Pellet Mill Press - March 1, 2016

Drax sees challenging year, remains confident in biomass Despite a tough year influenced by severe deterioration of the commodities market and a challenging regulatory environment, Drax had a very good operational year and stands ready to convert more units to biomass, said CEO Dorothy Thompson. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva reports strong operational performance in 2015 Despite challenging market conditions in the broader energy sector, Enviva LP completed 2015 with continued strong operating performance, said Chairman and CEO John Keppler during the company’s Q4 2015 and year-end financial earnings call. READ MORE SHARE
	EPA biogenic emissions panel posts updated draft report The U.S. EPA’s Science Advisory Board is continuing its work to complete a biogenic carbon emissions framework. On Feb. 8, the SAB’s Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel posted an updated draft report to the EPA’s website. READ MORE SHARE
Analysis finds biomass subsidies could save UK over $2 billion In February, U.K.-based NERA Economic Consulting and Imperial College prepared an analysis for Drax that makes the case for allowing biomass conversion to compete for contracts for difference (CfD). READ MORE SHARE
McCarthy addresses RFS, role of biomass in CPP during hearing On Feb. 11, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on U.S. EPA policies that impact the rural economy. The renewable fuel standard (RFS) and Clean Power Plan were among the programs discussed during the nearly three-hour event. READ MORE SHARE
Astec reports annual results, highlights pellet plant activities Despite a challenging quarter that saw a 10 percent decrease in net sales, Astec Industries President and CEO Benjamin Brock said the future of Astec is bright, and highlighted pellet plant quoting as an active area in its business. READ MORE SHARE
FutureMetrics comments on why CPP opponents should reconsider FutureMetrics published a white paper on why opponents to the Clean Power Plan should change their minds. Amongst the reasons is a demonstration why cofiring industrial wood pellets with coal should be part of a plan to a more decarbonized future. READ MORE SHARE
Federal biomass board releases bioeconomy report The Biomass Research and Development Board, an interagency collaboration composed of senior decision-makers from federal agencies and the White House, recently published a report, titled “Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy.” READ MORE SHARE
DECC publishes new reports evaluating RHI renewable heat programs U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change recently published reports demonstrating over 80 percent of applicants to the renewable heat incentive are satisfied with their new systems, such as biomass boilers, to promote renewable heat generation. READ MORE SHARE
DOE schedules biomass committee meeting for March 8-9 The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an open meeting of its Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled for March 8-9 in Arlington, Virginia. READ MORE SHARE
Louisiana pellet mill files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy On Feb. 18, subsidiaries of German Pellets associated with its Louisiana-based pellet plant filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana. READ MORE SHARE
PFI hosts webinar on standards program tailored toward retailers On Feb. 18, Pellet Fuels Institute hosted a webinar on its standards program, with information tailored to pellet retailers in order to familiarize participants with the program and why it matters to customers. READ MORE SHARE
Rhode Island bill aims to extend RES program Legislation recently introduced in Rhode Island aims to extend the state’s renewable energy standard (RES) through 2035. The program, originally established in 2014, currently ramps up renewable energy use through 2020. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass report finds significant reductions in GHG emissions A report released to the European Union Directorate-General for Energy, titled “Carbon impacts of biomass consumed in the EU: quantitative assessment,” confirms using bioenergy has significant carbon savings and can reduce greenhouse emissions. READ MORE SHARE
RusForest reports startup of Russian pellet mill On Feb. 22, Sweden-based RusForest released preliminary fourth quarter results, announcing its 30,000-ton-per-year pellet mill in in Magistralny, Russia, began operations during the final quarter of last year. READ MORE SHARE
National Trust: Former home of Shell Oil chairman goes green U.K.-based National Trust has announced its first completed Renewable Energy Investment Programme project, Upton House, Warwickshire, has made the switch from oil to a renewable energy heating system. READ MORE SHARE
Best regions for growing bioenergy crops identified Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have identified regions in the United States where bioenergy crops would grow best while minimizing effects on water quantity and quality. READ MORE SHARE
Forest Fuels acquires Lakes Biomass U.K.-based Forest Fuels has broadened its network of high-quality local wood-fuel-distribution depots by purchasing established Cumbrian operator Lakes Biomass, which delivers kiln-dried logs, kindling, woodchip, and pellets to customers. READ MORE SHARE