Availability of Logging Residues and Likelihood of Their Utilization for Electricity Production in the US South

This study estimated quantities of logging residues that can physically be recovered from harvest sites and utilized for electricity production in the US South. Because of a small number of mills utilizing logging residues, this study determined their willingness to utilize additional logging residues to produce electricity as a function of woody residue utilization characteristics of a mill and mill management’s attitudes toward factors limiting utilization of this feedstock. Approximately 98 percent of logging residues occur within a 35-mile hauling distance from mills. Although almost all physically available logging residues could be recovered with a relatively short hauling distance, a mail survey indicated that only 4 percent of mills utilized this feedstock. Willingness to utilize additional logging residues to produce electricity by mill management was positively associated with the quantity of woody residues already used and anticipated equipment upgrades to facilitate electricity production, whereas it was negatively related with the quantity of generated mill residues. Mill management that considered a lack of storage space an important limitation was less likely to utilize additional logging residues. Increased utilization of logging residues for electricity production will be contingent on the implementation of bioenergy favorable policies and availability of technical and financial assistance to mills.