"Burning wood pellets releases as much or even more carbon dioxide per unit of energy as burning coal"

https://e360.yale.edu/features/wood_pellets_green_energy_or_new_source_of_co2_emissions

"Among the many challenges of burning wood, there are three primary issues of concern. First, burning trees results in more carbon dioxide emission for a unit of energy output (e.g., BTUs). In fact, some smokestack emission tests show burning wood results in carbon emissions 2.5 times higher than natural gas and 30 percent higher than coal. Second, harvesting trees for fuel leads to more carbon release than if they remained in the forests to grow or, if they are dead, recycle carbon into the soil. Thirdly, there is a question of delay relating to the time-lag as new trees take time to establish and grow large enough to capture the capacity lost through harvesting. If you invest some time reading and learning more about burning wood, this is only the beginning of concerns; others relate to the reflective capacity of black carbon and other harmful gases released in biomass combustion."

https://ecosystems.psu.edu/research/centers/private-forests/news/burning-wood-caring-for-the-earth

It's not ridiculous, it's just how it is. Using wood as a large-scale, long term replacement for heating energy across the New England region would just be worse for the environment in the long-term when compared to existing alternatives including natural gas, coal, and nuclear power.

From a pollution perspective, burning wood and wood pellets is pretty horrific. We're better off burning clean coal as at least we get more bang for our buck when it comes to air pollution. Building a more logical energy grid and pushing for better insulation etc. are better options.