Catch up with PFI in this issue of the Pellet Wire!
December 23, 2021

From the Director's Desk:
September EIA Data Published

Last week the EIA refreshed their Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report with data from September. While sales for the month (220,454 tons) aligned with long term trends production (150,916) was well off what producers made last September (173,333) and September of 2019 (186,559). Inventory fell just 15,000 tons from August to 254,422 tons. For comparison, producers shipped nearly 50,000 tons of their inventory last September. 

Wholesale prices remain higher with an average of $187.15/ton. Last year, the September wholesale average was $173.50. 

Winter Still Lagging

The PFI Index shows Heating Degree Days continue to lag across the pellet burning regions of the country. Data from the Climate Prediction Center show little change from two weeks ago except for Wausau, Wisconsin. Youngstown, Ohio and Little Rock, Arkansas have been added to the PFI Index at the request of members and readers of the Pellet Wire

The PFI Index
Heating Degree Days (YTD vs. norm)

Dec. 4, 2021

Dec. 18, 2021

Portland, ME

down 21%

down 20%

Grand Rapids, MI

down 23%

down 22%

Lewiston, MT

down 20%

down 24%

Harrisburg, PA

down 25%

down 25%

Rapid City, SD

down 26%

down 20%

Spokane, WA

down 21%

down 18%

Baker, OR

down 9%

down 9%

Wausau, WI

down 46%

down 30%

Youngstown, OH

n/a

down 23%

Little Rock, AR

n/a

down 20%

Happiest of Holidays

I hope that this holiday season finds you and yours in good health and spirits and looking forward to the coming year. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with our board and members in person this past year and am excited about increased travel, plant visits, and other opportunities to gather in the coming year. Finally, I hope that Santa received my note asking for a pile of Heating Degree Days all across pellet land.

—Tim Portz
Executive Director

Dansons Family of Brands

Photo of the Week:

From the Archives: This photo was taken in Peshtigo, Wisconsin (Lignetics) in January of 2018. The stacked pallets of pellet fuel stand in stark contrast to the icy, frozen storage yard at the plant.

Photo: Tim Portz

Send Us Photos! Help us build a collection of photos of our members, their pellet mills, and product! Send images to Tim Portz at [email protected].

Industry News

Heating Degree Days Data

Heating degree day data December 18, 2021 data collection summary. (Worthy of a bookmark.)
View Data

EIA Monthly Densified Biomass Report (with September data)

As of September 2021, the monthly data collection included 80 operating manufacturers of densified biomass fuel.
Read Article

Rural Economic Development Working Group: Vermont’s Forest Economy Under Threat

Working lands are central to Vermont’s identity. Vermont is the 4th most forested state with 4.5 million acres of forest covering a whopping 75 percent of the landscape.
Read Article

PFI Career Center

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Fuel Availability

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Visit PFI's Committee Page for more information.

Have News to Share in the Pellet Wire?

We would love to feature your company's news in a future Pellet Wire! Let us be the first to know about your company's recent developments, and we will share them with the broader pellet fuels industry.

Please get in touch with Tim Portz via email at [email protected] with information on your company's growth, job openings, promotions, or other news.

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