But Australian loggers grind other old growth timber into wood chips and ship it to Japanese manufacturers of paper products and fiberboard, a building material. Loggers say they chip only twisted waste logs that are unsuitable for lumber. But environmentalists say 9 out of 10 old growth logs are headed for chip mills, not saw mills. Kevin Parker, director of the Wilderness Society, says that particular Japanese companies prefer wood chips from only the straightest logs. What's left on the ground, he says, is material that the Japanese companies would refuse.
Economists question the wood-chip industry's contribution to Australian jobs and the economy.
They suggest that young eucalyptus trees grown on plantations, not old growth timber, can meet all of Australia's future construction lumber needs. A designer starts the simulation and analysis by entering just five basic building descriptors - geographic location, total floor space, intended building use, number of stories, and HVAC system type. This initial process takes about 20 minutes. These variables include construction materials and techniques, mechanical systems performance, window and door spacing and construction, and schedules of internal gains. PSIC will begin offering Energy-10 in June, call 202.628.7400 ext.