PLC Logger's Voice Winter 2017

Biomass continued from page 14
* Amending Maine’s Renewable Portfolio
Standards to include a thermal class similar to that used in
states like New Hampshire and Massachusetts, to
incentivize increased biomass use for thermal energy.
* Creating biomass energy policy that fits within
the state’s comprehensive energy plan, including Maine’s
federal Clean Power Plan.
* Enabling and encouraging co-located
manufacturing facilities to stand-alone biomass electric
facilities. Encouraging net metering/microgrids and
distributed generation to lower transmission and
distribution costs and incentivize manufacturing growth.
* Encouraging combined heat and power (CHP)
system investments and creating incentives for
Work to develop a comprehensive strategy to
address the ongoing crisis in Maine’s forest products
economy has been proceeding since a three day visit by a
U.S. Commerce Department Economic Development
Assessment Team (EDAT) in the summer of 2016 that
began the process.
Regional leaders and economic development
experts, alongside officials from federal agencies,
participated in a series of economic development sessions,
tours, and briefings during the visit to analyze strengths,
opportunities and weaknesses in the Maine forest products
economy.
The PLC is one of five industry organizations to
have a seat on the EDAT steering committee to help guide
the process and ensure that industry’s voice is part of it.
The visit was followed by extensive deliberations and
analysis to chart a roadmap for the future.
Goals and recommendations of the group over the next
three years include:
Priority A. Conduct a global market assessment to assess
future demand for Maine wood products.
Priority B. Conduct a statewide wood supply analysis to
attract new markets.
Priority C. Conduct a transportation analysis to determine
where infrastructure improvements are necessary to
increase profitability for the forest products value chain.
Priority D. Support and grow markets for low-value wood
and biomass utilizing CHP(Combined Heat and Power)
biomass plants, micro-grids, and modern thermal systems.
Priority E. Invest in the research, development and
commercialization of emerging wood technologies such as
forest bioproducts as an opportunity for the utilization of
low value fiber.
EDAT Update
development of smaller CHP applications connected to
public and private institutions and wood manufacturers.
* Promoting use of local wood – similar to the
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Forestry “Get Real Get Maine” campaign; support a “Heat
Local” campaign among Maine residents.
The next phase of the ongoing fight for Maine’s
biomass market will include working with lawmakers to
implement recommendations that can aid the industry and
the loggers and sawmills that depend on it. The PLC will
continue its efforts with the aid of our Members and
Supporting Members who were so key to success in
2016.
Priority F. Support small landowners who want to grow
and harvest more wood.
Priority G. Invest in Logger and Forest Products Workforce
Development.
Priority H. Redevelop and reutilize or repurpose Maine’s
closed pulp and paper mill industrial sites.
Priority I. Diversify and strengthen Maine’s rural economy.
Announcements regarding these recommendations
and plans for securing funding to accomplish them are
planned for early 2017 with action to follow.
The PLC and its Members and Supporting
Members have been closely involved with the process and
will continue to represent the interests of Maine loggers
and related industries as the work proceeds.
The Logger’s Voice ▪ Winter 2017
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