Some employment and earnings implications of regional biomass energy utilization: New England and the Cornbelt states

Technical Report · Sat Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6037220

Stevenson, W; Bell, S E; Blair, L M; Gove, R M; Little, J R

Because of their abundant forest and agricultural biomass resources, New England and the Cornbelt are likely to grow considerably in the development of biomass energy systems during the next decade or two. Observations of 189 specific biomass-related operations suggest that substantial employment and earnings could be generated by this activity. Forty thousand or more permanent jobs might be created in New England's wood energy industry by the end of the century. If alcohol-fuel use continues to grow, even greater potential for employment in biomass energy exists in the Cornbelt states. The associated earnings would be quite substantial for both regions. The direct combustion of wood and activities related to alcohol-fuel production are expected to be the major contributors to biomass energy production, employment, and earnings; but other biomass systems show some potential as well. Energy extraction from municipal waste, anaerobic digestion of animal manure, and other biomass conversion systems will all generate employment as they grow in use. An important characteristic of these jobs is that they tend to be for unskilled and semiskilled workers and are likely to be concentrated in rural areas, where the stimulus to the local economy can be substantial.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76OR00033
• OSTI ID: 6037220
• Report Number(s): ORAU-181; ON: DE81030689
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALCOHOL FUELS
ALKANES
BIOMASS
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
DATA
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EMPLOYMENT
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
MANURES
METHANE
MIDWEST REGION
MUNICIPAL WASTES
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH ATLANTIC REGION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
USA
WASTES
WOOD FUELS