The largest global industrial wood pellet supplier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, announcing its intention to cut about $1 billion of debt by restructuring agreements with creditors, including those who have invested heavily in new facilities. The announcement came two months after Fitch Ratings downgraded Enviva’s default rating following a missed interest payment of $24.4 million. Construction will continue at its location in Epes, Alabama, Enviva said in a March 12 statement. The Dogwood Alliance urged the Biden Administration this fall to prevent wood pellet producers from accessing a tax credit that received additional funding under the Inflation Reduction Act, which marked the most substantial federal investment to date in the fight against climate change. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

---

Persons: Enviva, ”, ” Glenn Nunziata, Danna Smith, Smith, ” Smith, ” ___ Pollard Organizations: Fitch, Dogwood Alliance, Biden, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Maryland, Delaware, Mississippi, Alabama, U.S, Epes , Alabama, Bond