Pellet Mill Press - November 1, 2016

USDA to invest in expanding wood energy markets The USDA has announced it will invest up to $7 million in grants for projects designed to expand wood products and wood energy markets that support sustainable forest management, especially in areas with high wildfire risk. READ MORE SHARE
Astec: Arkansas pellet plant on schedule, more projects planned Due to the ability to secure and ship orders at more profitable rates, as well as favorable infrastructure and wood pellet equipment activity, Astec Industries reported an earnings improvement of 200 percent in Q3 2016 compared to Q3 2015. READ MORE SHARE
	American Biomass acquires Okanagan Wood Pellets from Viridis American Biomass Corporation Inc. has completed its purchase of Okanagan Wood Pellets from Viridis Energy, Inc. With this acquisition, Okanagan brand pellets will be available this fall to retailers exclusively from American Biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Pöyry reports biomass cofiring as one option to coal conundrum Pöyry Management Consulting released a point of view report this month, considering the role of coal in a lower-carbon economy. Pöyry makes the argument that the future role of coal in the global energy mix must include cofiring with biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Yeongdong biomass conversion in Korea to be complete in 2017 In 2015, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction secured a contract from Korea South-East Power to convert the Yeongdong Thermal Power Plant Unit 1 to biomass. That conversion project is currently under way, with completion expected early next year. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass research and development committee to meet in November The U.S. Department of Energy has announced an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee has been scheduled to be held Nov. 17-18 in Washington, D.C. READ MORE SHARE
Energy consulting firm launches new company for wood fiber sales Aeon Energy Solutions recently launched UFSDA LLC, a company created to focus on the fiber side of the business, sourcing and supplying biomass-based products and feedstocks, while AES remain focused on biomass equipment sales. READ MORE SHARE
European Biomass Association releases 2016 bioenergy outlook AEBIOM releases its annual statistical report, providing an in-depth look at the European bioenergy sector. Recent editions have included analysis of support schemes for biomass heating, electricity and transport, and market forecasts. READ MORE SHARE
UK government compromises on tariff reductions for biomass CHP The U.K. Renewable Energy Association has announced a government official has acknowledged that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will soften changes introduced to tariffs for certain biomass combined-heat-and-power plants. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva to acquire Sampson plant from joint venture affiliates On Oct. 17, Enviva Partners LP announced that Enviva Wilmington Holdings LLC has offered to sell it the entity that owns a pellet plant in Sampson County, North Carolina, along with a 10-year, 420,000 metric-ton-per-year off-take contract. READ MORE SHARE
NEB report illustrates Canadian renewable power landscape In mid-October, the National Energy Board released a report, noting Canada generates almost two-thirds of its electricity from renewable resources. Hydro is the dominant source of renewable power in the country, followed by wind, biomass and solar. READ MORE SHARE
Drax Biomass collaborates to protect Louisiana wetlands Drax Biomass Inc., a pellet manufacturer operating in the Southeast, marked National Bioenergy Day by declaring the cypress and tupelo stands found in forested wetlands, including the Atchafalaya Basin, to be off-limits for its timber purchases. READ MORE SHARE
Report documents economic benefit of New Hampshire wood heating The NH Wood Energy Council recently released a report documenting the economic and environmental benefits of heating community, commercial and institutional buildings with modern wood chip and pellet technology. READ MORE SHARE
BPA marks fourth Annual Bioenergy Day In honor of the Fourth Annual Bioenergy Day, more than 40 organizations across the United States and Canada opened their doors on Oct. 19 to local residents and stakeholders, inviting them to learn more about biobased power, thermal and fuels. READ MORE SHARE
VTT develops combustion technologies for biomass VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is seeking a carbon capture technology for Finnish power and heat production plants. The first pilots were implemented, using wood pellets, at VTT's Bioruukki and the results are promising. READ MORE SHARE