Effects of Production of Woody Pellets in the Southeastern United States on the Sustainable Development Goals

Keith L Kline,Erin Rose,Virginia H Dale,Bruce Tonn

doi:10.3390/su13020821

Keith L Kline, Erin Rose + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020821

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Abstract

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.

Highlights

OneOne of the important costcost eleelements for large operations designed for pellet exports in the is the feedstock ments for large operations designed for pellet exports in the southeastern United States (SE US) is the feedstock cost cost new pellet are typically located in with areaslarge withvolumes large volumes of standing
The SE US pellet supply chain is important for forestry activities and investments in communities and ports servicing pellet processing mills [59]
While the supply chain represents a tiny share of the total biomass processed by SE US forest industries, sustainability requirements for pellets influence wider forestry practices and contribute to increased conservation investments in regions where feedstocks are harvested, e.g., [96]

Summary

Introduction

Since 2007, wood-based pellets have been produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped primarily to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Areas that source biomass for wood pellets in the SE US range across 13 states, from the Atlantic seaboard in the east (Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) to the eastern fringes of Oklahoma and Texas in the west, with Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama along the Gulf of Mexico and north to include the land-locked states of Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The SE US includes these 13 states (Figure 1).

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