|
|
 |
|
By John Greene
This time of year, the Christmas tree is a ubiquitous symbol for the holiday season and all that it represents: family, tradition, gift-giving, childhood excitement and gratitude, just to name a few. It also fosters a type of introspection about the natural world that surrounds us. After all, bringing a living tree indoors provides a certain intimacy with nature that we're generally removed from these days-even if it is only for a month. During this season, the Christmas tree becomes the family icon, the focal point and the gathering place for fellowship.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
By Javon Carter
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit vote and what it will mean for UK (and European Union) biomass use in the future, the Lynemouth power generation station has received Contracts for Difference (CfD), MGT Teeside has obtained financing, and 20 percent of the UK's renewable energy is produced by Drax. As these (and other) projects come to fruition, the global wood pellet industry appears to be in a relatively stable place-all things considered. In fact, new demand for industrial wood pellets is on the horizon as directives from the Paris climate agreement begin to take effect.
|
|
|
EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes for 2017
By John Greene
In late November, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the volume requirements and associated percentage standards that apply under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program in calendar year 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. EPA also finalized the Renewable Fuel Volume obligations (RVO) requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2018.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
Demonstrating Sustainable Forest Management through Certifications
By Hannah Jefferies
Forest certification systems emerged following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED or "Earth Summit") held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 and, in particular, the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests[i] that recognized the importance of the conservation, management and sustainable development of forests. Since this summit, several certifications have begun to be used to certify timber and subsequent wood products as sustainable. Two important certifications are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). These two certifications comply with the forest management requirements of the Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) certification for biomass.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
|
A Critical Balance: Healthy Forests and the Forest Products Industry
By John Greene
A November 17 story in the Yakima Herald-Republic addressed an important issue regarding the symbiotic relationship between working forests, forest health and the forest products industry. It's an issue that typically gets lost in the contentious, often emotionally-driven, debate about forest management, harvesting practices and sustainability.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
By John Greene
In an important development for the entire renewable energy sector-and a story we have been following since last year-the exciting partnership between Washington State University, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) and Alaska Airlines has come to fruition. The goal of the project was to produce 1,000 gallons of cellulosic-based bio-jet fuel derived from Northwest forest residues for use on a demonstration flight and on November 14, Alaska Airlines sent a Boeing 737 jet on the first commercial airline flight that was partially fueled by the NARA biofuel.
|
|
|
By John Greene
Last month, the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) published its statistical report for 2016, which provides a detailed assessment of the bioenergy sector in the European Union (EU). Despite 2016's slowdown in new pellet activity, as well as the uncertainty surrounding a number of geopolitical events and their effects on global markets, this year's report also includes a market forecast based on past trends and a snapshot of how European bioenergy markets may evolve in the near and long terms.
|
|
|
Earlier this month, representatives from 191 member states attending the 39th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) general assembly in Montreal, agreed to the establishment of a new global market-based measure (GMBM) to aid in the mitigation of CO2 emissions from international air travel. The agreement came as the UN aviation agency's 39th Assembly recommended adoption of final resolution specifics for the GMBM, which would be the first global climate agreement covering an entire industrial sector.ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is designed to complement existing measures the aviation community is already pursuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. These include technical and operational improvements and advances in the production and use of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
Earlier this month, Forest2Market do Brasil held a regional seminar in Northeast Paraná that covered topics related to the region's forestry sector and the larger forest products industry. Co-sponsors of the seminar included APRE (Parana's association for forest-based companies), Resource Management Services do Brasil (RMS) and BO Paper. The event was the first in a series of three seminars that will be organized in the coming months to bring together members of the forest products industry for discussing multiple perspectives on the state of the forest industry in different regions of the country.
Continue reading → ...»
|
|
|
|
