Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Will the wood-to-energy initiative increase demand for wood to the point that pulp and paper mills face shortages of reasonably-priced wood for their operations?

Answer: Maine's pulp and paper mills are concerned about maintaining an adequate flow of wood to their facilities, particularly in light of current interest in biomass to energy plants, wood pellet plants, and other users of low grade wood. Maine's forest industry currently imports one-third of the low grade wood it uses. A Maine Forest Service analysis estimates conservatively that an additional 4 million green tons of low grade wood could be harvested each year from Maine's forests without affecting other forest values such as water quality and biodiversity. Approximately 1.8 million green tons of this amount would be suitable for the production of wood pellets. We believe that there is an adequate supply of low grade wood, both in Maine and in surrounding states and provinces, to ensure continued opportunties both for Maine's existing forest industry as well as for new ventures.