Norval Morey, President of Morbark Industries in Winn, Michigan has pioneered the concept of using the waste wood in our forests for energy. This concept calls for the removal from our forests of the dead, dying, diseased and overmature trees, as well as the undesirable species. This wood can be used to supply energy, while at the same time improve the stand and provide a better stock of trees to meet our more traditional needs, such as paper and lumber.
From the studies that have been completed thus far, Mr. Morey has determined there is enough wood presently going to waste in our forests to more than offset present U.S. oil imports.
The conversion to wood energy has already begun. Wood-fired systems are now commonplace in the forest products industry. Outside that industry a brick plant, a textile mill, a public electrical generating facility, a distillery, schools and other public facilities have already converted to wood as their major source of energy.