Forest harvest residuals and lower-value sawmill residuals such as small-diameter trees, treetops, sawdust and bark can be used as a feedstock in bioenergy facilities to produce renewable energy, an overall low-carbon solution.

Our sustainably managed forests not only provide pulpwood and saw logs, but also wood fiber that can be used as a source for renewable energy – the type of energy that reduces consumption of fossil fuels while helping address climate change. When compared with fossil fuel alternatives, wood fiber from working forests represents a low-carbon energy solution that also supports jobs in rural communities, keeps forests healthy by protecting them from insects, disease and wildfire, and encourages future sustainable forestry.

Wood fiber from our forests used as a feedstock in bioenergy facilities includes lower- value material from harvesting operations, such as small-diameter trees and treetops from larger trees. Residual materials from our sawmills such as sawdust, shavings, bark and lower-value wood chips are also utilized for bioenergy products.

The benefits of using wood for bioenergy come from its abundance, renewability and its role in capturing carbon. When wood products are manufactured, carbon is stored and displaces fossil carbon emissions. A growing forest, therefore, helps by drawing carbon out of the atmosphere while also providing raw material for bioenergy.

Renewable energy producers (such as wood pellet plants) need a steady supply of sustainably produced wood fiber to supply their facilities. With our supply chain and timber market knowledge, we work with energy producers to develop fiber sourcing and supply chain solutions, including:

• Ensuring fiber-supply security while helping provide price predictability over the long term
• Providing chain of custody, traceability and feedstock sustainability evidence to meet a variety of certification requirements
• Meeting stringent environmental statutes, regulations and best practices required by state and federal law

We view the emerging bioenergy industry as a promising way to help keep working forests as forests, improve utilization of trees removed in harvesting operations and provide a promising alternative to fossil fuels.