Lunacy Is to Think that Natural Systems Cannot Solve Humankind's Problems
By Pete Stewart
A response to "Wood the fuel of the future: Environmental lunacy in Europe," which appeared in the The Economist on April 6, 2013
Is it utter lunacy - an environmental heresy of the highest order, a Prozac- and Ambien-laced, gin-and-tonic soaked, Kafka- and Poe-inspired dream state - to believe that trees or any natural system can solve humankind's problems? If so, humans have been comfortably numb for some time now.
Pellet Manufacturers Face Increasing Competition from OSB Mills
By Suz-Anne Kinney
A resurgence in OSB demand in the US, prompted by an earlier- and stronger-than-expected housing recovery, will mean stiffer competition for pulpwood, putting pellet manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.
European demand for wood pellets continues to spur the development of wood pellet facilities and port expansions across the southeast. By 2015, wood pellet consumption is expected to grow to 17 million tons, and US production is expected to amount to 10 million tons. [1]
Biofuel Project News: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Pattern Continues
By LeAndra Spicer
Despite the good news that KiOR has begun commercial production, biofuel plants continue to struggle. While the oil industry bemoans the requirement to blend "nonexistent" cellulosic biofuels into its gasoline and diesel, those who are working to develop the biofuels continue to deal with difficulties. Let's start with the good news first.
Is Now the Time to Rethink the Renewable Fuel Standard?
By LeAndra Spicer
New challenges to the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS2) were the norm throughout the first quarter of 2013. Two months after a federal appeals court struck down the Environmental Protection Agency's 2012 cellulosic biofuel standard, the agency has filed a motion stating its intent to reconsider its 2011 standards as well.
President Obama Taps Ernest Moniz as New Secretary of Energy
By LeAndra Spicer
Just over a month after Steven Chu announced his resignation as Secretary of Energy, President Obama nominated nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz to fill the vacancy
