The Concerned Citizens of Cook County (4C) have been fighting to stop two wood pellet plants in Adel, GA. On the brink of a civil rights case, 4C secured a major settlement with Spectrum Energy at the end of 2022. The wood pellet manufacturer agreed to strict public health protections. This agreement goes beyond what the Georgia Environmental Protection Division requires. 4C made their own seat at the table and demanded a commitment to their community! Learn more about the settlement.

A CBS Morning News feature inspired a former employee to expose Enviva’s lies about its forest destroying practices. The whistleblower reveals, “We use 100% whole trees in our pellets.” Enviva’s claims that they don’t contribute to deforestation are false. The whistleblower confirms what we’ve been saying all along. Their story led to an important resolution from the Dutch Parliament (more on that below).

Enviva recently attempted to expand production at their Ahoskie, NC facility. But local residents spoke out about the company’s continued environmental injustices. Injustices like air pollution, increased logging, and the long-term harm on frontline communities. The NC Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board (EJEAB) raised concerns. They requested a special session on the wood pellet industry. You can watch the recording here. Now, the permit for expansion is on hold while the EJEAB makes recommendations to NC DEQ.

The Pee Dee Indian Tribe community conservation model is taking root in South Carolina and beyond. The tribe opened their new Pee Dee Indian Cultural Center to the public in 2021. Construction of a new Environmental Justice training center in Brittons Neck is underway. We also identified a 335 acre tract of land for purchase on the Pee Dee River for future conservation. The work inspired new partnerships. These partnerships will support the expansion of this visionary project into North Carolina. Watch this community conservation model in action.

The tide is turning. We’re now seeing governments debate biomass more and more. Both the UK and the EU governments held debates on biomass subsidies last year. The Dutch Parliament is even calling out Enviva by name. A motion passed in Denmark called out Enviva as making “false green claims.” They cited research showing that Enviva contributes to forest destruction. Now, Parliament wants to stop paying subsidies to “cheating” wood pellet manufacturers. Up to $10 billion in subsidies could dry up.

A scathing investor report exposed Enviva’s fraudulent claims about forests and climate. This prompted shareholders to file a class action lawsuit against Enviva for fraud. Meanwhile, Enviva stocks took quite a tumble. Could this mean their financial house of cards is on the brink of collapse?

A judge in Georgia ruled that there’s enough evidence for a Title VI Civil Rights Act case against the GA EPD. And the court agrees: GA EPD did not consider the burden on Black and Latine Adel residents when it issued a permit for a new wood pellet facility. Now it’s up to the EPA whether to pursue the complaint.

Last year, we exposed some hard truths about The Nature Conservancy. An independent report and news piece revealed the policy work TNC does with the biomass and forestry industry. More than 150 groups sent a letter to TNC’s CEO. The letter asked them to stop pushing policies that promote wood markets as a climate solution. This started a new dialogue about the role of standing forests in climate justice. Conservation funders and other big greens are paying attention.

Australia is the first nation to reject biomass energy. The Australian government heard strong community concerns and responded. The threat was real. Two power stations were talking to pellet producers. Unlike the UK and EU, Australia is listening to scientists. Finally, a government is choosing forests, climate, and communities over biomass. Let’s hope more countries follow their lead.

650 scientists around the world have a solution to protect vital wildlife habitats. Stop burning trees to make energy. These scientists released a letter at the annual UN Biodiversity Summit. They urged world leaders to end bioenergy. They called on governments to focus on forest conservation, not destruction.

Drax is in trouble again. They’ve broken several air quality rules at their wood pellet plants in Louisiana. Drax agreed to pay $3.2 million to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LA DEQ). This is the largest settlement levied against polluters in the state in decades. Now will LA DEQ use these funds to improve the health and quality of life of those on the frontlines?

Greta Thunberg and other leaders are urging the EU to admit that biomass is accelerating the climate crisis. They published an op-ed in The Guardian last September. Their letter calls out false climate solutions like biomass. It also champions forests as a part of a just and fair climate strategy. We hope world leaders listen.