Update on PFI's Breakfast & Biomass at the 2017 HPB Expo

Last week, PFI members gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association's (HPBA) 2017 Expo. As part of the expo, PFI held its annual Breakfast & Biomass, where 130 attendees learned about the latest industry and market trends. American Wood Fiber's Stephen Faehner, past chairman of the PFI Board of Directors, updated attendees on PFI's activities over the past year. Stove and equipment manufacturers, pellet fuels and appliance retailers, and other expo participants networked with PFI members during the event that included the following presentations:

- HPBA's Cameron Downs walked attendees through the latest market data, indicating that after a blockbuster year in 2014, appliance shipments have stabilized to levels prior to that year.

- Channele Wirman, lead survey statistician for the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), shared the agency's Densified Biomass Fuel Report. EIA began collecting data on the pellet fuels industry, capacity and sales last year with the help of many PFI members. Ms. Wirman, an enthusiastic advocate for pellet fuels, reported on the history of the report and the agency's plans for its future.

- Pat Rita of Orion Advocates, PFI's government affairs representative in Washington, analyzed the Trump Administration transition and its key federal agency appointments to positions that will have regulatory oversight over the pellet fuels industry.

- Pacific Coast Pellets' Stan Elliot, chair of PFI's conference committee, gave an overview of the PFI 2017 Annual Conference, which will be held July 23-25 at the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. 

Please visit PFI's website to view the collection of the 2017 Breakfast & Biomass presentations, as well as for news and updates on the PFI Annual Conference and other PFI activities. 

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Learn About the USDA Wood-to-Energy Check-Off Initiative on a Webinar This Month

The Wood-to-Energy Check-off Initiative will be hosting a webinar for members of the pellet and biomass power industries. Presentations are scheduled for four times: twice March 15, 11:00 AM EST and 2:00 PM EST, and twice March 22, 11:00 AM EST and 2:00 PM EST.

The webinar will present an overview of USDA Research and Promotion programs (commonly referred to as check-off programs), their history and benefits, and the components of the Wood-to-Energy Check-off Initiative as recommended by the Wood-to-Energy Check-off Initiative Work Group. These components include company eligibility, what is funded and how it may be used, funding safety nets, program governance, program cost, and next steps for the initiative.

To register to participate, complete the form.

For more information on the Wood-to- Energy Check-off Program Initiative, please visit the program's website. 

Government Affairs Update: BTU Act

A new ally has emerged in our ongoing efforts to enact federal tax policy incentivizing deployment of highly efficient thermal energy systems that are fueled with biomass. This week, the Biomass Power Association reached out to indicate that the organization has put enactment of the BTU Act as one of its key "asks" during its Congressional fly-in later this month. Evidently, power facilities may be able to take advantage of the expanded credits that the BTU Act authorizes through steam generation capabilities at biomass power plants. This is welcome news as collaborating with our colleagues in the power space broadens our political reach in lobbying energy tax policy.

PFI continues to meet with Congressional offices in the House and Senate to prepare for reintroduction of the BTU Act in the 115th Congress.

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.