"We will do this by harnessing the benefits of a renewable, natural
resource -- biomass -- as fuel in the boilers that generate steam and
electrical energy in our mills," said Ernesta Ballard, senior vice
president, Corporate Affairs.
Biomass fuel consists of bark, lignin (the substance that binds wood
fibers) and other organics in spent pulping chemicals. When biomass comes
from sustainably managed forests, burning it has a neutral effect on GHG
emissions, states the release. The regenerating forest absorbs the carbon
dioxide released by burning the fuel. By contrast, the carbon dioxide
released from burning fossil fuel is not offset.
Weyerhaeuser's pulp and paper mills already generate 72 percent of their
energy from biomass. This new initiative will raise this percentage,
moderating the effects of volatile oil and gas prices. Pulp mills have the
potential to become energy self-sufficient, states the release.
Weyerhaeuser's efforts to reduce GHG emissions are described in its 2005
sustainability report. According to the release, one of 2005's
accomplishments included obtaining certification that all of the forests
it manages or owns in North America meet the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative Standard or the Canadian Standards Association sustainable
forest management standard.
"What Weyerhaeuser has done is exemplary, and it deserves to be
recognized," said Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources
Institute. "Not only is the reduction of 40 percent one of the largest in
the private sector, it is global in scope. As important, Weyerhaeuser is
doing this in a way that makes a permanent difference -- making changes in
how their facilities operate."
A 40 percent reduction in annual greenhouse gases is the equivalent of
taking 700,000 vehicles off the road for one year.
