The Pine 2 Energy Coalition (P2E) is composed of a diverse group of organizations, including forest landowners, energy producers, conservation organizations, government agencies and academic institutions, who promote the conversion of pine to energy, particularly to pine ethanol. Former Georgia Conservancy President Jim Stokes served as co-chair of P2E since its inception in 2006.
Georgia, with more than 22.4 million acres of privately owned forest land, is poised to become a leader in the production of ethanol made from pine trees and pine waste. Currently, because of the limited markets for its products, Georgia’s forestry industry is struggling, and many landowners feel economic pressure to sell their land for development. By providing a large new market for pine resources, the production of pine ethanol will allow forest landowners to maintain ownership of their land, thus conserving as greenspace many more acres of land in Georgia.
The P2E Coalition is in a unique position to expedite the production of pine to energy in Georgia. The members of the Steering Committee represent executive level decision makers, many of whom deal with forestry, energy and the environment on a daily basis. Each constituency represented on the Steering Committee plays an important role: |
- government members represent key decision-making entities
- business and industry members bring a real world view of the issues, challenges and opportunities associated with pine to energy
- environmental and conservation organizations bring diversity and credibility
- academic members bring the latest in information and technological advancement.
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| No other organization working on bringing renewable energy to Georgia and the Southeast region has the depth or breadth represented in the P2E Coalition. |
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