The Energy Futures Initiative and the National Association of State Energy Officials recently published the 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, which determined U.S. jobs in woody biomass and biofuels were up 2 percent in 2019.
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.
Simec Atlantis Energy Ltd. announced on April 14 that the target financial close date for its Uskmouth Power Station conversion project in the U.K. may be delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated ongoing workplace disruptions.
The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas is continuing its work to advocate for RNG development and its industry members despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Director of Operations David Cox.
Drax has received the 100th cargo of sustainable biomass from its export facility at the port of Baton Rouge in Louisiana, marking an important milestone in five years of its operation supplying wood pellets to the U.K.'s largest power station.
COVID-19 is impacting virtually all U.S. industries, including the renewable power sector. The EIA released its STEO on April 7 reporting that COVID-19 and the resulting economic slowdown will likely impact the development of new generating capcity.
The U.S. Department of Energy on March 27 announced it making up to $15 million available to deploy energy technology on tribal lands. Bioenergy projects are among those eligible for the funding, according to the funding opportunity announcement.
The U.S. EPA sent a letter to members of Congress on April 2 clarifying the temporary enforcement policy the agency announced on March 26 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and offering assurances the agency continues to enforce its regulatons.
Capstone Turbine Corp. announced March 26 that it received an order for an 800 kilowatt Signature Series microturbine to upgrade the City of Roseville, California, wastewater treatment plant. The upgrade will allow the facility to generate power.
The EPA has announced 42 states and territories failed to submit state plans under the 2016 emissions guidelines for existing MSW landfills. The agency has two years to promulgate a federal plan for those states.
The USDA on April 1 published a notice seeking comments on the most important agricultural innovation opportunities to be addressed in the near and long term. The comments will inform efforts related to the agency's Agricultural Innovaton Agenda.
Enviva Chairman and CEO John Keppler sent a letter to stakeholders on March 30 announcing the company's operations have not been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and reaffirming the company's financial guidance for 2020.
The U.S. EPA on March 26 announced g a temporary policy regarding EPA enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy applies to civil violoations duirng the outbreak.
Renova Inc. announced March 24 it has reached financial close on the 74.95 megawatt (MW) Ishinomaki Hibarino Biomass Power Generation Project in Ishinomaki, Japan. The facility will be fueled with wood pellets and palm kernel shells.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill March 25 that recognizes the contributions of the forest products sector to the state's climate response and affirms it is in the public interest to support all aspects of a fully integrated forest sector.
Industry leaders are urging government to keep U.K. wood fuel supply chains fully open to ensure suppliers can continue delivering to home heating customers and key frontline organisations and businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.
Construction on the Tees Renewable Energy Plant (Tees REP) a 299 megawatt (MW) biomass power plant in the U.K. was suspended on March 24 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A small number of critical maintenance staff remain onsite.
Despite guidance from federal agencies recognizing forest product manufacturing sites as an essential critical infrastructure workforce, Pennsylvania wood pellet producers were temporarily forced to shutdown March 19. The issue was resolved March 21.
The Forest Products Association of Canada sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 20 urging him to recognize the Canadian forest products sector as essential and critical infrastructure during the COVID-29 pandemic.
Future Forests + Jobs announced on March 25 the launch of the FFJ Research Directory, a repository of academic research, papers and studies that document the positive contributions wood bioenergy is making to the energy sector.
Kcoe Isom hosted a webinar on March 24 that discussed crisis planning and employee communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event also discussed emergency family and medical leave and offered tips for working remotely.
Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax Group, released a statement on March 25 explaining how Drax and its employees are working to ensure the U.K. is supplied with the power it needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal government has classified workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products as part of the critical infrastructure workforce. Meanwhile, the FRA is tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the forest products industry.
USDA Rural Development on March 20 announced that it has implemented enterprise-wide remote operational status, effective immediately, to help protect the health of employees, customers and the greater community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Associated British Ports and Drax announced on March 20 that a shipment of 63,907 metric tons of wood pellets had been received and unloaded earlier in the week. It was the largest shipment of wood pellets handled to date at the Port of Immingham.
Enviva has announced production at its wood pellet manufacturing plants has not been impacted by COVID-19. “Our operations remain stable and our ships are sailing as scheduled,� said the company in a statement issued on March 20.
The outlook of the U.K. wood pellet market is mixed.
In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, U.S. industrial wood pellet producers continue operations, ensuring no supply disruptions for global customers depending on their product for renewable wood heat and power production.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 810,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in November, with sales reaching 850,000 tons.
U.K. based gasification company Eqtec has announced plans to develop at least two biomass gasification projects in Greece. The first will have a capacity of 500 kilowatts (kw), while second will have a 1 megawatt (MW) capacity.
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