Forest Service announces 2019 Wood Innovation Grant awards
By U.S. Forest Service
May 08, 2019
On May 7, the Forest Service awarded over $8.9 million through the Wood Innovations Grant program. Thirty-nine business, university, nonprofit and tribal partners in 20 states are matching the grants with an additional $8.8 million.
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., introduced legislation May 8 that aims to establish a federal clean energy standard. Several forms of bioenergy meet the bill's definition of clean energy.
The DOE has opened a $79 million funding opportunity for bioenergy research and development that aims to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources.
The U.K. Committee on Climate Change published a report May 2 that recommends the government set a goal to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Drax and the U.K. Renewable Energy Association say bioenergy can help meet that goal.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation May 2 that aims to overhaul the federal tax code and consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions. Several biofuel and bioenergy groups support the bill.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce recently awarded U.K.-based Active Energy Group plc a $500,000 grant to support the development of its CoalSwitch manufacturing site in Lumberton, North Carolina.
The Canadian government recently awarded more than $4 million to two projects that aim to create value from forest products. One project focuses on the production of RNG, while the other aims to improve the competitiveness of Indigenous businesses.
The BPA partnered with six renewable energy trade groups April 25 to send a letter to Congress opposing deep cuts in FY 2020 funding proposed by the Trump Administration for the Department of Energy's EERE, ARPA-E and NREL.
Biomass in the Hostess City
April 24, 2019
The 12th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo drew nearly 900 attendees to Savannah, Georgia.
Enviva helps protect threatened habitat, watershed in Virginia
By Enviva Holdings LP
April 24, 2019
A critical habitat for a threatened bat species will be preserved thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. The award will go towards a $750,000 project.
Building Globally, Impacting Locally
By Patrick C. Miller
April 23, 2019
Though differing in size, scope and market reach, the ultimate goals of domestic and industrial wood pellet projects are similar.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed Senate Bill 358 into law April 22 raising the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50 percent by 2030, up from the previous requirement of 25 percent by 2025.
More than 50 federal lawmakers have spoken out to encourage members of the Senate and House appropriations committees to provide robust fiscal year 2020 funding for Farm Bill energy title programs.
The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service released updated export data on April 17, reporting that wood pellet exports reached 501,563.9 metric tons in February, up from both the previous month and February 2018.
The European Commission announced April 15 that it has approved state aid for an Irish scheme for renewable heat generation and for a waste-to-energy (WtE) cogeneration plant under development in Poland.
The Forest Service has released eligibility criteria for Indian tribes and Alaska tribal organizations that want to develop demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production under amendments made to the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004.
CLTCC welcomes Drax Biomass as forestry program partner
By Drax Biomass
April 12, 2019
The Central Louisiana Technical Community College Huey P. Long Campus Forest Technology program is welcoming Drax Biomass as an industry partner. The program is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
Pacific BioEnergy: No injuries sustained during April 6 fire
By Pacific BioEnergy Corp.
April 09, 2019
Pacific BioEnergy Corp.'s management team at the Prince George Plant continues to investigate a fire that occurred on April 6. No injuries were sustained during the incident. The company is assessing damage and generating a plan for recommissioning.
U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently informed federal lawmakers that the agency is working on a rulemaking that will define biomass as carbon neutral. A proposed rule is expected to be released this summer.
ENplus: The US Perspective
By Chris Wiberg
April 05, 2019
The ENplus quality certification scheme serves an important role for U.S. wood pellet producers, but there is at least one key issue that has limited its adoption within the U.S.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 710,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in December, with sales reaching 790,000 metric tons.
Through a Glass Darkly
April 04, 2019
The 2018-“19 home heating season is a perfect case study of the yearly challenge wood pellet manufacturers and their retail partners face when trying to plan for, produce and have available enough wood pellets to meet demand.
The DOE has announced a compendium of new research that explores how grinding, sifting, drying, pelletizing and chemically treating biomass before it reaches the biorefinery could help solve big challenges plaguing today's bioenergy industry.
The Japanese government is reportedly considering enacting a policy that would require palm kernel shells (PKS) to be meet sustainability criteria. A new FutureMetrics whitepaper predicts the policy could increase demand for wood pellets.
Convincing Plant Managers to Spend Money
By Holger Streetz
April 03, 2019
Sometimes, the goals of the plant manager and the maintenance manager are opposing. A good maintenance plan helps clear the mist.
A New Wave of Drying Techniques
By Patrick C. Miller
April 02, 2019
From Europe to Latin America, the biomass industry is developing better drying technologies.
The Value of Experience
April 02, 2019
Design and operation of a successful wood pellet plant boils down to experience and attention to detail, with a heavy focus on fiber.
The U.K. government has released new energy data, reporting that renewables accounted for a record 33.3 percent of electricity generation last year. Bioenergy generation increased 12 percent when compared to 2017.
Biomass Conversion: Moving Advanced Carbon Materials to Market
By June Breneman
April 01, 2019
NRRI is experimenting with a variety of pellet shapes and binders to create enhanced BTU output biomass-based fuel products.
Built to Last
By Ron Kotrba
April 01, 2019
California Pellet Mill has expanded over the years through smart acquisitions buttressed by reliable equipment and top-notch service.
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