MARCH| NEWSLETTER
MARCH 2021 | A NOTE FROM BRIAN BRASHAW

New Seasons Bring Change

Hello to our HTM community,
Today I’m writing my last newsletter opening for Heating the Midwest, capping almost a decade of engagement.

While I’m transitioning to a new position in the USDA Forest Service,
I am and will continue to be an HTM fan, supporter, and interested partner. It has been an honor to work with so many partners, resulting in professional friendships, during my time with HTM.

Heating the Midwest has accomplished a lot:
  • There is an increased awareness for using woody and agricultural biomass
  • New networks and partnerships have been established
  • There has been increased investment in thermal and CHP systems. 

Without a doubt, this sector faces challenges, but the core commitment of the HTM leadership and community stands tall. The opportunity exists to replace older systems with new technologies, to transition from fossil fuel systems to renewable wood, and to continue to drive education and awareness of the environmental and economic benefits that local heating fuels provide.

I encourage you to find ways to get involved in supporting Midwest biomass for thermal heat.

Attend upcoming HTM webinars, engage in strategic planning, and advocate for wood and ag heat! The choice is yours. I hope you get involved.

With appreciation to the HTM,


AUTHOR:
Brian Brashaw
USDA Forest Service, 
Wood Innovations Assistant Director
Liaison to the HTM Steering Committee


UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Tribes at the Energy Forefront: FREE MTERA Conference 2021
  • Northern Hardwood Conference 2021
LOCAL BIOMASS
  • Biomass For Sale
  • Biomass Wanted
CURRENT EVENTS
  • City Joins State In Support For Wood Pellet Industry 
MARCH SPOTLIGHT RESOURCES
  • Downloadable Report: Low-Carbon Renewable Thermal Technology Solutions
BIOMASS AND ENVIRONMENT
  • EPA Resources for Renewable Heating & Cooling (RHC)
  • Clean Fuels Standard Bill Passes House

HTM STEERING COMMITTEE
  • Jeremy Mortl* - President
  • Sabina Dhungana* - Vice President
  • T.J. Morice* - Secretary/Treasurer
  • Brian Brashaw* - Liaison to the Steering Committee
  • Stacy Cook*
  • Bruno Zagar
  • David Neumann
  • Joseph Donnell
  • Becky Philipp
  • Tim Portz - National Rep
  • Ben Rose
  • Adam Sherman - National Rep
* Executive Members
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tribes at the Energy Forefront
FREE MTERA Conference 2021

April 27-30 (Virtual Event)

Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association (MTERA) with support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and RENEW Wisconsin, will be hosting a four-day virtual conference on April 27-30, 2021.

The theme for the event is Tribes at the Energy Forefront. Hear from Tribal leaders, federal and state agencies, educators, and energy industry experts as they discuss successful Tribal energy projects, state and federal energy policy, and strategic energy planning to help Tribes advance beneficial energy initiatives.

MTERA Event Registration is FREE!
Northern Hardwood Conference 2021
June 15 & 16 (Virtual Event)

Registration is now open for the Northern Hardwood Conference 2021!

Join researchers and managers from across the northern hardwood range to discuss the newest science and management of this important forest type.

Northern hardwood forests occupy millions of acres in the eastern United States and Canada, representing one of the most economically important and ecologically diverse forests in eastern North America. Northern hardwood silviculture is diverse and complex as well and has been the focus of extensive research for over 80 years. Today, managers continue to seek innovative sustainable management solutions to address the expanding challenges facing this forest type

Registration is $50 for professionals and $25 for students.
European Pellet Conference
June 22, 2021 (Virtual Event Option)
LOCAL BIOMASS
Local Biomass Market
CURRENT EVENTS
City Joins State In Support For Wood Pellet Industry 
BRITTA ARENDT | HERALD-REVIEW | MARCH 2021

The Grand Rapids City Council has officially acknowledged support for a state proposed incentive program for the wood pellet production industry, recognizing that investments are required in expanding such businesses locally at this time. 

According to the quarterly census of employment and wages, from 2008 to 2019, the seven counties of northeast Minnesota saw a loss of 1,466 jobs, 34 businesses and $28 million in wages from the forest product industry. This same data shows that between 2013 and 2018, Itasca County saw a loss of 20% of its independent forestry and logging operations and 12% of its independent truckers. 

Despite these losses, a 2017 study by the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business found that the forestry sector still contributes nearly 3,000 jobs, $160 million of labor income and more than $800 million in output to the economy of a 10-county region of north-central Minnesota and the sector still presents opportunities for growth. 

Wood pellet production is an emerging industry that utilizes forest and wood mill residuals to produce an alternative fuel source for power generation and home use. During the March 8 meeting of the Grand Rapids City Council, a resolution was approved that recognized the opportunity the wood pellet industry presents for the region to help sustain sawmills currently threatened by the absence of a market for their residual materials. 

According to an impact analysis prepared by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), an industrial wood pellet plan would generate $56 million of annual economic activity in the state and is projected to provide 45 direct jobs together with the creation of 249 indirect and induced jobs in support services such as logging and transportation. 

“The city council of the City of Grand Rapids strongly supports the addition of a wood pellet industry to our area, as it would directly advance the economic goals and strategies articulated within the City of Grand Rapids Comprehensive Plan; and the city recognizes that the establishment of this capital intensive new industry will require initial financial support at the local, region and state level and will work toward a successful outcome to that challenge,” reads the resolution approved during Monday’s meeting.
MARCH SPOTLIGHT RESOURCES
New Study!
Low-Carbon Renewable Thermal Technology Solutions: Policies to Support Development and Deployment 

On March 2, the Renewable Thermal Collaborative released a new report, Low-Carbon Renewable Thermal Technology Solutions: Policies to Support Development and Deployment.

It includes key insights from low-carbon renewable thermal energy policy development thus far, and recommendations for policymakers to accelerate the development and deployment of these technologies.
BIOMASS AND ENVIRONMENT
EPA Resources for Renewable Heating & Cooling (RHC)
The following Web pages provide additional information on opportunities for renewable heating and cooling (RHC) across several end-use sectors.

You will learn more about how certain sectors can successfully utilize renewable heating and cooling technologies as well as some common challenges and factors to think about when considering a system.
Clean Fuels Standard Bill Passes House

The Washington House of Representatives on Feb. 27 voted 52 to 46 to pass H.B. 1091, a bill that aims to establish a state-wide Clean Fuels Standard. The legislation is currently pending in the Washington Senate.

Eligible biofuels, renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and agricultural and forest waste are among the fuels that could be used to comply with the program.
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