1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Louisiana resident to urge you to oppose HB 670. While framed as economic development, this bill would further subsidize and accelerate an industry that has significant environmental, public health and long-term economic liabilities for our state. Key concerns: • Increased air pollution in already burdened communities. Wood pellet mills emit fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. Facilities in places like Urania and near Baton Rouge have drawn complaints about dust and respiratory irritation. Expanding this industry risks worsening asthma and other health issues in nearby neighborhoods. • Loss of Louisiana forests and wildlife habitat. Pellet production depends on large-scale harvesting of bottomland hardwood forests. These forests support biodiversity, protect water quality and reduce flood risk along rivers like the Mississippi and Atchafalaya. Once degraded, they take decades to recover. • Questionable climate benefits. Although marketed as renewable energy, burning wood pellets releases significant carbon immediately. Regrowth of forests takes decades, undermining near-term climate goals and making Louisiana more vulnerable to storms and heat. • Economic tradeoffs that harm local resilience. Incentivizing pellet mills can displace more sustainable uses of forests such as recreation, ecotourism and long-rotation timber. These alternatives often provide steadier jobs without degrading natural resources. • Strain on infrastructure and quality of life. Increased truck traffic from logging and pellet transport damages rural roads and raises safety concerns. Residents near facilities report noise, dust and declining property values. Louisiana’s economic future should not rely on industries that externalize costs onto our communities and natural systems. Instead, we should prioritize development that protects our forests, improves public health and builds long-term resilience. I respectfully ask you to vote no on HB 670 and to support policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. Thank you for your time and consideration.