BIOMASS AND BIOENERGY
FROM SOUTHERN FORESTS
Challenge to Forest Research and Development

Outline
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Background
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The Research Model
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The Key Issue of the Day (Sustainability)
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FS Sustainable Operations (Auburn LEED)
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Science Delivery

Why Biomass and Bioenergy?
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Energy Price
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Energy Security
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Carbon Footprint—Greenhouse Gases

US Bioenergy Approach
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Administration Goals
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Policy (RFS, RES)
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Incentives
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Development loans
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R&D Funding

Energy Independence and Security Act
2007 (EISA)
The Renewable
Fuel Standard

Cellulosic Ethanol
100 gal/odt = 160M odt per year of feedstock
If 1/2 comes from forestland = 80M odt per year

ACESA 2009
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Renewable Electricity Standard

6% 2012 rising to 25% by 2025

Cap-and-trade program

American Clean Energy and Security Act
H.R. 2454

Harvested through “sustainable mgmt”
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Allows limited Fed supply
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Defines “sustainable mgmt”
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SecAg to issue biomass harvesting guides
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Fed monitoring and verification
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Study by EPA, DOI, USDA to assess impacts on …

RES/RPS
20% RPS = 62M odt per year

Current roundwood production
16 B cf = 160M odt

Double woody fiber production

Federal Incentives (BCAP)
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Establish BCAP zones at biorefineries
Landowner contracts
75% of establishment
Annual land rent
$1 for $1 match at harvest
15 yr contracts for woody crops
Regs being developed by FSA for 2010

Southern Env Law Center

www.pinchot.org

Key Questions

Extent of harvesting and impacts

Sustainability/long-term site productivity

Land-use change
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Efficiency of conversion
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Emissions/life cycle analysis

Impact of policy/market distortions

Not about
“wood to energy”
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Acceptable resource management
Major extension of public interest in private land management—not just water and endangered species anymore
Potential to have greater impact on forest management than any other policy development since
1970’s
Where are we in this debate?