Biomass Week - June 6, 2014

EPA's CO2 reduction proposal could be positive for biomass energy The U.S. EPA published a proposed rule that aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants by 30 percent in 2030. The proposal specifically recognizes that biomass fuels can play an important role in reaching that goal. READ MORE SHARE
Enerkem holds grand opening at Edmonton waste-to-biofuels plant Enerkem officially celebrated bringing its first commercial-scale waste-to-biofuels plant online in Edmonton, Alberta, on June 4. The facility is currently undergoing commissioning, with that process expected to be complete within days. READ MORE SHARE
	Northeast Wood Products purchases Pennington Seed pellet mills Northeast Wood Products LLC has acquired Pennington Seed Co.'s 65,000-metric-ton-per year pellet plant in Peebles, Ohio, along with assets from a facility in Virginia. The company is also in the process of acquiring a pellet plant in Indiana. READ MORE SHARE
Massachusetts grants $3.5 million to renewable thermal industry Massachusetts has dedicated $3.5 million to nine renewable thermal projects in the state through a new grant program, the Massachusetts Renewable Thermal Business Investment Financing Program. READ MORE SHARE
Trade mission to Peru to address biomass, biofuel opportunities The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is organizing a renewable energy and energy efficiency trade mission to Peru in November that will promote the export competitiveness of U.S. technologies. READ MORE SHARE
UK wood pellet company invests in screening, handling equipment Midland Bio Energy Ltd., a wood pellet company in Warwickshire, England, has invested GBP 20,000 ($27,319) in new handling and screening equipment to improve the quality of the pellets they deliver and efficiency of the operating systems. READ MORE SHARE
UGA researchers engineer microbes that convert biomass to fuel New research from the University of Georgia allows the direct conversion of switchgrass to fuel. The research group engineered a synthetic pathway into a microorganism that allows it to produce ethanol directly from biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Report provides global overview of bioenergy, biofuel development A new report published by Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) provides a global overview of advances in renewable energy development, including development related to bioenergy, ethanol and other types of biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
USU researchers: Algae biofuel can help meet energy demand Microalgae-based biofuel not only has the potential to quench a sizable chunk of the world's energy demands, say Utah State University researchers, it's a potential game-changer. READ MORE SHARE
Flemish decision on subsidies reportedly impacts pellet cofiring A recent report filed with the USDA Global Agricultural Information Network indicates the Flemish power sector may have stopped cofiring wood pellets due to a recent reinterpretation of Flemish law that restricts the approval of Green Certificates. READ MORE SHARE
Genera Energy COO to speak at Fuel Ethanol Workshop Keith Brazzell, chief operating officer of Genera Energy Inc., is scheduled to speak at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo June 9-12 in Indianapolis. He will discuss the company's biomass feedstock supply solutions. READ MORE SHARE
Danish government: biomass, wind, contenders for renewable goals The Danish Energy Agency has released a report that concludes it is technically possible the country could become fossil fuel independent by 2050, as well as reach the government's goal of fossil fuel independent electricity and heating by 2035. READ MORE SHARE
Australian report finds potential for mallee tree-based jet fuel Aircraft powered by biofuel made from Australian mallee trees is not only possible, but could be sustainable and give a boost to potential new regional industries, according to a recent report published by an Australian organization. READ MORE SHARE
Deinove announces agreements with Abengoa, Suez Environnement On June 3, France-based Deinove announced a collaboration agreement with Abengoa and a separate research and development agreement with Suez Environnement Group. The company is developing a bacterial platform for biofuel and biochemical production. READ MORE SHARE
Renewable Energy Group completes Syntroleum acquisition Renewable Energy Group Inc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary closed its acquisition of the assets of Syntroleum Corp. The company now owns 50 percent of Dynamic Fuels LLC, and is in the process of acquiring full ownership. READ MORE SHARE
Stobart reports growth of biomass segment in financial results The Stobart Group Ltd. recently reported financial results for the fiscal year ended Feb. 28. The company's biomass operations increased supplied tonnage by 41 percent during the year, reaching more than 900,000 metric tons. READ MORE SHARE
Feasibility study to be conducted on Giant King Grass power plant Viaspace Inc. has announced that Energia Reino Verde, the developer of a proposed 12 MW biomass power plant to be co-located with a Giant King Grass plantation in Nicaragua, has signed a contract to conduct a formal feasibility study on the project. READ MORE SHARE
Texas A&M study: Bioenergy sorghum could help with GHG emissions Bioenergy sorghum may offer more than another energy supply; it may offer a "sink" for greenhouse gases, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study funded by the AgriLife Research Cropping Systems bioenergy program and a USDA grant. READ MORE SHARE