Editor's note from Biomass Magazine 2021 issue 1.
Tom Vilsack is once again leading the USDA. The Senate on Feb. 23 voted 92 to seven to confirm him as secretary of agriculture. Vilsack, a former two-term governor of Iowa, served as ag secretary during all eight years of the Obama administration.
Covanta Holding Corp. provided an update on the development of its four U.K. waste-to-energy projects currently under construction and its ongoing strategic review during a fourth quarter earnings call held Feb. 19.
On Feb. 10, Will County, Illinois, officials and its construction trade partners signed a project labor agreement (PLA) for the $45 million renewable natural gas (RNG) plant approved for construction at the county-owned Prairie View landfill.
Reps. David McKinley, R-W.V., and Marc Veasey, D-Texas, on Feb. 16 reintroduced the ACCESS 45Q Act. The bill extends the date for projects to begin construction to claim the 45Q tax credit by 10 years and provides a direct pay elective.
Waste Knot Energy has negotiated a strategic partnership agreement with international supply management company Komercon. Under the agreement, Waste Knot will supply 3.6 million metric tons of pellets to Komercon over the next five years.
A recent discovery by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) could help hasten use of cheap and plentiful agricultural waste as the go-to material for producing biobased fuel pellets used for power generation and home heating.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (AEO2021) on Feb. 3, predicting that the consumption of biofuels as a share of the domestic fuel mix will gradually increase through 2050.
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.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, on Feb. 5 announced the introduction of the GREEN Act, which includes several tax extenders that would benefit biofuels and bioenergy.
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.
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.
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.
The Japanese biomass market is on the cusp of some major developments that will change the dynamics of the market in the coming years.
To solve ongoing issues related to fly ash, three power stations operated by Dominion Energy followed a systematic and scientific approach to design biomass fly ash handling systems that provide reliable flow.
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.
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.
Existing U.S. coal power stations can be part of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Via an innovative, accessible platform, the International Biomass Conference & Expo will held virtually March 16-17.
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.
Drax on Feb. 1 announced that it has completed the sale of its natural gas-fueled power generation assets. The company also said it will end commercial coal generation on March 31, with formal closure of its remaining coal assets in September 2022.
The Carbon Capture Coalition on Jan. 21 sent a memo to President Biden's climate team that includes a targeted list of climate, energy, infrastructure and related federal policy recommendations for the first 100 days of his administration.
President Biden on Jan. 27 issued an executive order that aims to tackle the climate crisis, create jobs and restore scientific integrity across the federal government. The order addresses the production and sourcing of biobased products and fuels.
The European Commission's Joint Research Center on Jan. 25 published a report on the use of woody biomass for energy production in the European Union. The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association and Bioenergy Europe have welcomed the report.
The European Biogas Association launched on Jan. 25 an enhanced edition of the EBA Statistical Report. The report shows Europe had a total of 18,943 biogas plants and 725 biomethane plants installed as of the close of 2019.
The Integrated Biogas Alliance, in concert with EIP Ventures, is in final stage development of a seven dairy, 16,500 head biogas project ear Boise, Idaho. The project is expected to close in late Q1 2021.
The U.S. EPA's long-stalled implementation of landfill emissions regulations, the repeal of the Clean Power Plan, and the SAFE Vehicles Rule are three of the many federal regulations that are set to be reviewed by the Biden administration.
Aries Clean Energy, a leader in the biomass gasification solutions sector, announced it has changed its name to Aries Clean Technologies, with a refined focus on the clean conversion of wastewater biosolids.
The USDA and U.S. Department of Energy on Jan. 21 announced appointments to several senior posts, including USDA undersecretary for Rural Development and chief of staff for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE.
Australia-based Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers has been awarded a $5.5 million bushfire recovery grant from the Australian government to support the development of a biomass pellet plant and small-scale biomass power plant.
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