text: Wood pellets made by compressing sawdust or other ground woody materials are used in a variety of energy and non-energy applications. In the energy sector, wood pellets are often used to replace coal with power plants such as Drax, in England, replacing most of their coal use with woody pellet. As sustainably harvested wood does not lead to a long-term increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, wood fuels are considered to be a low-carbon form of energy. Wood pellets are also used for domestic and commercial heating either in the form of automated boilers or pellet stoves. Compared to other fuels made from wood, pellets have the advantage of higher energy density, simpler handling as it flows similar to grain, and low moisture.
  Concerns have been raised about the short-term carbon balance of wood pellet production, particularly if it is driving the harvesting of old or mature harvests that would otherwise not be logged. Areas of concern include the inland rainforests of British Columbia  These claims are contested by the pellet and forest industries.