Volume 22, No. 05 - July 31, 2010

EPA seeking information on greenhouse gas accounting for bioenergy

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a Request for Information on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources. EPA is trying to determine what approach to use in regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biomass combustion and other biogenic sources under the Clean Air Act. EPA expressed interest in obtaining technical comments and data related to accounting GHG emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic sources with respect to how these emissions should be treated 1) specifically in the PSD and Title V permitting programs; and 2) in general, without regard to specific rulemakings.

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Gap analysis for forest productivity research

NCASI and the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station have completed a project titled Gap Analysis for Forest Productivity Research Investments. Project results have been published in a special issue of the Journal of Forestry (Vol. 108, No. 4; June 2010). Dr. Eric Vance of NCASI served as project leader.

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Ecological responses to herbicides and fire in pine plantations

Planted pine forests are an important component of landscapes in the southeastern US. Herbicides are an important tool for managing competing vegetation in a wide variety of forest types, but particularly in southern pine plantations. Since 1999, NCASI and Weyerhaeuser Company have been supporting a study in east-central Mississippi to investigate how animal and plant communities respond to use of herbicides and prescribed fire in mid-rotation pine plantations. Results are presented in two recent publications.

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