Wood as a power source may be making comeback, even in Mass.

RUSSELL, Mass. -- A proposed wood burning power plant in Russell is just the tip of the iceberg.

While airwaves have been permeated by advertisements for solar and wind power, last year wood generated more net electricity in the U.S. than those two up-and-comers combined.

New wood-burning electricity plants are again being proposed from Massachusetts to New Mexico as the nation finds itself in an energy crisis.

There were 196 wood burning electricity plants in the United States as of January 2007. Now developers are proposing dozens more.

Wood, however, has far less stored energy than fossil fuels, so more must be gathered, trucked and burned to produce the same power.

The proposed plant is Russell is also facing fierce local opposition, and was delayed this summer after the state said 150 to 240 daily truck trips to the plant would be to disruptive to the town.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)