Study: Industrial Wood Pellets Deliver Carbon Benefits

RICHMOND, Va.----The use of woody biomass for power generation produces significant carbon savings that provide long-term benefits to the environment, according to a new peer-reviewed report released today by the U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA) and other members of the Bridging with Biomass coalition.

“Industrial wood pellets from the United States are an essential component of Europe’s power mix and provide an abundant, sustainable and carbon beneficial energy source that keeps the lights on in millions of homes and businesses”

Among the findings:

Energy production from industrial wood pellets results in substantial carbon savings over time, far exceeding any temporary carbon debt or foregone sequestration, according to models based on realistic assumptions; and

There are fundamental flaws in prominent studies that have found forest-based bioenergy to be associated with long-term carbon deficits and long carbon repayment periods. Specifically, those studies are generally based on modeling assumptions that do not correspond with current and expected production and are therefore not representative of actual industry practices.

“Industrial wood pellets from the United States are an essential component of Europe’s power mix and provide an abundant, sustainable and carbon beneficial energy source that keeps the lights on in millions of homes and businesses,” said Seth Ginther, USIPA’s executive director. “By displacing fossil fuels, industrial wood pellets are decarbonizing Europe.”

“We hope that EU policymakers will take these findings into consideration when they are evaluating the sustainability of this essential source of renewable energy,” Ginther added.

The report focuses on the southeast region of the United States and British Columbia in Canada, two of the primary sources of wood pellets that are used in the European Union.

U.S. forests are protected by federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as industry best practices that ensure the continued vitality of more than 751 million acres of forest in the United States. USIPA members rely on low-grade wood fiber such as tree tops and limbs, sawmill residues and low quality wood that does not meet the standards for lumber processing.

The Bridging with Biomass coalition brings together the European Industrial Pellet Suppliers (EIPS), the U.S Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA) and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC).

The complete report is available for download at: http://www.theusipa.org

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