What is the story of renewable biomass energy? How does our story connect with potential customers and stakeholders? Those are all questions that were discussed at April’s Heating the Midwest Conference in Minneapolis. Renewable wood energy faces challenges from many angles – current low-cost fossil fuels, skepticism in sustainability, and the confusion about the entire biomass fuel supply chain.
Can we do a better job telling that story? While Heating the Midwest stakeholders have a positive message about using biomass for heat and power – we need to share it in a way that creates improved understanding and impact! Our story can’t be just about Btu’s, tons of biomass, or the number of people working – but it needs to tell the whole story of the biomass heating and combined heat and power sector. By creating an accurate and authentic message that highlights all of the benefits that come from biomass, an opportunity exists for customers to select resources that they believe in. This message has to help customers understand that biomass energy does it all. It creates jobs, saves owners money, supports sustainable and healthy lands, and offers environmental benefits.
Who’s telling the story? One new communication program is ‘Walk in the Woods,’ launched this month by the North American Forest Partnership, a new organization working to engage the public in conversation about forests, the future of forests, and the social, economic, and environmental benefits they create. NAFP includes more than 110 members who represent all segments of the forest sector and who are united by a shared ethic of forest stewardship. For those outside the sector, NAFP is inviting them to learn more about the diverse roles that their members play as responsible, innovative stewards of North America’s many different forests. Check out the Walk in the Woodswebsite, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and become part of the conversation by sharing these stories.
Keep telling our story!
Brian Brashaw
Steering Committee Member
Heating the Midwest Inc.
In this newsletter:
- Commercial Poultry Heating Alternatives
- Funding Opportunities
- Member Request
- Lignetics Expands its Footprint into WI
- DOE announces biomass committee meeting, solicits members
- Wood Stove Design Challenge
- Free Publications
- Ideas for SWET
- Become an Action Team Volunteer
- Call for news
Commercial Poultry Heating Alternatives
Funding Opportunities??
USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant can cover 25% of project costs and a project can begin after an application has been submitted. Applications are due October 31, 2017 for projects less than $80k and April 1, 2018 for projects of any size. REAP grants are competitive (1 in 4 applicants awarded).
USDA’s Guaranteed Loan provides up to 75% of project costs and is not competitive.
MDA Biomass Thermal Energy Incentive Program. This is a production-based incentive and pays out based on heat generated by mostly Minnesota-sourced biomass.
MDA’s Livestock Investment grant covers 10% of a project’s eligible costs. The application period is September through December.
Additional details available here.
Member Request
Heating the Midwest is conducting a semi-annual review of the Midwest Biomass Suppliers Resource Guide. Please review the guide >> and contact Becky Philipp (bphilipp@auri.org) with suggested changes. Changes are due by June 30.
Lignetics Expands its Footprint into Wisconsin
DOE announces biomass committee meeting, solicits members
“The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee and has published a notice soliciting nominations for new members.”
HTM has joined LinkedIn
Heating the Midwest Incorporated has created a LinkedIn page. Follow the page to stay up to date with what we’re working on!
Click here to follow us.
Free Publications
Biomass Magazine and Pellet Mill Magazine are free to subscribers in the USA. Here’s link to sign up and there is also free e-newsletters, free webinars and more:
Have Biomass Project Ideas for SWET?
Heating the Midwest- Become an Action Team Volunteer!
Call for Your Midwest Biomass Stories and Events for June Newsletter