Sustainability and environmental issues associated with willow bioenergy development in New York (U.S.A.)

Biomass-for-bioenergy cropping and production systems based on willow (and poplar) planted and managed at high densities and short (3–4 year) coppice harvest cycles, providing fuel for co-firing with coal (or other types of energy conversion) must be ecologically and environmentally sustainable to be commercially successful. Current knowledge and ongoing research and development indicate that the production and utilization systems involved are environmentally and ecologically sustainable. Therefore two primary constraints to commercialization are being met. The remaining constraint is economic viability based on cost of production and use, the value of environmental externalities (such as atmospheric emissions), and potential government/public policy actions to promote this system of providing a locally produced and renewable farm crop and fuel. The environmental and ecological benefits of the system should act as a catalyst for developments needed to overcome the economic constraints of the system.