Biomass experts outline future economic growth of industry in the final WERC webinar.

Washington, DC – December 16, 2011 – Today, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) announced its newest webinar, "Biomass Thermal Energy Market Outlook: 2012-2015," scheduled for December 20th at 2 PM ET. By showcasing future resource availability, technology and policy, this webinar will help those involved with biomass thermal assess resources available to them as well as possible investment options for the future.

Despite regulatory and economic uncertainty, the biomass industry has shown resilience and continued growth. The December 20th webinar will feature three perspectives on biomass market growth, trends, and overall expansion. Each presenter will showcase a different forecasting tool or analysis developed to better understand and promote biomass thermal markets. These tools address resource availability, appliance development and policy possibilities.

The webinar's panelists include Jeffrey Eppink of Enegis, LLC who uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess fuel availability across the United States. Amanda Hamsley Lang, Operations Manager for Forisk Consulting, and Managing Editor of Wood Bioenergy US, will showcase her research on the development of biomass thermal and CHP facilities. Finally, William Perrit, Executive Editor of RISI, Inc. will explain how future policies can promote the growth of biomass thermal markets.

Registration for this free event is available at www.biomassthermal.org/resource/webinars.asp#outlook

This is the final webinar in a 14-part series, made possible with funding from the U.S. Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC). In June 2010, the USDA Forest Service awarded BTEC a grant to advance education and outreach on biomass thermal energy. The grant project has produced an array of educational tools, including fact sheets, web resources, webinars, audio interviews, and a slide presentation for use by all stakeholders. All tools are free and are publicly accessible on the BTEC website at www.biomassthermal.org/resource.

For more information on the webinar or the grant, contact:
Emanuel Wagner
Program Coordinator - Outreach, Education and External Affairs
Biomass Thermal Energy Council
emanuel.wagner@biomassthermal.org


About the Wood Education and Resource Center

The USDA Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) is located in Princeton, WV, and is administered by the agency's Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry organization. The Center's mission is to work with the forest products industry toward sustainable forest products production for the eastern hardwood forest region. The Center provides state-of-the-art training, technology transfer, networking opportunities, applied information. The institution is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at www.na.fs.fed.us/werc.

About the Biomass Thermal Energy Council

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) is an association of biomass fuel producers, appliance manufacturers and distributors, supply chain companies and non-profit organizations that view biomass thermal energy as a renewable, responsible, clean and energy-efficient pathway to meeting America's energy needs. BTEC engages in research, education, and public advocacy for the fast growing biomass thermal energy industry. Learn more at www.biomassthermal.org.