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Mississippi Biomass & Renewable
Energy Council e-Newsletter

The Voice of Sustainable Industries in Mississippi
April, 2013- Vol 2, Issue 2
President's Notes

Randy RousseauOne thing that is always hard to embrace is change. As humans, we naturally feel more comfortable with people that we've known for a longer period of time, with a certain life style, in doing things a specific way and working in an atmosphere of comfort. Maybe this is because we know in the back of our mind when we have strayed outside of our comfort zone we have not met with the same success or the response we expected.   

 

This is exactly what the Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council (MBREC) is currently facing today. We've become comfortable in the way we have done things through the years and we have met with some success, but the time has come to meet the challenge of change head on and bring our voice to a wider group. This change began in the last few years as we moved away from strictly biomass and embraced a wider array of renewables, such as wind and solar.  

 

However, it has become obvious that as renewables continue to grow, MBREC should embrace energy efficiency and continued reduction of emissions of the fossil fuels we use to support our existing economy. In this manner, we hopefully can show even more people that MBREC is poised to remain the champion of renewables by helping spread the word concerning energy efficiency and other sustainability-related efforts.  

 

Randall J. Rousseau, PhD
President, Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council
Membership
The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council relies on your involvement to help further sustainable industry in Mississippi.  Click here to join MBREC.
SAVE THE DATE: Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference
The annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference will be held September 17-18, 2013.  Please monitor your email for additional announcements concerning this event.
Solar Energy Advances: An Exclusive Article from Caleb Dana
Caleb Dana, a member of MBREC's board of directors, has authored an exclusive piece for this issue of the MBREC newsletter. In this article, Caleb outlines some of the steps being made to advance renewable energy, specifically solar energy, on a national scale, as well as discussing the implications for Mississippi.  Click here to learn more.
MBREC Elects New Leadership
The annual meeting of the Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council included elections of new officers and members of the board of directors.  New officers include Dr. Randy Rousseau of Mississippi State University (president) and Amy Ainsworth of Terracon (vice president).  Kevin Mitchell of Strata-G and Lydia Allison of Mississippi State University retained their positions as secretary and treasurer, respectively.  New directors include Caleb Dana (Eco-Systems, Inc.), Marie-Helene Labrie (Enerkem), and John Logan (Eagle Green Energy).  Click here to learn more.
Updates On Mississippi Legislative Activity
The 2013 session of the Mississippi Legislature has seen a large number of energy and sustainability related bills moving through both the House and Senate.  MBREC has compiled a list of links to these bills, along with their current status.  One bill that has been sent to Governor Bryant, HB1281, involves adoption of energy codes compliant with Standard 90.1-2010 of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  When signed into law, this bill will place Mississippi at the forefront of the nation with respect to adopting such standards.  Click here to learn more.
Designers Sought for Recyclable Fashions
Keep the Rez Beautiful is looking for designers, both professional and amateur, to make apparel and accessories composed of recyclable items for the nonprofit's upcoming recycle fashion show.  The organization is hosting Project Rezway April 25, and all entries in the fashion show must be composed of at least 75 percent recyclable objects.  Click here to learn more.
Case Study: Woolfolk State Office Building Energy Management
The Mississippi Development Authority's Energy and Natural Resources Division has released a case study related to energy management improvements at the Woolfolk State Office Building.  Click here to learn more.
Mississippi Invests In Its Pellet Industry
Along with a bond bill that slates $96.5 million for universities and community and junior colleges, Mississippi legislature earmarked $10 million toward wood pellet export infrastructure that will be built at the Port of Pascagoula.  Click here to learn more.
KiOR Announces Cellulosic Diesel Shipment, 2012 Financial Results
KiOR Inc. recently announced the initial shipment of cellulosic diesel from its commercial-scale plant in Columbus, Miss. On the same day, the company reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2012 as well as the entire fiscal year. According to the financial release, KiOR recorded its first revenues since inception during the fourth quarter 2012.  Click here to learn more.
New $40 Million George County Pellet Facility Will Double Production Capacity
Gulf Coast Renewable Energy announced an agreement to double the capacity of its planned wood pellet plant in George County and locate an additional facility in Copiah County, a total initial investment of $80 million.  Click here to learn more.
Project Green Challenge Tour to Make a Stop at the University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi joins an elite group of campuses nationwide selected as host sites for the Project Green Challenge Conscious College Road Tour set for April 26-27.  Click here to learn more.
MBREC Officers
Dr. Randall Rousseau
President
Amy Ainsworth
Vice President
Lydia Allison
Treasurer
Kevin Mitchell
Secretary

MBREC Board of Directors
Tamme Bufkin (Chair)
Renewable Fiber Resources, LLC
Jeffrey Rupp (Vice Chair)
Mississippi State University
Caleb Dana
Eco-Systems, Inc.
Dr. Todd French
Bioenergy Spectrum Solutions
John Kasbaum
KiOR
Marie-Helene Labrie
Enerkem
John Logan
Eagle Green Energy
Robert Thompson
Mississippi Polymer Institute
Frank Yang
Stion

For more information about joining MBREC, visit www.ms-biomass.org or contact Joseph Linton at 601-963-3623 or [email protected]  
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The Mississippi Biomass and Renewable Energy Council is a 501(c)6 organization
managed by Innovate Mississippi - Strategic Biomass Solutions.