The Biomass Thermal Energy Council and Life Cycle Associates today released the “Life Cycle Analysis of Renewable Fuel Standard Implementation for Thermal Pathways for Wood Pellets and Chips” study.

The Study found that biomass fuels from wood pellets and chips result in a 65 to over 100 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in comparison to heating oil, which exceeds the targeted 60 percent GHG reduction requirement for cellulosic biofuels replacing heating oil under the U.S. EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

“The benefits of avoiding agricultural burning or composting emissions are often overlooked in discussions about biomass energy,” said Stefan Unnasch of Life Cycle Associates and technical manager of the analysis project team.

The Study was conducted under grant issued by the USDA’s Forest Service.