The companies Drax Biomass and Enviva have expanded wood pellet production across the U.S. South in response to subsidy programs from the United Kingdom and Europe that encourage replacing coal with biofuel. Environmentalists argue that these subsidy programs do not accurately count carbon emissions that result from burning the wood pellets in the United Kingdom and Europe, instead only counting the emissions when they are cut down in the U.S.. Local communities are also speaking out about their concerns regarding air pollution from Drax Biomass plants, which are often located in Black communities where residents have less leverage to advocate for better conditions.

A statement from Drax Biomass's media manager Aidan Kerr to the Louisiana Illuminator said, “The safety of our people and the communities in which we operate is our priority. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are committed to complying with all local and federal regulations. ... We are committed to delivering positive outcomes for the climate, environment and the communities in which we operate.”

A statement from Enviva’s Director of Sustainability, Kim Cesafsky to WHQR Public Media said, “When you look at biomass energy, you need to look at the lifecycle emissions. ... When you burn coal, it's a one-way street. ... It's very simple forest economics." When foresters replant trees at a faster rate than they're cut down due to the economic incentives, "there are no net emissions to the atmosphere. That is not the case with fossil fuels, which is what our product is displacing directly.”