The Nation's Unused Wood Resources

In congressional testimony, GAO summarized its report on unused wood resources and presented agency responses to the report's recommendations. The report illustrated that large quantities of wood are wasted each year and that Federal policies are contributing to the lost potential of the wood's use as fuel or products. The recommendations addressed the need for the Federal Government to: (1) resolve supply questions by verifying the amount and accessibility of the wood residues; and (2) promote consumption by using the wood in Federal facilities and demonstrating other wood energy and product technologies. The agencies agreed with the general intent of the recommendations, but there were varying levels of disagreement over particular recommendations affecting individual agency policies and programs.