Biomass Week - March 4, 2016

USDA awards loan guarantee to AD project in Oregon On Feb. 26, USDA Rural Development announced plans to support an anaerobic digestion (AD) project under development by Novus Energy LLC in Boardman, Oregon, with an $11 million loan guarantee. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: Chartered SAB to review biogenic framework The U.S. EPA has scheduled a public meeting of the chartered Science Advisory Board March 31-April 1. During the meeting, the SAB is expected to conduct a quality review of a draft report on the accounting framework for biogenic carbon emissions. READ MORE SHARE
	Vilsack defends biofuels, bioenergy during House hearing On Feb. 24, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on the state of the rural economy featuring testimony by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Biofuels and bioenergy were among the topics discussed during the nearly three-hour event. READ MORE SHARE
GIB, Equitix acquire Scotland district heat biomass project The U.K. Green Investment Bank plc and Equitix, an infrastructure project management and delivery company, have jointly acquired a biomass district heating plant in northern Scotland, with working plans to expand the network. READ MORE SHARE
EC seeks input, comments on post-2020 bioenergy policy The European Commission is seeking public input on its post-2020 sustainable bioenergy policy. The three-month consultation period began Feb. 10 and concludes May 10. Those who wish to weigh in are asked to complete a nine-part online survey. 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
USDA highlights bioeconomy investments The USDA recently published a fact sheet highlighting its investments in rural America, including several related to sparking innovation in America’s bioeconomy to support the development of biomanufacturing and advanced biofuels. 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
DOE seeks pilot-scale capability for biofuels, biobased products Applications are due March 4 to respond to a U.S. DOE request for information about public and private sector capabilities in pilot scale verification of biofuels and bioproducts processes. READ MORE SHARE
Greenlane Biogas to supply equipment to Canadian biogas project Greenlane Biogas has received a contract from Orgaworld Canada, which is part of the Shanks Group plc, to supply a biogas upgrading system and a CO2 recovery unit for the city of Surrey’s Organic Biofuel Facility. READ MORE SHARE
Vermont program to support switch to pellet boilers expands The Northern Forest Center is expanding a program that helps Vermonters switch to high-efficiency wood pellet boilers to provide heat for homes, businesses and other properties in the Northeast Kingdom. READ MORE SHARE
Japanese researchers improve biorefineries with bubbles A team of researchers from Japan's Tohoku University has developed a new method for the pretreatment of organic material, or biomass, which could lead to more efficient production of biofuels and biochemicals. READ MORE SHARE
Velocys: Study commences on UK-based waste-to-liquids plant Velocys plc recently announced the commencement of an initial engineering study on the development of a new waste-to-liquids (WTL) project in the U.K. The proposed project would convert post-recycled waste to sustainable jet fuel and diesel. READ MORE SHARE
Sumitomo invests in Cosan’s sugarcane pellet business Sumitomo Corp. recently signed a contract to acquire up to 20 percent of Cosan Biomassa S.A., a subsidiary of Cosan S.A.Industria e Comercio, and producer of sugarcane pellets for power generation. READ MORE SHARE
New way to reduce plant lignin could lead to cheaper biofuels Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have shown for the first time that an enzyme can be tweaked to reduce lignin in plants. Their technique could help lower the cost of converting biomass into fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Weltec Group acquires 3.3 MW biogas plant Nordmethan GmbH, a subsidiary of the plant manufacturer Weltec Biopower, recently purchased an existing biogas plant in Falkenhagen, Brandenburg, Germany. The facility is being updated and is expected to resume operations later this year. READ MORE SHARE