wildfire fuels. The program, funded through a $70.4 million National Disaster Resilience Competition grant following the 2013 Rim Fire, included forest- and watershed-health projects on 14,000 acres, creation of two community resilience centers, and strategic fuel breaks to protect communities and landscapes. By converting excess biomass into usable products and supporting large-scale fuels reduction, these facilities enhance forest resilience, lower wildfire risk, and provide long-term economic and ecological benefits to Tuolumne County.