House Bill No. [insert number] aims to enhance wood pellet manufacturing in Louisiana by establishing it as a priority industry. The bill enacts Part IV of Chapter 3 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, which includes legislative findings that highlight the economic potential of the wood pellet industry, leveraging the state's forest resources and transportation infrastructure. The purpose of the bill is to streamline permitting processes while ensuring environmental safeguards, develop a skilled workforce, and facilitate the transportation and export of wood pellets, thereby creating jobs and supporting rural communities.

The bill outlines specific responsibilities for Louisiana Economic Development, which include prioritizing job creation incentives, establishing workforce development initiatives, and ensuring that wood pellet cargo is prioritized at state ports. Additionally, it mandates the development of site readiness criteria and clear regulatory pathways for manufacturing facilities. The proposed law defines "wood pellet manufacturing" as the production of compressed biomass pellets from forestry residues for both export and domestic use, particularly for new power generation markets.