Pellet Mill Press - March 17, 2020

EPA finalizes amendments to 2015 NSPS for wood heating appliances The U.S. EPA on March 11 finalized amendments to the 2015 NSPS for residential wood heating appliances. The amendments remove the minimum requirements for pellet fuel and clarify a requirement regarding the use of unseasoned wood to make pellets. READ MORE SHARE
UDSA: US pellet exports reach 500,904 tons in January The U.S. exported 500,904 metric tons of wood pellets in January, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on March 6. Exports were up from both the previous month and January 2019. READ MORE SHARE
	Pinnacle: Q4 impacted by rail strike, sawmill curtailments Pinnacle Renewable Energy released fourth quarter financial results on March 3. The company’s financial performance was negatively impacted by sawmill curtailments and a rail strike. Pinnacle, however, is continuing to implement expansion plans. READ MORE SHARE
Wyden introduces energy bill amendment that benefits biomass Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., filed an amendment to the American Energy Innovation Act on March 3 that includes an expansion of the residential energy tax credit to include efficient biomass thermal boilers and furnaces. READ MORE SHARE
UK proposes to exclude biomass conversions from next CfD auction The U.K. government has proposed to exclude new coal-to-biomass conversions from future rounds of its CfD scheme. Under the proposal, dedicated biomass with CHP and various forms of biogas projects would continue to be eligible for CfDs. READ MORE SHARE
EIA predicts increase in biomass power capacity The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts 19 percent of U.S. electricity will be generated from renewable sources this year, up from 17 percent last year, according to the agency’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released March 11. READ MORE SHARE
Drax achieves industry-leading safety record Drax achieved an industry-leading safety record during 2019 with Morehouse BioEnergy surpassing the two-year mark with no recordable safety incidents. The company's port operation in Baton Rouge also reached a new safety benchmark. READ MORE SHARE
Perdue appoints Brand to lead USDA Rural Development U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Feb. 28 announced the appointment of Bette Brand to serve as USDA Rural Development Deputy. Brand replaces former Rural Development Deputy Donald “DJ” LaVoy following his retirement. READ MORE SHARE
USDA issues rule on Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program The USDA’s Commodity Credit Corp. and Farm Service Agency published a final rule on March 2 implementing changes to the agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), as required by the 2018 Farm Bill. READ MORE SHARE
DOE cancels March 24-25 meeting of biomass R&D advisory committee The U.S. Department of Energy on March 16 announced it has canceled the open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee scheduled for March 24-25 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. READ MORE SHARE