Pellet Mill Press - September 15, 2020

USDA: US wood pellet exports reach 643,278 tons in July The U.S. exported 643,727.5 metric tons of wood pellets in July, down from the 684,028.1 metric tons exported in June, but up from 451,299.1 metric tons exported during the same month of 2019, according to data released by the USDA FAS on Sept. 3 READ MORE SHARE
Alabama grant supports infrastructure improvement for Enviva Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $750,000 grant to help create 85 new jobs and increase commerce in Sumter County and the state’s Black Belt region. The funds will be used improve infrastructure necessary for Enviva's wood pellet plant in Epes. READ MORE SHARE
	DOE opens RFI on bioenergy workforce development The U.S. Department of Energy on Sept. 8 issued a request for information (RFI) regarding bioenergy workforce-development methods and tools available, as well as those needed in the U.S. Responses can be filed through Nov. 2. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: Densified biomass fuel sales reach 670,000 tons in May The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 750,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in May, with sales reaching about 670,000 tons. READ MORE SHARE
Toyo Engineering to construct 75 MW biomass power plant in Japan Japan-based Toyo Engineering Corp. announced on Sept. 2 it has been awarded a contract to construct the proposed wood pellet-fueled 75 MW Ichihara Yawatafuto Biomass Power Gogo Kaisha facility, located in Ichihara-shi, Chiba, Japan. READ MORE SHARE
Report provides insight into Vermont’s wood fuels industry Vermont’s wood fuels sector employed 1,794 workers and contributed more than $64.3 million to the state’s gross regional product last year, according to a clean energy report recently released by the Vermont Public Service Department. READ MORE SHARE
Grant opportunity could help Tribes develop bioenergy resources The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Sept. 3 announced it is providing funding to hire consultants to identify, evaluate or assess the market for energy or mineral resources that a Tribe will process, use or develop, including waste or woody biomass. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva Forest Conservation Fund helps protect Virginia ecosystems The Virginia Department of Forestry has secured a conservation easement on 618 acres located along the Meherrin River in Southampton County. The transaction was possible due, in part, to a grant from the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund. READ MORE SHARE
SUNY ESF receives USDA grant to develop biomass systems, products SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry has received $630,000 over five years from the USDA to develop biomass systems and products with the potential to put abandoned lands and people back to work. READ MORE SHARE
AFBF: Trump, Biden outline agricultural priorities A new look into the priorities for rural America of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is revealed in responses to a questionnaire distributed by the American Farm Bureau Federation. READ MORE SHARE