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May 24, 2013
A weekly look at sustainable bioenergy, farm, and forest policy issues
Senate Begins Farm Bill Debate
The Senate began to debate the 2013 Farm Bill this week. More than 200 amendments are pending. The debate will resume when the Senate returns from its Memorial Day recess June 3. We will report on the amendments and some of the issues at stake next week.
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Combined Heat and Power Saves Money, Reduces Emissions, and Improves Energy Security
Combined heat and power is a proven win-win for reducing costs and emissions while providing a secure, reliable, and resilient energy supplies in congested power markets and in the wake of power grid failures. These features can be especially important for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, water supply and waste water treatment facilities, nursing homes, emergency centers, and other facilities for which the loss of thermal and electric power would cause significant economic harm or undermine public health or safety. This week, EESI hosted a briefing and released a Fact Sheet on related topics.
Biomass Thermal Utilization Act Introduced; Vermont Is Already Leading the Way
Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced legislation that would recognize and encourage efficient, renewable thermal biomass energy under the law just as other types of renewable energy are encouraged today. Meanwhile, Vermont is forging ahead; a recent report from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities documents hundreds of institutional thermal biomass systems in use across the country; and a report, from FutureMetrics, sees great potential in the Midwest.
Writer: Ned Stowe
Advancing science-based climate solutions
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