Government Affairs Update: BTU Act, Administration
Secretary Perdue Hosts Forestry Meeting
PFI participated in a meeting Monday with USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Our key takeaway from this meeting is that the new Secretary completely understands the forestry/forest products/biomass value chain and is eager and willing to address our policy needs. On the forestry front, he is very pro-forest management and articulated he could not understand why there are those that are opposed to forest thinning based simply on common sense. From Secretary Perdue's perspective, forest management is a simple matter of stewardship and we discussed the fact that there are those that take a different world view on stewardship that focuses on preservation rather than managing for the overall health of the resource. He likes to use the phrase "timber is a crop" and he commented that our forests are an "underutilized resource" and sees his role as putting that resource to work.
Regarding the Forest Service, he commented that this is going to be an area of focus for him and his team. His goal is to bring efficiency to the Service and solicited us for recommendations. He is mystified by the fact that all sides of the federal forest management issue are in favor of a wildfire borrowing fix, yet the problem persists-which led to a discussion about the political dynamics in Congress that have prevented a fix thus far.
On bioenergy, we implored the Secretary to work with his colleagues at EPA and DOE to ensure that the newly minted appropriations language that recognizes biomass carbon neutrality is fully and consistently implemented. On the carbon neutrality issue too he was well versed and fully supportive of our sector's position.
We look forward to working closely with Secretary Perdue and his new team as they come on board. One development in the staffing area that we see is a positive is that Perdue has appointed an Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, who will oversee bioenergy programs, among other things. The move has been billed as an effort to remove existing bureaucratic layers and provide a direct line to the Secretary for more expeditious decision-making.
Book Your Hotel Room for the 2017 PFI Annual Conference and Win $150!
Hotel rooms for the PFI Annual Conference in Stowe, VT, are going fast! Nearly 60% of our room block is already spoken for, so be sure to book as soon as possible. If you reserve your room by June 23, you will be automatically entered to win a $150 Visa gift card! What are you waiting for? Book your room today!
The PFI Annual Conference is the premiere trade show and conference for the domestic pellet fuels industry. By attending, you will have key opportunities to network with your colleagues across the country, and to learn about the latest trends in pellet fuels. Check out the latest conference schedule here.
Staying at the Stowe Mountain Lodge makes attending the PFI annual conference convenient and easy. All PFI attendees receive a discounted rate of $259. Take advantage of this discount while it lasts!
Stowe has been a destination for world travelers for well over a century. The alpine style of the lodge reflects the beauty of the green mountains and rolling hills. Having opened in June 2008, Stowe Mountain Lodge sets a new standard of luxury and aesthetics for the East Coast's most magnificent resort. Built at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, in the new "Vermont-Alpine" style, Stowe Mountain Lodge offers a truly luxurious setting while still paying respect to the Vermont traditions of utilizing local artisan products and embracing the tranquility of nature. We can't wait to see you this July in Stowe! Sign up today to secure your spot.
In conjunction with a dynamic conference program, you can visit some of the nearby sites like the Alchemist Brewery and some of the best shopping and dining Vermont has to offer. Combined with some of the area outdoor activities such as zip lining, biking, the PFI conference is a must-attend event. Take a look at all the great things Stowe has to offer.
We hope to see you this summer in Vermont! Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Connect with PFI on LinkedIn
This week, PFI updated its LinkedIn page. We'd like to connect and interact with PFI members and anyone else involved in pellet fuels production!
Here's how you can help us build our online community:
- Follow us on LinkedIn!
- Encourage your colleagues and other business associates to follow us.
- Send Carrie Annand news or other ideas to post on LinkedIn.
Bioenergy Day 2017 - Save the Date for October 18
Wednesday, October 18, marks the day for the Fifth Annual Bioenergy Day. With more than four months to go, there's plenty of time to decide how your organization will recognize the day, sharing with audiences old and new the many benefits of bioenergy. We hope you will join us on Thursday, June 22, at 2pm EDT/11am PDT for our first planning call of 2017. Dial in at 605-477-2100 (code 335079#).
This year, we are highlighting the economic benefits of bioenergy. The presence of bioenergy in a community creates jobs, enhances revenue and forest products markets, and reduces waste. Our video on bioenergy, forest products and forestry in Northwestern Montana will illustrate how manufacturers convert leftover fuels into energy.
There are many ways to contribute to Bioenergy Day 2017. We've uploaded our Participation Guide on the site to help you brainstorm the ways to mark Bioenergy Day, with some best practices and sample materials. You can also look around our website, www.bioenergyday.org, to see how other groups have approached Bioenergy Day.
Contact Carrie Annand with any questions on Bioenergy Day 2017 or to register your organization's event.
2017 PFI Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
PFI invites you to become a 2017 sponsor! This year, we have developed a new, streamlined sponsorship program that will create multiple opportunities for your company in 2017. Your company will have great visibility at PFI events, on the PFI website, and in the PFI newsletter, amongst other benefits.
The 2017 Sponsorship packages include benefits such as:
- PFI Annual Conference registrations
- Breakfast & Biomass registrations
- Company logo listed on the PFI website
- 10x10 booth at the PFI Annual Conference
- Weekly newsletter advertising
- Website advertising
- And more!
PFI's membership includes over 100 member companies, and our electronic newsletter is sent to over 3,500 people every week. Now is the time to become a sponsor of this organization. Visit our website to explore how you can become involved.
Follow and Connect With Us on Social Media!
We urge all PFI members to engage with us on social media. By joining PFI in being visible and active on social media, we can make our voices heard more loudly and by many more audiences.
Follow us on Twitter: @PelletFuel
Friend us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pfipellets
Link with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pellet-fuels-institute
Have News to Share on Pellet Wire?
We'd love to feature your company's news in a future Pellet Wire! We want to be the first to know your company's recent developments to share them with the wider pellet fuels industry.
Please be in touch with Carrie Annand at [email protected] with information on your company's growth, job openings, promotions or other news.
Join a PFI Committee
We welcome and encourage all interested PFI members to get involved in our committees. There are many opportunities to help steer the association. No matter where your expertise and interests lie, we have a committee that will suit you. Help us plan our next conference, shape our policy agenda, lead communications outreach or grow the PFI Standards Program. Visit PFI's website for more information.
Upcoming Industry Events
July 23-25, 2017: PFI Annual Conference
