Biomass Thermal Energy Council Update
| November 2011
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Greetings,
As the winter chill sets in with an early snowstorm in the Northeast, our thoughts turn towards safe, affordable and sustainable heating throughout the winter months. This is a busy time for many of us in the biomass industry - reaching out to new customers, rekindling ties with old members, and making sure our equipment is ready for a new winter season. This is also a very busy month for BTEC. On November 15th we have our third annual membership meeting. This meeting will include elections for the Board of Directors and a discussion of our 2012 Program Plan. The next day, November 16th, will be the inaugural Biomass Thermal DC Summit. BTEC will lead this broad outreach effort which will include many groups who support a stronger role for thermal energy in U.S. energy policy. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with Members of Congress, attend a Congressional Briefing and network with other professionals in the field at a reception. If you want to attend these high-profile meetings, join BTEC today! Please enjoy this month's newsletter and feel free to pass it on to your colleagues. Stay warm this season! Ellen Abramowitz BTEC Program Fellow 202-596-3974 x304 ellen.abramowitz@biomassthermal.org |
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| Membership Meeting and Thermal Summit: November 15-16 |
BTEC's 2011 Membership Meeting and the Thermal Summit are scheduled for next week, November 15-16, 2011.
The Membership Meeting on November 15 will include elections of the Board of Directors. The preliminary draft agenda is as follows:
 BTEC Annual Membership November 15, 2011, 2:30 PM ET - 5:00 PM ET Remote Access possible via GoToWebinar 2:30 Welcome and Call to Order 2:35 Year-In-Review: Chairman and Staff Report 3:05 Guest Outlook: Patrick Tony Crooks - USDA Rural Development 3:35 Election of the Board of Directors 3:45 2012 Program Plan 4:10 General Q&A 4:20 Closing Remarks/Call to Action 5:00 Official Adjourn to Location TBD The most up-to-date information on the membership meeting is available on the BTEC website >>. Join BTEC now to attend in person or online >>  The Biomass Thermal DC Summit on November 16, will be a broad outreach effort by a dozen industry and environment groups such as the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, ACORE's Biomass Coordinating Council, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, Pinchot Institute and Pellet Fuels Institute among others who support a stronger role for thermal energy in U.S. energy policy, led by BTEC.
Summit participants will engage policy makers and renewable energy-related groups on the substantial benefits of biomass thermal energy use: increased rural economic activity, energy independence, healthier forests, and effective tax policy. Current Summit sponsors include: New England Wood Pellet, Forest Energy Corporation, Recast Energy, Wilson Engineering, Zilkha Biomass Energy, West Oregon Wood Products, and McGuireWoods LLP. There are still sponsorship spots available! Please contact Stephen Gunther if your company is interested in sponsoring this momentous event. Agenda 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM Morning Summit Orientation - Rayburn House Office Building Networking and information gathering for Summit participants.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Coordinated Hill and Federal Agency Visits - Capitol Hill
Educational meetings between Summit attendees and Congressional and federal agency offices.
Additional meetings outside of Summit-attendee constituent relationships may be scheduled through
other channels, such as participating trade associations and non-profits.
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Biomass Briefing - Rayburn House Office Building Rm. 2322
Heating with Biomass: Win-Win for Households, Economic Development, Energy Security
Informational public briefing geared towards policy makers describing biomass thermal energy
technologies, feedstocks, end users, economic impacts, and case studies. Presented by EESI
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Industry Congressional Reception - Capitol Hill
Casual evening event on the Hill with Congressional staffers, agency personnel, and other
renewable energy groups.
At this point, our gratitude goes out to the companies that have made this event possible. Thank you all!
Summit Orientation Sponsors
  
Briefing Organizer
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Next BTEC Webinar Nov 10 - Focus on the West
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The next BTEC webinar supported by the extended Forest Service WERC grant is titled "Regional Perspectives: The West" on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT.
With federal renewable efforts delayed due to fiscal concerns, activity on renewable thermal initiatives has shifted towards states and regions. Regional advocacy groups, proposed legislation, and regional-focused market data will provide an overview of challenges and opportunities on the increased use of woody-biomass for thermal energy purposes. This is the second installment of a three-part seriesfocusing on the regions of the Northeast, Midwest and West.
View this webinar and learn:
- How the West can sustainably manage private and public forests for biomass heat
- How wood heat can create jobs in the West
- Ways to overcome technical and logistical challenges
- Successful policies on the state-level and how they may be implemented regionally
This webinar will feature:
- Chad Davis, Director of Forest Stewardship Program, Sustainable Northwest
- Marcus Kauffman, Biomass Resource Specialist, Oregon Department of Forestry
- Angela Farr, Regional Biomass Utilization Coordinator for Regions 1 & 4, USDA Forest Service
- This event will be moderated by Joseph Seymour, Executive Director of BTEC
Registration is available here:
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Save the Date!!
The third webinar in the regional series is titled "Regional Perspectives: The Midwest". It will take place on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 1 PM ET. Early registration is now open here>>. Please check your email for updates about this event.
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BTEC Co-organizing Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2012
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 BTEC is co-organizing the 4th Annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2012. The event will take place on March 21 -23, 2012 in Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY ( saratogacitycenter.org). The conference program is under development and vendors are starting to come in. The conference has been extended by one day to include a pre-conference day focusing on the usage of agriculture residue and grass in biomass heating. The conference will be an important event for anyone interested in biomass heating from Northern Maine to Western Pennsylvania. Abstract Deadline and Submission Instructions If interested in submitting an abstract or project nomination, follow these simple steps: - Read the abstract instructions form (access here>>)
- Then complete the abstracts form (access here >>)
- Finally, complete the abstract form and submit by December 1, 2011 to abstracts@nebiomassheat.com, or mail to NEBHE2012, c/o BTEC, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600, Washington DC 20036, or fax to 202-223-5537
Exhibitor Packets are now available! access here >>For questions on becoming a conference exhibitor, call Phil Bibeau at (978) 669-5019 or email exhibitor@nebiomassheat.com Please make sure to save the date, consider exhibiting or sponsoring the conference. More information is available at www.nebiomassheat.com |
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BTEC Candidates for Board of Directors Released
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On November 15th, 2011 from 2:30 PM ET to 4:30 PM ET during the BTEC Membership Meeting, members are invited to elect four (4) members to the BTEC Board of Directors.
The BTEC Nominations for 2012 Board of Directors are:
- Kristen Cofrancesco, Pratt & Whitney/Turboden
- Laura Colban, Skanden Energy
- David Daniels, AESI
- David Dungate, ACT Bioenergy
- Steve Faehner, American Wood Fibers
- Paul Lewandowski, AFS Energy Systems
- Patrick McGonagle, Biowood Energy
Join BTEC now >> to cast your vote for the Board elections.
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New! Heating the Midwest Announces Official Mission
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In Octo ber, Heating the Midwest, a newly-formed biomass thermal advocacy group, has announced its official structure, mission and intent. The group represents industry, government, non-profit, university and tribal organizations that have a vested interest in growing awareness and usage of woody and agricultural biomass (i.e. wood chips, pellets, and agricultural residues) and dedicated energy crops for heating and combined heat and power in the Midwest. Read more>>
BTEC is supporting the formation of this regional group and encourages all members to join this network. The Midwest will also be the topic of BTEC's webinar "Heating the Midwest" tentatively planned for November 21, 2011. Please mark your calendar, and register here >>.
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Coalition Wants Energy Title in New Farm Bill
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A coalition of nearly 50 trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm, and forest interests is urging leaders of the House Agriculture and Senate Agriculture Committees to include an energy title in any new Farm Bill legislation. A $23 billion reduction in funding has been proposed to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction by the committees for USDA programs, but no details have yet been decided.
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Biomass Industry News
| This section features noteworthy biomass news. More updates are available through BTEC's twitter feed >>.
Project Development
The Meadville, Pa.-based company was founded in 1965 and has expanded and now includes Ernst Biomass and a pellet manufacturing facility planned to be operational in November. Read more >>
Enviva (BTEC Member) Executes Agreement with Dominion Virginia Power for Biomass Supply
Enviva LP ("Enviva"), a leading manufacturer of processed biomass fuel in the United States and Europe, today announced that it has signed a contract with Richmond, Va.-based Dominion Virginia Power ("Dominion"), one of the U.S.'s largest energy producers, to supply biomass to two power facilities in southeast Virginia. Read more >>
Pratt & Whitney (BTEC Member) Build Waste Heat Recovery Plant at Pellet Mill
As a way to enable Canadian pellet mill Nechako Green Energy Ltd. to make the most of its waste products, Pratt & Whitney Power Systems will install a 2-megawatt (MW) biomass waste heat recovery plant at the Vanderhoof, British Columbia facility. Read more >>
State and Federal Policy & Regulatory Developments
House Approves EPA Regulatory Relief Act
Moving its way through Congress, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act has received bipartisan approval in the House, leaving Senate approval the last step in passage of legislation that would grant the EPA much-needed time to improve the flawed Maximum Achievable Control Technology Rules. Read more >>
ME - Snowe, Michaud, Laud EPA Biomass Response
Maine lawmakers are applauding a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to make it clear under federal rules that biomass and other alternative energy sources used for fuel should not be regulated as hazardous waste. Read more >>
ME - Maine Removes a Roadblock to Pellet Heating Systems
The recent annual meeting of our Maine Pellet Fuels Association brought forth unanimity on an important point: the economic success of the four pellet manufacturing firms in our state is to considerable extent dependent upon the success of the firms installing pellet heating equipment. Read more >>
GA - New Biomass Alliance Focuses on Wood, Miscanthus Pellets
The newly-formed Green Energy Farms Alliance will focus on the creation of a diverse solid biofuel portfolio, through the production of woody and miscanthus pellets for European markets. Read more >>
OR - Governor Visits Sisters High School Biomass Installation
Governor John Kitzhaber paid a visit to a Central Oregon high school Monday. The Governor was there to dedicate a new biomass heat installation at Sisters High School. Speaking to a mixed audience of students, teachers, parents and the public, the Governor called the project a triple, bottom-line win. Read more >>
Regional Activities PA - Pennsylvania School District Opts for CHP System
Making the connection between the local supply of woody biomass and the need for future energy cost reduction, a school district near Meadville, Pa., agreed to commission a thermally led combined heat and power (CHP) project, called the Biomass Combined Heat and Power District Energy System, planned to be operational at the end of October. Read more >>
ME - Maine Pellet Mill will Overcome Northeast Exporting Barriers
Once completed and operational, a 300,000-ton wood pellet mill near Portland, Maine, will export its product to European customers under contract. Since the Northeast U.S. only possesses two suitable ports for exporting, the mill represents a sizable accomplishment and milestone for the region. Read more >>
VT - Vermont Aims for 90% Renewable Energy by 2050
The Vermont Department of Public Service released a draft Comprehensive Energy Plan, calling for 90% of the state's energy to come from renewables by 2050. Read more >>
VT - Biofuelwatch Wins $3000 Grant to Map Biomass Logging Projects
Biofuelwatch, an international organization with North American headquarters in Hinesburg, Vermont and Washington, D.C.-based Energy Justice Network have received a grant from Fund for Wild Nature to collaborate on an online mapping project monitoring logging operations fueling Burlington, Vermont's McNeil biomass power incinerator. Read more>>
NH - Senator Shaheen Urges Homeowners and Businesses to Consider Biomass Energy for Heating
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen visited WoodPellets.com (BTEC member) headquarters in Goffstown, NH on Monday, October 24th to brainstorm with industry leaders about how to level the playing field for biomass energy so that it is on par with other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Read more>>
MT - UM Assessment Predicts No Significant Affects from Biomass Boiler
The University of Montana's proposed biomass boiler won't significantly affect the "quality of the human environment," according to a final environmental assessment conducted by the university and released Monday. Read more >>
UT - Experts: Fire Up Incentives for Utah Forest EnergyUtah's woods are loaded with energy potential that land managers want to tap to create an economic incentive for thinning sick forests. Read More >>
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New Publications
| This section features 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 >>
Study: Biomass Tax Credit Led to $12M in Economic Activity
by Lee van der Voo for Sustainable Businesss OregonA new study on the performance of Oregon's biomass tax credit shows the $5.5 million awarded in 2010 helped wood fuel prices stay competitive, support jobs and create economic activity, perhaps as much as $12 million. It's a good sign for a program tasked with promoting renewable energy and creating jobs in the forest products industry. Read more>>
Mapping Biomass With Remote Sensing: A Comparison of Methods for the Case Study of Uganda by Valerio Avitabile, Martin Herold, Matieu Henry, Christiane Schmullius
Published in: Carbon Balance and Management 2011, 6:7
Assessing biomass is gaining increasing interest mainly for bioenergy, climate change research and mitigation activities, such as reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+). In response to these needs, a number of biomass/carbon maps have been recently produced using different approaches but the lack of comparable reference data limits their proper validation.
The objectives of this study are to compare the available maps for Uganda and to understand the sources of variability in the estimation. Uganda was chosen as a case-study because it presents a reliable national biomass reference dataset.. Read more >>
Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator Unveiled
Environmental Data Interactive
A new tool claims to be first to allow UK bioenergy producers to 'fairly and consistently' report emissions.
The UK Biomass and Biogas Carbon Calculator is developed in partnership between the National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials (NNFCC), Environment Agency (EA)and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
It was designed to calculate the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from solid biomass and biogas used to generate heat and electricity and its backers claim it covers every step from 'feedstock production through to energy generation.' Read more >>
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Conference Discounts & Events
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For a complete overview of upcoming conferences, workshops and events, visit http://www.biomassthermal.org/events. To take advantage of conference discounts, join BTEC now >>BTEC Supported Events:
Pacific West Biomass Conference and Trade Show
Date: January 16 - 18, 2012
Location: San Francisco, CA
More info: http://pacificwest.biomassconference.com/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=About
BTEC Member Discount: $250
Details:
Taking place in San Francisco, California, January 16-18, 2012, the Pacific West Biomass Conference & Trade Show will connect the area's current and future producers of biomass-derived electricity, industrial heat and power, and advanced biofuels with waste generators, aggregators, growers, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, investors and policy makers.
European Pellet Conference Date: February 29 - March 1, 2012
Location: Wels/Upper Austria
More Info: www.wsed.at/en/programme/european-pellet-conference
Details: The European Pellet Conference is the largest annual pellet event in the world. Drawing more than 600 participants, this year's conference will include specialized sessions such as the "Pellet Academy" and "World Pellet Business Forum," giving opportunities for in-depth information and interactive training on technologies, standards, as well as examples of product and service innovation, R & D results, business models, finance, inspirational case studies, etc.
4th Annual Northeast Biomass Heating Expo 2012
Date: March 21 - 23, 2012 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
More info: www.nebiomassheat.com 
Details:The Northeast Biomass Heating Expo is the successor to three very successful annual Heating the Northeast with Renewable Biomass conferences held in Manchester, New Hampshire. The 2012 Expo will be held at a new venue that is central to a vital area of growth for biomass heating stretching from Western Pennsylvania to Northern Maine. The City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, will be the site of the 2012 Expo. In addition to the committed New England industry leaders who have attended past conferences, we look forward to welcoming many new registrants and exhibitors from New York and Pennsylvania.
Other noteworthy events:
Kentucky Agricultural Summit
Date: November 17 - 18, 2011
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
More info: www.kyagsummit.com
Details: The Ag Summit aims to paint the broad landscape of issues the ag community as a whole is facing nationally and internationally. We are bringing together expert speakers from around the country who will document the paradigm shift that is taking place in agriculture around the world. It will also include a Pre-Summit Symposium on Bioenergy - a field that holds important opportunities for all parts of our state and sectors of agriculture - from forestry to row crops to many new forms of biomass being developed and for which commercial markets are emerging.
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| This is a new monthly feature to highlight the contributions of our members to the Biomass Thermal Industry. It is a way to share our stories and successes in the field.
 | | Chris Wiberg |
Chris Wiberg is a member of BTEC since 2009. A long-term manager at Twin-Ports Testing, which provides inspection, consulting and testing services, Chris has worked tirelessly to advocate for pellet fuel standards. Continuing in this vein, Chris now works for the Biomass Energy Laboratory, which is a joint venture between Timber Products Inspection and Control Union USA. Chris is also very active in the creation of the new Heat the Midwest Working Group. He continues to be an inspirational member of the industry.
His latest article regarding pellet standardization can be found here>>.
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Welcome! New BTEC Members until November 3, 2011
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Recast Energy
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Since 2004, Recast Energy (formerly Intrinergy's combined heat and power business) has used safe, reliable, and efficient systems and business practices to convert cost-competitive biomass into green electricity and thermal energy (steam) for industrial customers. Our operations have helped our customers reduce carbon footprints by over 100,000 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The conversion from global fossil fuel commodities to locally-grown and sustainable sources of biomass also has helped reduce our customers' exposure to fossil fuel price volatility and secondary emissions such as sulfur dioxide, mercury, and lead. Our facilities are reference points for excellence in the biomass energy industry, demonstrating superb reliability and efficiency.
AFS Energy Systems
 | | AFS Energy Systems |
AFS Energy Systems is a leader in renewable energy biomass systems. Located near Harrisburg, PA, AFS provides turnkey design/build energy solutions for businesses across North America. Unparalleled experience and a long list of satisfied clients are the result of twenty years of success combined with a passion for quality and service. AFS products include biomass energy systems, dust collection systems, fuel storage systems, material handling systems, boiler system retrofits, regenerative thermal oxidizers & heat exchangers and engineering services. All systems are fabricated at our facilities in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania and installed by our field installation teams.
Biomass Energy Laboratory
 | | Biomass Energy Laboratory |
Biomass Energy Laboratory (BEL) is a third party fuels analysis laboratory that was recently created as a joint venture between Timber Products Inspection and Control Union USA. Together the three entities are providing a full service model in which biomass fuel producers or users can test their products in accordance with any of the fuel standards currently in place and/or being developed, both domestically and internationally. This model also includes auditing and inspections to biomass certification schemes, logistics and supply chain auditing, as well as sustainability. |
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