April 2019 Newsletter

Dear HTM Supporters:
For this years Heating the Midwest Conference, we are planning a one-day event on October 23, 2019 which is National Bioenergy Day! It will include a tour day of Koda Energy and other locations with an evening networking and award reception in Shakopee, Minnesota. This will be an exciting opportunity to see biomass thermal and CHP systems that are important solutions for using urban wood waste! Networking opportunities will abound during this event, will celebrates HTM’s 8th annual event and National Bioenergy Day! More information will be coming your way soon.

Kind Regards,
Heating the Midwest Steering Committee


In This Newsletter:

  • EIA Data Underscores Need for Commitment to Secure, Clean Energy Future
  • EPA to Propose Rule on Biomass Carbon Neutrality this Summer
  • USDA: Eligibility Criteria Released for Tribal Biomass Program
  • EIA: Updates Bioenergy Forecasts, Predicts Capacity Increase
  • Industry Publications
  • National Funding Opportunities
  • Minnesota Funding Opportunities
  • LinkedIn
  • Free Publications
  • Ideas for SWET
  • Become an Action Team Volunteer
  • Call for news

EIA Data Underscores Need for Commitment to Secure, Clean Energy Future

For fifteen years, the Solutions from the Land’s (SfL) renewable energy platform, the 25x’25 Alliance, has compiled and compared year-to-year total and renewable energy production and consumption data to gauge progress to the 25x’25 Goal: By 2025, America’s farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable feed, food, fiber and energy.
According to the most recent Monthly Energy Review (MER) issued by the DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), both renewable energy production and consumption grew over 2018. But due to a relatively small increase in the amount of energy consumed last year, the percentage of renewables as part of that mix increased only slightly.
Read the full story here


EPA to Propose Rule on Biomass Carbon Neutrality this Summer

U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently informed federal lawmakers that the agency is working on a rulemaking that will define biomass as carbon neutral. A proposed rule is expected to be released this summer.
Wheeler announced the planned rulemaking during an April 2 hearing held by the house Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The hearing was held to address the EPA’s fiscal year 2020 budget request.
Read the full story here


USDA: Eligibility Criteria Released for Tribal Biomass Program

The U.S. Forest Service has released eligibility criteria for Indian tribes and Alaska tribal organizations that want to develop demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production under 2017 amendments made to the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004.
A notice published in the Federal Register on March 27 explains that the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017 amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 to direct the USDA to enter into contracts or agreements with Indian tribes, and, in Alaska, tribal organizations to carry out demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by providing reliable supplies of woody biomass from federal lands.
Read the full story here


EIA: Updates Bioenergy Forecasts, Predicts Capacity Increase

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the April edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting renewables will produce 18 percent of U.S. electricity this year, increasing to nearly 20 percent in 2020.
In total, renewable energy sources are expected to be used to generate 2.058 million megawatt hours (MWh) per day of electricity this year, increasing to 2.198 million MWh per day in 2020. Biomass sources will contribute a portion of that generation.
According to the EIA, wood biomass is expected to be used to generate 117,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 18,000  MWh per day next year. Generation from waste biomass is expected to average 57,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 58,000 MWh per day next year.
Read the full story here


Industry Publications

New Publication
Poultry-Barn-Heating-with-Wood-Energy
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Poultry-Barn-Heating-with-Wood-Energy-P1898.aspx

Recent Publications:
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/How-to-Compare-Heating-Fuels-P1893.aspx
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Tips-for-Buying-Drying-and-Storing-Firewood-P1891.aspx

Other publications:
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Wood-Heating-Appliances-for-Homes-and-Businesses-P1718.aspx
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Biomass-Energy-for-Heating-Greenhouses-P1454.aspx
https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Biomass-Heating-in-Greenhouses-Case-Studies-P1455.aspx


National Funding Opportunities

USDA’s Guaranteed Loan  provides up to 75% of project costs and is not competitive.
DOE: No-cost technical assistance.The DOE Office of Indian Energy provides federally recognized Indian tribes with technical assistance to advance tribal energy projects at no cost.


Minnesota Funding Opportunities

MDA Biomass Thermal Energy Incentive Program . This is a production-based incentive and pays out based on heat generated by using mostly Minnesota-sourced biomass.


HTM has joined LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter

Heating the Midwest Incorporated has created a LinkedIn page and also a Facebook page. Follow the page to stay up to date with what we’re working on! Also follow us on Twitter.
Click here to follow us on LinkedIn
Click here to follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @HTM_BiomassHeat


Free Publications

Biomass Magazine and Pellet Mill Magazine are free to subscribers in the USA. Here’s the link to sign up for the magazine and free e-newsletters, free webinars and more: 
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/pages/subscribe/

BTEC Newsletter : If you are interested in receiving the Biomass Thermal Energy Council’s weekly biomass newsletter and other news releases, you are encouraged to sign-up at:  
http://biomassthermal.org/mailingForm.asp


Have Biomass Project Ideas for SWET?

Michigan Statewide Wood Energy Team
Contact: Ray Miller- rmiller@anr.msu.edu  
Website:  http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/wood_energy
Wisconsin Statewide Wood Energy Team
Contact: Olivia Shanahan – PSC –  Olivia.Shanahan@wisconsin.gov
Website:  http://www.wisconsinwoodenergy.org/


Heating the Midwest- Become an Action Team Volunteer!

If you have a specific area of interest related to biomass thermal, we welcome your participation in one or all of HTM’s three action teams-Biomass Combustion Technologies, Biomass Policy & Benefits, and Biomass Resources & Demographics. Is your time often stretched? No problem. Time committed to the HTM effort is volunteer time. Joint action team calls are held monthly via conference call, and calls are limited to one hour in respect of members’ time and busy schedules. Members may choose to volunteer more of their time individually to support Action Team specific projects as they arise. 
Individuals with a passion for biomass thermal energy are being sought to lead the Biomass Resources & Demographics Action Team or the Biomass Combustion Technologies Action Team. This is a great opportunity to share your leadership skills in furthering the mission of HTM and to directly connect with the biomass industry sector and other agencies—all with a goal of growing market opportunities for biomass and specifically for biomass as a fuel for thermal heating and cooling, and combined heat and power. 
The work of the action teams involves developing “boots on the ground” projects for spurring action, discussing industry challenges in each sector and how to possibly address, networking and supporting the overall goals and vision of the Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass initiative in an effort to grow demand and expand marketing opportunities in the biomass thermal sector, and create awareness of biomass thermal.  HTM Joint Action Team calls are held the >> Third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. CST <<. Separate action team calls are scheduled as needed.
Please note: Our next action team call is on Tuesday, May 21 at 1:30 p.m. CST.GUEST SPEAKER: Stacy Cook of Koda Energy LLC will provide an informative talk on the state of biomass energy in Minnesota from a Combined Heat & Power perspective. For more detailed information on the Biomass Policy & Benefits Action Team, please contact Gregg Mast ( Gregg_Mast@earthtechenergy.com ). Questions pertaining to the Biomass Resources & Demographics Action Team & the Biomass Combustion Technologies Action Team can be forwarded to the action team chair noted, or feel free to contact Becky Philipp ( bphilipp@auri.org ), steering committee member. 


Call for Your Midwest Biomass Stories and Events for May Newsletter

As you’ve seen month after month; companies, governments, and communities around the Midwest are making progress on biomass heating and combined heat and power (CHP) programs and projects. If you have a story or event to contribute for next month, please submit by close of business the 3rd Wednesday of the month to kloeffler@heatingthemidwest.org . And, if you’d like to be on the list to receive upcoming newsletters, please contact Kelsey Loeffler at kloeffler@heatingthemidwest.org .