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A Message from BTEC
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Welcome to the third edition of the BTEC Newsletter.
The past month has been filled with activity for BTEC. We've seen
excellent growth in membership and continue to build on our early
successes.
BTEC
continues to work on Capitol Hill to advance legislative initiatives
that would benefit the biomass thermal industry. These initiatives
include tax credits for the purchase of biomass thermal appliances,
production tax credits for renewable thermal energy, and extensive
outreach to key officials to educate them on the myriad benefits of
biomass thermal energy.
In addition our extensive legislative activity, BTEC is developing a
list of needed biomass thermal research projects that we will be bringing to federal
agencies and other potential funders. Our members are actively engaged in this process.
Enjoy
our newsletter and feel free to give us feedback. If you'd like to
learn more about BTEC and how to become a member, visit our website: www.biomassthermal.org
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BTEC News
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BTEC Forms Partnership with Bioenergy International
Members receive 40% discount to magazine subscription
July 23, 2009
 Today,
BTEC and Bioenergy International, a leading biomass publication with
worldwide distribution, formed a media partnership agreement. As a part
of this partnership, all BTEC members will receive a 40% discount off
of subscriptions to Bioenergy International. BTEC will also receive
free publication space in each issue of the magazine. More information
coming soon, but please contact us if you are interested in receiving a
discounted subscription to the magazine.
Visit Bioenergy International online: www.bioenergyinternational.com
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RenewableEnergyWorld.com and BTEC Form Media Partnership
July 23, 2009
This partnership with RenewableEnergyWorld.com,
"The World's #1 Renewable Energy Website", will allow BTEC to
distribute its press releases and other materials to a broad audience
interested in renewable energy. By partnering with REW, BTEC will be
able to better promote its activities and the activities of its
members. More information coming soon.
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Biomass Thermal Energy Council Achieves Milestone
July 20th, 2009
The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC), a non-profit association
dedicated to advancing the use of biomass for heat and other thermal
energy applications, would like to thank all of its Founding Members. Read Press Release >>
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Members-Only Preview: Legislative Activities
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This
is a limited preview of legislative updates sent to our members. In
addition to frequent updates, members have the opportunity to serve on
the BTEC Policy Committee.
Tax Credit Update
By Charlie Niebling, Chairman
Among a number of our legislative objectives, BTEC has
retained a lobbying firm to advance important tax policies that will
support the growth of biomass thermal technologies.
Specifically, this firm is working on behalf of BTEC to enhance the residential credit
for high efficiency biomass thermal appliances, and establish 30% investment tax
credit for commercial and industrial biomass thermal systems under sections 25c
and 48 of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively.
Both would authorize the credit through at least 2013, and potentially longer.
Enhancing these credits would allow consumers a larger tax credit for high
efficiency biomass central heating boilers, allowing this growing industry to
compete with conventional fossil technologies such as oil and propane. We have
been speaking with a large number of people working with the appropriate
committees and members, and overall have been met with a positive response. More
detailed information will be available very soon.
Join BTEC today to support this effort. Additional financial support is needed and
welcome!
Join BTEC for more information >>
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Members-Only Preview: Research & Education Projects
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This is a limited preview of communications
regarding BTEC's developing activities with research and analysis projects.
Members in the Research and Analysis Committee help develop the research topics
that BTEC will pursue for outside funding.
BTEC Analysis and Education Projects
By Jeff Serfass, Executive Director
In
this early period of the Council, it is important that we develop
analytical tools, studies, and educational materials related to biomass
thermal energy. These will help the Council communicate the importance
of this industry and the value of
policy positions that encourage its growth.
Therefore, we have developed a project list and a list of potential government agency contacts to... Join BTEC for more information >>
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Members-Only Preview: Opportunity Notices
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This is a limited preview of opportunity notices that are sent out to BTEC
members. As a BTEC member, you would receive regular alerts on business
opportunities that are brought to the attention of BTEC staff.
BTEC Opportunities
Washington-based company seeks investors for rapid growth process of Ponderosa Pine
The process has been tested on a 6200 acre sized patch of land and...Join BTEC for more information >> |
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BTEC Member News |
Jobs and energy for Maine
The Examiner, July 21 2009
The recent
economic downturn has troubled many Mainers, and the
increasing cost of energy with which it has been coupled hasn't helped
matters. But a Portland-based company is hoping to slightly alleviate
both of these burdens. International WoodFuels announced Tuesday that
it will open a plant next year in the town of Burnham to manufacture
wood pellets... Read more >>
Vermont School District Shifts to Wood Pellets
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, June 24 2009
The Windsor School District in Windsor, Vermont will become one of the
first public school systems in the state to heat its building entirely
with locally sourced wood pellets. The district has contracted with
International WoodFuels LLC to provide a metered thermal heating
solution that includes a high-efficiency pellet boiler, pellet storage
silo, pellet delivery and monitoring and maintenance of the system with
no capital cost investment by Windsor Schools.
Read more >>
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BTEC Member Spotlight |
Carbon Solutions Group
Member since July 2009
Carbon Solutions Group (CSG) can perform local biomass studies to determine fuel opportunities
with the highest calorific values relative to transportation costs.
Engineering, technology procurement, and financing can proceed within a
month from project concept and intent.
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| Biomass Thermal in the News |
Providing Heat is the Most Efficient Use of Biomass
by Charlie Niebling, Northern Woodlands, July 15, 2009
"Energy consumption in America can be roughly divided into thirds: one
third electric power, one third transportation, and one third heat (and
cooling). Policy makers in Washington, D.C., and at the state level
seem preoccupied with strategies to promote the use of biomass to make
electric power and transportation fuels; I'd argue that they're
overlooking the much more efficient and economically beneficial use of
biomass - heat." Read More >>
Wood Pellets Catch Fire as Renewable Energy Source
by Russell Gold, The Wall Street Journal, July 7, 2009
"Some of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy in the world are the wind, the sun -- and the lowly wood pellet.
European utilities are snapping up the small combustible pellets to
burn alongside coal in existing power plants. As a global marketplace
emerges to feed their growing appetite for pellets, the Southeastern
U.S. is becoming a major exporter, with pellet factories sprouting in
Florida, Alabama and Arkansas." Read More >>
Can Biomass Replace Coal?
by Thomas R. Blakeslee, Clearlight Foundation, June 25, 2009
"Wind and solar power are clean and free but they only work part of the
time. When the sun goes down and the wind dies, coal is still the
workhorse for generating baseload power. But coal is killing us by
warming the planet, acidifying our lakes and oceans and sprinkling
mercury over the landscape. Geothermal can do part of the job but it
will take decades to drill enough wells.
" Read More >>
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| Upcoming Events |
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July 29-31
August 8 - 9
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