March 1 - The South Lewis Central School District has a new renewable heating source - local, woody biomass.  A tour and information session, organized by the Drum Country Biomass Working Group, was held on February 22, 2012, to share the success of the project with the public.  The system, fueled by wood chips, is expected to save the school district approximately $100,000 per year.  According to an article in the Watertown Daily Times, "State building aid funded 98 percent of the project, with $343,000 from the state Expanding Our Children’s Education and Learning program essentially covering the local share." To view the full article, click here.

February 25 - The Annual Alliance Membership meeting held December 15, 2011 at the New York Forestry Resource Center in Rensselaer was productive and well attended. Over thirty Alliance members and invited guests, representing many sectors of the biomass industry took part in the day-long event. Presentations in the morning focused on the successes and challenges of 2011 within the following sectors: feedstock and logistics, waste to energy, CHP, biopower and liquid transportation fuels.

The afternoon discussion provided an opportunity to lay out the priorities for the coming year - seven new objectives were established by the members in attendance (Rebranding, State Energy Plan, Biomass Thermal Roadmap, RPS, NY State Tax Parity, State Procurement Policy, Regional Development Policy) These seven new objectives combined with four previous 2011 priorities (Farmland Restoration Tax Credit, PACE, Legislative Monitoring, RGGI) comprise the overall objectives for 2012.

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