The wood-fueled facilities will provide a range of benefits to the area.

The wood commodity price went up in the third quarter of 2010.

The Composite Panel Assn. is among several industry groups lauding U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for recognizing the value of existing markets for wood fiber and making clarifications in the USDA Farm Service Agency’s final rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.

One of the main sticking points for industry — that wood chips were not recognized as being used for high-value products — has been eliminated under the final Biomass Crop Assistance Program rule, announced on Oct. 21.

The Canadian government has launched the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program to help expand opportunities for its forestry sector through the development of innovative projects and technologies.

Massachusetts agency's view on woody-biomass energy raises concerns.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting small businesses to nominate representatives to participate in a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel as the agency develops fine particle emission limits for new residential wood heaters and other burning devices, such as wood stoves and hydronic heaters.

The Composite Panel Assn. (CPA) has filed comments seeking amendments to the proposed rule for the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

The USDA Farm Service Agency on Feb. 3 issued the long-awaited proposed rule for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), intended to spur the expansion of dedicated non-food crops for renewable energy and bio-fuel production. It is expected that the proposal will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, Feb. 8.

Congress is scrutinizing the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which, in its current structure, could eliminate thousands of woodworking jobs, as well as raise consumers’ costs for cabinets, furniture and other items that use composite panels.