Biomass Week - July 29, 2016

EPA: More than 1.7 billion RINs generated in June The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for June, reporting that more than 1.7 billion RINs were generated during the month, bringing the total for the first half of the year to nearly 9.21 billion. READ MORE SHARE
Republic Services unveils 24.1 MW landfill gas-to-energy project Republic Services Inc. and Mas Energy LLC recently unveiled a new renewable energy project serving the Atlanta, Georgia, metro area. The innovative project involves landfill gas-to-energy facilities at three area landfills. READ MORE SHARE
	2016 PFI conference underway in Asheville, North Carolina The Pellet Fuels Institute returns to Asheville, North Carolina, for its annual conference being held July 24-26, hosting approximately 170 attendees and nearly 30 exhibitors. READ MORE SHARE
EPA takes initial step in regulating aircraft engine GHGs The U.S. EPA has finalized a determination under the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gas emissions from certain types of aircraft engines contribute to the pollution that causes climate change and endangers American’s health and the environment. READ MORE SHARE
UPM, BEE enter agreement for supply of heat to German mill UPM has entered into an agreement with Blue Energy Europe for the supply of heat for its Hurth mill in Germany. BEE will acquire a biomass boiler, turbine and generator from a closed UPM site and transfer the components to a site near the Hurth mill. READ MORE SHARE
Endowment launches updated bioenergy database, mapping tool The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities recently announced the launch of the revitalized wood bioenergy facility database and mapping tool. The site, www.wood2energy.org, is the most comprehensive database of its kind in North America. READ MORE SHARE
WBA issues report on the importance of bioenergy in Europe A recent study published by the World Bioenergy Association addresses the challenges European cities are facing within global climate mitigation policy and explains the contributions biomass can offer to reduce the use of fossil fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Rivertop Renewables’ sodium glucarate designated a ‘Safer Choice’ Rivertop Renewables, a Montana-based novel chemicals company, announced that sodium glucarate produced by the company’s breakthrough oxidation technology has been listed on the U.S. EPA’s Safer Chemicals Ingredients List. READ MORE SHARE
USDA announces application periods for loan guarantee program The USDA is accepting applications for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, which provides loan guarantees of up to $250 million to develop, construct and retrofit commercial-scale biorefineries. READ MORE SHARE
Astec reports solid quarter, expects new pellet plant order Astec Inc. reported a solid second quarter with a 9.9 percent increase in net sales in Q2 2016 compared to Q2 2015, a change of direction from last quarter’s 3.5 percent decrease in net sales in Q1 2016 compared to from Q1 2015. READ MORE SHARE
Biogenic carbon emissions panel to hold teleconference Oct. 12 The U.S. EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board has announced plans to hold a public teleconference of the SAB biogenic carbon emissions panel on Oct. 12 as part of its continuing review of the framework for biogenic CO2 emissions from stationary sources. READ MORE SHARE
Alternative market opportunities discussed at 2016 PFI conference The PFI 2016 conference wrapped in Asheville this week, bringing together individuals from the public and private sectors, academia and government institutions. The last session offered potential market opportunities pellet producers could consider. READ MORE SHARE
BTEC updates mission and vision statements The Biomass Thermal Energy Council recently announced its updated mission and vision statements. BTEC engaged in a series of facilitated strategic planning sessions throughout the fall of 2015. These efforts reaffirmed BTEC’s mission and vision. READ MORE SHARE
REA: Surprise UK renewable heat cuts put investments at risk The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (previously the Department of Energy and Climate Change) laid an amendment in Parliament to the Renewable Heat Incentive to reduce support for biomass combined-heat-and-power systems. READ MORE SHARE
DOE seeks input on cellulosic sugar, lignin production The DOE is seeking input from industry, academia, national laboratories and other stakeholders in the biofuels and bioproducts industries regarding cellulosic sugar and lignin production capabilities. READ MORE SHARE
USDA offers funds for biorefineries to convert to bioenergy The USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service has announced it is soliciting applications under the Repowering Assistance Program to encourage the use of renewable biomass as a replacement for fossil fuels used to provide process heat or power. READ MORE SHARE
Rural Energy installs 3rd biomass boiler at historic England site Rural Energy's latest and third installation to be successfully completed at Welbeck is a 100-kW Herz Firematic installed at Colingthwaite Farm, the estates dairy farm and the home of the renowned Stitchleton cheese. READ MORE SHARE
Commission to study Maine’s biomass industry to meet in August A commission put together by Maine legislature to study economic, environmental and energy benefits of Maine’s biomass industry is scheduled to hold its first meeting Aug. 2. READ MORE SHARE