BTEC Launches Series of Educational Webinars on Biomass Heating and CHP

Online, September 17, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The Biomass Thermal Energy Council (BTEC) today announced the launch of a series of free educational webinars on topics important to the biomass thermal industry. The first in the series, The Opportunity of Biomass Thermal Energy: Renewable Heating and CHP, will be held September 28, 2010 at 3PM ET. This event is made possible with funding from the USDA Forest Service's Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC). Advance registration is required and is available online at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/805300683.

This webinar will provide an overview of the biomass thermal industry, including market background, woody and non-woody feedstocks, supply chains, economic impacts, available technologies, and potential challenges and opportunities. Featured presenters include Charlie Niebling, General Manager of New England Wood Pellet, T.J. Morice, Vice-President of Operations and Marketing at Marth Wood Supply, and Kyle Gibeault, Deputy Director of BTEC.

"The potential of biomass energy in the U.S. is extraordinary. On a number of levels, heating or CHP with biomass makes economic and environmental sense," said Mr. Gibeault. "We are excited to be offering these webinars free of charge to anyone interested in learning about the opportunity of biomass thermal energy."

In June 2010, the USDA Forest Service awarded BTEC a grant to advance education and outreach on biomass thermal energy. The grant project will produce 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 will be publicly accessible on the BTEC website at www.biomassthermal.org/resource.