Pellet Mill Press - August 5, 2014

2014 PFI conference considers market outlook The pellet market outlook dominated presentations at the Pellet Fuels Institute annual conference held July 28-29 in Orlando, Florida. During the event, several speakers highlighted the expected growth markets around the globe. READ MORE SHARE
U.K. DECC model confirms GHG benefits of North American pellets The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change reported that scientific analysis has proven that biomass from North America can help decarbonize U.K. electricity supplies. The analysis was performed using a new model developed by the DECC. READ MORE SHARE
	150 federal buildings found to be candidates for pellet boilers Wood pellet boilers should be considered at all hot-water heated federal facilities where natural gas is unavailable, particularly in northern regions, according to the U.S. General Services Administration. READ MORE SHARE
N.Y. announces biomass thermal incentives, RPS solicitation On July 29, N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo made two announcements that will benefit bioenergy projects within the state, including the official launch of Renewable Heat N.Y. and the availability of funding to support clean energy generation projects. READ MORE SHARE
E-Pellets acquires Georgia mill for wood pellet production E-Pellets Group LLC recently acquired the formally boarded up Louisiana Pacific OSB mill in Athens, Georgia, to convert it into a wood pellet production facility. The facility is expected to produce 450,000 metric tons annually by August 2015. READ MORE SHARE
Joint venture to develop pellet plants in Vietnam PHI Group Inc. recently announced that it has signed a memoranda of understanding with two Vietnam-based wood processing companies to set up joint venture wood pellet factories in Central and Southern Vietnam. READ MORE SHARE
Zilkha Biomass Energy to develop pellet plant in Arkansas Zilkha Biomass Energy has announced it is building a facility in Monticello, Arkansas, to manufacture their Zilkha Black Pellet. The company plans to invest $90 million in the facility and create 52 new jobs. READ MORE SHARE
Waters' New Biotech solidifies proposed export facility location Waters' New Biotech, a pellet manufacturer headquartered in Wisconsin, has received approval of a letter of intent from commissioners for the Mississippi State Port Authority for a possible lease of land at the Port of Gulfport in Mississippi. READ MORE SHARE
Report discusses future of European pellet, biogas markets A recent report filed with the USDA indicates the European Commission expects heat and power production from biomass to account for about 45 percent of the renewable use in Europe by 2020. READ MORE SHARE
Drax provides operational update during investor call The Drax Group plc has announced financial results for the first half of the year, reporting that biomass now accounts for more than 20 percent of the its output. Both the first converted unit and the enhanced cofiring unit are performing well. READ MORE SHARE
Drax one step closer to securing CfD for second unit conversion A recent regulatory filing made by the Drax Group plc indicates the company could be one step closer to securing an investment contract for a second biomass unit conversion under the Final Investment Decision Enabling (FID Enabling) mechanism. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass Secure Power secures location for Louisiana pellet mill The board of directors of the Natchitoches Parish Port Commission approved a notice of intent to lease Biomass Secure Power Inc. 75 acres of land to build their proposed pellet plant within the confines of the Port of Natchitoches. READ MORE SHARE
DECC announces draft CfD budget, gets program approval from EC The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change has announced that starting in October, renewable energy projects in the U.K. will complete for a budget of more than GBP 200 million as part of the government's reforms to the electricity market. READ MORE SHARE
BC pellet producers step up to reduce dust explosion hazards British Columbia pellet producers are facing stepped up safety inspections by WorkSafeBC. Administrator Gord Macatee prepared a review and action plan that outlines plans for an agency restructuring and reviews mitigation of safety hazards from dust. READ MORE SHARE
Athens Energy new tax credit eligibility helps spur investments A biomass power plant in Athens, Maine, received certification for Maine New Markets tax credits from directors of the Finance Authority of Maine. The facility is run by Athens Energy LLC, a sister company of Maine Woods Pellets Co. READ MORE SHARE
USDA selects 36 energy facilities to accept biomass deliveries Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the USDA has selected 36 energy facilities in 14 states to accept biomass deliveries supported by the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. READ MORE SHARE
Genera Energy introduces proprietary feedstock management systems Genera Energy Inc. has announced the deployment of two new proprietary feedstock management systems, Energy Grange and Supply AssureBoth systems were developed through years of R&D and in-the-field testing. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet-fired heating system in use at hospital in New Brunswick The Grand Falls Hospital is one of the first public buildings in New Brunswick, Canada, to utilize a new energy-efficient, pellet-fired heating system. READ MORE SHARE
USDA funds state wood energy teams, wood-to-energy projects The USDA has announced the award of $2.5 million in grants to develop wood energy teams in 11 states. An additional $1.25 million was awarded to nine projects under the Wood-to-Energy grant program. READ MORE SHARE
USDA, DOE funding supports bioenergy feedstock development The USDA and U.S. Department of Energy have awarded $12.6 million in funding to 10 projects with the goal of accelerating genetic breeding programs to improve plant feedstocks for the production of biofuels, biopower and biobased products. READ MORE SHARE
Viaspace enters collaboration with University of California Viaspace recently announced that the company has entered into a research collaboration with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. The collaboration will further research on Giant King Grass. READ MORE SHARE
Penn State offers graduate certificate in renewable energy Bioenergy professionals interested in getting certified or earning a master's degree might want to check out Penn State's program in renewable energy and sustainability systems. The university recently added a bioenergy graduate certificate program. READ MORE SHARE