Harvesting biomass from forests is not only helping those forests’ health, it’s helping the country achieve energy independence. This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) has removed 200,000 tons of biomass that could have been a fire risk and was turned into biofuels. “This initiative helps to retrieve forest residues that …
Genera Gets Financial Boost for Biomass Operations
Biomass supply company Genera Energy is getting some financial help to expand its biomass operations. This company news release says WindSail Capital Group is investing in the company, giving Genera the resources to scale up its energy crop production and supply chain operations, further expand the portfolio of biomass feedstocks and geographies it covers, and expand the working capital of …
CT Biomass Pellet Maker Looks for Expansion Space
A Connecticut-based biomass pellet maker is looking for room to grow. Engineered Carbon Solutions (ECS), the maker of Frog City Fuel, says it is still gaining commitments towards a mid-size manufacturing facility located in the southeast part of the state. [T]hree entities have stepped forward and offered in excess of $1M in property, grant / loans and property tax abatement. …
Pacific Ag CEO to Speak at BIO Pacific Rim Summit
The CEO and founder of the nation’s largest agricultural residue and forage harvesting business will be discussing biofuel feedstocks on a panel at the BIO Pacific Rim Summit in San Diego this week. Bill Levy of Oregon-based Pacific Ag will take part in the panel which will explore the realities faced by feedstock producers in today’s marketplace. Panelists will delve …
Georgia Biomass Plant to be Built
The approval of a nearly quarter billion dollar biomass energy is closer to fruition. This article from the Albany (GA) Herald says the Albany-Dougherty Payroll Development Authority approved a $250 million bond issuance for the project to be built next to the local Procter & Gamble campus. “It does appear (P&G, in conjunction with Albany Green Energy, which will manage …
Oregon Aims to Cut Biomass Tax Incentives
Biomass producers in Oregon could lose out on some production tax credits, if the state gets its way. This story from Oregon Public Broadcasting says the state’s Department of Energy proposed a change that reduces tax incentives for biomass facilities. Matt Krumenauer, a senior policy analyst with the agency, said the tax program was intended to offset the costs of …
U.S. Census Bureau Releases Renewable Energy Stats
For the first time the U.S. Census Bureau is now publishing economic census statistics for wind, geothermal, biomass and solar electric power generation. Between 2007 and 2012 revenues rose 49 percent from $6.6 billion to $9.8 billion. The electric power generation industry saw an overall decline of 1.2 percent in revenues from $121.0 billion to $119.5 billion between 2007 and …
Wind Power Sees Gain in U.S.
Wind power provided over two-thirds (68.41%) of new electrical generating capacity in October 2014 in the U.S. according to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report. Five wind farms came online during the month in Texas, Nebraska, Michigan, Kansas and Colorado. These projects added 574 MW of new capacity. In addition, seven “units” of biomass (102 MW) and five units of …
VIASPACE Grows Desert Biomass for Biofuels, Feed
A proprietary variety of grass could be providing fuel for vehicles and feed for animals in the desert southwest. Biomass grower VIASPACE, Inc. says the results of the first two harvests of Giant King Grass grown at the University of California Desert Research Center (DREC) in Holtville, Imperial County, California are showing good signs as a viable biofuel feedstock and …
Report: Brazil to Lead in Biomass Power
According to a new report from GlobalData, Brazil will overtake the U.S. in biopower energy. Brazil’s biopower installed capacity will rise from 11.5 GW in 2013 to nearly 17.10 GW by 2018 when it will overtake the U.S. as the world’s leading biopower market. “Global Biopower Market – Capacity, Generation, Market Size, Major Feedstock, Regulations, and Key Country Analysis to …