Renewables are expected to account for 23 percent of U.S. electricity generation this year, increasing to 25 percent in 2024, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 5.
The U.S. exported 720,209.2 metric tons of wood pellets in April, down from 909,787.1 metric tons exported the previous month, but up when compared to the 659,071 metric tons exported in April 2022, according to data released by the USDA on June 7.
Spain produced a record 768,000 metric tons of wood pellets in 2022, according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network. Domestic consumption and exports were also up.
The USDA is holding a series of webinars to help organizations learn how to apply for a combined $11 billion it plans to award through two programs that support the deployment of clean and renewable energy, including eligible biomass projects.
Northern Illinois University's Mahdi Vaezi is investigating the feasibility of constructing an innovative, first-of-its-kind biomass pipeline, which would be located in Maine. The project is supported by a $650,000 USDA grant.
The U.K. Environment Agency on June 1 announced the opening of a public comment period on Drax Power Ltd.'s proposals to develop bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at Drax Power Station.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office on June 2 announced the launch of $4 million initiative that aims accelerate wood heater innovation and support the development of the next generation of efficient and clean wood heaters.
The Government of Ontario on May 26 launched a new $19.6 million Forest Biomass Program. The application-based program aims to help develop untapped economic potential and environmental benefits offered by new and emerging uses of forest biomass.
Ofgem, an independent energy regulator, on May 31 announced it is opening an investigation into whether Drax Power Ltd. is in breach of annual profiling requirement relating to the U.K. Renewables Obligations scheme.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 840,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in February, with sales reaching 630,000 tons.
Drax will establish its North American headquarters for BECCS in Houston, Texas. The new office will serve as the hub for Drax's team focused on bringing BECCS projects to fruition throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Louisiana Economic Development on May 24 announced Delta Biofuel is moving forward with the development of a proposed 340,000-metric-ton-per-year sugarcane bagasse-to-fuel pellet facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana.
Drax Group plc announced on May 23 it has selected two sites in the U.S. to build new BECCS projects. The company is also developing an option for a project to add BECCS to an existing pellet plant in Louisiana.
Valmet on May 5 announced has received an order from Helen Ltd. to convert a coal-fired district heat boiler at its Salmisaari “A” power plant in Helsinki, Finland, to a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) boiler that can be fueled with wood pellets.
The White House OMB has opened a public comment period as part of a federal effort that aims to improve how to identify, classify and measure bioeconomy manufacturing, technology and products, including biobased fuels, chemicals and materials.
The USDA on May 16 announced it will soon begin accepting letters of interest (LOIs) under two programs that will support the deployment of clean and renewable energy, including eligible biomass projects.
An 80-acre parcel of bottomland hardwood forest situated next to the Little River and Uwharrie National Forest in Montgomery County, North Carolina, has been conserved, thanks in part to a grant provided by the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund.
ENplus on April 25 reported that 3.3 million metric tons of wood pellets were certified under its program in 2022. Certified production is expected to exceed 14 million metric tons this year, according to the organization.
The Vermont House on May 11 voted 107 to 42 to override Gov. Phil Scott's veto of the Affordable Heat Act, which is designed to reduce GHGs in the state's thermal sector, including through the use of advanced wood heating and sustainable biofuels.
Renewables are currently expected to account for 23 percent of U.S. electricity production in 2023, increasing to 26 percent in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released May 9.
Enviva Inc. released Q1 financial results on April 3, reporting that construction is progressing well at its wood pellet plant in Epes, Alabama. Construction is also expected to start on its proposed facility in Bond, Mississippi, later this year.
The U.S. exported 909,787.1 metric tons of wood pellets in March, up from both 632,043.8 metric tons exported in the previous month and 801,396.3 metric tons exported in March 2022, according to data released by the USDA FAS on May 4.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, called on U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan to fix the agency's handling of its wood heater certification and testing program during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 3.
Enviva Inc. has been recognized by the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council with its “Innovation in Recycling, Reusing, or Repurposing� award for its efforts to improve the environment and keep Chesapeake, Virginia beautiful.
The Enviva Forest Conservation Fund has announced the recipients of its 2023 grants. The projects funded this year will help conserve more than 6,165 acres and protect ecologically sensitive bottomland hardwood forests in Virginia and North Carolina.
The World Bioenergy Association on April 19 published a paper titled, “Transparency, trust and best practice of responsible biomass use,� and is inviting bioenergy stakeholders to come together to discuss sustainability best practices.
Drax Group CEO Will Gardiner discussed the status of the company's BECCS projects in the company's Q1 trading update, released April 26. He said the company has entered formal discussions with the U.K. government and is evaluting U.S. projects.
The U.K. Pellet Council has announced the U.K. government's recently suspension of ENplus A1 requirements will expire on Nov. 22. As a result, all U.K. traders and customers will be rquired to use any non-ENplus A1 stock by that deadline.
Drax Group on April 25 announced the official end of coal-fired generation at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire, marking a historic milestone in both the company and the U.K.'s transformation to a zero-carbon energy future.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 910,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in January, with sales reaching 650,000 tons.
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