A recent article by Katherine Tweed in Scientific American, "Cleaner than Coal? Wood Power Makes a Comeback," rehashes yet again the controversy over exporting wood pellets to electricity-generating utilities in the UK and EU.
A Quick Introduction to UK Biomass Sustainability Standards
By Suz-Anne Kinney
The controversy over the export of US wood pellets to the UK and EU continues to spin madly on. The uproar has been manufactured largely by those with little knowledge of forest science or forest economics and, apparently, without the ability or willingness to learn these subjects.
Forest Guild Biomass Harvest Guidelines for the PNW
By Suz-Anne Kinney
Traditionally, harvest residues (also known as logging slash or biomass) were left on the forest floor to decompose or burned on site. Now that these "waste" materials are increasingly used to produce electricity as well as solid and liquid fuels, the removal of these materials is more and more common.
Forest Carbon Accounting and Sustainability: Implications for European Imports of North American Wood Biomass
By LeAndra Spicer
A new report prepared by the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) and its partners the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association, Wood Pellet Association of Canada and BC Bioenergy Network provides insight into assumptions that persist in the ongoing discussion of forest carbon accounting.
Ask a fellow American what concerns him or her most about the current situation in Washington, and "government shutdown" or "looming debt ceiling" are likely responses. While congressional leaders deal with these new issues, the debate over the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) is a longstanding issue that remains front and center.
Enova Energy Buys Pellet Plant, Signs Supply Agreement with Plum Creek
By Suz-Anne Kinney
Enova Energy has taken the first step towards capturing a share of the export wood pellet market. The company has announced that it will buy the Southeast Georgia Biofuels wood pellet plant in Nahunta, Georgia.
Wood Pellets: Gulf Coast Renewable Energy (GCRE) recently acquired Bayou Wood Pellets in West Monroe, Louisiana. A manufacturer of wood pellets used for residential and commercial heating, Bayou Wood Pellets has a reported capacity nearing 60,000 tons per year.
