Biomass Week - July 26, 2013

Biofuel leaders advocate for RFS during day 1 of House hearing The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy and Power is holding a two-day hearing on the renewable fuels standard (RFS). The first day featured two panels discussing the impact of the RFS on fuel production, fuel sales and use. READ MORE SHARE
Day 2 of House RFS hearing focuses on agriculture, food On July 24 House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Energy and Power hosted the final panel of its two-day hearing on the renewable fuels standard (RFS), titled "Overview of the Renewable Fuel Standard: Stakeholder Perspectives." READ MORE SHARE
	House version of BTU Act introduced Rep. Mike Michaud, R-Maine, has introduced the House version of the Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2013. The bill provides incentives to install residential, commercial and industrial biomass heating systems. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet industry addresses carbon monoxide issue in storage spaces The U.S. pellet industry is learning from its European counterparts as well as conducting research here in response to the deaths of two individuals in Europe from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with offgassing of stored pellets. READ MORE SHARE
Sale of 30 MW Nova Scotia biomass power plant closes On July 25 the Nova Scotia government announced the sale of the 30 MW biomass-fired Brooklyn Power Corp. plant is complete. Emera Energy Inc. purchased the facility for $25 million. The province originally announced the sale in December. READ MORE SHARE
Alaska Airlines, Hawai'i BioEnergy sign purchase agreement Alaska Airlines and Hawai'i BioEnergy LLC have announced they have signed an agreement for the carrier to purchase sustainable biofuel for its aircraft. The feedstock for the biofuel is anticipated to be woody biomass-based. READ MORE SHARE
Biofuel infrastructure to attract $69 billion in investment A recent report from Navigant Research, titled "Market Data: Biofuels," indicates annual revenue from biofuels production will reach $7.6 billion by 2023, with $69 billion invested in new production capacity worldwide over the next 10 years. READ MORE SHARE
ecoFUELS plans pellet facility for Portsmouth, Va., port A new wood pellet port storage facility is being planned at the deepwater Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Portsmouth, Va. The developer, ecoFUELS Pellet Storage LLC is conducting a nonbinding offering for capacity. READ MORE SHARE
UK approves 100 MW biomass plant in Northumberland U.K.-based Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. has received government approval to construct a 100 MW biomass power plant in Blyth Harbour, Northumberland. The wood-fired facility will produce enough electricity to power 170,000 households. READ MORE SHARE
Ekman & Co. to market pellets for Viridis Energy subsidiary Viridis Energy Inc. has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Scotia Atlantic Biomass Company, Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Ekman & Co AB. Under the agreement, Ekman will market the company's entire wood pellet production. READ MORE SHARE
Private sector partnerships help NCERC break new ground The NCERC at Sothern Illinois University Edwardsville is again reaping the benefits of its partnerships with the private sector in the form of donated equipment that enables the center to conduct advanced biofuels research. READ MORE SHARE
Colorado State wins NSF grant to study bacteria-derived biofuels The National Science Foundation has presented Colorado State University researchers with $2 million to investigate biofuels derived from cyanobacteria, which will be modified to convert carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons through photosynthesis. READ MORE SHARE
EIA data shows biomass power production up in May The U.S. Energy Information Administration has issued the July issue of its Electric Power Monthly report, which includes date through May. The report shows that net power generation from wood and wood-derived fuels is up compared to prior years. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo supplies Coast Guard with isobutanol-blended gasoline Gevo Inc. has begun supplying the U.S. Coast Guard Research & Development Center with initial quantities of finished 16.1 percent renewable isobutanol-blended gasoline. The fuel is being used for a long-term operational study on marine engines. READ MORE SHARE
Australian researchers identify promising algae species Newly trialed native algae species provide real hope for the development of commercially viable fuels from algae, a University of Queensland scientist has found. The fast-growing, hardy algae are being tested at a pilot plant in Brisbane, Australia. READ MORE SHARE
Heat Smart Plus announces biomass boiler gains EPA approval Heat Smart Plus Inc., the factory representatives for Manitoba-based Piney Manufacturing, has announced that the company's new biomass heating system has gained U.S. EPA qualification for North American distribution. READ MORE SHARE
Fuels America launches new ad campaign Fuels America coalition members have announced the launch of a new ad campaign. The ads highlight the fact that there is a choice when it comes to our energy future. We do not have to be beholden to oil.s monopoly over our gasoline supply. READ MORE SHARE