Biomass Week - June 6, 2012

Report: Natural gas prices to surpass wood pellets in 8 years A new report issued by FutureMetrics LLC predicts that the price of natural gas will be higher than that of wood pellet fuel within the next three to eight years. READ MORE SHARE
Metso acquires Wartsila company holdings Metso Corp. will acquire Wartsila's holding in the MW Power joint venture, upon approval from the European Union competition authorities. READ MORE SHARE
	Penn. forms first biomass organization The Pennsylvania Biomass Energy Association was recently formed after the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund provided the biomass advocacy group with a grant. READ MORE SHARE
UK energy bill outlines electricity market reform The U.K.'s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has released a draft of an energy bill that could clarify the future of biomass-based energy in the country. READ MORE SHARE
UK pellet equipment manufacturer offering mini mills A U.K. pellet mill development company has a small solution for meeting the big demands of the wood pellet market in Europe: the mini pellet mill. READ MORE SHARE
Minn. organization offering energy project funding Biomass project developers in Minnesota have until July 2 to submit applications for funding through the Clean Energy Resource Team's grant request for proposals. READ MORE SHARE
Vt. bans fracking, expands renewables program Vermont has become the first U.S. state to ban fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, for natural gas. Gov. Peter Shumlin signed legislation on May 18 and at the same time signed several other pieces of energy-related legislation. READ MORE SHARE
Video series explains biomass sustainability guidelines A recently released online video series on biomass harvest and retention issues provides perspective on how woody biomass can be used for energy while maintaining forest habitat, soils and water. READ MORE SHARE
Mass. to host first US net zero transit center Boston, Mass., is on the path to having the nation's first net zero transit center, using a combination of solar, geothermal and biomass energy. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet producer offering heat for schools program A startup pellet producer has unveiled a plan to create a larger market for its hybrid wood, agricultural residue and plastic residual pellets. READ MORE SHARE