Reviews by Environmental Defense Fund Shed Light on Wood-to-Energy Issue

During the Great Recession one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. wood-to-energy market has involved wood pellet facilities with products targeted for the European Union (E.U.).  Two new reports issued today by the Environmental Defense Fund  (EDF) and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation are designed to shed light on the complex nature of this segment of the renewable energy market.

“The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) funded these reviews through our on-going collaboration with the USDA Forest Service to plumb the potential of woody biomass markets to help retain forests as forests and grow family-supporting jobs in rural forested communities,” said Endowment President Carlton Owen.

The reports examine economic, environmental and policy implications of the expanding wood pellet market.  European Power from U.S. Forests documents how E.U. policy is shaping the transatlantic trade in wood biomass.  Pathways to Sustainability evaluates the programs and practices available to pellet producers to meet European buyers’ sustainability expectations and requirements.

“The E.U. has a strong renewable energy policy, but countries don’t have enough forest or agricultural land to meet the increasing demand for wood biomass,” said Will McDow, EDF forestry conservation manager.  “The U.S. has the biomass resources and sustainable forest management programs.  The two must be linked.   Landowners and biomass producers on both sides of the Atlantic can encourage market development and meet environmental objectives.”

A webinar will be held July 17, 2012 at 12 pm EDST to discuss the report.   Will McDow (EDF), Brian Kittler (Pinchot Institute) and Jamie Joudrey (University of Toronto), will lead the discussion.