Europe s appetite for wood is clashing with Black communities in South Carolina Sammy Fretwell, The State (Columbia, S.C.)
May 7 Europe s effort to make energy from American wood pellets is drawing complaints from Black community leaders in South Carolina, where manufacturers are expanding to produce more of the tiny wood chips.
In Greenwood County, one large wood pellet factory is increasing the size of its operation and another mill is on the drawing board. A third pellet mill, backed by local and state politicians, plans to open next summer in Florence County.
South Carolina has at least six wood pellet plants that have either been established or proposed in recent years, according to environmental groups and state regulators.
Europe s appetite for wood is clashing with Black communities in South Carolina Sammy Fretwell, The State (Columbia, S.C.)
May 7 Europe s effort to make energy from American wood pellets is drawing complaints from Black community leaders in South Carolina, where manufacturers are expanding to produce more of the tiny wood chips.
In Greenwood County, one large wood pellet factory is increasing the size of its operation and another mill is on the drawing board. A third pellet mill, backed by local and state politicians, plans to open next summer in Florence County.
South Carolina has at least six wood pellet plants that have either been established or proposed in recent years, according to environmental groups and state regulators.
-The Hagstrom Report
The Environmental Protection Agency today filed a court motion to vacate three small refinery exemptions to the Renewable Fuel Standard that the Trump administration issued on Jan. 19, just before President Donald Trump left office.
“EPA is addressing the previous administration’s mishandling of the SRE program, including the midnight-hour grants of three SREs to Sinclair,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor.
“We are hopeful that EPA will continue to rein in the SRE program to achieve its limited purpose and ensure that the RFS advances the biofuels industry today and in the years to come.”
Last week the Supreme Court heard arguments on a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Jan. 24, 2020, ruling that struck down three earlier SREs that the court said were improperly issued by the EPA and held that the agency cannot “extend” exemptions to any small refineries whose earlier, temporary exemptions had lapsed, Biomass Magazine reported.
“When we invest in accessible and modern climate-smart infrastructure in rural communities, we invest in rebuilding the middle class by creating good-paying jobs,” Maxson said. “The investments we are announcing today demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration has put rural communities at the heart of climate action and climate-smart solutions.”
Highlights of today’s announcement include investments in:
Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:
USDA is investing $374 million through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in 31 states. Through its Water and Environmental Programs, USDA funds vital water infrastructure that directly benefits the health, economic vitality and environment of rural America.
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on April 20 opened a public consultation seeking evidence on how sustainable biomass should be sourced and used to support the country’s net-zero target. Comments filed during the consultation period will inform the development of the U.K.’s upcoming biomass strategy.
According to the BEIS, information provided by stakeholders will support a review of the amount of sustainable biomass available to the U.K., and how the resource can be best utilized across the economy and in different end uses, considering existing and future demand, to support the U.K.’s net-zero target. Evidence gathered during the consultation will also inform an assessment of the country’s current biomass sustainability standards.