More than 200,000 tons of dead or diseased trees were removed from national forests this summer through a program that offsets the harvest and transport cost for delivering plant materials to biomass refineries, said USDA. Nineteen facilities in 10 states took part. Up to $12.5 million is available annually under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program for providing forest or crop residue to an advanced energy facility. USDA said it will issue a final rule this winter to reflect BCAP modifications in the 2014 farm law. It will open the program to applications for matching payments once the new regulation is in place.