Biomass Week - October 23, 2019

Drax strengthens biomass sustainability policy Drax has strengthened its biomass sustainability policy and set up an independent advisory board (IAB) of scientists, academics and forestry experts to ensure the biomass the company uses to generate renewable electricity meets the highest standards. READ MORE SHARE
ENplus opens public consultation on newly drafted standards Pellet quality certification scheme ENplus announced Oct. 7 it is undergoing a major overhaul of its requirements and procedures. As part of that effort, ENplus has opened a second public consultation on its newly drafted standards. READ MORE SHARE
	SREs addressed during White House cabinet meeting The EPA’s actions regarding SREs were addressed during an Oct. 21 meeting at the White House. Trump directed the EPA to “make sure the small refineries are happy” while USDA indicated farmers will be fine with the plan once they see it implemented. READ MORE SHARE
Pinnacle signs off-take contract with Mitsui Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. announced Oct. 17 it has secured a new long-term, take-or-pay off-take contract with Japan-based Mitsui & Co. Ltd for the supply of 100,000 metric tons of industrial wood pellets annually beginning in 2023. READ MORE SHARE
2 New Hampshire biomass energy plants close Two of New Hampshire's six independent biomass energy plants—Springfield Power and DG Whitefield—announced in mid-October that they are closing and will lay off staff. Each plant employs 20 full-time workers. READ MORE SHARE
Energy Secretary Rick Perry announces plans to resign U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Oct. 17 announced plans to resign from his post, effective later this year. The White House has not yet announced a nominee to replace Perry following his departure. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 5 SRE applications filed for compliance year 2019 The U.S. EPA published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Oct. 17 that shows the agency has received five SRE applications for compliance year 2019. All five applications are listed as pending. READ MORE SHARE
USDA seeks nominations for forest restoration advisory panel The U.S. Forest Service is seeking nominations for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Panel, which evaluates and provides recommendations on Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program proposals. READ MORE SHARE
EPA approves RFS fuel pathway filed by Texmark, Neste The EPA approved a RFS fuel pathway filed on behalf of Texmark Chemicals and Neste that will allow renewable diesel produced at Neste’s biorefinery Finland to be shipped to Texmark's plant and fractionated into renewable jet fuel and diesel bottoms. READ MORE SHARE
Aries Clean Energy breaks ground on biosolids gasification plant Aries Clean Energy broke ground on New Jersey's first biosolids-only gasification facility on Oct. 15. The plant will will bring environmental and sustainable benefits to the area by processing 430 tons of biosolids daily into clean renewable energy. READ MORE SHARE