Pellet Mill Press - February 16, 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
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
	Vilsack: Biofuels, bioenergy can help meet climate goals Secretary of agriculture nominee Tom Vilsack stressed the important role biofuels and bioenergy will play in meeting the Biden administration’s climate goals during a Feb. 2 hearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. 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
EIA: Densified biomass fuel sales reach 800,000 tons in October The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 850,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in October, with sales reaching 800,000 tons. READ MORE SHARE
Dansons set to open pellet mill in Hope, Arkansas Dansons USA has announced it will open the country's largest barbecue wood pellet mill and distribution center in Hope, Arkansas. The facility will start with 100,000 tons of capacity, with future plans to expand to 300,000 tons. READ MORE SHARE
USDA solicits REAP applications USDA Rural Development has announced it is now accepting applications for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements through the Rural Energy for America Program. Applications must be submitted by March 31. READ MORE SHARE
REMBE offers new methods of explosion pressure relief Comprehensive combustible dust explosion protection does not necessarily have to be expensive or complicated. An innovative technology makes it possible to divert the shock wave and flames of an explosion in a controlled manner. READ MORE SHARE
EIA updates short-term bioenergy forecasts The U.S. Energy Information Administration released the latest edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook on Feb. 9, predicting electricity generation from renewable sources will reach 21 percent this year, up from 20 percent in 2020. READ MORE SHARE