The Willingness of Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners to Supply Wood Biomass for a Prospective Wood-Based Bioenergy Industry: A Case Study from Lee County, Alabama

Abstract

A key factor determining the potential for development of bioenergy industries is the availability of feedstock. Despite the abundant presence of wood biomass in highly forested regions such as the U. S. South, the availability of this resource as feedstock for a new industry is an important question. This is because most of the Southern forestlands are in the hands of non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners whose management objectives are varied. In Lee County, Alabama, NIPF landowners are the most potential suppliers of wood biomass energy feedstock. The county’s forest profile reflects that of the state as a whole, with 70% of its area covered by forest and 83% of this land owned by non-incorporated individuals and/or families. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the conditions under which these landowners would be willing to supply feedstock for a prospective local wood-based bioenergy industry.