The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 770,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in January, with sales reaching 650,000 tons.
The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association on May 11 welcomed an order from the European Court of Justice dismissing a case against wood biomass. The court ruled the applicants lacked standing to challenge the EU's inclusion of wood biomass in the RED.
FutureMetrics LLC on May 6 published a whitepaper discussing how converting existing coal-fired power plants to be fueled with wood pellets offers a low cost, easy-to-deploy way to generate low-carbon electricity.
The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to impact U.S. electricity consumption. The EIA's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released on May 12, predicts total U.S. electric power sector generation will decline by 5 percent in 2020.
Pinnacle Renewable Energy has broken ground on a 360,000-metric-ton-per-year pellet plant in Demopolis, Alabama. Construction has also resumed on the company's 200,000-metric-ton-per-year facility in High Level, Alberta.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition is asking lawmakers to direct the U.S. EPA to promptly publish a rule that states neither agricultural biomass nor woody biomass contribute to excess greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.
Biomass facilities have been deemed 'essential critical infrastructure' by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, meaning that not only are they exempt from stay-at-home directives, but they also have a special responsibility to keep operating.
Innovations in biomass harvesting, hauling and transport are reducing raw material costs for end users. From large-scale harvests to small-scale logging, foresters are pairing smart technique with novel equipment to get jobs done more efficiently.
Increasing wood fiber costs continue to challenge western Canada's export pellet sector. In particular, producers continue to struggle with fiber availability and quality as a result of sawmill curtailments in British Columbia.
Year over year, the 2019-'20 heating season in the U.S. was warmer, but production, sales and revenue were up. Lower feedstock costs drove higher seasonal production, alleviating widespread industry concerns about low inventory from last year.
The USTR recently issued its 2020 National Trade Estimate, an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters of goods and services and USTR's efforts to reduce those barriers. Wood pellets are among the products addressed.
Wood-based energy is a necessary tool in the fight against global climate change. And now, during COVID-19, it is important to enable foresters, loggers, landowners, and biomass producers in the U.S. to keep the lights on and the power flowing.
Drax recently opened a public consultation on a new biomass carbon calculator it has developed to help calculate wood pellet supply chain GHG lifecycle emissions in accordance with the U.K. Renewables Obligation and certain European Union directives.
Biomass Supply Chain Risk Standards could boost investment in the bioeconomy by de-risking investment and accelerating capital flow to new projects. With adoption of the concept growing, support from industry and government appears to be growing.
The U.S. exported 670,463.8 metric tons of wood pellets in March, up from 546,435.2 metric tons in February and 646,824.5 metric tons in March 2019, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on May 5.
The U.S. EPA on April 30 delivered a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget that amends standards of performance for new residential wood heaters, new residential hydronic heaters and forced-air furnaces.
On behalf of the Australian Government, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency is seeking input from stakeholders in Australia's bioenergy sector to underpin the development of the Bioenergy Roadmap.
The U.K. government on April 28 published the results of a 2018 public consultation focused on the use RHI support for biomass in urban areas, geographical restrictions on biogas combustion, and maintenance checks for existing biomass boilers.
Enviva Partners LP held an earnings call on April 30 to discuss first quarter 2020 financial results. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the company reported significant increases in net income and adjusted EBITDA.
The Canadian government announced on April 24 it will delay publication of proposed regulations for the liquid fuel class of its Clean Fuel Standard until fall 2020 due to extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enviva on April 21 published its 2020 Implementation Plans, a detailed proposal of new goals and initiatives to continue to deliver on the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable wood sourcing.
Network Rail has reopened one of the most important freight lines in the U.K. after an unprecedented 24/7 operation to keep the lights on. The line into Drax Power Station was inundated with flood water in February when a nearby river flooded.
Drax Group plc released a trading statement on April 22 providing insight into its first quarter financial performance and confirming the company is in a strong position to support its employees, customers and communities during the COVID-19 crisis.
The U.K. government recently released updated energy statistics showing the renewables share of electricity generation reached a record 36.9 percent last year, with 119 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity generated from renewable sources.
The U.S. Forest Service on April 16 announced it is awarding a total of $7.62 million to 35 projects as part of the agency's Wood Innovations Grant Program. Eight of those projects focus on renewable energy.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is offering to extend contract deadlines on certain timber sales, sale of property stewardship contracts and forest product permits awarded or issued before April 1, 2020.
Teams at GB Railfreight are continuing to work closely with Drax to maintain supplies of the sustainable biomass needed for the U.K.'s largest power station to generate electricity needed by millions of homes and business during the COVID-19 crisis.
Drax Biomass is donating $30,000 to help families and businesses in northeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi who have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis and recent tornadoes in the Monroe area.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on April 13 unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 770,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in December, with sales reaching 840,000 tons.
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