Biomass Week - January 7, 2011

Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule now in play The dreaded EPA Greenhouse Gas Tailoring rule is now in effect, despite hopes of modifications or a delayed implementation date. The rule does not exempt biomass power producers from GHG permitting requirements or consider biogenic carbon cycles. READ MORE SHARE
Smart Papers set to cofire biomass pellets in Ohio Specialty paper maker Smart Papers is clear to begin cofiring biomass with coal at its cogeneration plant in Hamilton, Ohio.The facility will begin burning 50 percent biomass, using a cellulosic pellet manufactured by Wisconsin-based Greenwood Fuels. READ MORE SHARE
	Oregon biomass plant project appeal denied The La Pine, Ore., city council has rejected an appeal of Biogreen Sustainable Energy's proposed 25-megawatt biomass power plant, which will allow the company to move forward with project plans. Construction of the plant will begin this spring. READ MORE SHARE
Wisconsin college installs biogas CHP plant In roughly six months, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will host a unique biogas cogeneration plant that will provide its campus with heat and power. The 370 kilowatt-hour facility will utilize about 8,000 tons of yard and food waste annually. READ MORE SHARE
ISU ponders permanent biomass cofiring after test burn Armed with newly-compiled results from a four-month biomass test burn at its CHP plant, Iowa State University officials will discuss the parameters and requirements of permanent biomass utilization with the state Department of Natural Resources. READ MORE SHARE
WPL allowed to expand biomass cofiring tests Wisconsin Power and Light Co. in Madison was recently granted a Research and Testing Exemption from the state Department of Natural Resources, allowing expansion of its biomass cofiring test burns at the Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville. READ MORE SHARE
Gene discovery could create denser biomass A new gene discovery made by a team of plant research scientists at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation “clearly looks like a way of essentially producing more biomass and giving a greater source of fermentable sugar per acre." READ MORE SHARE
Donation drives new direction of bioenergy research at UI A donation from Texas entrepreneur Randy Hill and his company, APT Advanced Trailer & Equipment LP, to the University of Idaho has funded research on converting biomass to energy. The gift has allowed the university to install a pyrolysis unit. READ MORE SHARE