Posted on 05/18/2015 1:57:48 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
From the report:
[The modeling shows that it will take approximately 55 years for forest regrowth to recapture enough carbon from the atmosphere to reduce the plants cumulative emissions below those of coal. At levels greater than 40 percent, pellets emit more carbon than coal for most of this period. In addition, as the percentage of whole trees increases above 70 percent (not shown in the figures), the level of carbon emissions continues to increase.
When whole trees make up 20 percent of the wood in pellets, emissions are slightly higher than natural gas and slightly lower than coal for a period of approximately 55 years, as shown in Figure 3. Even when whole trees make up as little as 12 percent of pellets, our modeling showed that burning pellets still produces emissions comparable to natural gas trend line for approximately 50 years.]
Put simply: Wood-based power could be carbon neutral at some point down the line, but it will take a heck of a long time to realize, especially if whole trees are used in the process.
Now, whether that sounds like good news or bad news to you in the big scheme of things will depend on your perspective vis a vis the sensitivity of the climate to ongoing carbon pollution. As far as NRDC is concerned, 50 years is a dangerously long time to wait for the presumed beneficial results of any alternative to fossil fuels.
This 5-decade time period is significant, Yassa stated in the study. Climate policy imperatives require dramatic short-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions from these pellets will persist in the atmosphere well past the time when significant reductions are needed.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
If it allows for independence, they want it outlawed.
I, for one, enjoy my Carbon based life. It’s organic....
This is America...you’re not permitted to be independent from the collective.
I wonder how much CO2 Hemp pellets would release?
Its always something with these people.
I wonder how bad the forest fires were when the oxygen content of the atmosphere was 30% instead of the current 20.95%.
Pellet stove users cheered for a recent EPA rule by bragging about being exempt from Step 1 of the rule. Step 2 of the rule will shut down pellet stoves in less than five years. The rules was pushed by global corporates (investors in appliances) and local government interests nudging the EPA with sweetheart suits and other pretenses.
Please .... no facts allowed. We will have to burn that message on burning wood.
I keep 12 cords of hickory stored and replenish as its used. Power fails on a cold winter day that pellet stove is worthless as tits on a boar hog.
Stay Safe TG !!
Most public utility investors receive their incomes from government, and they want all of the market share.
I got the littlest one, upgraded with the digital thermostat. It does very well for two to four people. I’ve had it for three months and I use it about four times a week. I think I have eaten tri-tip more times in the last three months than all of the rest of my life combined.
If we don't harvest the trees, they will either burn in forest fires, or rot. We SHOULD harvest the older trees in the national parks (turning them into good furniture and lumber for homes, as well as firewood), and plant new trees.
Have now used it for: ribs, tri tips, steaks, chicken, turkey, ribs, salmon, cornbread, pork shoulder, ribs, corn, vegetables, ribs, swordfish, Halibut, ribs, cheese and did I say ribs?
Only minor complaint: Lack of deep black grill marks.
The best short term solution would be to have these idiots quit flying all over the world for "Climate Conferences"
I have 19 acres of swamp I use for just that purpose.
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