Woody biofuels - what's in your woodlot and how do you heat your home

[Peter Smallidge]

There is no shortage of interest and discussion in the personal use of woody biofuels, AKA firewood.  Without offering too much comment, I wanted to share some interesting links for those who spend time on this subject or are otherwise interested.

 

First, we (Connelly, Smallidge, and Allred) just finished a study on NYS Woodland Owners and their interest in woody biofuel.  A copy is attached to this blog or you can find a copy at this link.  The study looked at many aspects of private woodland owners and woody biofuels (you can read the report), but the magnitude is illustrated by the fact that 66% of woodland owner respondents (the focus of the study) knew something about woody biofuel and 34% did not.  Sixteen percent of owners representing an estimated 18,080 owners and 2.6 million acres have sold woody biofuel in recent years.  Further, the 46% who have not sold but would like to sell woody biofuel represent an estimated 52,000 owners and 3.3 million acres.  This accounts for about half of the wooded acres, and indicates a strong potential for woody biofuel production.  The respondents identified a number of concerns and interests they have when considering a sale of woody biofuels.

 

Second, and related to the former links, some recent evidence suggests a strong expansion of the use of firewood for residential heat.  I have to say "suggested" because the link in the link to the source doesn't work.  Maybe someone can find the link and share it as a comment, but I couldn't find the basis for the statistics. (n.b.  we should all always check sources before reporting details).  Assuming the report is accurate, some states have reported a doubling of the number of residences in the previous decade, with most northeastern states documenting strong increases.

 

 

[John McNerney]

Peter -

I emailed the owners of the site you referenced in your "recent evidence" link above. They have corrected the link to their source. Just click on "ALLIANCE FOR GREEN HEAT" below the article title.