September 2019 Newsletter

Join us for National Bioenergy Day on October 23rd, 2019 for a Midwest Bioenergy Day Celebration!

The celebration is a collaborative effort of Heating the Midwest, AURI’s Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable, and Koda Energy LLC in support of National Bioenergy Day.

The full-day celebration will kick off with a tour showcasing four of the Midwest’s most innovative facilities combusting biomass for heat and/or power – Koda Energy, Rahr Malting, St. Paul District Energy and Len Busch Roses. Koda Energy will provide lunch and the event will wrap up with an evening networking reception, program and dinner.

Visit our website for more information on the event and to register.

We hope to see you there!


In This Newsletter:

  • USDA Solicits REAP Applications for Fiscal Year 2020 Funding
  • Should Dartmouth Heat its Campus with Wood Chips?
  • Minnesota Clean Energy Job Board
  • Industry Publications
  • National Funding Opportunities
  • Minnesota Funding Opportunities
  • Social Media
  • Free Publications
  • Become an Action Team Volunteer
  • Call for news

USDA Solicits REAP Applications for Fiscal Year 2020 Funding

The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced August 30 it is seeking applications for fiscal year 2020 funding under the Rural Energy for America Program, which helps agriculture producers and rural small businesses make renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements.
The REAP program was created under the 2008 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Read the full story here.


Should Dartmouth Heat its Campus with Wood Chips?

Before sizing its new biomass heating plant, the Dartmouth College should engage in aggressive energy efficiency measures to reduce the amount of heat needed by each building. That, together with a renewable source of heat, will help set Dartmouth on a path of responsible sustainability for decades to come.
Read the full article by John Ackerly, President, Alliance for Green Heat


Minnesota Clean Energy Job Board

Is there a biomass related job that you are trying to hire for Minnesota? Consider posting it to the Minnesota Clean Energy Job Board


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.
REAP Renewable Energy & Efficiency Program – grant opportunities


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.
CERTs Seed Grants . Small seed grants ($3,000 – $5,000) are available for LABOR COSTS (planning, installation, etc) of community clean energy projects like biomass.Apply by October 11 .
MN Department of Agriculture AGRI Value-Added Equipment and Feasibility Study Grants are now open. The application deadline is 1/23/20


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


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. 

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 October 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