This article outlines the NSW industry proposal to harvest native forest ‘residues’ for use in wood-fired power plants in northern NSW.
“While the Federal Government is under pressure to reduce carbon emissions to tackle climate change, NSW industry groups have been invited to further consider burning forest timber for electricity, also known as biomass.
Biomass has been declared a carbon-neutral renewable energy by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), but scientists and conservationists disagree on its worth.
There is a groundswell of opposition internationally to biomass, with opponents arguing it is a falsehood based on flawed accounting.
“It’s bad for the climate,” said Susie Russell, of the North East Forest Alliance.
Wood-fired power stations produce more greenhouse gas emissions than burning coal to get the same energy.
“It damages our forests, their catchment values, biodiversity values, and undermines their ability to soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”
A total of 130 organisations from 30 different countries have signed a position statement that opposes biomass for energy.
Reasons outlined in the paper include concerns about climate change.
“To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, scientists now agree we will need to draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere,” the statement reads.
“A safe and proven way to do this is to protect and restore natural forests. Logging for biomass does the opposite.”
Hubs proposed in three regions
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) undertook a research project last year that found Australia had 2 million tonnes of timber per year available to power 200,000 homes on the NSW north coast.
Its report proposed three hubs where wood-fired power stations could be developed, in Grafton, Kempsey and Bulahdelah, logging trees from within a 100km radius of each hub.”
ABC News Mid North Coast By Wiriya Sati
Excerpt only. Read more …