The EPA says burning wood to generate power is ‘carbon-neutral.’ Is that true?

[rangerrebew]

The EPA says burning wood to generate power is ‘carbon-neutral.’ Is that true?
May 8, 2018 6.43am EDT
Enviva’s wood pellet plant in Ahoskie, NC. Marlboro Productions, CC BY-ND
 

    William Moomaw
 

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt recently told a group of forestry executives and students that from now on the U.S. government would consider burning wood to generate electricity, commonly known as forest or woody biomass, to be “carbon neutral.”

The executives, who had gathered at an Earth Day celebration in Georgia, greeted the news with enthusiasm. But I did not.

Biomass does not introduce new carbon into the system, as its supporters point out. Yet it does transfer carbon from forests to the atmosphere, where it traps heat and contributes to climate change.

https://theconversation.com/the-epa-says-burning-wood-to-generate-power-is-carbon-neutral-is-that-true-95727

[thackney]

Do they harvest with wood-fired chainsaws?

[Joe Wooten]

It is exceedingly stupid to burn wood to make electricity. Gas and coal are much better choices.

[Drago]

Strange argument by the author...oil, gas, and coal use does not "introduce new carbon into the system" either. Just moves it around (like wood).

[GtHawk]

Well let's see, a tree stores carbon as it grows, and old trees are supposed to take up carbon even faster.

https://www.transitionculture.org/2008/05/19/is-burning-wood-really-a-long-term-energy-descent-strategy/

According to this article the other chemicals and gases released when wood is burned far outweigh any benefits.................so no burning wood to generate power is not carbon neutral, it's asinine.