The PRC government has made development of rural biomass energy, specifically, an essential part of its long-term development strategy in rural areas. Most significantly, the Renewable Energy Law (effective January 2006) supports the development of bioenergy in all its forms—wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. The law calls for the exploration and use of bioenergy in rural areas and for local government authorities to devise renewable energy development plans and provide financial support to rural projects. It also sets the overall goal for 2020 to produce energy from various waste-based sources, including biogas from animal farms, crop residues, agroprocessing, municipal waste, and sewage sludge.