Appalachian Wood Pellets Becomes PFI Standards Program's 30th Qualified Facility
This week, Appalachian Wood Pellets, a pellet producer based in Kingwood, West Virginia, became the 30th facility to qualify for the PFI Standards Program, a third-party accreditation program providing specifications for residential and commercial-grade pellet fuel. The program now represents 18 pellet manufacturing companies.
PFI has created materials to help retailers and consumers learn more about the PFI Standards Program and its Quality Mark.
One pager on the Standards Program: Our informational handout on the PFI Standards Program explains the program and its implications for pellet producers, retailers and stove manufacturers. It also lists the companies that have been qualified for the program, along with their websites.
One pager on the symbols found on pellet bags: We have created a one pager specifically explaining the various PFI logos and marks found on bags of pellets. It helps retailers distinguish the PFI Standards Program Quality Mark from other commonly used symbols. This handout is also ideal for printing off and distributing to customers or posting in a store.
Materials for members of the program: For qualified companies, we have created a marketing kit with suggested language for ensuring that customers and retailers are aware of your company's acceptance into the program and what it means. It also includes suggested language for websites.
If you are interested in receiving any of these materials, please contact Carrie Annand at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining the program, first step is to visit PFI's Standards Program web pages to identify an accredited auditing agency. The agency will help you come up with a Quality Control manual and get you on the path to joining the program.
Government Affairs: Tax Update
PFI convened a joint meeting of staff from the Maine Senate delegation to discuss strategy for enacting the Biomass Thermal Utilization (BTU) Act this year. The effort is once again going to be led by Senators Angus King (I) and Susan Collins (R). The first order of business is bill reintroduction, as all legislation that has not been acted upon in the previous Congress must start the process anew. Such is the case with S. 727, which was introduced in 2015 and was our BTU Act vehicle. Our goal is to reintroduce the legislation later in the first quarter with cosponsors from the Senate Finance Committee. The objective will be to have a balanced list of cosponsors, reflecting bipartisan support for the proposal.
Obviously, a major push to enact comprehensive tax reform later this year will provide opportunities to move our bill. There is also a potential opportunity at the end of April when government funding once again expires. Despite their majority in both the House and Senate, Republicans may need support from Democrats to pass a funding bill, and efforts to position the BTU Act as a negotiating chit may materialize.
In the House, PFI is meeting next week with a key Republican on the House Ways & Means Committee to enlist support for our bill. Committee Chairman Kevin Brady has formed tax reform work groups to flesh out components of a comprehensive tax reform proposal. Included among the many components are energy tax incentives. Our hope is that we can recruit a Republican Ways & Means Member to lead our efforts in the House. We will keep you apprised of our efforts and will likely be reaching out to you for help with this exercise.
Register for Breakfast & Biomass at HPB Expo 2017 in Atlanta, GA
The Hearth Patio & Barbecue Expo 2017 is approaching quickly! The annual event is taking place this year March 2-4 in Atlanta, GA, at the Georgia World Congress Center.
As in years past, PFI will be holding Breakfast & Biomass on Friday, March 3, at 7:30am. Don't miss the chance to network with fellow pellet fuels producers as well as stove manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and others involved in the pellet fuels industry.
Have breakfast and talk biomass with us at the HPB Expo. Registration is open for the $35 event, and is available on the Expo registration webpage.
If you have ideas for topics you'd like to see addressed at Breakfast & Biomass, please contact Carrie Annand at [email protected].
2017 PFI Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
PFI invites you to become a 2017 sponsor! This year, we have developed a new, streamlined sponsorship program that will create multiple opportunities for your company in 2017. Your company will have great visibility at PFI events, on the PFI website, and in the PFI newsletter, amongst other benefits.
The 2017 Sponsorship packages include benefits such as:
- PFI Annual Conference registrations
- Breakfast & Biomass registrations
- Company logo listed on the PFI website
- 10x10 booth at the PFI Annual Conference
- Weekly newsletter advertising
- Website advertising
- And more!
PFI's membership includes over 100 member companies, and our electronic newsletter is sent to over 3,500 people every week. Now is the time to become a sponsor of this organization. Visit our website to explore how you can become involved.
Follow and Connect With Us on Social Media!
We urge all PFI members to engage with us on social media. By joining PFI in being visible and active on social media, we can make our voices heard more loudly and by many more audiences.
Follow us on Twitter: @PelletFuel
Friend us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pfipellets
Link with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pellet-fuels-institute
Have News to Share on Pellet Wire?
We'd love to feature your company's news in a future Pellet Wire! We want to be the first to know your company's recent developments to share them with the wider pellet fuels industry.
Please be in touch with Carrie Annand at [email protected] with information on your company's growth, job openings, promotions or other news.
Join a PFI Committee
We welcome and encourage all interested PFI members to get involved in our committees. There are many opportunities to help steer the association. No matter where your expertise and interests lie, we have a committee that will suit you. Help us plan our next conference, shape our policy agenda, lead communications outreach or grow the PFI Standards Program. Visit PFI's website for more information.
