LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODELS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LOCATION OF BIOENERGY AND BIOFUELS PLANTS

Logistic regression models were developed to identify significant factors that influence the location of existing wood-using bioenergy/biofuels plants and traditional wood-using facilities. Logistic models provided quantitative insight for variables influencing the location of woody biomass-using facilities. Availability of "thinnings to a basal area of 31.7m(2)/ha," "availability of unused mill residues," and "high density of railroad availability" had positive significant influences on the location of all wood-using faciities. "Median family income," "population," "low density of railroad availability," and "harvesting costs for logging residues" had negative significant influences on the location of all woodusing faciities. For larger woody biomass-using mills (e. g., biopower) availability of "thinnings to a basal area of 79.2m(2)/ha," "number of primary and secondary wood-using mills within an 128.8km haul distance," and "amount of total mill residues," had positive significant influences on the location of larger wood-using faciities. "Population" and " harvesting costs for logging residues" have negative significant influences on the location of larger wood-using faciities. Based on the logistic models, 25 locations were predicted for bioenergy or biofuels plants for a 13-state study region in the Southern United States.