Maine Firewood Study. Final report, 19 September 1977-30 September 1978

• Main Author: Swain, E. W.
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: 09 BIOMASS FUELS; WOOD; MARKETING RESEARCH; RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; HARVESTING; INFORMATION DISSEMINATION; MAINE; MANAGEMENT; PRODUCTION; NORTH AMERICA; NORTH ATLANTIC REGION; USA; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6871116; https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6871116; https://doi.org/10.2172/6871116

The Maine Firewood Study was initiated to assess the demand for wood energy and to determine the effectiveness of market mechanisms in meeting that demand. In addition, the concern for the implications of increased firewood harvesting from small woodlots caused Maine Audubon to sponsor a corps of firewood specialists to assist small woodlot owners. To gauge statewide firewood use a comprehensive telephone survey was conducted during the winter of 1977-1978. The survey revealed high levels of firewood use in one-half of the homes in Maine. A personal interview survey of firewood producers was also initiated to determine their harvesting and marketing practices. The conclusions of this effort supported an original premise of the study: existing small scale, disparate marketing mechanisms could not provide consumers with a reliable, consistently priced source of firewood. A marketing mechanism analysis was therefore undertaken to assess the demand for marketability of woodfuel. Results of this analysis included projections of impediments and incentives to large-scale marketing ventures. The goal of the Maine Firewood Study was to collect and disseminate information to facilitate widespread, intelligent use of wood energy resource.