Northern Forest pellets cut carbon by over 50%
We’re delighted to announce the results of a new study that analyzes the greenhouse gas impacts of heating with wood pellets in the Northern Forest region. The study shows that switching from oil or natural gas to wood local pellets for heat in the Northern Forest reduces greenhouse gas emissions by over 50% from day one. The reductions deepen over time.
The results, based on actual data from nine of the 10 mills serving the region, was conducted by Dr. Thomas Buchholz and Dr. John Gunn of Spatial Informatics Group – Natural Assets Laboratory (SIG-NAL).
There’s a lot of contention around the climate impact of biomass energy, and we at the Center felt that it was important to get unbiased, factual data for the specific context of using pellets from local mills for heat in the Northern Forest. The new life cycle analysis demonstrates that local wood pellets are far better than fossil fuels when it comes to carbon emissions. The results prove our long-held belief that heating with local wood pellets is good for our environment as well as for the region's economy.
We're sharing this news today with our Advocate readers and announcing it publicly tomorrow. Please visit our website to read more on the study, get our accompanying fact sheet and see the FAQ's.
Best,
Maura Adams, Program Director
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Sharing our story at Heating the Midwest
I just returned from the Heating the Midwest conference – a spinoff of the annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo – where I learned that we in the Northeast can serve as a great example for these states. I was particularly struck by how the Northern Forest states’ investment in modern wood heat – through both demand- and supply-side incentives and other supportive policies – has been essential for market development. Read more on my experience there.
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Upcoming Events
We welcome additional event announcements and will share them via our News Digest; send alerts to Program Manager Jessica O’Hare, johare@northernforest.org.
- October 19: Ribbon-cutting at the new biomass heating plant that will be heating the NH Department of Environmental Services and Department of Health and Human Services buildings. 10am at 31 Hazen Dr., Concord, NH.
- October 20: NH Wood Energy Council Boiler Operators Workshop, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH. 8am - 2pm.
- October 22: Forest Works! Wood Innovators Conference in Hiram, Maine. 9am - 4pm at Hiram Works 22 Hampshire St.
- November 30: Vermont Wood Chip and Pellet Conference, Waterbury State Office Park, Waterbury. Details will soon be available at Renewable Energy Vermont.
- November 30 – December 2: Understanding and Reducing Residential Wood Combustion Emissions, SUNY Albany Alumni Conference Center. 9am Wed - 2:30pm Fri at 40 Lodge St.
- December 3: VECAN Community Energy and Climate Action Conference, Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT. More Details Soon.
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