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Assessing the Economic Impact of Alternative Biomass Uses: Biofuels, Wood Pellets, and Energy Production

Author

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  • Lester, T. William
  • Little, Mark G.
  • Jolley, G. Jason

Abstract

The green economy, including biofuels and biomass production, has received consider-able academic and popular press attention. Yet, documenting and measuring the economic impact of green economy activities remains a challenge, as this ill-defined economic sector’s benefits are often overstated. This article makes two unique contributions to the emerging ac-ademic literature on the green economy. First, it contributes to the applied academic literature on economic impact assessments of the green economy by documenting approaches to meas-ure the economic impact of three alternative biomass uses: electricity generation, wood pellet manufacturing, and biofuels manufacturing. Second, it examines the regulatory influences and market volatility that challenge the long-term viability of each alternative use.

Suggested Citation

  • Lester, T. William & Little, Mark G. & Jolley, G. Jason, 2015. "Assessing the Economic Impact of Alternative Biomass Uses: Biofuels, Wood Pellets, and Energy Production," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 45(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:jrapmc:243978
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.243978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. David Kay & G. Jason Jolley, 2023. "Using input–output models to estimate sectoral effects of carbon tax policy: Applications of the NGFS scenarios," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 82(3), pages 187-222, May.
    2. Jolley, G. Jason & Khalaf, Christelle & Michaud, Gilbert L. & Belleville, Douglas, 2020. "The economic contribution of logging, forestry, pulp & paper mills, and paper products: A 50-state analysis," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Tuyen Pham & Christelle Khalaf & G. Jason Jolley & Douglas Eric Belleville, 2024. "Hollowing out of middle‐pay jobs in Ohio: An exploratory analysis," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 83(2), pages 427-443, March.
    4. Clouse, Candi & Thorvaldson, Jenny & Jolley, G. Jason, 2023. "Impact Factors: Methodological Standards for Applied Input-Output Analysis," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 53(2), September.
    5. Gabe, Todd & McConnon, James C., 2018. "Popping the Question: The In uence of Survey Design on Estimated Visitor Spending in a Region," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 48(4), August.
    6. Lorenzo Perrotta, 2020. "Impacto Regional del Desarrollo de Bioenergía (Biomasa) en Argentina. Un análisis Insumo-Producto para la provincia de Misiones," Asociación Argentina de Economía Política: Working Papers 4388, Asociación Argentina de Economía Política.
    7. Dahal, Ram P. & Aguilar, Francisco X. & McGarvey, Ronald G. & Becker, Dennis & Abt, Karen L., 2020. "Localized economic contributions of renewable wood-based biopower generation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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