Why a Reliable Pulpwood Supply Supports American Paper Manufacturing

The paper industry has long used manufacturing residuals as renewable biomass energy to help power mills. However, some policies also encourage the use of pulpwood for renewable energy.

When policies increase demand for pulpwood, they can harm local wood markets, mill costs and the communities that depend on these facilities.

Policies can help avoid those impacts by recognizing the difference between using manufacturing residuals for renewable energy and diverting pulpwood away from existing mills. That includes recognizing the value of biomass from federal lands, where it can support wildfire mitigation.

For biomass from private lands, a market analysis can show whether wood lacks a market or whether incentives would pull pulpwood away from existing manufacturers.