The Biomass Energy Foundation – History

The Biomass Energy Foundation (BEF) is a 501(c)(3) non profit foundation devoted to biomass energy education and specializing in micro-gasification.

The BEF was founded in 1984 Dr. Harry LaFontaine.  Harry built gasifiers during World War II as a cover for his nighttime activities in the Danish Underground. When the “energy crisis” struck in 1974, Harry gave lectures and demonstrations on gasification in many universities around the East.   He converted a Lincoln Continental stretch limo to WoodGas and demonstrated it and lectured on gasification in many Eastern colleges.

Tom Reed met Harry in 1985.  In 1982 Harry set up a 501(c)(3)  (not for profit) foundation for his activities in biomass energy.  Reed was invited to be a member of the board of directors of BEF. At that time Tom Reed began to publish books for the Biomass Energy Foundation.

In 1994 Harry died (at age 80) and left the BEF to Dr. Reed to pursue its original purposes. It is used for research, consulting, publishing and travel activities in the field of biomass and gasification.

Tom Reed served as president and his wife Vivian is secretary of the BEF from 1994 until 2010.  Now the board has expanded to include Kathy Nafie, Bill Ayres, Paul Anderson, and Hugh McLaughlin who are dedicated to continuing the vision of Tom Reed and expanding the legacy firmly established by its founders.

BEF continues to publish books related to Bomass Gasification research and Biochar research.  BEF is expanding its work with the Stove Camp Initiative to teach and develop new designs for gasifiers and stoves, domestically and globally. This includes the study of pyrolysis to make Biochar and energy from the vast amounts of waste, wood and biomass in the world.

The executive offices of BEF are located in Franktown, Colorado outside of Denver. Our stoves and books are shipped from there.