Save the Date for PFI's Annual Conference - July 23-25 at the Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, VT
It's not too early to start planning to attend the PFI Annual Conference, July 23-25 in Stowe, Vermont! Learn about key industry trends this summer while networking with fellow pellet fuels manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, industry experts and others.
We are currently developing the program, details of which will be available soon. Registration will be open soon for our annual event.
We'll be updating PFI's website and including items in the Pellet Wire as more information becomes available.
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: Trump Administration Proposed Budget
The Trump Administration unveiled its proposed FY 2018 budget yesterday. Like the Obama Administration budgets for the last several years, the document is more of a messaging document signaling themes and Administration priorities and much of it is unlikely to be enacted. However, there are several areas worth noting, such as:
- EPA would see the most significant reduction of any agency or department with a proposed 31 percent cut in funding and would lose over 3,000 employees. Programs that are specifically targeted in the proposal include those related to climate change, as well as those related to enforcement, science and environmental grants. The proposal would also defund the Clean Power Plan.
- DOE's funding would be 5.6 percent below current levels, to $28 billion. Programs that are on the block for elimination include the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The proposal also calls for cuts at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
- USDA would see a cut of 20.7 percent. Details are fairly sparse with this document and so there is currently no mention of biomass energy programs that may be cut. On the positive side, the budget fully funds wildland fire preparedness and suppression activities on federal forests at $2.4 billion, 100 percent of the 10-year average for suppression operations, to ensure the resources necessary to protect life and property.
We will keep you apprised as more details emerge.
Live in Michigan? Apply for a Rebate When Purchasing a New Woodstove
The American Lung Association in Michigan is fighting for cleaner air and better health by coordinating financial incentives for residents of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to replace or retrofit inefficient, higher polluting wood-or coal-burning appliances with cleaner-burning, more energy-efficient heating appliances and technologies.
Starting on January 1, 2017, homeowners of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that use older wood-or-coal burning heating appliances as their primary or significant heating source may apply for a rebate, depending on the type of replacement appliance.
Learn more on the American Lung Association website.
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.
