Wood Pellet Co-Firing for Electric Generation Source of Income for Forest Based Low Income Communities in Alabama

Ellene Kebede, Gbenga Ojumu, Edinam Adozsii

Department of Agriculture and Environment Science, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, USA.
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition & Human Ecology, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ojee.2013.23016                

Abstract

Alabama imports coal from other states to generate electricity. This paper assessed the direct and indirect economic impacts of wood pellet production to be co-fired with coal for power generation in Alabama. Four sizes of wood pellet plants and regional input-output models were used for the analysis. The results showed that the economic impact increases with the size of the plant. Wood pellet production will have a multiplier effect on the economy especially, forest-related services, retail stores, the health service industry, and tax revenue for the government. Domestic wood pellet production can reduce the use of imported coal, allow the use of local woody biomass, and create economic activities in Alabama’s rural communities. Policies that support the production of wood pellet will serve to encourage the use of wood for power generation and support the rural economies.

Keywords

Wood Pellet; Electricity; Co-Firing; Coal; Input-Output; Forest Industry

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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