• Biomass Thermal Energy Council Update
• Proposed EPA Emission Standards for Biomass Boilers
• Tax Incentives for Biomass Heating Systems
• Legislative Roundup
• Member News
• Heating the Northeast With Renewable Biomass - A Bold Vision for 2025
• Conference Announcements
• New Members in the Last Month
  
  

Greetings,

Welcome to the June Newsletter of the Biomass Thermal Energy Council. We are working hard to advance the biomass thermal industry in the U.S. and our current focus is to support favorable legislation for the industry. BTEC is currently seeking support on several tax incentive-related bulls; providing input into the proposed EPA emission standards for biomass boilers; and engaging our membership on several other key initiatives related to building the market for biomass thermal energy.

Read on to learn more about what BTEC’s been up to and ways you can lend your support. Of course, the easiest and most valuable way to get involved is through membership.

If you are in the business of using biomass for heating, cooling, or CHP, you will benefit from membership in BTEC. For reasons why, visit our website at www.biomassthermal.org/membership to or contact us to discuss how to get involved.

If you have any comments, questions, or feedback, feel free to email me or give me a call. Thanks for your support!

Emanuel Wagner
BTEC Program Associate
202-596-3974 x360
 

On April 30, 2010 EPA proposed a set of regulatory proposals under the Clean Air Act to reduce emissions from boilers, process heaters, and certain solid waste incinerators. Under this proposal, new and existing biomass boilers would be required to meet certain emission limits for carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM).

EPA is seeking feedback on these draft emission standards. We recently learned that the standards will be published in the Federal Register on June 4. Stakeholders will then have 45 days from that date to submit their public comments on the proposed regulations.

Two weeks ago, we held an initial conference call with ~25 members to discuss our response to the EPA emission standards. As a result of that call, a smaller group of half a dozen BTEC members met last week to begin the development of BTEC’s public comments on the proposals. This small group will be reporting back to the membership in the upcoming weeks to seek feedback on our public comments for the record.

Join BTEC today to get connected to our efforts in this area and to download our factsheet on the new EPA proposals >>

BTEC is continuing to push for additional Congressional co-sponsors on three key pieces of legislation. These bills represent a legislative package of "demand side" credits and incentives aimed at growing the market for renewable biomass heating in the United States. This package includes bills that would provide tax credits to homeowners and businesses for the installation of biomass boilers, stoves, and furnaces.

BTEC members have been calling their Congressional offices to voice their support for these three important bills:

• S. 1643 - Cleaner, Secure, and Affordable Thermal Energy Act
  
• S. 3188 - American Renewable Biomass Heating Act of 2010
  
• H.R. 2080 - American Renewable Biomass Heating Act
  

More information can be found on our website at: www.biomassthermal.org/legislative/taxCredits.asp.

We encourage all stakeholders in the industry to contact their Senators or Representative to encourage them to co-sponsor these bills. Join BTEC today to get connected to our efforts in this area and to download factsheets on each of these bills here >>
 

It can be difficult to keep track of the many biomass thermal policy developments in Washington each week. It is BTEC's mission to provide its members the latest information. 

Each Friday afternoon, BTEC members receive the Legislative Roundup, in which BTEC's legislative representatives and staff outline BTEC's activities and provide detailed, but accessible updates on the latest policy developments in Washington D.C. 
Contact us >>  if you would like to read an example.

BTEC also provides members with one-page fact sheets on the bills and regulations that may affect their business. You may review a sample fact sheet here >>.

Learn more about the many benefits of membership here >>.
 

BTEC members' activities are featured items in BTEC communications and provide a snapshot of current dvelopments in the biomass thermal industry. For general news on the biomass industry, see the news section on the BTEC website: www.biomassthermal.org/news/biomassNews.asp

ACT Bioenergy Supplies Boiler for Hybrid Biomass Solar Heating System
Upstate New York Natural Museum receives support from NYSERDA. Read more >>

Beaver Wood Energy Proposes Development of Biomass Plant and Pellet Mill
Biomass plant proposed at former Pownal track, would support local economy by creating 50+ jobs Read more >>

Biomass Energy Resource Center Advises Town of Middlebury on Biomass Heating Plans
Refined plan divides Middlebury into five separate energy districts, each with a communal woodchip heating plant. Read more >>

Biomass Energy Resource Center Helped National Life Group to Develop Biomass Boiler Systems
Will build two biomass heating system for $2 Million. Read more >>

Gavilon Grain, LLC and Galesburg Order Buyers, Inc. DBA Grainstore Sign Definitive Agreement
Gavilon will acquire the grain merchandising company's west-central Illinois assets, will provide the company access to a multitude of resources to enhance services for customers. Read the Press Release >>

Green Clean Heat wins New Hampshire's Green Launching Pad Award
Participants will spend the summer in a business accelerator program where UNH business, science and engineer faculty will help them develop finance and marketing plans. Read more here >> and here >>

Indeck Energy helps schools cut costs with biomass
Schools in Wisconsin have the opportunity to reduce fuel costs by switching to woody biomass. Read more >>

Jesse E. Lyman Company Proposes Wood Pellet Boiler System for Tuftonboro's Town Hall
The Board of Selectman reviewed proposal and agreed to accept the terms. Read more >>

Maine Energy Systems's President, Les Otten, Runs for Governor in Maine
Says he wants to make Maine the first energy-independent state in America by switching Maine homes and businesses from oil to wood heat. Read more >>

Santa Energy Receives Champion of Youth Award from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley
Company demonstrated outstanding community involvement for many years. Read more >>

Vermont Wood Pellet Company's Expansion Welcomed by Loggers
Received loan from the Vermont Economic Development Association and the Rutland Economic Development Corporation. Read more >>

Viability Finds Tipping Points on Energy Saving Projects (Video)
Energy saving improvements can pay for themselves quicker if businesses use a blend of grants, carbon credits and tax incentives. Read more >>

Viessmann Receives Energy Efficiency Award
German Federal Minister of Economics Brüderle Recognises Viessmann for Increasing In-Process Energy Efficiency. Read more >>

Zilkha Biomass Energy Purchases Dixie Pellet Plant
Court approves sale of property after bankruptcy of Dixie Pellets, LLC. Read more >>
 

Jesse E. Lyman Pellets -  Learn more >>
Krieg DeVault - Learn more >>
Resource Professionals Group -  Learn more >>
Sewall Company -  Learn more >>
Biomass Combustion Systems - Learn more >>