Pellet Mill Press - May 17, 2022

USDA: US pellet exports at 801,397 metric tons in March The U.S. exported 801,396.9 metric tons of wood pellets in March, up from both 628,659.8 metric tons the previous month and 667,309 metric tons in March 2021, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on May 4. READ MORE SHARE
DOE schedules Q&A webinar on 5th Wood Heater Design Challenge The U.S. DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office on May 19 will host a webinar titled “Wood Heater Design Challenge Q&A.” The event aims to provide interested parties with information related to the agency’s 5th Wood Stove Design Challenge. READ MORE SHARE
	Enviva reports Q1 challenges, accelerates capacity expansions Enviva released Q1 financial results on May 4, reporting that labor, production and logistics challenges negatively impacted operations during quarter. The company is accelerating greenfield developments, however, in response to increasing demand. READ MORE SHARE
Drax discusses plans for new pellet projects, BECCS development Drax Group plc brought 400,000 metric tons of new biomass pellet production capacity online during the first quarter of 2022. The company plans to make a final investment decision on up to 1 million tons of additional capacity this year. READ MORE SHARE
Report describes changes to Dutch government’s policy on biomass The government of the Netherlands in late April signaled its intent to support the use of biomass for certain high-value applications, including the production of some biofuels and high-temperature heat, but phase out support for lower value uses. READ MORE SHARE
USDA reports strong interest for Climate-Smart Commodities funds The USDA on May 10 announced it received more than 450 proposals for large-scale projects under its new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. The agency is accepting proposals for smaller-scale projects through June 10. READ MORE SHARE
Drax to pilot more pioneering new carbon capture technology Renewable energy pioneer Drax has partnered with the University of Nottingham and Promethean Particles to trial a pioneering new bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) process at its North Yorkshire power station. READ MORE SHARE
ITA’s renewable energy advisory committee to meet May 12 The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration has announced it will hold a virtual open meeting the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee via WebEx on May 12. READ MORE SHARE
EIA updates bioenergy production, capacity forecasts Renewables are currently expected to account for 22 percent of U.S. electricity generation this year and 23 percent in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released May 10. READ MORE SHARE