D7

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Biomass could help forest industry

To The Editor:

Recently, Newcastle Lumber, a family owned sawmill in the Miramichi for over 100 years went into receivership. At the same time we see government granting more permits for the export of wood.

Those of us in the woodlot sector want to see our sawmills survive; they are some of our best customers. We need more progressive thinking to ensure survival of not just the sawmills but, our entire forest industry.

There have been many incredible opportunities identified on the energy side for wood biomass. I believe one of the best opportunities is producing heat, whether it is by burning biomass chips or wood pellets.

Wood from our forests is the ultimate renewable resource and the use of it here within the province would maintain wealth in the province. Providing heat is the most efficient use of biomass with efficiencies exceeding 70 per cent.

Biomass for electrical generation operates at 15 -- 25 per cent efficiency and cellulosic ethanol converts at roughly 35 -- 45 per cent. Combined heat and power can achieve efficiencies approaching 70 per cent. What community in NB does not have a public space that requires heat?

Our region largely relies on oil and coal for heat and electrical production. A move toward converting to biomass for heat would allow us to create local jobs, achieve energy security through energy independence and create new markets for wood from our forests.

This further use of our forest would involve all of New Brunswick in the responsible management of the forest. Using the forest sustainably can provide for our economic and ecological well-being.

We can squander this precious resource or we can use it to make heat and combined heat and power with great efficiencies leading to increased wealth in local communities around the province.

Ken Hardie

Manager, NB Federation of Woodlot Owners,

Fredericton