Louisiana Governor Signs Bill to Support Wood Pellet Manufacturing

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry recently signed HB 670, a bill aimed at supporting development of the state’s wood pellet manufacturing industry, Biomass Magazine reported (6-18-26). The bill was unanimously approved by the Louisiana House and Senate in May.

The law is designed to streamline permitting, support workforce development, and facilitate efficient transportation and export of wood pellets. It allows Louisiana Economic Development to support the recruitment, retention, and expansion of wood pellet manufacturing facilities, subject to existing statutory authority and available funding.

The agency may also develop policies, guidance, or program criteria consistent with existing economic development programs. Those efforts may include job creation incentives, workforce development and training initiatives, coordination with ports on infrastructure needs, site readiness criteria, and clearer regulatory pathways for wood pellet manufacturing facilities.

Louisiana is currently home to two fully operational wood pellet plants: Drax’s 660,000-metric-ton-per-year LaSalle BioEnergy plant in Urania and its 585,000-metric-ton-per-year Morehouse BioEnergy facility in Bastrop. At least two additional densified biomass projects are proposed in the state, including Delta Biofuel’s sugarcane bagasse pellet facility and a biochar facility under development by Robinson Carbon.