The “Green” Myth Behind Wood…

The “Green” Myth Behind Wood Pellets: Now, there is a well-respected and growing body of research demonstrating that wood pellets are neither carbon-neutral nor sustainable.11 Many of these studies, like one done by the NRDC in 2015, have found that burning wood pellets for fuel releases as much as, or even more, carbon dioxide per unit of energy than coal.
Though touted as a clean, environmentally safe alternative to fossil fuels, wood pellets are a carbon-intense, destructive and polluting industry based in flawed carbon accounting in international agreements. Wood pellet material sourcing leads to massive deforestation of critical habitats, and Enviva alone is responsible for 50 acres a day of clear-cut land. Pellet production facilities release dangerous air pollutants including particulate matter and volatile organic compounds putting surrounding communities at higher risk for health complications. Finally, burning wood pellets releases 65% more CO2 than coal per megawatt hour.