Help the US Forest Service Support the Pellet Fuels Industry
The U.S. Forest Service Wood Energy Team is compiling a suite of materials to communicate the many benefits of wood energy. The materials, and accompanying communications outreach, will highlight the agency's supporting relationship with domestic pellet producers developed through our Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013. The materials will be available for PFI and other MOU partners to use during discussions on Capitol Hill and with the media and other audiences.
One of the team's first initiatives will be to develop a handout that illustrates the many jobs in the forest products sector that are supported by bioenergy - and the many additional rural jobs that could be created if the industry and the Forest Service are properly valued.
As the Forest Service begins this project, members of the Wood Energy team are looking for input from PFI and other groups on what will help the industry communicate about wood energy. They have asked for input on data figures to explore, for instance statistics on how Forest Service dollars are spent to support bioenergy projects.
We are looking for your ideas for handouts, data and other materials created by the U.S. Forest Service that will help us make our case. If you'd like to weigh in, please be in touch with Carrie Annand at [email protected].
Government Affairs Update
Governor Perdue on Track for Confirmation
Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue's confirmation for Secretary of Agriculture is scheduled for Monday, April 24, following Congressional Easter recess. The Senate Agriculture Committee cleared him with a voice vote last week and he is expected to receive confirmation by the full Senate.
Carbon Tax Floated by Trump Administration
This week, the Washington Post reported that the Trump Administration is considering proposing a carbon tax, whereby emitters of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases would pay a per-ton tax. Assuming that carbon accounting for biomass would be done on a life cycle basis, a carbon tax could promote biomass power and thermal producers by making fossil fuels more expensive. If the administration decides to formally propose the carbon tax, it would likely be part of a larger tax reform package.
Save the Date for PFI's Annual Conference - July 23-25 at the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, VT
It's not too early to start planning to attend the PFI Annual Conference, July 23-25 in Stowe, Vermont! Learn about key industry trends this summer while networking with fellow pellet fuels manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, industry experts and others.
We are currently developing the program, details of which will be available soon. Registration will be open soon for our annual event.
We'll be updating PFI's website and including items in the Pellet Wire as more information becomes available.
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.
