From the Newsroom
International Nova Scotia Biomass Project Criticized for Poor Planning The Federal Government of Canada has recently announced a biomass energy strategy for Nova Scotia that has run into numerous complaints. Among the more serious issues are the lack of knowledge on available biomass in the province, no minimum efficiency requirements for biomass related projects and claims that the current strategy will increase the cost of firewood for local residents. For more or here.
Biomass Use Proposed for Northern British Columbia British Columbia, currently an exporter of wood pellets, could increase the use of woody biomass for space and water heating by 10% according to the Green Heat Initiative, a coalition of biomass advocacy groups in British Colombia. According to project coordinator David Dubois "We produce all these (wood) pellets and export them to Europe. (But) there are so many places in Northern B.C. that could use bioenergy. When you're using biomass, you're using a local resource." For more
Germany Leading Producer of Pellets in Europe In 2010 Germany was the leading producer of wood pellets in Europe. Producing 1.75 million tonnes at 75 different locations across the country. Over a third of these pellets are exported due to lack of domestic demand. German pellet makers focus on the heating sector as opposed to less efficient electrical generation. For more
National Nation Wakes Up to Fireplace Inefficiencies
Awareness is spreading over the inefficiencies of the traditional fireplace, a characteristic of half of all homes in the United States. Switching to an EPA-certified wood or pellet stove can reduce heat loss and particulate emissions. For more
Installing Proper Filters Can Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease From Wood Smoke Findings published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine show that installing High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filters on a wood burning device can drastically reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air in areas where wood burning stoves are in use. For more State Indiana Residents Fight Back Against OWBs IN: Residents of Indiana are currently not protected by common sense outdoor wood boiler regulations. The Indiana air pollution control board is reviewing a proposal to set stack height requirements, set back limits and periods when use of OWBs is restricted. For more Wood Heat is Fastest Growing Energy Source in Ohio OH: Between 2000 and 2009 the number of Ohioans heating with wood nearly doubled from 47,700 households to as many as 91,400 households. This mirrors a decline in homes using heating oil and has meant a big boom for wood sellers in the region. For more UMass Receives Grant to Study Wood Combustion MA: A researcher at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst has received $80,000 from the National Science Foundation to study pyrolysis, an essential step in developing next generation biomass heat that converts 100% of carbon into burnable fuel. For more Maine College to Construct Biomass Boilers for Heating Needs ME: Colby College is constructing two biomass boilers that will replace over 90% of the school's current heating needs. The boilers, slated to be finished this year, will burn low-grade forest waste to produce steam for heat, hot water, cooking and electricity cogeneration. For more New Report Envisions Maine as the "Saudi Arabia" of Biomass ME: Maine is uniquely dependent on heating oil, but William Strauss, President of FutureMetrics, is calling for a major shift to biomass, which he proposes would keep $720 million dollars in the state, create 41,000 jobs and revive the state's ailing forestry industry. For more New Hampshire Pellet Heat Incentive Expanded NH: The Public Utilities Commission of New Hampshire has improved and expanded its biomass boiler rebate program which offers a 30% tax credit or up to $6,000 to households installing high efficiency biomass central heating systems. For more Myths About NH Wood Heat Potential NH: New Hampshire has the potential to vastly increase the amount of biomass it sustainably harvests each year. This could both improve local economies while easing a transition away from dirty, non-renewable fossil fuels. For more | 
