AUGUST | NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 2021 | A NOTE FROM BECKY PHILIPP

SHOWCASE YOUR BIOMASS THERMAL OR COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PROJECTS
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been challenging to connect in traditional ways to showcase and tour all the amazing projects in the biomass heat and/or combined heat and power space. Yet, we have learned it is possible to pivot and stay connected. 

FORGING NEW CONNECTIONS
Through social media and other virtual platforms, we have managed to stay connected and continue to network. We encourage you to keep the momentum whether virtually, traditionally, or a hybrid approach by sharing the great things you are doing in this sector.

As fall approaches, HTM invites you to showcase your biomass thermal projects through its monthly newsletter. Let HTM help you share your great stories with readers in the Midwest region and beyond.

In these times, I can’t think of a better way to easily expand your reach when educating about the opportunities and newly created jobs in this industry while building interest and support from local leaders.

It is also a great way to generate tour opportunities and build your network in preparation for National Bioenergy Day in October.

CALL FOR BIOMASS PROJECT WRITE-UPS
Please consider submitting a brief write-up and photo(s) of your work in this space by Friday, September 17 to bphilipp@auri.org for inclusion in HTM’s September monthly newsletter.

We at HTM are committed to educating and creating awareness about the economic, social, and environmental benefits of thermal biomass heating and combined heat and power.

Respectfully, Becky Philipp

AUTHOR:
Becky Philipp
Project Manager at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
HTM Steering Committee

UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Sept 9-11: Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo
  • Sept 17,18: North Star Expo
  • Sept 29-30: Renewable Thermal Collaborative Summit
LOCAL BIOMASS
  • Biomass For Sale
  • Biomass Wanted
CURRENT EVENTS
  • ACTION ALERT: BTEC COALITION
  • Wood Products Welcomed in Northern Minnesota
  • USDA (REAP) Grants Open
  • USDA Landscape Scale Restoration Grant (LSR) Opportunity

HTM STEERING COMMITTEE
  • Jeremy Mortl* - President
  • T.J. Morice* - Secretary/Treasurer
  • Stacy Cook*
  • John Ackerly, National Rep
  • Bruno Zagar
  • David Neumann
  • Joseph Donnell
  • Becky Philipp
  • Tim Portz - National Rep
  • Ben Rose
  • Adam Sherman - National Rep
* Executive Members
BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEATING THE MIDWEST
Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo
Sept 9-11, 2021

Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo – September 9-11, 2021 U.P. State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, MI The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, a non-profit organization representing Michigan and Wisconsin forest industry (gltpa.org)
Photo Source: North Star Expo Website
North Star Expo
Sept 17-18, 2021

Minnesota Timber Producers Association announced that this year’s North Star Expo will be September 17 and 18.. ​ This year's Expo will be held at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids. 

The Expo is free and open to the public, so if you're wanting to see the latest and greatest in logging equipment, there's no need to register.
Photo Source: Canva
Renewable Thermal Collaborative Summit
Sept 29-30, 2021

Renewable Thermal Collaborative Summit, September 29-30, 2021 Collaborate, accelerate, decarbonize.
The Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), the leading global coalition for organizations that are committed to scaling up renewable heating and cooling, will convene its second annual Summit on September 29-30, 2021. The Summit will help thermal energy users —industrial, commercial, and institutional— and solutions providers connect, learn, and collaborate.
LOCAL BIOMASS
Photo Source: Canva
Local Biomass Market
CURRENT EVENTS
Photo Source: Canva
ACTION ALERT

ACTION ALERT - Biomass Thermal Utilization Act of 2021 (S1191, HR3251) The BTU Act is a bill to expand the 30% energy tax credit to include commercial biomass heating property. and extends the residential energy efficient property tax credit for five years.

The residential component of the BTU Act was passed late last year as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. However, the tax credit is only available until 2023, and not available for biomass thermal (commercial) systems.

The investment credits the BTU Act would provide are needed for advanced biomass thermal technologies because of their comparatively high upfront capital cost. This “capital hurdle” must be overcome to build the market and gain economies of scale that will bring system costs down.

BTEC urges you to 1) Join the coalition and 2) Talk to your local legislators and invite them to tour your facilities to show them the jobs you're creating and supporting.
Photo Source: MPR News Article
Wood Products Welcomed in Northern Minnesota
MPR NEWS | DAN KRAKER 
It's been a tough past 15 years for Minnesota's forest products industry. The housing collapse in 2008 contributed to the closure of three plants that made oriented strand board (OSB), a plywood-like product that's used to build houses.

Then in 2012 a fire destroyed the Verso paper mill in Sartell. Meanwhile, other plants have closed in Duluth, Brainerd and Deerwood, and big paper mills in International Falls and Grand Rapids have downsized. That historical context is why a lot of people were excited when a company called Huber Engineered Woods announced plans to build a $440 million OSB plant in Cohasset, just west of Grand Rapids.
CURRENT EVENTS
Photo Source: Canva
USDA Grants Open
USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants Open:
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

 
Applications for Grants of $20,000 or Less and Loan/Grant of $20,000 or Less Combo Applications due by Nov. 1, 2021, or March 31, 2022.
 
Applications for Unrestricted Grants or Loan/Unrestricted Grant Combo Applications due by March 31, 2022.
 
 
USDA Landscape Grant
The USDA Landscape Scale Restoration Grant (LSR) opportunity has been announced for this year. Additional details and how to apply are available at Landscape Scale Restoration | US Forest Service (usda.gov).
MORE WAYS TO GET BIOMASS NEWS
BiomassMagazine.com
  • Printed Magazine
  • Free digital Magazine
  • Free e-Newsletters
  • Free Webinars
Pellet Mill Magazine Free to U.S. Subscribers.
  • Printed Magazine
  • Free digital Magazine