Feature
The First EU Wide Sustainability Criteria for Forest Biomass Must Reach the Market
The Renewable Energy Directive positions the EU as a world leader in the fight against climate change for the next decade. USIPA and Bioenergy Europe urge policy-makers and implementers not to be distracted by short-sighted claims from uninformed sources.
USIPA News
Sustainable Biomass: What's Ahead for New Markets
USIPA takes a look ahead at market opportunities for sustainable growth in the biomass industry over the coming months and years.
2019: We Need An All-In Climate Strategy
The time to tackle climate change is now and biomass has an important role to play.
Member News
Enviva Invests $200 Million In Mississippi
Enviva makes investments in Mississippi for a new pellet mill and a new port facility.
Fram Renewable Fuels Expands Presence in Georgia
Fram Renewable Fuels expands their pellet operations in Georgia with the purchase of a formerly idle pellet plant.
Drax Biomass Opens New Headquarters
Drax Biomass opens new headquarters in Monroe, Louisiana, near their operations in Bastrop and Urania.
Quick Facts
The wood energy industry creates 5,000 jobs annually throughout the supply chain in the US southeastern region.
Over 7 million metric tons of wood pellets were exported from the US Southeast in 2018.
Wood pellets reduce carbon emissions up to 90% when used in place of coal to produce electricity.
Why Wood Energy?
Strengthening Forests
Strong markets for forest products such as sawtimber, paper, packaging, and wood energy, provide financial incentive for private landowners to keep their forests as forests. Wood energy is produced from lower-value wood fiber that often has no other market or is underutilized in the local area.
Replacing Fossil Fuels
Wood energy is a renewable replacement for fossil fuels, providing low-carbon, on-demand energy that can be used to produce power and heat. Power from wood energy is flexible and stable and can support large-scale energy demand.
Supporting Renewables
Wood energy provides grid stability and back-up power, making it the perfect complement to other renewables like solar and wind. Wood energy is a critical component of any comprehensive renewables strategy.