Social acceptability of establishing forest-based biorefineries in Maine, United States

Forest-based biomass has a significant role to play in the development of a renewable U.S. energy portfolio, especially in the context of mandated cellulosic biofuel production requirements. Biorefinery development has the potential to create economic, environmental, and social benefits. In Maine, co-location opportunities for biorefineries and existing pulp and paper manufacturing facilities could strengthen industry and mill communities. Understanding general public and local perceptions of bioenergy industries and products may play a key role in their establishment, success, and sustainability. Our aim was to compare the general Maine public and mill towns in their support for forest-based biorefineries, and we surveyed: (1) Statewide residents, and (2) Mill Town residents from 10 communities with major pulp and paper facilities. We found differences between local and state support for biorefineries across all response categories. Mill Town respondents were significantly more supportive of biorefinery projects in their communities, and overall the potential positive impacts of biorefineries were rated higher than the potential negative impacts. Both groups preferred facility siting at pulp mills no longer in operation, and Mill Town respondents expressed less concern about potential negative impacts than Statewide respondents. Our findings provide important insight into forest-based biorefinery issues important to communities. We encourage policy makers, industry leaders, and researchers to use our results as a foundation to actively engage statewide and local communities future biorefinery policies and siting proposals.