Pellet Mill Press - November 6, 2018

EPA, USDA, DOE send letter to Congress on biomass neutrality The EPA, UDSA and DOE sent a letter Congress Nov. 1 describing the agencies’ work to ensure consistent federal policy on forest biomass energy and promote policies that encourage the treatment of biomass as a carbon-neutral energy solution. READ MORE SHARE
Contest on National Mall to showcase wood, pellet stoves The Wood Stove Design Challenge, an international competition to showcase innovative and clean-burning wood stoves, will begin on Nov. 9 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., according to the Alliance for Green Heat. READ MORE SHARE
	EIA: 700,000 tons of densified biomass fuel produced in July The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing that U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 700,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in July, with sales reaching 570,000 tons. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva to supply pellets to power plant being converted in Japan On Oct. 31, Enviva announced that off-take contract agreements with Mitsubishi Corp. are now firm. The announcement follows news released by Mitsubishi the previous day indicating construction is underway on a biomass power plant conversion in Japan. READ MORE SHARE
US Forest Service opens RFP for Wood Innovations Program The U.S. Forest Service is seeking grant applications for its Wood Innovations Program, which aims to support projects that expand wood product and wood energy markets, reduce wildfire risk, and improve forest health. READ MORE SHARE
FutureMetrics paper shows benefits of coal-to-pellet conversions FutureMetrics has published a new white paper that shows why countries, states and provinces that are serious about lowering carbon emissions from the power sector should pursue the use of wood pellets as a replacement for coal. READ MORE SHARE
Pinnacle acquires 70% stake in Alabama pellet plant On Oct. 15, Pinnacle Renewable Holdings Inc. announced it has closed the previously announced acquisition of a 70 percent interest in an Aliceville, Alabama-based pellet plant from the Westervelt Co. READ MORE SHARE
PWU urges OPG to reconsider decision to close Thunder Bay plant The Canada-based Power Workers’ Union is speaking out against the recent decision by Ontario Power Generation to close its biomass-fired Thunder Bay Generation Station. The PWU called the decision “short-sighted." READ MORE SHARE
Biomass industry celebrates sixth annual Bioenergy Day Oct. 24 is the sixth annual Bioenergy Day, with events taking place from North Carolina to California and in many places in between. The annual event allows those in bioenergy to recognize the economic and environmental contributions of the industry. READ MORE SHARE
Report shows economic benefit of modern wood heating in Maine A new report documents the economic and environmental benefits of heating community, commercial and institutional buildings with modern wood chip and wood pellet technology and fuels produced in Maine. READ MORE SHARE