Enviva Inc., a leading producer of sustainably sourced woody biomass, has issued a statement expressing support for the Dutch Parliament’s motion on sustainably sourced biomass, which was passed in December 2022.
It said it fully supports the principle that financial assistance should only be applicable for woody biomass that is sourced sustainably.
Enviva added that, as a US producer and exporter of wood pellets, it is critical to its business to comply with all applicable rules and regulations in the markets in which it is active - with the Netherlands being no exception.
The statement went on to observe the motion passed in the Dutch parliament in December 2022 requests that the Dutch government ensures no subsidies are awarded to parties that are non-compliant with sustainability criteria via correct certification.
Enviva said it is in full compliance with this sustainability criteria, which requires extensive independent auditing and certification - and that it consequently expects no adverse economic impact.
"We have the utmost confidence that the wood pellets we deliver into the Netherlands meet the Dutch sustainability criteria," said Thomas Meth, president and CEO of Enviva. "Enviva's production is certified by the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP), annually audited, and has always complied with the Dutch Ministry of Climate’s sustainability criteria.”
In the US, president Joe Biden recently signed into law a $1.7 trillion (€1.6 trillion) omnibus spending bill that recognises forest bioenergy as a renewable energy source, declares it carbon neutral provided the use of forest biomass for energy production does not cause conversion of forests to non-forest use, and directs federal agencies to “recognise the full benefits of the use of forest biomass for energy, conservation and responsible forest management.”
The legislation further complements the US government’s investment in and support for energy security and climate change resources, as previously seen in the passage of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which utilises investments and tax credits to incentivise the deployment of wind, solar and other renewable power sources, including sustainably sourced biomass.
As expressed by a spokesperson for Senate Appropriations Committee member Sen. Susan Collins, “Recognising the carbon neutrality of biomass not only aligns with the science, but also encourages investments in working forests, harvesting operations, bioenergy, wood products and paper manufacturing.”
Enviva supports Dutch parliament’s motion for sustainable biomass
