Pennsylvania Biomass Energy Association is Established
The newly established PA Biomass Energy Association (PBEA), Harrisburg, Pa., describes itself as “an industry-driven, non-profit association working to advance the environmentally responsible use of biomass for clean heat and for combined heat and power applications.”
The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF, wppsef.org), stating in a news release that it recognizes biomass as a strategic initiative, has provided the PBEA with an administrative and educational grant, “providing the association with the start-up funding necessary to hit the ground running.”
The PBEA describes itself as the Keystone State’s “first industry-driven organization that is working to advance the environmentally responsible use of biomass for clean heat and power energy applications in Pennsylvania.”
“A group of companies and individuals involved in the biomass industry in Pennsylvania had been discussing the need for an industry-driven association for some time, and with the financial support offered by the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, we have been able to put that collective thought into reality,” says Jay Clark of AFS Energy Systems and president of PBEA.
The grant from WPPSEF will co-fund PBEA’s general administrative activities through 2013 and fund development of a Pennsylvania biomass energy prospectus that will be used to document the current status of the industry and what is needed for growth.
The grant also will be used to support PBEA meetings and educational field tours. As well, WPPSEF funding will support PBEA’s annual fall conferences in 2012 and 2013.
The WPPSEF invests in the deployment of clean energy technologies throughout the West Penn Power service region in Pennsylvania. Investments are made to promote the use of renewable and clean energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency, and the attraction, establishment, and retention of sustainable energy businesses.
“The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund grant enabled the former PA Biomass Working Group to evolve into an industry-driven, non-profit association,” says Joel Morrison, WPPSEF director. “We hope this grant will provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the growth of the industry and drive more biomass projects within the Commonwealth,” he adds.
PBEA efforts are focused on three areas:
- Promoting and supporting the use of Pennsylvania feedstocks in heat and combined heat and power markets;
- Promoting and providing guidance on clean, efficient, biomass heat and combined heat and power technologies and installations; and
- Educating end users and policy makers on how biomass can be used to meet the heat and power needs in Pennsylvania in a cost effective, environmentally responsible manner.
In April 2012, PBEA selected the Pennsylvania Energy Resources Group (ERG) to manage day-to-day operations of the association and to assist in PBEA’s strategic planning to ensure long-term viability of the organization.
“ERG has worked with biomass energy companies for five years, developing and financing projects,” says ERG Partner John Nikoloff. “Each company has told us they needed an association to serve as the voice for these industries. We are very pleased to have played a role in the association’s inception, and we’re excited to be helping biomass related firms remain a key segment of Pennsylvania’s energy future,” he adds.
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OWMA Names Covanta VP to Board
The Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) has named Joey Neuhoff, vice president of business development for Covanta Energy Corp., to its board of directors. Neuhoff was elected to a two-year term during the OWMA’s annual general meeting.
“Through this appointment, I hope to offer our expertise and contemporary thinking on waste disposal and resource recovery, while working alongside and on behalf of this esteemed group of waste service providers and influencers for the ultimate benefit of Ontarians,” says Neuhoff.
“OWMA supports an integrated waste management solution that includes landfills, transfer stations, organics processing, material recovery and EfW (energy-from-waste) facilities,” says Robert Cook, OWMA’s CEO. “Our members are always looking to advance the ways we serve our communities, and EfW is a component of an integrated waste management system with the potential to contribute to Ontario’s long-term self-sufficiency in waste management,” he adds.
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