March 20, 2015

Policy Update: Senator Angus King (I-ME) Re-Introduces BTU Act to Extend Tax Credits to Biomass Heating Technologies; Final NSPS Rule Published

BTU Act

Last week, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) reintroduced the Biomass Utilization Act of 2015.

“Biomass offers an efficient, inexpensive, and environmentally-friendly way for people to heat their homes and businesses, which is why it would only make sense to incentivize purchasing it like we do other low-cost types of energy,” Senator King said in a press release. “With this change, we could reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and support the local economy – a true hat-trick for Maine.”

While renewable energy technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass power have received investment tax credits for numerous years, biomass thermal technologies have not received similar acknowledgment in the U.S. tax code.

The BTU Act specifically contains two major provisions that would correct the current oversight, crediting biomass heating systems in the tax code by:

  • Including residential high-efficiency biomass thermal property in Section 25D of the tax code, with a 30% credit for equipment with an efficiency rating of at least 75%;

  • Promoting commercial and industrial biomass thermal investments through a tiered credit for 15% or 30% of the installed cost of biomass-fueled heating (or cooling) systems, with a 15% credit for systems 65%-80% efficient, and a 30% credit for systems 80% efficient and above.

EPA Publishes Final NSPS Rule 

On Monday, the EPA published the final rule of the New Source Performance Standard for Residential Wood Heaters, which provides updates on emissions standards for wood heaters including pellet stoves.

PFI issued a statement last month upon release of the prepublication version of the rule. The final rule may be found here.

PFI met with EPA earlier this month in an ongoing effort to clarify the rule’s language. PFI members will receive updates on these discussions and how the rule will be implemented.

If you aren’t a member of PFI and are interested in receiving information on the NSPS and other regulatory and legislative updates, click here.


You are invited to join us at the 2015 PFI Annual Conference 

The PFI Annual Conference highlights the most timely and significant issues impacting the pellet industry. Join colleagues from the public and private sectors, academia, and local, state and national governments from North America and beyond for this can't miss event featuring two days of educational sessions, industry exhibits and extensive networking opportunities. 

The conference will be held at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, VA., July 19-21. Planning is well underway and we’ll be opening registration soon. If you plan to attend the conference, you are encouraged to reserve your hotel room now at the PFI preferred rate. More information can be found here

In addition to its luxury accommodations and premier meeting space, Williamsburg is easily accessible from the Richmond, VA airport and offers tons of family-friendly activities.

We’ll continue to update you on the conference via the Pellet Wire and other communications. 


PFI Member Benefits 

Each week, new information is added to the Members Only section of the PFI website. Current members, you simply have to log in with your member name and password to access this information. If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2015, it just takes a few moments to do so right on the PFI website.

If you aren’t a member of PFI and want to take advantage of the numerous benefits PFI membership offers, please visit our website for more information. And, we encourage you to contact PFI staff to find out how PFI membership can benefit your business.


Advertise with PFI

There are many opportunities to utilize PFI’s extensive outreach to get your company’s name in front of current and potential customers. 

Here are a few ways to promote your company to PFI’s membership and wider audiences:

  • Advertise in Pellet Wire, PFI’s weekly newsletter, or Pellet Times, PFI’s members-only once monthly in-depth newsletter. Ad placements run for six months and cost between $250 and $750 – a great value.

  • Become a Platinum, Gold or Silver Sponsor. These year-long sponsorship packages include advertising as well as participation in PFI’s Annual Conference.

  • Advertise on our website. There are many choices for prominent placement on PFI’s well visited website.

Learn more by visiting PFI’s webpage on advertising opportunities

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Fuel Availability

Are you a PFI member pellet manufacturer or distributor that has fuel available? Email [email protected] to have your listing updated or added to the PFI website.


Industry News

EIA reports illustrate bioenergy growth
Biomass Magazine
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the March issue of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, forecasting that total renewables used for electricity and heat generation will grow by 2.9 percent this year. Conventional hydropower generation is expected to increase by 6 percent, with nonhydropower renewables generation increasing by 1.4 percent. Next year, total renewables consumption for electric power and heat generation is expected to increase by 1.8 percent, with a 3.6 percent decline in hydropower and a 4.6 percent increase in nonhydropower renewables.

According to the EIA, wood biomass is expected to generate 118,000 MWh of electricity per day in the U.S. this year, increasing to 120,000 MWh per day in 2016. Waste biomass is expected to generate an additional 59,000 MWh per day this year, with that level maintained in 2016... 

Read the Full Article


Wood pellet heating a growing sector
The MetroWest Daily News
Wood pellet-burners may be few, but their numbers are growing.

“It’s going to be one of the big new heating sectors in the near future,” said Bram Claeys, the state Department of Energy Resources’ deputy director for renewable and alternative energy development.

Made from compressed pieces of wood and sawdust, pellets can be burned in either a specialized woodstove or boiler system to heat homes. Northern New England, according to the the Vermont-based Biomass Energy Resource Center, leads the nation in wood pellet use, and Massachusetts may be an emerging market for the biomass fuel. Pellets may be made from trees, waste from paper mills, and from discarded wood scraps left over from construction and furniture-making...

Read the Full Article

 

Pellet Fuels Institute |  [email protected]   | 703.522.6778