Biomass Thermal Council Update
| February 2011
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Greetings,
Last week Thursday, BTEC's webinar on biomass energy policies saw a record attendance of 220+ attendees. An improved recording and slides are available, for details see the article below. The interview series on biomass energy issues, the "BTEC B-Talk", has also been launched, and can be subscribed to via RSS-Feed, iTunes, or you may visit the BTEC website regularly for new episodes. More details below. If your company is active in the Midwest, and has been eyeing the progress the "Heating the Northeast with renewable Biomass" group has made, prepare yourself for good news! On February 9, 2011, the inaugural Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass Summit will take place in Carlton, MN, and you can still attend. Numerous BTEC members will be present. For details, see the Midwest article below. Also, don't forget to scan our biomass & member news sections to learn what is going on in the industry! BTEC will publish a print member directory and distribute it amongst its membership. Join BTEC by February 28, 2011, and be part of this guide of the biomass thermal industry. You will also receive timely updates on policy developments or actively participate in shaping the industry. To learn more about us or to sign up, go to www.biomassthermal.org/membership. If you are thinking about a D.C. presence for your company, talk to us. We have office space - including board room use - available at downtown D.C.'s bioenergy headquarters. For more information, email Kyle Gibeault. Enjoy the newsletter. Emanuel Wagner Program Coordinator - Outreach, Education & External Affairs emanuel.wagner@biomassthermal.org202-596-3974 x 360
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BTEC is Sponsor of:
April 14 - 15, Manchester, NH
www.heatne.com
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Join our network
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| Heating the Midwest Summit Planned in Minnesota |
We invite all interested readers in the Midwest region to participate in the following summit:
"Following in the footsteps of the well-known and successful Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass effort, a number of organizations have collaborated to develop an intriguing agenda for a Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass Summit, slated for February 9, 2011 at the Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton, Minn.
The goal of the summit is to define and support a long-term vision for using biomass to create thermal energy for space heating, hot water and industrial heat applications in the Midwest. An eight-person steering committee solicited presentations addressing the regions' demographics, biomass availability, combustion technologies, benefits resulting from biomass utilization, and the need to rally support for the vision. The presentations will be region-specific draft outlines of the specific topics, comparing and contrasting each with regional information identified at the Northeast event.
The Midwest summit will differ from the Northeast conference, however, in that it is an open discussion forum to determine whether or not the region has the leadership, resources and expertise to outline such a vision. Breakout sessions following the presentations will facilitate discussions between presenters and attendees, providing opportunities for continued dialogue and filling any gaps identified." Read more >>
To register, click here >>
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BTEC Webinar on Biomass Policy - Recording Available
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The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) conducted a webinar on Thursday, January 27, titled "Biomass Energy - A Policy Outlook: Programs, Legislation and the new Congress." BTEC would like to thank the webinar presenters, Jesse Dickerman, Steve Marshall, and Patrick Rita for their contributions to the event. The webinar video recording fixes a technical glitch that caused some audio problems during the live event. Please take a listen if you want to review the presentations again. Go to webinar archive >>Download this Webinar Materials
If you were unable to either attend the webinar or access the event's audio, please download the presentation slides and or stream the video recording below.
Download the webinar presentation slides here >>
Access the live recording here (with improved audio) >> 
Read the USDA's MOU on its Wood-to-Energy Initiative here >>
Plan for the Next Webinar
Stay tuned for BTEC's upcoming webinar on biomass emissions and air quality, which is scheduled for the week of February 28, 2011. Speakers and an event announcement will be shared soon. You're invited to share this and other BTEC resource announcements with interested individuals, businesses, and organizations.
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BTEC Policy Updates [Members Only]
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Every week BTEC publishes a Legislative Roundup on current legislative and regulatory developments affecting the biomass industry. These updates provide valuable insight and can help your company prepare for upcoming changes before you would hear it in the media. Current updates include:
- Proposed EPA Emission Standards for Biomass Boilers
- EPA/Greenhouse Gas Regulation
- Commercial Building Energy Efficiency and Tax Credits
- NSPS for Biomass Stoves
- Clean Energy Standard
- EPA Tailoring Rule and Greenhouse Gas Regulation
- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Announced
BTEC also prepares Legislative Fact Sheets which summarize all you need to know on one subject on one page (or two). Think about membership in BTEC, visit our website for more information ( www.biomassthermal.org) or give Joe Seymour a call to learn about BTEC's legislative agenda and activities - (202) 596-3974 x302.
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BTEC Interview Series Launched on iTunes
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 As part of BTEC's grant awarded by the Forest Service, BTEC has now launched the first two Podcasts in a series of interviews with key stakeholders in the biomass thermal industry. You may either go to our website >> and listen or download the individual interviews, or subscribe to the podcasts via iTunes here >> or your RSS reader here >>. In our first interview, we talked to Christiane Egger about the Austrian example of heating with biomass. In Austria, the share of biomass amounts to 12% of all energy consumption in Austria, and in states like Upper Austria, biomass heating provides more than 40% of all heating needs. We discuss Austrian biomass policies, industry, sustainability and health issues. To the podcast >>In our second interview, we talked with Mike Jostrom and Steve Robe of Plum Creek about biomass energy and the role of landowners. Our guests provide insight on how the nation's largest private landowner interacts with local communities, views the future of biomass energy markets, observes the potential impacts of energy policy on land use, and reflects on forest sustainability measures and standards. To the podcast >>Check back frequently. Our next interviews will feature Allison Welde of SFI on sustainability issues and John Eusterman of Stoel Rives on biomass project finance.
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BTEC Press Releases
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BTEC Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
January 26, 2011
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council has expressed its support for President Obama's State of the Union endorsement of a national clean energy strategy. In the address, President Obama called for 80% of the nation's energy by the year 2035 to come from clean sources, noting traditional renewables like wind and solar in addition to nuclear power, clean coal, and natural gas.
"We are encouraged by President Obama's call to ramp up clean energy development," said Kyle Gibeault, BTEC Executive Director. "We look forward to working his Administration to ensure that renewable thermal energy from biomass is a key component of our country's clean energy strategy." Read more >>
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Member News
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 Abundant Power portrayed in Charlotte Business Journal
Financing major obstacle for growth of clean energy the company's focus. Read more >>
Bear Mountain Forest Products - All About Locally Produced Materials Article discusses new pellet plant at Malheur Lumber. Read more >>
Beaver Wood Energy's Pownal Biomass Plant - Continued ControversyMA Town Will Weigh In On Vermont Biomass Plant. Read more >>Williamstown Fights Biomass Permitting Process. Read more >>Vermont Denies Early Start for Biomass Plant. Read more >>Pownal Biomass Project Stalls. Read more >>Williams College To Host Second Biomass Panel. Read more >>Development Partner Bechtel Power Corp and Development Comp targeted by opposition. Read more >>Biomass Energy Resource Center's Chris Recchia Named Deputy Secretary of Agency of Natural Resources in Vermont
Adam Sherman named BERC's Interim Director. Read more >>
Biomass Energy Resource Center is Seeking an Executive Director Read more >>
Biomass Energy Resource Center Participates in Panel on Energy Issues of Rural Communities Read more >>
Corinth Wood Pellets Receives $125,000 Award
USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels targets reduction of production costs. Read more >>
Ecostrat Introduces New Financial Instrument to Address Feedstock Supply RiskBiomass supply credit wrap system is a bankable guarantee for biomass supply that functions like a performance bond and is backed by investment-grade credit. Read more >> Enviva To Build Wood Pellet Plant In N.C.330 Mt wood pellet manufacturing facility will be built at former site of Georgia Pacific Lumber. Read more >>
Forest Energy Corporation's White Mountain Forest Stewardship Contract RevisitedArticle concludes that the Forest Stewardship Contract Pays Off In Many Area Jobs. Read more >>Indeck Energy: New Tax Credit for Biomass Heating Appliances Purchased in 2011Sees tax credit as a motivation for consumers to switch to renewable heating appliances. Read more >>Plum Creek Sees Sustained Export Demand, Higher PricingExpected to export 7% of its Northwest timber harvest to China in the first quarter of this year. Read more >>Thomas Santa of Santa Energy Elected to Board of Directors of the Connecticut Business & Industry Assn. Also serves on Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association and Bridgeport Regional Business Council. Read more >>
Westervelt Breaks Ground for Hale CHP Plant
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Biomass News
| This section features noteworthy biomass news. For more industry updates, join BTEC here >>
World
2010 Clean Energy Investment Hits a New Record
China has propelled global clean energy investment to record levels. Read more >>
North America
Is Wood the Best Renewable Fuel for Heating?
Great Popular Mechanics article on our industry. Read more >>
Renewable Heating: Lessons from Europe
Examples for U.S. policy makers highlight the importance of biomass heating. Read more >>
Alaska Community Benefits from Wood Energy Project
Woodchip boiler at school reduces fossil fuel costs and prevents hazardous forest fires. Read more on page 11 >>
Heating the Midwest summit planned in Minnesota
Based on experience from the Heating the Northeast effort, summit slated for Feb. 9 will seek to define a long-term vision for using biomass for thermal energy. Learn more and sign up here
Rising Heating Oil Costs Result in Record Savings with Wood Pellets
Woodpellets.com and Alliance for Green Heat highlight savings when switching to biomass heating. Read more >>
Woody Biomass Use Doesn't Have to be Controversial
White Mountain Stewardship Project a great example of providing sustainable biomass and benefit the local economy.Read more >>
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New Publications
| This section features highlights new research papers, studies and publications relevant to the biomass thermal industry. Major publications are available on the BTEC website, under Resource Center - Publications. See all publications >>
Accords to Preserve Forests Fail to Address Real Challenge, Report Says
Do not address the core issues spurring deforestation, particularly the rising demand for food crops and biofuels. Read more >>
Climate Benefits of Natural Gas May Be Overstated
New research by the Environmental Protection Agency - and a growing understanding of the pollution associated with the full "life cycle" of gas production - is casting doubt on the assumption that gas offers a quick and easy solution to climate change. Read more >>
The World's 10 Most Threatened Forest Hotspots
These forests have all lost 90% or more of their original habitat and each harbor at least 1500 endemic plant species, includes California Floristic Province. Read more >>
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New Members In The Last 30 Days
|  Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation
Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation champions innovative energy initiatives that deliver short- and long-term economic and environmental benefits to consumers, businesses, and policy makers.
More information at: http://www.weccusa.org
 Bionera Resources
We enable industrial and institutional facilities to achieve environmental and economic benefits by generating bioenergy from purpose-grown woody biomass. Drawing on our expertise in forest nursery management and using advanced bioenergy equipment, we can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
More information at: http://www.bionera.com/
 Continental Biomass Industries
For two decades, CBI has engineered the most productive grinding, chipping and shredding solutions that Fuel the Future™ of the businesses we serve and the environment we live in. This includes portable grinders and chippers that turn logs, forestry debris and wood waste into biofuel, mulch and other useable products. CBI also designs and manufactures custom-built stationary systems for complete recycling of C&D (Construction & Demolition waste) and production of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel). No matter what, our focus is always on efficiency and making machines that suit your individual business needs. Our advancements have optimized grinding, chipping and shredding so that recovering, processing and recycling material is both profitable and environmentally responsible.
More information at: http://www.cbi-inc.com/
 PA Pellets
Located in the picturesque mountains of Potter County Pennsylvania, PA Pellets is quietly building its reputation as a leader in the wood pellets industry. We pride ourselves on delivering high quality wood pellets to customers throughout the northeastern United States through our growing network of dealers. To those who know us, PA Pellets is synonymous with Quality, Reliability and Customer Service.
More information at: http://www.papellets.com/
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Events & Conference Discounts [Members Only]
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For a complete overview of upcoming conferences, workshops and events, visit http://www.biomassthermal.org/events.
BTEC Supported Events:
European Pellet Conference 2011
Date: March 2-3, 2011 Location: Wels, Upper Austria, Austria, EU More info: http://www.wsed.at/en/programme/european-pellet-conferenceDetails: The European Pellet Conference in Wels/Austria aims to provide in-depth information on pellet technologies, innovation and market trends. It will also offer an exciting platform to discuss new co-operation projects. With more than 600 participants every year, the European Pellet Conferences held in Wels have become the largest annual pellet event in the world. The conference is organised by O.Ö. Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria, dedicated to sustainable energy market development. Upper Austria is an ideal location for such a conference. The region is home to a number of Europe's leading biomass boiler producers, and pellet heating systems have become a standard solution.  Virginia Biomass Energy Group 3rd Annual Biomass ConferenceDate: March 7, 2011 Location: University of Richmond, Richmond, VA More info: http://virginiabiomass.org/site/Details: Topic of the 3rd Annual Biomass Conference is "Economics of Scale for Biomass Power & CHP" 3rd Annual Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass Conference and Vendor Fair
Date: April 14-15, 2011 Location: Manchester, NH More info: http://heatne.com/Details: A Conference For and By the Biomass Energy Industry These industry builders and leaders all recognized the need for region-wide networking, information exchange, and the opportunity to educate and explore the potential for real expansion of the biomass energy industry. With today's advanced technology and consumer-friendly bulk and just-in-time delivery capability, biomass is poised to provide a much larger share of the Northeast's heating energy. International Biomass Conference & Expo
Date: May 2-5, 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO
More info: http://www.biomassconference.com
Details: BIOMASS brings current and future producers of bioenergy and biobased products together with waste generators, energy crop growers, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers. It's a true one-stop shop - the world's premier educational and networking junction for all biomass industries.
BIOMASS is where future and existing producers of biobased power, fuels and thermal energy products go to network with waste generators and other industry suppliers and technology providers. It's where project developers converse with utility executives; where researchers and technology developers rub elbows with venture capitalists; and where Fortune 500 executives and influential policy makers sit side-by-side with American farmers and foresters.
AEBIOM European Bioenergy Conference & RENEXPO Bioenergy Europe Date: June 29-30, 2011 Location: Brussels, Belgium More info: http://www.renexpo-bioenergy.euDetails: Bioenergy Markets for Europe - a focus of a 2nd European Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition 2011 The unique concept of the event gathering two experienced European partners at the heart of Europe together with clearly defined goals of the event ensures the success of this new, trend setting, European Bioenergy Platform. "Bioenergy Markets for Europe" is the main focus of the European Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition which are organised annually in Europe's capital - Brussels. The event aims at all companies, organisations and institutes that wish to be involved in the rapid growth of the European bioenergy markets. The European Biomass Association AEBIOM and the REECO Group combine their strong networks and their broad experience in organising international events to offer both: a widely elaborated conference programme and an attractive exhibition. ### Interested in receiving discounts to these shows? Join BTEC! See www.biomassthermal.org/membership/ for an overview of all the benefits you will receive as a BTEC member and sign up.
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