On Jan. 17, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the Green New Deal, a clean energy and jobs agenda that calls for the state to achieve 100 percent clean power by 2040. It also aims to set new renewable energy mandates.
EQTEC plc, the technology solution company for biomass gasification-to-energy projects, is pleased to announce that it has signed its first equipment purchase contract with Phoenix Energy, in relation to the company's first power plant in California.
Yoshinobu Kusano has joined FutureMetrics as a policy advisor regarding the Asian wood pellet markets. He will provide FutureMetrics with updates and analysis on current and evolving policy in the high-growth regions of northeast and southeast Asia.
The U.S. EIA has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting that the total share of renewable electricity generation will reach 18 percent in 2019 and 20 percent in 2020, up from 17 percent in 2018.
The U.K. government has released its Clean Air Strategy. The U.K. REA said it welcomes the ambitions of the strategy, but called on the government to take into account contemporary evidence on the role of bioenergy in meeting carbon targets.
Equipment associated with the former Ineos Bio Energy 8 MMgy cellulosic ethanol plant and 6 MW bioenergy plant in Vero Beach, Florida, are being sold piecemeal via a timed auction ending Jan. 15, according to the Maas Companies.
In Brazil, a waste-to-energy pilot plant that produces biogas and fertilizer was recently installed in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Rio press office said the plant is located at the municipal company of urban cleaning (Comlurb).
Canada has officially become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada becomes the Agency's 160th member to join the global intergovernmental organization dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
Seneca Resource Recovery recently commenced a three-year contract to supply high-spec biomass fuel to Templeborough Biomass Power Plant in Rotherham. The fuel is manufactured using waste wood recovered from construction and commercial waste.
FuelCell Energy Inc. has announced progress with the development of two biogas fuel cell projects in California, including one in Orange County that will convert landfill gas into renewable electricity and hydrogen.
The European Commission has approved, under European Union state aid rules, a scheme in Portugal to support biomass energy installations located close to forest areas regarded as critical due to the risk of fires.
On Jan. 9, President Trump formally nominated Andrew Wheeler to serve as administrator of the U.S. EPA. Wheeler has held the post of acting administrator since July 9, 2018, following Scott Pruitt's resignation earlier that month.
The Arizona Corporation Commission has announced a new effort to expand bioenergy production. On Dec. 19, the group announced its commissioners recently voted to adopt a policy statement addressing the role of forest bioenergy in Arizona.
FROM THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY ISSUE
The U.K. government recently released updated quarterly energy statistics showing that the renewables share of electricity generation increased to a record 33.1 percent during the third quarter of 2018.
FROM THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY ISSUE: Drones and robots are seeing increasing use in the energy industry, but this technical revolution hasn't yet caught on in the biomass energy industry.
FROM JANUARY/FEBRUARY ISSUE: The electric vehicle market is predicted to soar, and, pending overdue action by the U.S. EPA, biomass power producers are positioned to help meet goals set forth in the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Drax is set to play a bigger role than ever in Great Britain's energy system following the completion of the purchase of Spanish company Iberdrola's portfolio of flexible, low-carbon and renewable assets for £702 million.
An executive order on forest management issued by President Trump in late December addresses how rural economies can benefit through the utilization of byproducts created by forest restoration efforts.
Waste Management recently released its 2018 sustainability report, highlighting its achievements in using landfill gas to generate electricity and produce renewable natural gas (RNG) for use as transportation fuel.
FROM THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY ISSUE
A new biomass facility near Camptonville, California, is one step closer to becoming a driving force in ensuring a healthy forest with the help of a $186,500 grant from Yuba Water Agency.
In a significant development for the clean fuels sector, Environment and Climate Change Canada has released the Regulatory Design Paper reflecting a year of intensive consultation on the national Clean Fuel Standard.
On Dec. 20, President Trump signed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill into law. The bill, titled the Agricultural Improvement Act, or H.R. 2, reauthorizes several Energy Title programs, including REAP and BCAP.
Valmet will supply automation technology to Pori Energia Oy's Aittaluoto biomass power plant in Pori, Finland, as part of a project to modernize the facility. Valmet's automation will improve plant availability and emissions control.
FutureMetrics has released a new white paper that features a 2018 year-end review of the pellet market. According to the paper, 2018 was one of the strongest years for the global wood pellet market in terms of growth and pricing.
The U.S. EIA has released the December edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting that nonhydropower renewables will provide 10 percent of U.S. utility-scale power generation this year, increasing to 11 percent in 2011.
Anaergia Inc. has announced construction is underway at the Rialto Bioenergy Facility in California. When operational in 2020, the facility is expected to be the largest food waste diversion and energy recovery facility in North America.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $867 billion 2018 Farm Bill by a vote of 369 to 47 on Dec. 12. The legislation will now be sent to President Trump's desk. Trump is expected to sign the bill.
On Dec. 11, the Senate voted 87 to 13 to pass the 2018 Farm Bill. The vote came one day after House and Senate ag committee leaders released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. The bill will now be considered by the House.
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