Biomass Thermal Energy Council Update
| March 2011
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Greetings,
The outcome of EPA's Boiler MACT ruling has dominated biomass news for the last few weeks, and BTEC is conducting a free webinar next week on air emissions, part of which addresses the Boiler MACT regulations. See the article below for details or sign up right now >>. The best way to influence federal policy and to create a more favorable business climate for your company is by joining BTEC and become engage in the BTEC policy activities. See BTEC's Policy Priorities for 2011/2012 here >>. We would like to invite you to attend the upcoming conference, "Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass", April 14-15, in Manchester, NH to meet, network, and discuss with BTEC staff, members and biomass stakeholders. See www.heatne.com for details. Make sure to see our improved industry news section for current developments in the biomass industry. You can increase your bottom line by being part of BTEC, supporting our policy goals and using our education and outreach tools. Send me an email or call me directly, and we'll talk about the impact your company can have on the industry by joining the Council. To learn more about membership, benefits, and our activities, go to www.biomassthermal.org/membership. Best regards, Emanuel Wagner Program Coordinator - Outreach, Education & External Affairs emanuel.wagner@biomassthermal.org202-596-3974 x 360 |
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BTEC Webinar on Air Emissions, Boiler MACT - March 17, 2PM
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EPA's Boiler MACT has dominated the biomass news cycle. BTEC has published a reaction to the revised final rules, which you may see here >>. Our revised Fact Sheet will help your understanding of the rules, but is for members only. In light of the recent developments, BTEC is conducting a webinar on Boiler MACT, air emissions and regulations. Engage three diverse perspectives on biomass air quality issues that impact your organization, business, or community. Register now and attend, "Biomass Air Quality: Measuring, Controlling, and Regulating Emissions," a free webinar on Thursday, March 17 at 2PM ET.
This free webinar will address issues concerning emissions from biomass thermal conversion technologies. Topics include: - A review of the Environmental Protection Agency's new Boiler MACT rules
- Comparing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from different biomass end uses
- New studies and tools for calculating biomass emissions
- Exploring pollution control technologies for biomass thermal technologies
- Question & Answer session with the speakers.
Read more >>
Speakers
- Jim Eddinger, Energy Strategies Group, Environmental Protection Agency
- Carrie Lee, Staff Scientist, Stockholm Environment Institute
- John Hinckley, Principle Consultant, Resource Systems
- Joseph Seymour, BTEC Program Coordinator for Policy and Government Affairs (Moderator)
Please send any inquiries to joseph.seymour@biomassthermal.org. Webinar Announcement How to Write a (Simple) Export Plan
Most small and midsize U.S. exporters do not have a written export plan. Lacking a plan, it's easy to get discouraged and give up or to miss opportunities that having a strategy might reveal. As part of the National Export Initiative and its goal of doubling U.S. exports in five years, Commercial Service has provided customers a one-hour webinar on how to write an export plan. Click here for more information >>.
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BTEC's 2011-2012 Policy Priorities
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The Biomass Thermal Energy Council with the help of many members, has put together BTEC's Policy Goals for 2011-2012. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the priorities and connect with Joseph Seymour ( joseph.seymour@biomassthermal.org) to learn how through membership you can work to reach these goals. Mission-Related Goals A. Increase the percentage of total U.S. thermal energy consumption that comes from clean and efficient biomass thermal energy B. Maximize the demand for biomass thermal fuels and biomass heating/CHP systems in United States C. Obtain widespread recognition of the economic, environmental, and job-creation benefits of biomass thermal energy 2011-2012 Goals: read or download the Factsheet here >>
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BTEC and NEBTWG Seek Material for Biomass Thermal Library
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The Biomass Thermal Energy Council is concerned that the story of biomass thermal energy is not being heard in state capitals and in Washington, D.C. To remedy the situation we are asking biomass proponents to help them develop a resource library on the use and benefits of biomass thermal energy. This library will be filled with resources, including slides, factsheets, white papers, Powerpoint presentations, reports or any other information about biomass thermal energy that will help educate and promote. The library can be seen at http://www.nebioheat.org/resources.asp and is available for public use, presentations, marketing or for any educational purpose. We would like to receive your library contributions before the Heating the Northeast Conference April 14-15. Please email Powerpoint slides, case studies, reports or other material to library@nebioheat.org. Files larger than 10 megabytes must be e-mailed to library@nebioheat.org with the message "Large file-assistance needed." We also ask you e-mail contact information for other organizations or individuals who may have resources for the library. Here are some of the questions we hope the resource library will help answer: - Why is biomass a good source of renewable energy?
- How does biomass thermal compare with fossil fuels?
- How does biomass compare with other renewables?
- How is forest sustainability protected if we are using biomass for heat?
- What are the economics of biomass (at the individual, community and national scale)?
- How does biomass thermal create jobs?
- How do the emissions from burning biomass compare with other fuels?
- Wouldn't a biomass heating system require a lot of trucks to move the fuel?
- How efficient are modern biomass heating systems?
I hope everyone will take the time to go through their marketing and educational material and send it to the BTEC ( library@nebioheat.org) for the biomass thermal heat library. This article was featured in Biomass Power & Thermal.
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Shifting The Focus of DOE's Biomass Program
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by Charlie Niebling, New England Wood Pellets and John Karakesh, Resource Professionals Group (BTEC Members) Biomass Power & Thermal, February 22, 2011
"U.S. DOE Biomass Program officials tell us candidly that policy directives limit their activities to liquid transportation fuels development and electricity generation or combined heat and power. They claim not to be authorized to offer more than verbal support for advancement of other biomass energy technologies, regardless of the potential for energy self-reliance, cost reduction, local employment, climate change mitigation or wildfire danger reduction.
The agency's limited focus neglects other opportunities, notably the commercialization of the low-hanging fruit of sustainable and local biomass energy: advanced combustion of biomass materials for heat, service hot water and direct cooling for buildings and process heat for industry. This potential was described and highlighted in the article "Wood Energy in America" published March 2009 as the Policy Forum in Science. It would be valuable for the DOE to explain why biomass thermal is unsupported since no other renewable energy technology offers the short-term recovery of invested capital or long-term benefits including jobs and reduced dependence on imported fossil energy." [...]
"What can wood energy advocates do to help themselves?- Do not say "I'm in biomass." Be clear when telling people what you do. If you efficiently convert wood fuels into clean heat for buildings and process, use that as your tag line.
- Join associations working to benefit your industry, such as BTEC, through which elected officials, regulators and reporters get a unified picture of what you need to grow and the value to them if you are successful.
- Work with energy design professionals by joining associations where you can meet, influence and learn from the energy design professionals trusted by developers and owners to specify heat and cooling equipment for buildings. "
Read more >> |
Congressional Briefings on Biomass - Summary
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On February 17, several BTEC staff and members joined host-BERC in educating key House and Senate staffers on the importance of biomass thermal energy. At both the House morning briefing and the afternoon Senate briefing, staffers and industry stakeholders engaged the six-person panels on issues of biomass policy, supply, and practices.
Of particular note was the strong Senate turnout; nearly 25% of the Senate's offices attended the event, not including key contacts from Senate committees and federal agencies. Special thanks to the speakers: Andrea Colnes of the Biomass Energy Resource Center, Robert Perschel of the Forest Guild, Mike Jostrum of Plum Creek, Steve Walker of New England Wood Pellet, Dennis Becker of the University of Minnesota and Chad Davis of the Sustainable Northwest and Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition. Also many thanks to those BTEC members who reached out to their members of Congress and encouraged their participation.
Future biomass briefings are in the planning stages.
More Information: |
Biomass Industry News
| This section features noteworthy biomass news. BTEC Members receive a more comprehensive overview of market developments.
Projects
Wilson Engineering (BTEC Member) installs CHP system in School District New system will replace 80% of natural gas and 15% electric purchases. Read more (with video) >> Growth of Wood Biomass Energy Stokes Concern on Emissions - ft. Beaver Wood Pellet (BTEC Member) Report on challenges for biomass projects. Read more >>
Pro-Biomass Plant Group forming in Pownal. Read more >>
Westervelt (BTEC Member) Project Breaks Ground
Project sited at sawmill, will produce 7MW of power. Read more >>
Nexterra Closes $15 Million Financing
Nexterra Systems announced it has secured $15 million in equity financing to advance development of the company's heat and power generation technology.
UBC receives $11.2 Million for CHP Project
University of British Columbia secures additional funding to get their combined-heat-and-power system operational in 2012.
Envergent to Demonstrate Renewable Fuel for Heat and Power
Technology will be used by Crane & Co. to convert biomass feedstock into a renewable oil to heat and power Crane's Massachusetts facility.
$56K Grant Helps Alabama University Aid State Biomass Program
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs reimburses companies up to $75,000 in loan interest payments to install systems that use wood waste to power manufacturing processes.
Montpelier Building Biomass District Energy System
Vermont's capital city will install a 41 MMBtu combined-heat and-power biomass district energy system.
Expansion of Seattle Steam's District Heating Plant Planned
Company hopes to produce 35 megawatts of electricity and 25 megawatts of heat at about 90% efficiency in 2012.
Crane & Co. to Build Biomass Plant in Dalton, MA
Would create 100 jobs, projected to start operations in 2015.
Feedstocks & Fuels
PowerStock (BTEC Member) Addresses Growing Demand of Ag Biomass for Energy Article highlights Powerstock's operations, staff and background. Read more >>
Field Day Explores Energy Crop Production
Miscanthus field day attendees learn how to plant, grow and harvest the perennial grass, with great potential in the Southeast U.S.
Pellet Technology Targets Crop Residues
Appliances target growing agricultural residue market.
Acquisitions, Expansions & Mergers
PA Pellets (BTEC Member) Acquired by Biomass Holding Company to Expand Pellet Capacity
The private equity firm DeltaPoint Capital Management LLC has tripled its capacity for wood pellet production with its most recent acquisition. Recognizing an industry primed for growth, the company plans to buy up more wood pellet plants, concentrating mainly on the Northeast. Read more >>
Enviva LP (BTEC Member) Buys Virginia Port Terminal The investment will enable the company to receive, store and load in excess of 3 million tons of woody biomass for export annually. Read more >>
Viridis Energy Plans To Acquire Confluence Energy (BTEC Member) Transaction is expected to close during the first half of the current year and is projected to be accretive to the Company's earnings per share during the first year. Read more >>
Corinth Wood Pellets (BTEC Member) Set on Expansion Course Received $125,000 grant from USDA, will create 12 additional jobs. Read more >>
State and Federal Policy & Regulatory Developments
WA - Biomass Bill Tabled Before Midnight
Bill would expand biomass energy production.
NH - State Invests in Green Heating Solutions - and Local Resources
Helps utilities and municipalities assess forest biomass supply potential, among other benefits.
VT - Energy Legislation Could Hamper Biomass Projects
Section of the proposed bill H.56, or "The Vermont Energy Bill of 2011," requires Vermont utilities to purchase up to 30 megawatts of biomass-produced energy, too little to secure power purchase agreements for the numerous planned biomass plants.
MS - Biomass Feasibility Study Under Development
Mississippi Development Authority's Energy Division recognized MS' potential, making $400,000 available.
Regional Activities
Oil Prices Accelerating; NE Biomass Advocates Rally for Renewable Energy
U.S. Heating Oil Up 24 Percent and Rising; Biomass Advocates Urging 25 Percent Replacement of Fossil Fuels in the Northeastern U.S. by 2025. Read more >>
Pellet Production Heats Up Again in the Northeast ft. Corinth Wood Pellets and Maine Pellet Fuels Assn (BTEC Members)
The prospect that oil will stay high this year has Maine's wood pellet plants gearing up. Read more >>
Maine Energy Systems (BTEC Member) Sells Pellet Boilers with Pellet Price Guarantee for 3 Years Applies to first 1000 costumers, price equivalent of $1,99 per gallon of heating oil. Read more >>
Heating the Midwest Summit Exceeds Expectations
February's Heating the Midwest Summit was a huge success and drew resounding support for developing a vision similar to that outlined in the Heating the Northeast Renewable Biomass effort. Read more >>
Curing Maine's Addiction to Heating Oil - by Futuremetrics (BTEC Member) A roadmap to avoiding economic disaster in Maine and the other regional states. Read more >>
Developments Abroad
U.K. is Developing a Program to Incentivize Renewable Heat Generation and Use
Department of Energy and Climate Change is developing the Renewable Heat Incentive to encourage the purchases through tariffs.
Other News
Woodpellets.com (BTEC Member) Introduces StoveFinder Stove Finder serves an innovative research tool for consumers to educate themselves before purchasing a wood or wood pellet heating system. Read more >>
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BTEC Press Releases
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BTEC Welcomes Improved EPA Biomass Boiler RulesEPA released revised emission limits and compliance standards for biomass boilersFebruary 24, 2011The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) today welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) revised final regulations for Area and Major Source biomass boilers. The final rules, which apply to industrial and commercial-sized biomass boiler installations, were released Wednesday and accompanied by a stakeholder briefing led by EPA Air and Radiation Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy. Read the press release >>
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New Publications (preview)
| 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 >>
Report: Few states ready to tap wood heat potential - Alliance for Green Heat (BTEC Member)
The report finds that while the use of wood for heat in many states is rapidly increasing, most states do little or nothing to promote and manage it. Read more >>
Interactive Report: Renewable Energy in America - Markets, Economic Development and Policy in the 50 States
The report provides a two-page, high-level overview on the key developments that have shaped the renewable energy landscape in each state, including information on installed and planned capacity, markets, economic development, resource potential and policy. Read more >>
Report: Promise and limits of biomass energy in the Northeast
Forest biomass could replace as much as one quarter of the liquid fossil fuel now being used for industrial and commercial heating in the Northeastern United States ... (for members only)
USDA Study: Biomass from Crop Residues Cost and Supply Estimates
Total biomass supply in the high-density crop production areas of the country ranges from 297 billion to 313 billion pounds, depending on the price level.... (for members only)
Publication educates about AD on Minnesota farms
Midwest holds enormous untapped potential for anaerobic digestion (AD) systems, and a new publication seeks to educate farmers and the general public of that potential on Minnesota farms.... (for members only) |
New Members
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 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
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Events & Conference Discounts
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For a complete overview of upcoming conferences, workshops and events, visit http://www.biomassthermal.org/events. BTEC Supported Events: 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/BTEC Member Discount: Yes Discount Code: For members only 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
BTEC Member Discount: Yes Discount Code: For members only
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. 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition Date: June 6-10, 2011
Location: Berlin, Germany
More info: http://www.conference-biomass.com/
BTEC Member Discount: Yes Discount Code: For members only
Details: For over 30 years now, the European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EU BC&E) has combined a very renowned international Scientific Conference with an Industry Exhibition. Since 2007 the Conference and Exhibition takes place every year. The EU BC&E is held at different venues throughout Europe and ranks on top of the world's leading events in the Biomass sector.
This event is supported by European and international organizations such as the European Commission, UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Natural Sciences Sector, WCRE - World Council for Renewable Energy, EUBIA - European Biomass Industry Association.
The 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition is realized in Germany by WIP-Renewable Energies with the international support of ETA-Florence Renewable Energies and the scientific support of the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre. AEBIOM European Bioenergy Conference & RENEXPO Bioenergy Europe Date: June 29-30, 2011 Location: Brussels, Belgium More info: http://www.renexpo-bioenergy.euBTEC Member Discount: Yes Discount Code: For members only Details: 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 more discounts or need the discount code? Login to the Members Only Site for an overview on all discounts available for BTEC members or call Emanuel Wagner at 202-596-3974 x360.
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