Biomass Week - January 2, 2015

USDA publishes final rule for REAP program On Dec. 29, the USDA published a final rule in the Federal Register for the Rural Energy for America Program. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems. READ MORE SHARE
FAO report highlights global growth in pellet production In late December, the FAO of the United Nations published forest products data for 2013, reporting wood pellet production soared to an all-time high last year. The growth was driven primarily by bioenergy policies and consumption targets in Europe. READ MORE SHARE
	2015 biomass conferences to colocate in Minneapolis BBI International, owners and organizers of the International Biomass Conference & Expo, recently reported Heating the Midwest, a regional conference focusing on biomass derived thermal energy, will be colocated with this year's conference. READ MORE SHARE
EPA seeks nominations for new Agricultural Science Committee Nominations are due Jan. 30 for the U.S. EPA's new Science Advisory Board Agricultural Science Committee, which was established by the 2014 Farm Bill to advise EPA on matters impacting farming and agriculture-related industries. READ MORE SHARE
Oregon lawmakers consider incentives to replace old wood stoves The Oregon Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources recently introduced draft legislation to direct the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to study the creation of incentives to encourage homeowners to replace old wood stoves. READ MORE SHARE
Canadian researchers pressure cook farm waste into energy It takes some cooking, but turning wet and green farm waste into biofuels is now possible and makes economic sense, according to preliminary research from the University of Guelph. READ MORE SHARE
Grant funds research into nanomaterials effect on feedstock yield The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority has approved grant funding for a University of Arkansas at Little Rock biology professor who says nanomaterials could increase the germination rate and biomass yield of bioenergy crops. READ MORE SHARE
Waste Management publishes 2014 sustainability report Waste Management recently released its 2014 sustainability report "Creating a Circular Economy," which documents the company's progress on recycling, energy production, transforming waste into valuable resources. READ MORE SHARE
Eagar, Arizona, biomass power project to break ground mid-2015 At a December Eagar, Arizona, town council meeting Concord Blue Energy Inc. shared construction plans for a 1 MW biomass power plant expected to break ground late spring or early summer 2015. READ MORE SHARE
Belgian power sector resumes firing of wood pellets An updated report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Global Information Network indicates the Belgian power sector has resumed firing wood pellets following a government decision to once again grant Green Certificates for their use. READ MORE SHARE
UK Green Investment Bank funds several recent biomass projects U.K. Green Investment Bank has made several biomass investments in recent months, including investments in a waste wood renewable energy facility, an energy-from-waste treatment plant and the installation of biomass heating on a poultry farm. READ MORE SHARE
European researchers to build pilot facility to process AD waste The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, and the Guipuzkoa-based company Ekonek will be building a pilot plant to treat organic waste destined for producing high, added value fertilizers. READ MORE SHARE
USDA GAIN report addresses Canadian pellet, biogas industry The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network has published an annual report on the Canadian biofuels industry. The report highlights the current state of the Canadian wood pellet industry. READ MORE SHARE
BioNitrogen signs agreement with Saipem for EPC services BioNitrogen Holdings Corp. recently announced that it has signed an engineering, procurement, project management and construction services agreement with Italy-based Saipem for its biomass-to-urea manufacturing facilities. READ MORE SHARE
SBP accepts biomass producers as applicants for certification Sustainable Biomass Partnership announced five certification bodies have been accepted as applicants, including, BM Trada, Bureau Veritas Latvia, Control Union, NEPCon and National Science Foundation. READ MORE SHARE
Website shines light on renewable energy resources University of Arizona researchers and a group of partners have developed a tool that will help utility companies better understand the long-term impact of renewable energy on the power grid and provide insight on how to integrate these resources. READ MORE SHARE
Goteborg Energi's demonstration plant begins operations GoBiGas, the world's first demonstration plant for large-scale production of biogas through the gasification of forest residues, is now in full operation. The biogas has been supplied to the Swedish natural grid since mid-December. READ MORE SHARE
Dakota Spirit AgEnergy on track for Q2 startup All buildings and major equipment are in place at the 65 MMgy Dakota Spirit AgEnergy under construction in Spiritwood, North Dakota. Staff to move into offices in mid-January and begin preparing for startup. READ MORE SHARE