Log pile. (Photo: U.S. Forest Service)

The U.S. Forest Service is requesting proposals to substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands.

This Request for Proposals focuses on the following priorities:

1. Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forest lands.
2. Reduce costs of forest management on all land types.
3. Promote economic and environmental health of communities.

Funding will be awarded in two separate grant categories:
 

Grant Category 1: Expansion of Wood Energy Markets

Projects in this category will stimulate, expand, or support wood energy markets that depend on forest residues or forest byproducts generated from all land types. Preference will be given to projects that make use of low-value wood generated from National Forest System and other forest lands with high wildfire risk. Subcategories include:

1. Statewide Wood Energy Teams
2. Wood Energy Projects
3. Wood Energy Markets

Grant Category 2: Expansion of Wood Products Markets

Projects in this category will promote markets that create or expand the demand for non-energy based wood products. Preference will be given to projects that support commercial building markets or other markets that use existing or innovative wood products. Wood energy projects will not be considered under this category because those projects can apply for funding under Grant Category 1.

Important Dates:

October 2014: Request for Proposals issued

January 23, 2015: Proposal submission deadline

March 3, 2015: Approximate date for the U.S. Forest Service to notify applicants of results

April 7, 2015: Approximate date of award

Click here for more information and to view and download the application and instructions. 

National Bioenergy Day showcases all kinds of ways to generate heat and power from woody biomass and agricultural waste, from large-scale utilities to home heating stoves. According to an article in Biomass Magazine, this year's Second Annual National Bioenergy Day held on Wednesday, October 22, included nearly 50 coordinated events in the United States and Canada.

The Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Chillicothe, OH, hosted one of these events to showcase its biomass heat-and-power generating facility that serves the VA campus. NA's Lew McCreery and the WERC biomass energy team provided technical assistance in the construction of this facility. The Chillicothe Gazette also published an op-ed piece (Biomass proving a cost-effective energy solution) by NA Director Tony Ferguson that was picked up by 37 other media outlets and sites.

Visit the National Bioenergy Day Web site to learn more. 

Vacuum Drying Workshop and Webcast

December 4, 2014

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern

WERC Facilities, Princeton, WV

Webcast Details

Telephone (Audio) Conferencing

Connection information:

  Toll-free: (888) 844-9904

  Participant code: 7578516

Additional Details

Contact Oxana Brenes (540-239-4407)

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From Urs Buehlmann,Virginia Tech, Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. View all housing reports here.

Update on Wood Markets

From Don Deckard, Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry

USDA Announces Inclusion of Wood Products and Other Materials in BioPreferred Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a final rule eliminating the restrictions on including mature market wood products and other materials in the BioPreferred program. Read more here.

Wind Wood Utilization

Wind Wood Utilization is the hub for information specifically related to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from major wind events and the utilization of downed and damaged timber and woody debris that can be generated.

Urban Forest Products Alliance LinkedIn Group

The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this Update is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute official endorsement or approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

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View the list of past Webcasts here.

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