Pellet Mill Press - February 17, 2015

PHI Group partners with AG Materials on Florida pellet plant PHI Group Inc., a company focused on energy and natural resources, announced in late January it has signed an agreement with AG Materials LLC to jointly establish a 200,000 metric-ton wood pellet plant in Live Oak, Florida. READ MORE SHARE
Enerpellets announces plans to develop pellet plant in Florida Enerpellets Group took the decision to internationalize its biomass pellets production activity by building a state-of-the-art unit in Florida with a real production output capacity of 250,000 tons per year. READ MORE SHARE
	Enviva acquires Green Circle, orders equipment for N.C. plants Enviva is moving forward with its expansion plans. The company has closed on its acquisition of Green Circle Energy Inc., and the Andritz Group has announced an order from Enviva to supply equipment and services for two proposed pellet plants. READ MORE SHARE
EPA finalizes NSPS for residential wood heaters The U.S. EPA has published a final rule establishing new source performance standards (NSPS) for residential wood heaters. The rules limit the amount of pollution that wood heaters manufactured and sold in the future can emit. READ MORE SHARE
North American pellet exports reached a new record high in Q3 Asia has become a new market for wood pellet exporters in Western Canada with shipments having increased for six consecutive quarters, while Canadian exports to Europe have fallen during 2014, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review. READ MORE SHARE
Report: European pellet demand could increase U.S. forest area A recently released study led by U.S. Forest Service scientists finds that demand for U.S. pellets in Europe and other areas could provide new markets for U.S. timber exports, increase wood prices, and lead to increases in forestland area. READ MORE SHARE
	EIA updates short-term forecasts for bioenergy The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the February issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, reporting that total renewables use for electricity and heat generation is expected to grow 3.8 percent this year. READ MORE SHARE
IRENA report highlights bioenergy growth potential in the U.S. The International Renewable Energy Agency has published a report that highlights the realistic potential for higher renewable uptake in all sectors of the U.S. energy system, including power, industry, building and the transportation sector. READ MORE SHARE
USDA holds media call on $280 million REAP funding opportunity On Feb. 10, the USDA hosted a media call announcing more than $280 million is being made available to eligible applicants through the Rural Energy for America Program. Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted recent improvements made to REAP. READ MORE SHARE
DECC publishes 12th survey on renewable energy public attitudes The U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change recently published its findings from an updated survey that tracks public attitudes towards renewable energy. The results include information on public attitudes towards biomass heating. READ MORE SHARE
Thunder Bay Generating Station now fueled by advanced biomass Ontario Power Generation's Thunder Bay Generating Station is now in service and is leading the electricity industry with an exciting new technology. The station has been converted to use advanced biomass, a renewable, clean and dispatchable fuel. READ MORE SHARE
Resolute Forest Products highlights pellet plant in 2014 results Resolute Forest Products Inc. has released 2014 financial results and reported that the company's Thunder Bay pellet plant, which began operations late last year, has already generated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. READ MORE SHARE
Paper considers the future of biomass heating in the U.K. CPL Industries, a distributor of wood pellet heating solutions in the U.K., has published a paper exploring the benefits of incorporating biomass into long-term heating strategies for 2020 and beyond. READ MORE SHARE
RSB solicits public comments on its principles and criteria The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials has opened a 60-day comment period on a revision of the RSB Principles & Criteria. Comments gathered will inform discussions among RSB members over the forthcoming Version 3.0 of the P&Cs. READ MORE SHARE
Understanding air pollution from biomass burners used for heating Researchers studying fine particulate emissions from a biomass burner found that emissions varied as the fuel went through different stages of combustion. The findings could help industry design better wood burning units. READ MORE SHARE
Clarkson University, SUNY Canton research wood heating systems Clarkson University and State University of New York Canton researchers are evaluating a new generation of wood pellet boilers that were developed in Austria and now are being manufactured in New York State. READ MORE SHARE