Governor Hunt has directed the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct a study of technical issues associated with wood chip production in North Carolina.

The study will have two broad components that will be well integrated: (1) ecological and environmental impacts associated with wood chip production in North Carolina; and (2) the economic benefits and consequences of wood chip production in the state.

The study will be performed by scientists affiliated with the Southern Center for Sustainable Forests, a cooperative center established among North Carolina State University, Duke University, and DENR.
Scientists from North Carolina State University and Duke University will perform this research, with the economic component being led by Fred Cubbage at North Carolina State University and the ecologic component being led by Daniel Richter at Duke University. Integrated study results will be released in one report accepted by both institutional teams.