Interest in harvesting crop residues for energy has waxed and waned since the oil embargo of 1973. Since the at least the late 1990’s interest has been renewed due to concern of peak oil, highly volatile natural gas prices, replacing fossil fuel with renewable sources and a push for energy independence. The studies conducted on harvesting crop residues during the 1970’s and1980’s focused primarily on erosion risk and nutrient removal as a result early estimates of residue availability focused on erosion control.