The Netherlands' under-debate energy policies could create an additional 3.5 million tons of annual pellet demand or introduce inefficiencies that will put the market out of reach for most North American producers.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has opened a 40-day comment period on for a proposed seasonal wood burn ban amendment that would prohibit seven counties from solid-fuel burning in all solid-fuel burning devices from Nov. 1 to March 15.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the January issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, which includes updated forecasts for energy production from wood and waste biomass as well as data related to home heating methods.
Although Germany's pellet supply and demand has steadily increased over the years, recent factors have impacted growth.
Several energy-related bills were introduced in the Colorado Senate in early January, including one that aims to create a five-year incentive program to promote the use of woody biomass in public buildings.
While domestic demand soars and export challenges remain daunting, small and midsized North American producers may choose to leave bustling foreign markets to the big guys.
The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing it is accepting applications for the Rural Energy for America Program. A final rule for REAP was published in late 2014.
The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority has approved grant funding for a University of Arkansas at Little Rock biology professor who says nanomaterials could increase the germination rate and biomass yield of bioenergy crops.
On Dec. 29, the USDA published a final rule in the Federal Register for the Rural Energy for America Program. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to install renewable energy systems.
It takes some cooking, but turning wet and green farm waste into biofuels is now possible and makes economic sense, according to preliminary research from the University of Guelph.
U.K. Green Investment Bank has made several biomass investments in recent months, including investments in a waste wood renewable energy facility, an energy-from-waste treatment plant and the installation of biomass heating on a poultry farm.
BBI International, owners and organizers of the International Biomass Conference & Expo, recently reported Heating the Midwest, a regional conference focusing on biomass derived thermal energy, will be colocated with this year's conference.
Biomass Magazine Executive Editor Tim Portz previews the January issue of Biomass Magazine and the vital nature of its operations and maintenance theme for bioenergy producers.
Nominations are due Jan. 30 for the U.S. EPA's new Science Advisory Board Agricultural Science Committee, which was established by the 2014 Farm Bill to advise EPA on matters impacting farming and agriculture-related industries.
The Oregon Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources recently introduced draft legislation to direct the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to study the creation of incentives to encourage homeowners to replace old wood stoves.
At a grand opening in early December, Ottawa County, Michigan, announced the official kick-off of the Great Lakes Ag-Tech Business Incubator, a nonprofit helping farmers and entrepreneurs turn their ideas and inventions into successful businesses.
On Dec. 19, President Obama signed a bill that retroactively extends several tax incentives that expired at the end of 2013 and throughout this year through the end of 2014, including several incentives that benefit biofuel and bioenergy producers.
SUNY wins DOE grant to support feedstock logistics research
By SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
December 18, 2014
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded up to $3 million to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to develop and demonstrate ways to reduce the cost of delivering woody bioenergy feedstocks to biorefineries.
Venco International Inc. recently announced it has entered into an five-year agreement with Vega Biofuels Inc. to produce bio-coal, a form of torrefied wood pellets. The initial order of 3,000 tons will be produced and ready to ship in early 2015.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that more than 200,000 tons of biomass were removed from federal lands through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. This summer, 19 energy facilities in 10 states participated in BCAP.
California's Mono County thermal biomass project is one of three ventures awarded funding through the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Grant Program. The project received $215,000 to replace a propane boiler with biomass boiler system.
The U.S. South increased pellet exports to Europe by 10 percent from the fourth quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2014. During the same period, Canada decreased exports to Europe by 25 percent, but significantly increased exports to Asia.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that greater protection is now available from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance, including energy crops.
Genera Energy Inc. has received a strategic financing commitment from WindSail Capital Group, a Boston-based investment firm that provides growth financing to companies advancing energy innovation and sustainability.
Paul Smith's College is installing a highly sustainable, state-of-the-art wood-pellet boiler system, which will heat its three academic buildings. The project was partially supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Sullivan County, New Hampshire, has purchased a Hurst biomass boiler district heating system with a backpressure steam turbine/generator. The Hurst system will serve the county's nursing home, prison complex and two smaller onsite buildings in Unity.
The Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Building recently posted a notice to its website announcing a new voluntary agreement formed with members of its domestic energy industry on sustainable biomass.
Enviva Holdings LP and John Hancock Life Insurance Co. announced plans to develop wood pellet plants and export terminals in the southeastern U.S. Construction on a pellet plant and export terminal in South Carolina is expected to begin this month.
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