Mich. wood energy use fuels debate

MSU researchers believe Michigan’s forests could help lessen the dependence on fossil fuels, but an environmental group has concerns about adverse ecological effects.

The MSU Department of Forestry has been working jointly with the chemical engineering and materials science and biosystems and agricultural engineering departments to utilize wood for energy production, said Daniel Keathley, chairman of the forestry department.

“We’re looking to substitute wood as the feedstock for a biorefinery,” Keathley said. “Wood becomes the fuel source the same way coal or petroleum is used.”

Researchers also have developed processes for rapid tree growth and the creation of a cellulosic biofuel, which could be used for powering cars and producing plastic materials.

Gayle Miller, the legislative director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, said although MSU has good intentions in mind, Michigan’s trees shouldn’t be dispensable crops.

“Forests need to be more than a species grown to be cut down at a young age,” she said. “The wildlife requires mature forests. If we convert our forests into crops for burning, we’re going to lose diversity and really harm the state’s ecosystem overall.”

Besides destroying animals’ habitats, burning trees for harvesting contributes to global warming by releasing carbon dioxide into the environment, Miller said. Michigan should focus on implementing a strong, renewable energy standard via other sources.

“We should be building wind turbines rather than cutting down trees. We should be installing energy-efficient lighting rather than cutting down trees,” she said.

Kris Berglund, a professor of forestry and biochemical engineering, said using Michigan’s wood doesn’t pose a problem due to the swift growth of trees.

“We have a fairly high level of reforestation in Michigan,” Berglund said. “We have more trees growing than we’re harvesting, which means you can harvest more trees.”

The growth rate of Michigan forests is about 870 million cubic feet per year, and the industry utilizes about 270 million cubic feet per year, Keathley said.

While there is debate about using wood for an energy source, the process could boost the state’s economy.

“Michigan sends $20 billion annually to buy fuel from out of state,” said Hugh McDiarmid, spokesman for the Michigan Environmental Council.

“It would be nice to keep that money within Michigan for jobs.”