Page 24 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 2 - Spring 2023

“Our forest resources are a renewable resource that is plentiful because of the leadership from the forest industry for many years.”
— Jason Shaw, Georgia Public Service Commission
The California Effect?
One of the most significant hindrances to growing domestic biomass production is the misguided public opinion that it need- lessly harms trees and forests.
“The ongoing challenge that we have in forestry is the perception that every tree that’s cut is harmed somehow,” said Dr. Ann Bartuska, senior advisor for Resources for the Future (RFF). “People’s perceptions are pretty strong. If we let people harvest one tree, they’re going to harvest 10, or they’re going to harvest 100.”
According to RFF’s analysis of the growing wood products sector in the southeastern United States, historical growth of markets for timber has led to greater investment. Between 1953 and 2017, timber harvests in the Southeast region more than doubled. The result was indeed increased harvesting, but land use and management responses to markets led to strong growth in the standing trees and carbon content of the region’s forests.
Georgians are fortunate to have elected officials who understand the importance of woody biomass for domestic energy production. Two important advocates for biomass include Jason Shaw and Tim Echols who both serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).
Echols, said many people want to fund massive solar projects. However, not as many people see the value of using wood chips for energy, and states like Califor- nia, which generally oppose burning trees, can help direct the national mind- set, he added.
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“California has a catalytic impact on