Biomass Week - May 3, 2013

Bill aims to open MLP business structure to renewable energy Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aims to level the energy playing field between fossil and renewable energy projects by allowing investors in renewable energy projects access the corporate structure of master limited partnerships. READ MORE SHARE
Conn. DEEP issues final study on restructuring the state RPS The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection has published a final study on the state's existing renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The analysis recommends changing the way biomass and biogas power are treated under the program. READ MORE SHARE
	Biogas energy project opens at Pa. landfill PPL Renewable Energy and the borough of Chambersburg has unveiled a new landfill 6.4 MW gas-to-energy facility at IESI Blue Ridge Landfill, a Progressive Waste Solutions company. READ MORE SHARE
Vermont Tech begins work on biogas CHP plant After seven years of planning, Vermont Technical College has broken ground on an anaerobic digestion project that will generate heat for the campus, and power that will be sold to the grid. READ MORE SHARE
NASA tests biojet fuel NASA's Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS) experiment recently completed a series of tests that studied effects of alternate biofuel produced from camelina plant oil on engine performance, emissions and contrails. READ MORE SHARE
Virent delivers biojet fuel to Air Force Research Laboratory Virent Inc. announced the delivery of 100 gallons of its biobased jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for testing purposes. Product testing will begin at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. READ MORE SHARE
Virgin Australia, Brisbane Airport and SkyNRG to create "bioport" Virgin Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation and the global market maker in sustainable jet fuel, SkyNRG, have announced a feasibility study into the creation of Australia's first "bioport" at Brisbane Airport. READ MORE SHARE
UPM biobased diesel to undergo fleet testing Finland-based forestry company UPM, the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and the VV-Auto Group Inc. have announced a program to conduct fleet tests of Finland-produced renewable diesel. The testing will employ wood-based biofuel. READ MORE SHARE
UPDATED: Koda Energy begins remediation after plant explosion On April 25, a 23.4-MW biomass cogeneration plant in Shakopee, Minn., endured an explosion and a resulting fire. Luckily, none of the seven workers who were on site at Koda Energy LLC were injured. READ MORE SHARE
City of Montpelier, Vt., develops biomass district heat project Montpelier, Vt., broke ground in mid-April on its biomass thermal project to serve downtown public and private buildings. The project, a joint undertaking by the city and state government, is expected to be complete later this year. READ MORE SHARE
Air Liquide, CEA partner on solid biomass pilot Air Liquide has signed a partnership agreement with the CEA aiming to develop a second generation biofuel production pilot unit in France that will grind, pressurize, measure, and transport solid biomass, primarily wood, into a burner. READ MORE SHARE
NREL researchers use enzyme combination to break down biomass Enzymes could break down cell walls faster, leading to less expensive biofuels for transportation, if two enzyme systems are brought together in an industrial setting, new research by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests. READ MORE SHARE
2 biomass projects make appearance at White House science fair A biomass mini-press and an algae production project were featured at the 2013 White House Science Fair in Washington, D.C. The science fair featured 100 students from more than 40 states READ MORE SHARE
GAIN report discusses bioenergy strategy in France A recent report published by the USDA Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the bioeconomy in France, focusing specifically on biomass energy under the country's Energy Transition initiative. READ MORE SHARE
Minnesota forests provide opportunity for biomass thermal Forrest Boe, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry, said the state presents challenges and opportunities for thermal biomass utilization at the second annual Heating the Midwest Conference and Expo. READ MORE SHARE
Amyris releases Q1 financial results Amyris Inc. has released financial results for the first quarter of 2013, reporting continued revenue improvement. President and CEO John Melo said the company is on track in meeting milestones and is optimistic about the future. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass Power Association appoints new members to board Biomass Power Association has announced changes to its board of directors. Tom Beck, an executive at ReEnergy Holdings Inc., will become chairman of the board, while Minnesota Power's Bill Libro and FSE Energy's Marvin Burchfield will join the board. READ MORE SHARE
Sweetwater to supply cellulosic sugars to Naturally Scientific Sweetwater Energy Inc. has announced a $250 million, deal to supply Naturally Scientific with its customized industrial sugars over a 15-year term. Naturally Scientific will convert the cellulosic sugars into vegetable oils for biofuel conversion. READ MORE SHARE
Natural Power secures biomass power contract in Ireland Natural Power has this month been awarded its first biomass contract in Ireland. The contract will see Natural Power provide owners engineer services for Biotricity Ltd. on the company's Rhode Biomass Plant in County Offaly, Ireland. READ MORE SHARE
Organizations signal unified support for Farm Bill energy title More than 100 organizations have delivered a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging them to adopt a new Farm Bill with robust mandatory funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. READ MORE SHARE