PFI reaches MOU with USDA, industry groups

September 12, 2013, Washington, DC – The Pellet Fuels
Institute (PFI) on Wednesday joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
and three additional biomass groups in signing a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) signifying a commitment by the federal government and industry to jointly
grow and promote the wood to energy sector. 

The Biomass Thermal Energy Council, the Biomass Power
Association and the Alliance for Green Heat also signed the MOU at an event
held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which featured remarks by Deputy
Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden. 

The MOU recognizes the shared goals and interests amongst
the signers in expanding the use of wood to energy: creating local jobs,
increasing affordable heating and electricity options for rural Americans,
improving forest health, reducing wildfire risks, and promoting efficient
biomass technologies across residential, commercial and industrial segments of
the wood energy arena. 

"This MOU shows a significant commitment by the USDA
and the biomass industry to work together to 
expand use of wood energy in our country," said Scott Jacobs,
President of PFI.  "I know I speak
for all of our membership when I say that we are thrilled to be working in a
more deliberate partnership with USDA and our colleagues within the biomass
industry. This MOU is a further example of the commitment of PFI and its
members to work with USDA and others to develop sustainable and sound land
management practices in order to achieve USDA's goal of providing clean air,
clean water, soil preservation, fire hazard reduction and renewable energy for
the U.S."  

In remarks at the signing, PFI Executive Director Jennifer
Hedrick highlighted the benefits of using pellets, including the significant
cost savings realized when switching from fuel oil to pellets, and
opportunities to contribute to better forest health and management through the
use of forest residues for pellet production.

Hedrick was joined by leaders of the three biomass energy
groups in thanking Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for his commitment to
bolstering wood energy use across America. "We're grateful to Secretary
Vilsack for the opportunity to build on existing synergy between USDA and
industry to facilitate growth of the wood energy sector," Hedrick said.