Book Description

Whether sufficient quantities of wood are physically and institutionally available to fuel a wood-fired power plant in northern Vermont is determined. The forests of northern Vermont are first characterized, then the basis for ascertaining how much wood physically exists in the area is provided. The quantities of wood available are assessed with both traditional and new whole-tree harvesting technologies. Following demonstation that sufficient supplies of wood can be physically obtained from the forest, the geographical, institutional, social, and economic constraints of wood availability are examined. A best possible estimate of the wood actually available at acceptable cost over the projected life of a 50-MW plant is provided.