Biomass Thermal Energy Council Update
| September 2011
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Greetings!
Great news on all fronts! BTEC's legislative efforts are moving forward, the next webinar is set, and the November BTEC Membership Meeting and Thermal Summit are taking shape. The Congressional Biomass Caucus, BTEC's recent accomplishment in engaging and educating Congresspeople, has increased from 4 to 13 members, again due to the outreach of BTEC members and others, who contacted their Representatives and encouraged them to join. See the article below on the current members and actions you can take to make sure your Representative joins as well. BTEC's Thermal Summit in Washington, D.C. on November 15-16 or 16-17 is developing in conjunction with BTEC's Membership Meeting. Consider joining BTEC now >> to participate in this important two day event. Another important event, RETECH 2011, will take place next week in Washington, D.C., and Joe Seymour will speak about our industry, accomplishments and challenges. If you're attending RETECH, stop by during his session on Thursday, 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Both Joe and I will spend time at RETECH, if you want to get to know us and BTEC, send me an email and we set up a time to meet. Finally, you might be interested in the opportunities for biomass from agriculture, and if so, attend BTEC's next free webinar on September 28, 2011, at 1PM ET. Enjoy the newsletter! To get involved in the organization, give me a call or go to our website >>. Best, Emanuel Wagner Program Coordinator - Outreach, Education and External Affairs emanuel.wagner@biomassthermal.org202-596-3974 x 360 |
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Congressional Biomass Caucus is Growing!
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Due to the great work of many BTEC members, membership in the Congressional Biomass Caucus continues to grow and now stands at 13! Current members are:
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) - Co-Chair  Rep. Charlie Bass (R-NH2) - Co-Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA5) Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL18) Rep. William Owens (D-NY23) Rep. Peter DeFazio, (R-OR4) Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA6) Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO3) Rep. Walter Herger (R-CA2) Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME2) Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR2) Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS3) Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY21) If your House Representative is not on that list, please call and urge them to join the Congressional Biomass Caucus. For specific instructions, click here >>
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Thermal Summit / Membership Meeting 2011
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Please mark your calendar for BTEC's 2011 Membership Meeting and the Thermal Summit, tentatively planned for November 15/16 or 16/17. The Membership Meeting, which will include board elections, will be held in conjunction with the Thermal Summit, a broad outreach effort by a dozen industry and environment groups such as the RVCC, ACORE's BCC, EESI, Pinchot Institute and PFI among others who support a stronger role for thermal energy in U.S. energy policy, led by BTEC.
Plans for the Summit are currently under development, but will include numerous meetings with Congressional representatives, a Congressional Briefing and a reception. We will continue to update you with further details when they become available.
Join BTEC to attend the Membership Meeting and Thermal Summit. To discuss membership as well as the Thermal Summit, call Joe Seymour at 202-596-3974 x302.
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Next BTEC Webinar - Focus on Agricultural Biomass (9/28/11, 1PM)
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The next BTEC webinar supported by the extended Forest Service WERC grant is titled "Agricultural and Woody Biomass - Contrasts and Comparisons".
Though many people are familiar with using wood for thermal energy, this webinar will explore using grass and agricultural residue for heat as well. It will look at the similarities and differences between woody and non-woody biomass in regards to supply, feedstock processing and combustion. Additionally, the webinar will identify opportunities and challenges for expanding markets. Confirmed speakers include: - John Bootle,Co-founder, Renewable Energy Resource
- Steve Flick, Chairman of the Board, Show Me Energy Cooperative
- Joseph Seymour, Exeutive Director, BTEC
The webinar is scheduled for September 28, 2011, 1PM ET and registration is required. Click here to register now >>.
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BTEC Membership Policy Call
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On Wednesday, September 14, 1PM ET BTEC conducted its monthly Membership Policy call. Topics covered in the call included: - Advocacy Efforts
- Biomass Caucus update, gathering support-
- Forest in the Farm Bill update
- U.S. Forest Service Biomass Utilization
- Biomass Thermal DC Summit
- Regulatory Issues
- Boiler MACT update
- Technical Advisory Committee Update
- Ozone Ruling update
- Forest Roads
- Tax Incentives and Budgetary Issues
- Residential/Commercial/Industrial tax incentives
- FY2012 Appropriations
- Community Wood Energy Program (CWEP)
- House of Representatives Ways & Means Energy Tax Policy
- Additional items
Join BTEC now >> for frequent policy updates. |
Department of Energy Billion Ton Study Webinar
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The U.S. Department of Energy will host a webinar on Thursday, September 22 from 2 PM to 4 PM EDT about the 2011 U.S. Billion-Ton Update: Biomass Supply for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry, a report detailing biomass feedstock potential nationwide.
The report examines the nation's capacity to produce a billion dry tons of biomass resources annually for energy uses without impacting other vital U.S. farm and forest products, such as food, feed, and fiber crops. It provides industry, policymakers, and the agricultural community with county-level data and includes analyses of current U.S. feedstock capacity and the potential for growth in crops and agricultural products for clean energy applications.
Register for the Webinar >>
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| Participate in an SFI and TNC Bioenergy Certification Pilot Program |
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Sustainable Forestry Institute Inc. (SFI) would like to collaborate with biomass feedstock companies to ensure a steady supply of biomass with minimal negative environmental impact.
TNC and SFI invite all companies currently sourcing woody fiber from forests to join their pilot program to earn SFI certification. TNC, SFI and local organizations would partner with interested companies to lead them through the multi-step process. They will provide many benefits including technical assistance and support. At the completion of the project, participating companies may be qualified for the SFI Fiber Sourcing Objectives Certification. Read more >>
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Look to Biomass Power and Thermal to Create U.S. Jobs
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 | | President Obama |
By Rona Johnson, Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine Although President Obama didn't specifically mention biomass power and thermal in his speech Thursday evening, these industries have a lot to contribute toward job creation and retention. Though there is much work to be done to put biomass energy on an equal level with other renewable energy sources. However, with new incentives to build new plants, hire more workers and ease export expenses, there may be more opportunity to expand the biomass power and thermal industries. Read more >> |
Biomass Industry News
| This section features a part of all noteworthy biomass news that BTEC members receive.
Acquisitions, Expansions & Mergers Plum Creek (BTEC Member) Promotes Paul J. Davis to Vice President, Northern Hardwood Region
Plum Creek, a BTEC member, and the largest private landowner in the United States, has selected Paul J. Davis to oversee the company's timber operations in Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Vermont.Read more >>
Biomass Leaders Join Forces
Enviva LP (BTEC Member) and Biomass Energy LLC (BTEC Member) are partnering to operate and expand Biomass Energy's pellet manufacturing facility in Bumpass, Va. Read more >> Project Development
Enviva (BTEC Member) Announces New Pellet Mill Construction in North Carolina Facility will produce 400K metric tons of pellets and create 62 jobs. Read more >> New Evaluation Tool by BERC (BTEC Member) Assesses Viability of Biomass Technology in NH The "Community Roadmap to Renewable Woody Biomass Energy: A Step-by-Step Decision-Making Tool for New Hampshire Communities" was developed as an evaluation process to help communities determine whether woody biomass technology makes sense at a facility or district level. Read more >> Nexterra Systems gets US$6.9M Veterans Affairs Contract
Nexterra Systems Corp. said Tuesday that it has signed a US$6.9-million contract to deliver a biomass gasification system for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centre in Battle Creek, Mich. Read more >>
State and Federal Policy & Regulatory Developments
NY - Biomass Could Fuel 140,000 Upstate Jobs
State Senator Patty Ritchie today said that promoting the development of biomass energy projects like a proposed cogenerator plant in St. Lawrence County could help create as many as 140,000 new jobs across Upstate New York, while helping generate electricity to fuel renewed economic growth. Read more >>
NH - The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission Announces Changes in Rebate Program for Pellet Boiler The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission is enhancing its rebate program for residential pellet heat, offering a 30 percent system and installation rebate of up to $6,000 on bulk-fed wood pellet central boilers and furnaces. Read more >> Regional Activities NH - Finance Secured for $275 Million New Hampshire Biomass Plant. Cate Street said the project will create approximately four hundred construction jobs and forty permanent jobs in the economically depressed area once complete. Read more >> VT - Wood Boiler Saves School District 1 Million Dollars in Heating Costs
The Mount Anthony Middle School and MAU High School in Bennington, VT, installed wood pellet boilers for heat. In the last seven years, the savings from switching to a wood pellet system has saved the school district over a million dollars. Read more >> NY - Ogdensburg Project Shows Biomass Potential in Upstate NY
Government leaders are promoting the potential for the biomass industry in upstate New York by supporting a proposed cogeneration facility in Ogdensburg. New York State. Read more >>
AK - Delta High School Set to Fire Up Biomass Boiler
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports workers are completing installation of a wood chip biomass boiler at Delta High School in Delta Junction, about 100 miles south of Fairbanks. Read more >>
GA - New Export Pellet Testing Lab First of its Kind in U.S.
Biomass Energy Laboratory in Conyers, Ga., is expected to begin operation by Nov. 1, making it the first U.S.-based pellet testing facility that will be fully compliant and accredited under Europe's fuel quality specifications. Read More >>
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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:
RETECH 2011: The Renewable Energy Technology
Conference & Exhibition
Date: September 20-22, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
More info: http://www.retech2011.com/
BTEC Member Discount: 10%
Details: RETECH 2011 continues the tradition of assembling all of the renewable energy technologies, industries and applications in one place; providing government officials, executives, engineers, financiers, and other professionals a one-stop annual update on renewable energy.
Update: BTEC will present on a panel, discussing key regulatory, tax and other policy impediments and opportunities for wider use of renewable biomass and thermal technology. Be sure to use your member discount and let us know if you're planning to attend. Northeast Biomass Conference & Trade Show 
Date: October 14-16, 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
More info: http://ne.biomassconference.com
BTEC Member Discount: $250
Details: The Northeast Biomass Conference & Trade Show program will include more than 60 speakers, including technical presentations on topics ranging from anaerobic digestion and gasification to combined heat and power and large-scale biomass combustion, within the structured framework of general session panels and four customized tracks.
### Interested in discounts? Call Emanuel Wagner at 202-596-3974 x360 to join BTEC and benefit from $1000+ in conference savings.
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