Trump Announces Former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary Nominee; Pruitt and Perry Face Senate Committees

On Thursday, the Trump Administration announced its pick for Agriculture Secretary, former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. During his time as governor, Mr. Perdue was a strong advocate for wood pellet production in Georgia, attending the opening of Georgia Biomass and stating his commitment to healthy forestry.

This week, Senate committees met with several Trump Administration nominees that, if confirmed, will lead government agencies that oversee pellet fuels and pellet heating.

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruit, nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, met with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee. As expected, he affirmed his commitment to the authority of states to form and enforce their own environmental regulations. Mr. Pruitt also stated his views that the EPA has an important role to play in regulating carbon dioxide, and that climate change is occurring.

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry faced the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He highlighted his support of renewable energy technologies like wind during his tenure as governor.

Attorney General Pruitt and Governor Perry are expected to be confirmed by the Senate.

Instantheat Wood Pellets, Lignetics' Maine Facility Qualified by PFI Standards Program

This week, Instantheat Wood Pellets, a producer based in Addison, New York, and Lignetics' Maine, facility qualified for the PFI Standards Program. The program, a third-party accreditation program providing specifications for residential and commercial-grade pellet fuel, now represents 19 pellet manufacturing companies.

PFI has created materials to help retailers and consumers learn more about the PFI Standards Program and its Quality Mark.

One pager on the Standards Program: Our informational handout on the PFI Standards Program explains the program and its implications for pellet producers, retailers and stove manufacturers. It also lists the companies that have been qualified for the program, along with their websites.

One pager on the symbols found on pellet bags: We have created a one pager specifically explaining the various PFI logos and marks found on bags of pellets. It helps retailers distinguish the PFI Standards Program Quality Mark from other commonly used symbols. This handout is also ideal for printing off and distributing to customers or posting in a store.

Materials for members of the program: For qualified companies, we have created a marketing kit with suggested language for ensuring that customers and retailers are aware of your company's acceptance into the program and what it means. It also includes suggested language for websites.

If you are interested in receiving any of these materials, please contact Carrie Annand at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining the program, first step is to visit PFI's Standards Program web pages to identify an accredited auditing agency. The agency will help you come up with a Quality Control manual and get you on the path to joining the program.

Register for Breakfast & Biomass at HPB Expo 2017 in Atlanta, GA

The Hearth Patio & Barbecue Expo 2017 is approaching quickly! The annual event is taking place this year March 2-4 in Atlanta, GA, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

As in years past, PFI will be holding Breakfast & Biomass on Friday, March 3, at 7:30am. Don't miss the chance to network with fellow pellet fuels producers as well as stove manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and others involved in the pellet fuels industry.

Have breakfast and talk biomass with us at the HPB Expo. Registration is open for the $35 event, and is available on the Expo registration webpage.

If you have ideas for topics you'd like to see addressed at Breakfast & Biomass, please contact Carrie Annand at [email protected]. 

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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.