Pellet Mill Monthly - May 1, 2012

May 1, 2012

Mass. DOER releases proposed final RPS regulations for biomass The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has released its months-overdue proposed final regulations for the qualification of woody biomass under the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS). READ MORE SHARE
Md. to launch wood stove rebate pilot program The Maryland Energy Administration is allocating $50,000 to a pilot program that will provide rebates for partial payment of qualifying residential wood and pellet stoves. READ MORE SHARE
	Bioenergy companies share project groundbreaking stories Panelists in the second-day general session discussion at the International Biomass Conference & Expo shared their inspirational groundbreaking stories with attendees READ MORE SHARE
Conference speaker addresses MACT rules David Minott, senior consultant for Environmental Resources Management, has a lot to say regarding the future repercussions of the U.S. EPA's impending rulemaking on Maximum Achievable Control Technology provisions for biomass boilers. READ MORE SHARE
Summit keynote: let's turn a sow's ear into a silk purse USDA Department of Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Under Secretary Arthur "Butch" Blazer kicked off the Rocky Mountain Forest Restoration & Bioenergy Summit in Denver, Colo., on April 16 with a keynote address. READ MORE SHARE
SMUD co-digestion facility under construction The Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District have begun construction of a co-digestion facility at the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Elk Grove, Calif. READ MORE SHARE
	Funding available for biomass through U.S. DOE The U.S. DOE has announced a pool of $9 million for up to 50 small business projects designed to improve manufacturing processes, boost the efficiency of buildings, reduce reliance on oil, and generate electricity from renewable energy sources. READ MORE SHARE
Mass. DOER report includes biomass thermal Following a request from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Meister Consultants Group completed a study that evaluates renewable heating and cooling impacts and opportunities in the state. READ MORE SHARE
Alaska bill proposes low-interest loans for home heat conversions The Alaska House Finance Committee has approved a bill that would provide low-interest loans to homeowners who wish to convert their homes to biomass, district heating or electric heat, natural gas or propane. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass energy studies underway at 10 Vt. Facilities The U.S. Forest Service and Vermont have teamed up to conduct preliminary feasibility studies for small-scale biomass energy systems at 10 public buildings across the state. READ MORE SHARE
Report shows business case for purpose-grown biomass in Ontario Ontario will benefit from greater use of purpose-grown biomass, according to a study released by the Western University Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton campus. READ MORE SHARE
North American wood pellet exports to Europe reach record level According to analysis by Wood Resources International, more than 2 million tons of wood pellets were shipped in 2011, a 300 percent increase from 2008. Shipments have increased every quarter for four years. READ MORE SHARE