APRIL 2021 | A NOTE FROM DAVID NEUMANN
Biomass & Carbon Capture
In recent weeks, there has been increasing discussion in national and state circles about natural climate solutions, decarbonization of the economy, and the role that agriculture, forests, and biomass products can play in addressing these issues.
Michigan is no exception – Governor Whitmer issued an executive order establishing a Council on Climate Solutions that will advise the state Department of Energy, Great Lakes & Environment on the development of a climate action plan by December of 2021. As part of that work, subgroups are meeting now to gather input and develop recommendations for strategies that could be part of the plan.
Can biomass feedstocks and agricultural/forest
working-lands play a role in the proposed solutions?
Possibly – with your input!
Potential of Trees And Tech
A number of recent news articles, reports, and research findings seem to indicate they can. However to realize that potential, we must engage in these discussions and offer input as these national and state-level conversations progress. The World Resources Institute recently released a report that discusses the role biomass could play in the expansion of renewable natural gas industries – see WRI’s Renewable Natural Gas as a Climate Strategy: Guidance for State Policymakers here. In short, with technological advances and public investment to scale up technologies, biomass could be a cost-competitive feedstock in some renewable natural gas and chemical production pathways.
Tree planting and modified agricultural practices aimed at increasing the sequestration of carbon seem to be popular suggestions in these conversations, and these practices may be efficacious at certain scales. However in my opinion the role biomass can play in decarbonization strategies could benefit from additional input in these discussions. Biomass power production in combination with carbon capture technologies could be a viable strategy for providing baseload power, with advances in technology and incentives similar to those offered for other renewable energy generation. See the article in the newsletter below on DRAX’s proposal for just such a scheme in the U.K.
Japan On-Board With Greener Alternative
Even without carbon capture systems, some are considering or reconsidering biomass power’s potential as a decarbonization strategy. See the article below on Japan’s plans to expand the use of biomass as a greener alternative to the use of coal for power production, with an eye toward boosting the domestic supply of wood pellets in the long run.
Use Your Voice
How can you and other stakeholders engage
in these conversations?
The USDA recently invited public comment on its Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry strategy. Comments will be accepted at https://www.regulations.gov (search on the Docket tab for “USDA-2021-0003”) until April 29. In Michigan, stakeholders can submit comments to the five workgroups established under the state’s Council on Climate Solutions – email addresses for the workgroups, Council meeting minutes, and recorded presentations are provided here. Similar public input processes may be available in other states.
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AUTHOR:
David Neumann
Forest Products Utilization & Marketing Specialist
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Forest Resources Division
HTM Steering Committee

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UPCOMING EVENTS
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This Week: FREE MTERA Conference
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May: Biomass USA: The Biden Admin & Climate Policies
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June: Northern Hardwood Conference 2021
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June: European Pellet Conference June
LOCAL BIOMASS
- Biomass For Sale
- Biomass Wanted
CURRENT EVENTS
- Veteran Lab Tech Challenges ADEC's Stove Criteria
APRIL SPOTLIGHT RESOURCES
- Future Metrics Interactive Map: Biomass Global Trade
BIOMASS AND ECONOMY
BIOMASS AND ENVIRONMENT
- Renewable Energy Trends Report
- 2020 Biomass Makes Inroads in Georgia
- Biomass Heat, Carbon Neutral, & Good Science
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HTM STEERING COMMITTEE
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Jeremy Mortl* - President
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Sabina Dhungana* - Vice President
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T.J. Morice* - Secretary/Treasurer
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Brian Brashaw* - Liaison to the Steering Committee
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Stacy Cook*
- Bruno Zagar
- David Neumann
- Joseph Donnell
- Becky Philipp
- Tim Portz - National Rep
- Ben Rose
- Adam Sherman - National Rep
* Executive Members
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY HEATING THE MIDWEST
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UPCOMING EVENTS: Tomorrow |
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Tribes at the Energy Forefront
FREE MTERA Conference 2021
Tomorrow: 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!
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Biomass USA: The Biden Admin & Climate Policies
May 27, 2021 (Virtual Event)
Dr. William Strauss will present at the three-hour online seminar "Biomass USA" on the topic of, "The Biden administration and climate policies – What it means for bioenergy domestically and abroad."
Dr. Strauss will also moderate a panel about "What's needed for domestic US biomass market to be developed?" The panelists are Jennifer Jenkins, Enviva; Vaughan Bassett, Pinnacle; and Bob Cleaves, Biomass Power Association.
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Northern Hardwood Conference June
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. Registration is $50 for professionals and $25 for students.
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European Pellet Conference NEW DATE 2021
AUSTRIA In 2021, the conference – the largest annual pellet event worldwide with more than 450 participants from over 50 countries each year – shows how we can make a green recovery happen in practice and how the pellet sector can profit.
Take the opportunity and share your work, projects, research results, achievements, ideas, and insights with the worldwide sustainable energy community!
June 22, 2021 (Now offering an online option!)
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Veteran Lab Tech Challenges ADEC's Stove Criteria
Ben Myren's testimony to Alaska details why some of their criteria for identifying cleaner stoves are ill-informed.
He also describes why an IDC test method is not only uniquely a poor fit for conditions in Fairbanks, but it also runs afoul of ADEC's requirements on bark content on logs.
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APRIL SPOTLIGHT RESOURCES |
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Interactive Map: Biomass Global Trade
FUTURE METRICS
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SHARABLE CALCULATOR TOOL:
Compare Fuel Costs
Pellet fuel is a cost stable and price-competitive fuel. A good way to understand the price benefits of pellet fuel is to compare it against other home heating fuels. The following chart can assist in comparing home heating fuels. The values shown are national averages. You may enter your own costs to compare. Enter amounts in dollars except for the cost of electricity, which is in cents.
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Need Stove Repairs?
The Stove Repair Relief Fund helps families impacted by COVID-19. Air quality agencies, change-out programs, and low-income winterization programs can link to this fund to help their clients and residents.
It provides up to a 50% reduction in the price of pellet stove parts for orders up to $500. Dozens of families have been able to keep their pellet stoves running safely
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Renewable Energy Trends Report
USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist just issued a report on renewable energy trends in the U.S.
It gives a broad overview on trends, dives into details for some important areas, but is not comprehensive in all aspects of renewable wood energy (e.g., does not address CHP generated from wood chips or biofuels produced from forest-based feedstock…other than willow and poplar). Please note that this report does not cover trends during the pandemic – that is, it covers trends from 2000 thru 2019.
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MORE WAYS TO GET BIOMASS NEWS |
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BiomassMagazine.com
- Printed Magazine
- Free digital Magazine
- Free e-Newsletters
- Free Webinars
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Pellet Mill Magazine Free to U.S. Subscribers.
- Printed Magazine
- Free digital Magazine
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