The Potential for Wood Energy and Biomass Fuels in Alaska

Goal three of the current U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service strategy for improving the use of woody biomass is to help develop and expand markets for woody biomass products. This book explores the existing volumes of renewable wood energy products (RWEP) that are currently used in Alaska and the potential demand of RWEP for residential and community heating projects in the state. Data published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census and the U.S. Department of Energy have been used to build a profile of residential and commercial energy demand for Alaska census tracts. If fuel oil prices increase to the levels experienced in 2008, there would be a strong economic incentive to convert heating systems to use solid wood fuels.