Do You Think There Will Be A Pellet Shortage on A Regular Basis?

[Bioburner]

This year is not near as bad as 2008 when we were paying $300+ per ton for pellets. I recently found some at Lowes after looking for a few days and only paid $4.50/bag. Key is to buy early. I didn't buy enough as I didn't predict the brutal cold weather we've had this winter. Glad to see the snow is finally melting...

Just had a inch of ice covered by 6 inches of snow for April fools day and another storm watch issued for tonight Normally starting to plant wheat now. Corn planting on 15th.

 

[ScotL]

You need huge volumes and a very cheap wood supply to make pellets for export. Wood in the northeast is too expensive.

 

[moey]

short answer no, long answer no

 

[Bioburner]

Emerald Ash borer is starting to decimate some nice hardwoods in central part of the country.

 

[smwilliamson]

More and more folks are coming on board for pellet every year. As such, demand is higher during the season, so I think the question people are going to have answer for themselves is, "How much do I PLAN on using my stove" I place emphasis PLAN because that is the real problem here with a shortage...people are use to just going out and buying a few bags here and there as the 1 or 2 tons run out. PLAN for the worst winter and you'll always have pellets. PLAN for buying in bulk and you will pay less per bag. PLAN PLAN PLAN.

If you're going to rely on Home Depot, Hardware stores and the like to support your heating needs you need a head check..., likewise...don't wait until the heat wave to shop for air conditioners...same deal in reverse.

 

[tjnamtiw]

The pellet they make wouldn't burn as well as rabbit dung in todays pellet stove.
$180/ton + delivered to port, loaded on a boat , shipped across the Atlantic to be unloaded at port at a power plant with MILLLLLLLLIONS $ of infrastructure doesn't sound like a profit center to me.
These huge US coastal pellet mills are mostly owned by foreign power companies as a way to control their own supply. Inland pellet mills have no way to compete.

http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/8094/enova-energy-group-to-build-three-pellet-plants

This company has 3 big mills = 1.35 million metric tons plus buying assets in other states for 2 million more! The other biggie exporting is Fram/Appling County.

http://www.southernloggintimesmagaz...p-enter-into-contracts-for-wood-fiber-supply/

Oh, and that $180 a ton you pulled out is only 130 Euro today.

 

[DBNH22]

I was down picking up my first ton of next season's pellets last night. The owner and I got into a conversation about the pellet shortage. He told me that the reason for the shortage is the sheer volume of pellets they are shipping to Europe. He explained that they can sell the pellets for more money over there. The only reason they don't ship ALL their pellets over there and tell us to go screw is the uncertainty of the euro. They are scared of the euro so they hedge their bet by keeping some in U.S.

I came across a few articles regarding pellets being shipped from Maine to Europe.
Oh and if anyone feel's like starting a melee over the whole "eco" aspect of wood fuels, here's some red meat in Article 5. Enjoy.

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Article 4

Article 5

 

[ScotL]

On the "eco" aspect:

http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9789/pellets-hit-the-right-notes-as-fossil-fuel-replacement

 

[tjnamtiw]

The first article above by Dana B, http://www.pressherald.com/news/new-plant-would-ship-wood-pellets-to-europe_2011-10-25.html, brings up a very good point. Europe is using our pellets in their coal fired electrical generators to cut down on emissions and 'save the world.....' Are we doing that here? If not, could we be looking at an effort here to save our coal fired plants at the expense of using even MORE of our pellets for non-home heating? Realistically we can't shut down all our coal plants unless we enjoy the ambiance of a kerosene lantern so this would be a way to prolong their life until windmills, solar plants, and treadmills (ha ha) can save us all.

 

[Augmister]

Nice economic debate, pelletheads! Just buy 'em when you see 'em. Rule of thumb, ALWAYS have a years supply on hand. You can build that up over time. So many ways to store them. No time the like present, to buy NOW for next season.

 

[TimfromMA]

It's funny to see the look on non-pellet users faces when I show them 6 tons of pellets stacked up in the basement.

It's looks utterly absurd to the untrained eye.

 

[Danny9909]

All ready getting ready for the next burning season with 1/2 ton Okies D-Fir

 

[TimfromMA]

All ready getting ready for the next burning season with 1/2 ton Okies D-Fir

Those are awesome.

 

[hossthehermit]

yes

 

[jtakeman]

More and more folks are coming on board for pellet every year. As such, demand is higher during the season, so I think the question people are going to have answer for themselves is, "How much do I PLAN on using my stove" I place emphasis PLAN because that is the real problem here with a shortage...people are use to just going out and buying a few bags here and there as the 1 or 2 tons run out. PLAN for the worst winter and you'll always have pellets. PLAN for buying in bulk and you will pay less per bag. PLAN PLAN PLAN.

If you're going to rely on Home Depot, Hardware stores and the like to support your heating needs you need a head check..., likewise...don't wait until the heat wave to shop for air conditioners...same deal in reverse.

Ahh, Last I checked it even hit the pellet houses. And the ones that had them rationed and some even jacked the crap out of the prices($6.00 to $7.50/bag, some even more!). Say what ya want, But HD-Lowes and TSC held prices in check.

IMHO they were not only taking advantage of those who did not prepare, But also the ones that don't have the space to handle a full seasons hoard or can't afford to buy them all at once. Not everyone has the stash space or capital to do the full seasons splurge in August.

All I'll say is I seen the true blue of some in my area and I refuse to do business with those that take advantage of a dire situations that should have brought out compassion and not the filthy greed! I honestly hope they choke on it!

 

[MSmith66]

Best bet would be to get a ton every month starting in June. Thats what I do and have never had an issue in 12 + yrs. Good Luck!!

 

[Pellet-King]

With the continuing decline of the value of the dollar versus foreign currencies (%^$#^*:+), it will become increasingly cheaper for Europe to buy our pellets with their currencies. That means that it will be more advantageous for US pellet producers to sell to foreign markets rather than US ones. It's about the money! Already several new plants in Georgia are shipping pellets in bulk to Europe exclusively and I think this will be the trend in the future unless they can get a higher price here. They've already learned that people are willing to pay $7.50 a bag so why not keep the price high? Just like gasoline is twice what it was 6 years ago.
I don't have to tell you who we have to blame for printing worthless money and keeping the interest rates artificially low. Thanks a lot. The future is bleak, my friends. Even natural gas will be liquified and shipped to Europe. One new plant is now on line and I believe it is 7 more that just got the go ahead to start building. We can do that in record time but can't approve a little pipeline?

Be glad you live in one of the cheapest area's to live in the USA, try living up here in Ct, high taxes, High Gas Prices, food, everything is a ripoff here, I'm really thinking of moving down south, people here are moving and buying double wide 25'x75' trailers in georgia for $25G

 

[tjnamtiw]

I can tell you for a fact that you won't buy a new double wide of that size for $25G. That's what my son has and it was a lot more than that. A LOT more.
Yes, it is cheaper down here as far as taxes go and the heating bills are not nearly as bad but you make up for some of that with the AC bills. The bugs are much worse although we don't have Lime Disease yet. Fuel prices are lower down here as are electric rates. We don't have an overabundance of Democrats either, which might explain the other advantages. Not sure about the bugs though. Car insurance for me, believe it or not, went up when I moved from Chicago to rural Georgia! People can't drive down here plus the abundance of deer makes driving hazardous in the morning and at sunset. Up North people know how to drive but they don't give a darn how they drive. That's the difference. Food is just as outrageously expensive. And you have to realize that you will ALWAYS REMAIN a Yankee.

 

[Tonyray]

It's funny to see the look on non-pellet users faces when I show them 6 tons of pellets stacked up in the basement.

It's looks utterly absurd to the untrained eye.

yep..... get same reaction..
just something ya don't see.
I never saw tons of wood pellets till I loaded my basement with 4 tons and looked back when I was done.