NEW BRUNSWICK TO SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL-SCALE RENEWABLE PROJECTS New Brunswick is looking to local and First Nations small-scale renewable energy projects, including bioenergy projects, as part of its plan to increase the provincial Renewable Portfolio Standard to a minimum of 40 per cent of NB Power’s in-province sales by 2020. The province’s Department of Energy and Mines released a statement saying that local small-scale renewable projects provide opportunities for non-profit organizations, associations, co-operatives and municipalities to develop renewable energy projects for the greater benefit of the community, and will play a significant role in achieving its 40 per cent Renewable Portfolio Standard. NB Power will procure new renewable energy resources through competitive requests for proposals (RFPs) and projects will be evaluated on criteria to be released prior to each RFP. These criteria will include the net economic and social benefits to the community, cost of energy production, rate of return, business plans, size of project, and cost of integrating the generation into the grid. A portion of the RPS target to be met through the Local Small Scale Renewable Projects Program will be set aside for First Nations projects. In order to meet this goal, government will work with NB Power and New Brunswick First Nations to assess the feasibility of potential projects under this allocation. Discussions will continue with New Brunswick First Nations and the Government of Canada with respect to sustainable energy practices and energy-related issues of mutual interest. TEREX ACQUIRES CBI Terex Materials Processing, a business segment of Terex Corporation and Continental Biomass Industries, Inc. (CBI) recently announced the acquisition of the assets of CBI by Terex, which will expand the Terex Environmental Equipment (TEE) product line. TEE, part of Terex Materials Processing, has been serving the wood, biomass, and recycling industries since 2011. Terex stated that the acquisition of CBI’s business significantly advances the company’s product line while adding dimensions to the TEE business that would otherwise have taken years to develop. The acquisition also adds customization and specialty product capabilities to the TEE product line. Anders Ragnarsson, owner and founder of CBI, will continue as the managing director of the CBI product line. In addition to managing CBI, Ragnarsson will support Tony Devlin, TEE worldwide business director, in developing TEE into a market leader in the wood/bio and recycling industries. YUKON PROPOSES BIOMASS STRATEGY The Yukon government is seeking public feedback on a draft strategy for the development of a biomass energy sector in the Yukon. “A biomass energy strategy will guide the development of an emerging sector that can offer another much-needed solution to deliver adequate energy during our long, cold winter months,” said Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Scott Kent. In the Yukon, the most commonly available biomass resource is wood, which is the main focus of the draft strategy. Six key action areas are being proposed: • Using biomass energy for government infrastructure; developing regulations, policies and programs for a biomass energy industry; • managing air quality to protect public and environmental health and safety; • facilitating the development of a biomass energy industry in Yukon; • ensuring a sustainable timber supply; and • ensuring biomass fuel quality and security. Yukon residents can provide feedback on the draft strategy until Friday, June 26, 2015. BIOMASS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE LAUNCHES In the wake of Nipissing University’s decision to shut down the school’s Biomass Innovation Centre, the former BIC team is moving forward with the creation of the Biomass Development Centre. Biomass North will continue to take on the role of developing a robust and sustainable bioeconomy in Northern Ontario, firstly by implementing the Northern Ontario Bioeconomy Strategy (NO-BS). The NO-BS will build a skills and training plan for the province, drive regulatory and policy reform, and create sustainable supply chains, bioenergy and biofuel projects, biocomposites and biochemical innovation, and support northern food security. For more information about the new initiative, email: info@biomassnorth.org.