Biomass Week - January 10, 2014

EPA releases proposed update to residential wood heater standards The U.S. EPA has released its New Source Performance Standards proposal for new woodstoves and heaters, which go into effect in 2015. The proposal will make the next generation of stoves and heaters an estimated 80 percent cleaner. READ MORE SHARE
Plainfield Renewable Energy plant begins operations Ledios Holdings Inc. has announced the Plainfield Renewable Energy biomass plant in Plainfield, Conn., is now substantially complete and commercially operational. The 37.5-megawatt (MW) facility is a Class 1 renewable biomass plants. READ MORE SHARE
	New York to launch biomass heating initiative New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has released his agenda for 2014, which includes plans to launch a biomass heating initiative in the state. The effort will help the "high-efficiency and low-emission biomass heating industry reach scale." READ MORE SHARE
Wisconsin's largest dairy holds ribbon cutting for AD system A facility that generates farm-produced energy, tackles environmental concerns, provides unique learning experiences, and creates profitable end-products was recently launched at Rosendale Dairy in Wisconsin with a ribbon cutting ceremony. READ MORE SHARE
Murphy-Brown, Roeslein to develop Missouri biogas plant Murphy-Brown of Missouri and Roeslein Alternative Energy have announced joint plans to develop a $100 million renewable biogas project in northern Missouri to produce energy for regional distribution. READ MORE SHARE
Pennsylvania biogas facility completes successful startup After holding its grand opening on Nov. 22, the Biogas Cogeneration Facility at the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant in Philadelphia provided Biomass Magazine with an update on its operation and its growing interest from third parties. READ MORE SHARE
Aphios granted patent for cellulosic biomass pretreatment Aphios Corp. has announced that it was granted U.S. Patent No. 8,540,847 entitled "Methods and Apparatus for Processing Cellulosic Biomass," for its Aosic enabling technology platform, which utilizes "SuperFluids," such as carbon dioxide. READ MORE SHARE
U.S. EIA predicts increased wood, waste biomass consumption The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published the January issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, which provides its first 2015 forecasts for wood biomass and waste biomass energy production. READ MORE SHARE
New, simple technique may drive down biofuel production costs Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive technique for removing lignin from the plant material used to make biofuels, which may drive down the cost of biofuel production. READ MORE SHARE
Officials advocate for appropriation of military biofuel funding Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack have issued a letter asking the House Appropriations Committee to provide funding to support the Defense Production Act biofuel efforts. READ MORE SHARE
Rabobank predicts greater use of agricultural residues in the EU A report recently published by the Netherlands-based Rabobank predicts that agricultural residues will play an increasing role in European bioenergy production through 2020. Woody biomass, however, is expected to continue to dominate the industry. READ MORE SHARE
Fire at Enviva facility not expected to result in major downtime A fire broke out at Enviva LP's 500,000 metric ton pellet facility in Southampton County, Va., in the early morning hours of Jan. 8. According to a statement released by the company, the fire began in the facility's pellet processing system. READ MORE SHARE
Clarkson University teams with BTEC It makes good sense for two organizations that promote good science to work together, so Clarkson University's Institute for a Sustainable Environment has joined the Biomass Thermal Energy Council to promote improved technology for heating. READ MORE SHARE
EnviTec discusses international expansion in Q3 results Germany-based EnviTec Biogas AG recently released financial results for the third quarter,of 2013 reporting positive sales trends. While demand for biogas plants was down in Germany, the company said it pushed ahead with its international expansion. READ MORE SHARE
Study evaluates biorefining opportunities in South Australia The VTT Technical Research Center of Finland recently authored a report for the Australian government that investigates bioenergy opportunities in the Green Triangle region, located in the country's southwest region. READ MORE SHARE
NY creates $1 billion Green Bank for clean energy development New York has committed $210 million in initial funding for the $1 billion NY Green Bank initiative. First introduced by N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his 2013 state of the state address a year ago, the bank is expected to open for business early in 2014. READ MORE SHARE
Aconex software supports development of Zilkha pellet plant Aconex, a provider of construction project management software, is supporting Zilkha Biomass Energy in the design and building of its 275,000 metric ton-per-year black pellet fuel plant, which is expected to be operational in 2015. READ MORE SHARE