The Ontario government on July 5 announced it is changing its biogas regulations under the Nutrient Management Act to enable new on-farm biogas systems and expansions of existing systems to be approved more easily and at a lower cost.
ReGenerate Energy Holdings LLC, the recently formed joint venture between Ember Infrastructure and ReEnergy Biomass Operations LLC, has completed the acquisition of Albany Green Energy, a biomass heat-and-power facility located in Albany, Georgia.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on June 28 named Randy Moore as the new U.S. Forest Service chief. Moore will replace current Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen, who is scheduled to retire on July 26.
The U.S. Senate on June 24 voted 92 to eight to pass the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which aims to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices.
The Netherlands imported a record 2.76 million metric tons of wood pellets last year at a value of $511 million, according a report published by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network.
President Biden on June 18 announced his intent to nominate Xochitl Torres Small to serve as under secretary of rural development at USDA. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has spoken out in support of her nomination.
Reps. Ron Kind, D-Wisc., and Tom Reed, R-N.Y., on June 16 reintroduced the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Act, which aims to provide tax incentives to farmers and rural electric cooperatives who invest in biogas technology.
The U.K. REA submitted comments to the U.K. BEIS in early June urging the government to reassert its commitment to delivering a strong biomass sector by continuing to build on existing bioenergy heat, transport and power sectors.
The U.S. consumed a record 12 percent of renewable energy in 2020, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration on June 16. Wood and waste energy accounted for approximately 22 percent of renewables.
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council and Life Cycle Associates have released the results of a study that determined wood pellets and chips result a 65 to over 100 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in comparison to heating oil.
The government of the Netherlands on June 9 announced it will temporarily cease issuing new subsidies for wood biomass-fueled low-temperature heating projects until a phase-out plan is established. Currently approved subsidies will not be impacted.
The Biden administration has signaled its intent to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to develop post-2022 RFS regulations before the end of 2021. A proposed rule to set annual RFS RVOs for 2021 and 2022 is expected to be released in July 2021.
Simon Fraser University expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from heating by 80 percent now that the new $33-million Corix biomass plant has begun operation. The GHG saved is equivalent to the emissions from 900 homes every year.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 620,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in February, with sales reaching 700,000 tons.
Renewables are expected to account for 21 percent of U.S. electricity production this year, increasing to 23 percent in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released June 8.
The U.S. exported 635,463.4 metric tons of wood pellets in April, down from 667,309 metric tons in March, but up from 595,166.2 metric tons in April 2020, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on June 8.
The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking public input on viable hydrogen demonstrations that can help lower the cost of hydrogen, reduce carbon emissions and local air pollution, create good-paying jobs, and benefit disadvantaged communities.
SUNY Cobleskill's rotary gasifier is moving into a new development phase with award funding through a National Science Foundation grant totaling $255,879. The gasifier technology converts waste into biofuels, biopower and soil supplements.
Biomass Secure Power Inc. has signed an MOU with Daichu a Japanese trading company and Pegasus Commodities Ltd. The MOU will help Biomass Power Louisiana LLC secure off-take agreements for its biocoal.
The Washington State Department of Commerce on May 24 announced a $388,000 award to the Washington State Department of Corrections through the Wood Energy for Public Facilities program, part of Washington state's Clean Energy Fund.
President Biden on May 28 released his proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022. The budget includes proposed support for biofuels; biorefinery, renewable chemical and biobased product manufacturing; renewable energy; and sustainable aviation fuel.
The latest Drax Electrical Insights Quarterly report, published by Imperial College London, discusses the U.K.'s transition from coal to biomass and the future of carbon-negative bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECSS).
The U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on May 24 announced 24 project have been selected for phase one of its direct air capture and GHG removal technologies competition. Nearly half of those projects involve biomass.
The U.S EPA in April announced it is taking several actions to address concerns about the methods and manner in which new wood stoves are being tested for compliance with the 2015 new source performance standards (NSPS).
The U.S. EPA on May 21 published a final federal plan for existing MSW landfills operated by any state, tribe or locale that has not submitted a satisfactory plan to reduce emissions of landfill gas in accordance with the agency's 2016 NSPS.
The U.K. Renewable Energy Agency is criticizing the England Trees Action Plan issued by the U.K. government on May 18 for omitting bioenergy, stressing that the omission will likely result in the government failing to meet its ambitions.
The USDA on May 20 published a progress report on climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) that reflects initial conversions with stakeholders on how the agency should develop its CSAF stategy, including the need to support bioenergy.
U.K.-based Active Energy Group plc on May 20 announced plans to expand production of its CoalSwitch product in the U.S. and provided an update on the development of the company's project in Lumberton, South Carolina.
Reps. Anne Kuster, D-N.H.; Mike Kelly, R-Pa.; Peter Welch, D-Vt.; and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, on May 14 introduced an updated Biomass Thermal Utilization Act, which aims to provide tax credits for commercial and industrial wood heating appliances.
ISO TC 238 is the International Standards Organization's Technical Committee through which numerous countries around the world are working together to develop standards for solid biofuels.
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