Biomass Week - August 19, 2011

August 19, 2011

Wood chips from low-value trees eligible for RECs in NC The Appeal Court of North Carolina has unanimously turned down an appeal against a decision by the North Carolina Utilities Commission to allow the inclusion of wood chips derived from low-value whole trees in the state's renewable energy definition. READ MORE SHARE
Report finds biomass emits significantly less CO2 than coal A life-cycle assessment comparing biomass power to coal power shows biomass emits just 4 percent of the carbon dioxide coal power emits. The report also found that sustainably managed forests are better than carbon neutral. READ MORE SHARE
	Lawsuit challenges EPA's Tailoring Rule biomass deferment A lawsuit filed recently by a number of conservation groups challenges the U.S. EPA's three-year deferral of biogenic emissions under the Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule. The agency has said it will use that time to further study the issue. READ MORE SHARE
Kiara Solar to restart dormant California biopower plant Kiara Solar LLC, a California-based power generation company, plans to restart a dormant biomass power plant in Anderson, Calif. The plant was purchased from Siskiyou Forest Products, a wood processing company in Anderson. READ MORE SHARE
England aluminum complex ponders switch to biomass power Faced with increasing pressure to reduce emissions, the Rio Tinto Alcan Lynemouth Aluminum Smelter, located in Northeast England's village of Lynemouth, is considering a switch from coal power to biomass at its on-site 420-megawatt power station. READ MORE SHARE
BTEC webinar to address public perceptions of biomass energy Although biomass-generated energy provides significant benefits, it has not been without controversy. The BTEC will hold a webinar on Aug. 30 to addresses issues such as emissions, feedstock sustainability and incentives for biomass systems. READ MORE SHARE
Forest Concepts designs biomass balers Forest Concepts LLC developed two baling systems scientifically engineered for woody and tall grass biomass. The balers were designed to solve the problem of using agricultural balers for biomass purposes. READ MORE SHARE
Clark County district heating project worth millions in benefits Over the 20-year term of its proposed biomass combined-heat-and-power plant, Clark County, Wash., will receive a total benefit of more than $11 million and be capable of extending the life of its existing equipment, according to Clark County. READ MORE SHARE
Georgia's largest biomass power plant under development A 56-megawatt biomass power plant slated for operation in October 2012 will be Georgia's largest, located on an industrial site in southeast Laurens County near Dublin. READ MORE SHARE