Pellet Mill Monthly - August 2, 2011

August 2, 2011

Pellet export market is in for a 'wild ride' The pellet export market is in for a wild ride in the next 10 years and Harold Arnold, president and CEO of Georgia-based Fram Renewable Fuels LLC, recommends industry stakeholders hold on to their hats. READ MORE SHARE
Pellet plant optimization and efficiency are multifaceted Pellet plant efficiency and optimization can hinge on a multitude of factors, not the least of which being raw material variances and the use of proper machinery. Two speakers addressed this topic at the PFI Annual Conference in Florida. READ MORE SHARE
	PFI speakers tackle advice for communicating with legislators "Politics is based on relationships." Dave Devendorf, of legal firm Holland & Knight, confidently made the assertion to a group of about 85 people at the Pellet Fuels Institute Annual Conference July 24-26 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. READ MORE SHARE
Roadmap offers strategy to increase forestlands' bioenergy role A National Wood-To-Energy Roadmap released recently by 25x'25, makes clear the benefits and necessity of utilizing available biomass in forestlands to achieve national renewable goals, including its own goal of 25 percent renewables by 2025. READ MORE SHARE
Viaspace eyes overseas pellet opportunities California-based Viaspace Inc. has reported that SGS North America Inc.'s Mineral Service Division has completed testing of its Giant King Grass pellets. READ MORE SHARE
The rise of wood and pellet heat in the U.S. The Biomass Thermal Energy Council and the Alliance for Green Heat co-hosted a webinar July 19 on the future of wood and pellet heat in the U.S., where presenters identified barriers to its growth and ways to overcome them. READ MORE SHARE
	Wood heat dominates despite lack of incentives A yet-to-be-released report by nonprofit group Alliance for Green Heat shows that wood heating in America dominates the residential renewable energy market, even with virtually no government subsidies to support it. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass input requested for Vermont's energy plan The NEBTWG is encouraging members of the biomass industry to submit their thoughts on the economic and environmental benefits of biomass energy in Vermont, so that biomass will be included in the state's Comprehensive Energy Plan. READ MORE SHARE
BTEC praises Biomass Caucus formation, calls for more members The BTEC applauded the formation of the Congressional Biomass Caucus. Led by Rep. Charlie Bass, R-N.H., and Peter Welch, D-VT., this coalition will seek to support the development of biomass and elevate the renewable resource's profile in Congress. READ MORE SHARE