Biomass Week - February 10, 2021

Drax signs agreement to acquire Pinnacle Renewable Energy Drax Group plc announced on Feb. 8 it has signed an agreement to acquire Canada-based pellet producer Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. The acquisition will more than double Drax’s pellet production capacity. READ MORE SHARE
Regan promises ‘no surprises’ in EPA’s administration of the RFS Michael Regan, President Biden’s nominee to serve as administrator of the U.S. EPA, said the RFS will be a priority the current administration and stressed agriculture will have a seat at the table when it comes to Biden’s climate objectives. READ MORE SHARE
	USDA: US exports 7.26 million metric tons of wood pellets in 2020 The U.S. exported nearly 7.26 million metric tons of wood pellets in 2020, up 5 percent from the 6.92 million metric tons exported in 2019, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Feb. 5. READ MORE SHARE
Neste reports strong results for renewable products segment Neste released fourth quarter financial results on Feb. 5, reporting that its renewable products segment proved to be very resilient despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increased sales volumes and strong sales margins. READ MORE SHARE
Bill aims to incentivize the production of SAF Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., on Feb. 3 reintroduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act, which aims to incentivize the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), including the establishment of an aviation-only Low Carbon Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
Funding supports bioenergy, wood pellet production in BC The Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia has announced it will award $3 million to 15 projects as part of its effort to support jobs in the forestry sector and increase the use of wood fiber that would otherwise be burned as slash. READ MORE SHARE
Toyo, Velocys execute a collaboration agreement Velocys plc has signed a collaboration agreement with Toyo Engineering Corp. to start the development of their commercial projects to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other renewable fuels in Japan. READ MORE SHARE
Legislation compels EPA to act on RFS pathways, registrations Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., on Feb. 4 reintroduced a bill that aims to compel the EPA to take action on submitted RFS pathway petitions and set a deadline for the agency to act on future pathway and registration petitions. READ MORE SHARE
Senators urge EPA to review the 3 SREs approved in January A bipartisan group of 15 senators sent a letter to Acting EPA Administrator Jane Nishida on Feb. 3 urging the agency to review the three small refinery exemptions (SREs) approved by the Trump administration on Jan. 19. READ MORE SHARE
New York DEC opens comment period on proposed food recycling regs The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on Jan. 27 released proposed regulations to implement the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Act, which was enacted in 2019 and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022. READ MORE SHARE