The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has released guidelines for harvesting forest biomass as an alternative energy source.
The guidelines were prepared with comments from various stakeholder groups after DCNR's two-year study of forest biomass energy and related issues.
Among the conclusions in the report:
- Current estimates of available low-grade wood that is most likely to be sought for energy use are overly optimistic.
- Use of forest biomass for energy must first consider the many ecological, social, and practical concerns associated with its harvest.
- Harvesting forest biomass for energy production will compete with the commonwealth's forest products industry.
- The costs of harvesting forest biomass for energy production are not well understood by emerging industries.
The guidelines were prepared with comments from various stakeholder groups after DCNR's two-year study of forest biomass energy and related issues.
Among the conclusions in the report:
- Current estimates of available low-grade wood that is most likely to be sought for energy use are overly optimistic.
- Use of forest biomass for energy must first consider the many ecological, social, and practical concerns associated with its harvest.
- Harvesting forest biomass for energy production will compete with the commonwealth's forest products industry.
- The costs of harvesting forest biomass for energy production are not well understood by emerging industries.
For more information, visit:
For the complete biomass report click here: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/PA_Biomass_guidance_final.pdf
(Edited from the E-Forester, Society of American Foresters, July 28, 2008)
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