Jobs and money saved could spike U.P. economy
MARQUETTE -- There are about 10,000 different products made from Michigan timber.
Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and U.S. Forestry, Debbie Stabenow says it's time to hone in on the products that could defeat the current battle at the pump.
"The U.P. is really providing tremendous leadership already in creating alternative fuels through wood byproducts, and woody biomass," says Stabenow. "We are held hostage at the pump, we're forced to pay whatever. Let's get off foreign oil, let's have it be Michigan grown and create jobs right here."
One alternative energy option is wood-based biofuels or sustainable alternatives to coal, such as the Cliffs Natural Resources RenewaFuel operation. Since July, their biomass has been shipped to the Marquette Board of Light and Power where burning wood blocks created about 10 mega watz of power. They're still in the testing phase and say the implications at this time are unknown.
The U.P. is home to two of the three Michigan national forests, making it a prime location for this type of economic growth.
But some say the industry can't grow until more national forest timber can be harvested, which has met resistance from some conservation groups. Senator Stabenow supports increasing utilization of our national forest timber, if managed properly.
"There's a way to have something that protects and is good for the forest, but also allows us to do better management and opportunities for the private sector," she said.
Some say these ventures are key to the future of the U.P.'s economic success.
"It's a growing industry, a lot of potential and it's exciting. It's a way for people to stay in the Upper Peninsula and get good solid jobs," says Economic Club President Jack Lenten.
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