Study Confirms Biomass Energy Reduces GHG Emissions And Is Good For The Environment

Washington, DC—Recently, Robert E. Cleaves, IV, Chairman of USA Biomass, issued the following statement on the latest research by Gregory Morris, PhD, for the Green Power Institute's Renewable Energy Program of the Pacific Institute, to show that biomass renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes a positive impact on the environment.

"This latest research by Greg Morris finds that bioenergy production reduces greenhouse gas levels by enhancing forest carbon sequestration. Biomass electricity is produced from the controlled combustion of untreated cellulosic wastes, such as bark, orchard trimming, rice hulls, and sugar bagasse," Cleaves said.

"Biomass electricity production lowers net greenhouse gas emissions below a zero greenhouse gas emissions level. This is because the usual disposal options for wood and agriculture wastes emit large quantities of methane gas and CO2 through decomposition, forest fires, and landfilling. Biomass should be recognized for the significant role it will play in providing a net reduction of the greenhouse gas effect."

In the paper, Morris points out that, "in addition to being carbon neutral, bioenergy production can reduce net greenhouse-gas emissions by contributing to healthier and more resilient forests, and by eliminating the reduced-carbon emissions that are associated with the alternative fates for biomass resources that are not converted into useful energy." Furthermore, Morris says the biomass benefits could be included as offsets in a greenhouse gas tracking program, and that "The value of the greenhouse-gas offsets should improve the competitiveness of energy production from biomass and biogas resources in the energy marketplace of the future."

SOURCE: USA Biomass