The USDA on May 7 awarded more than $15 million to fund grant proposals to develop and expend the use of wood products, strengthen emerging wood energy markets and protect community forests. A portion of that funding will support bioenergy projects.
Drax Group,will begin constructing the first of three new “satellite� pellet plants in Arkansas, the company announced on May 6. The three plants are together expected to produce around 120,000 metric tons of sustainable biomass pellets a year.
The U.S. exported 667,309 metric tons of wood pellets in March, up from both 556,801.7 metric tons in February and 670,463.8 metric tons in March 2020, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on May 4.
The Canadian government in mid-April announced an C$8.4 million investment in nine community-led Indigenous clean energy projects across British Columbia. Eight of those projects focus on the use of biomass and bioenergy.
Enviva on April 27 published its 2021 Implementation Plans, a detailed proposal of goals and initiatives designed to continue to deliver on the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable wood sourcing.
FutureMetrics LLC on May 3 released a new white paper that emphasizes the carbon-negative potential of deploying CCS technology at pulverized coal (PC) power stations that are modified to use sustainably produced wood pellet fuel.
A new network of former lawmakers, farm leaders, and clean energy advocates has gathered under the banner of Carbon-50 to support an inclusive, 50-state strategy to address climate change, and has outlined principes for its a 50-state carbon plan.
FutureMetrics LLC on May 3 released a new white paper that emphasizes the carbon-negative potential of deploying CCS technology at pulverized coal (PC) power stations that are modified to use sustainably produced wood pellet fuel.
The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service on April 27 published a final rule for the Rural Energy for America Program that makes changes related to the OneRD guaranteed loan regulation and 2018 Farm Bill.
Enviva on April 28 announced plans to develop of a new wood pellet plant in Bond, Mississippi, that could have the capacity to produce more than 1 million metric tons per year. The company is also expanding capacity at existing plants.
Enbridge Inc., Walker Industries and Comcor Environmental have announced a partnership to jointly develop renewable natural gas (RNG) projects across Canada. The RNG willb e used to heat homes, power busineses and fuel vehicle fleets.
ENplus has reported another year of stable growth. In 2020, the total production of certified pellets is confirmed to be 12.3 million metric tons, while the amount for the current year is foreseen to surpass 14 million metric tons.
Jewel Bronaugh, President Biden's nominee to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture, discussed the important role biofuels and bioenergy will play in meeting the administration's climate goals during a senate confirmation hearing on April 22.
The supply chain impacts of a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour vary by region.
Enviva has joined the Sea Cargo Charter, a cross-industry partnership of over 20 ship charterers that aims to establish a consistent global framework for transparently assessing and disclosing the climate impact of ship chartering operations.
Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, have reintroduced an updated BTU Act, which aims to provide tax credits for commercial and industrial wood heating appliances. It would also extend and increase the existing residential ITC.
The Growing Climate Solutions Act was re-introduced on April 20. The bill aims to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices.
Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M, on April 22 introduced the Agricultural Resilience Act. The bill, in part, would make changes to the USDA's REAP program and move the U.S. EPA's AgSTAR program to the USDA.
President Biden marked Earth Day on April 22 by announcing a new target for the U.S. to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction in economy-wide net greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by 2030 when compared to a 2005 baseline.
A new and innovative safety approach for protecting coal/wood grinding plants against the ravages of a combustible dust explosion has been developed using passive venting devices, according to REMBE Inc.
The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association has welcomed the EU Taxonomy which classifies sustainable bioenergy as an environmentally sustainable activity, underscoring its indispensable role in the EU's low-carbon energy transition.
Drax released a first quarter trading update on April 21, discussing the company's progress with its biomass strategy, including the acquisition of Pinnacle Renewable Energy, the end of commercial coal generation, and sale of gas generation assets.
By REBL Refractories Evaluations Laboratory
April 20, 2021
REBL Refractories Evaluations Laboratory Ltd. has gained considerable experience over its 25-plus year history with major industrial projects throughout Canada and the U.S.
Selecting the right project team for your facility during upset conditions or outages is not to be taken lightly.
Generational Capital Markets has announced the sale of its client, Hayward, Wisconsin-based Great Lakes Renewable Energy Inc., to Lignetics Inc., a residential wood pellet producer headquartered in Colorado. The acquisition closed on March 31.
Reps. David Schweikert, R-Ariz.; Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio; and Carol Miller, R-W.V., on April 19 joined House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in announcing a bill to improve and extend the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration.
The Massachusetts DER is seeking public comments on two new proposed revisions to the state's RPS pertaining to biomass that would implement an efficiency requirement and prevent biomass projects in certain areas from qualifying for the RPS program.
A group of 50 former House and Senate leaders representing 42 states on April 20 sent a letter to Gina McCarthy, President Biden's national climate advisor, in support of the administration's dedication to building back better for a green future.
The U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on April 20 opened a public consultation seeking evidence on how sustainable biomass should be sourced and used to support the country's net-zero target.
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