Pellet Mill Press - August 2, 2016

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
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
	Drax talks operations, supply chain, Brexit in half-year results Drax Group plc had a very good first half of the year operationally, is generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, has drastically lowered its emissions and the Sustainable Biomass Partnership continues to grow. READ MORE SHARE
New research finds likely cause, solution for pellet-derived CO Clarkson University researchers believe they have figured out the cause of wood pellet-derived carbon monoxide, and a potential solution involving the treatment of wood fiber with ozone. The researchers expect to scale-up the study later this year. 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
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
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
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
Billion-Ton Update authors discuss report findings On July 19, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a briefing to discuss the U.S. Department of Energy's 2016 Billion-Ton Update, its methodology and data collection strategies, findings and goals. READ MORE SHARE
Report features data on EU pellet, biogas markets A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the European Union’s biofuel market, including data on wood pellets and biogas. READ MORE SHARE
Government to launch app to aid renewable energy exports The U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy are inviting suppliers and providers of clean energy, smart grid and energy efficiency solutions to participate in an interactive directory of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions. 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
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
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
Subsidies, rebates to install wood heat available in Vermont Residents of the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont who switch to modern wood heating systems are currently eligible for subsidies and rebates of up to $10,500, including funding from the state and Northern Forest Center. READ MORE SHARE