Europe's appetite for wood is clashing with Black communities in South Carolina Sammy Fretwell, The State (Columbia, S.C.) May 7—Europe's effort to make energy from American wood pellets is drawing complaints from Black community leaders in South Carolina, where manufacturers are expanding to produce more of the tiny wood chips. In Greenwood County, one large wood pellet factory is increasing the size of its operation and another mill is on the drawing board. A third pellet mill, backed by local and state politicians, plans to open next summer in Florence County. South Carolina has at least six wood pellet plants that have either been established or proposed in recent years, according to environmental groups and state regulators.