Pellet Mill Press - May 7, 2019

May 7, 2019

UK report targets net-zero GHG emissions, bioenergy can help The U.K. Committee on Climate Change published a report May 2 that recommends the government set a goal to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Drax and the U.K. Renewable Energy Association say bioenergy can help meet that goal. READ MORE SHARE
USDA: US wood pellet exports top 500,000 metric tons in February The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service released updated export data on April 17, reporting that wood pellet exports reached 501,563.9 metric tons in February, up from both the previous month and February 2018. READ MORE SHARE
	Enviva helps protect threatened habitat, watershed in Virginia A critical habitat for a threatened bat species will be preserved thanks in part to a $50,000 grant from the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. The award will go towards a $750,000 project. READ MORE SHARE
Lawmakers urge robust funding for Farm Bill energy title programs More than 50 federal lawmakers have spoken out to encourage members of the Senate and House appropriations committees to provide robust fiscal year 2020 funding for Farm Bill energy title programs. READ MORE SHARE
Bill introduced to overhaul renewable fuel, energy tax credits Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation May 2 that aims to overhaul the federal tax code and consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions. Several biofuel and bioenergy groups support the bill. READ MORE SHARE
Letter opposes proposed cuts to DOE’s renewable energy programs The BPA partnered with six renewable energy trade groups April 25 to send a letter to Congress opposing deep cuts in FY 2020 funding proposed by the Trump Administration for the Department of Energy's EERE, ARPA-E and NREL. READ MORE SHARE
DOE offers $79 million for bioenergy R&D The DOE has opened a $79 million funding opportunity for bioenergy research and development that aims to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources. READ MORE SHARE
Nevada governor signs bill that increases RPS to 50% by 2030 Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak signed Senate Bill 358 into law April 22 raising the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50 percent by 2030, up from the previous requirement of 25 percent by 2025. READ MORE SHARE
AEG wins $500,000 grant to support North Carolina facility The North Carolina Department of Commerce recently awarded U.K.-based Active Energy Group plc a $500,000 grant to support the development of its CoalSwitch manufacturing site in Lumberton, North Carolina. READ MORE SHARE
EU approves state aid for Irish heat scheme, Polish WtE plant The European Commission announced April 15 that it has approved state aid for an Irish scheme for renewable heat generation and for a waste-to-energy (WtE) cogeneration plant under development in Poland. READ MORE SHARE