Westervelt Renewable Energy achieves first SBP Certification

Westervelt Renewable Energy utilizes renewable biomass to produce wood pellets, an alternative to fossil fuels used to generate electricity by utility providers worldwide.

The SBP Framework sets standards for the sustainable production and the responsible sourcing of woody biomass products, and provides a tool to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements. Sustainability requirements vary across European countries, making it difficult for woody biomass product producers to demonstrate compliance. SBP certification verifies that raw material has been responsibly sourced and complies with legal, regulatory and sustainability requirements of most European power generators.

“The Sustainable Biomass Partnership Framework provides a streamlined process of compliance with European standards,” said Norman Boatwright, manager of NSF International’s forestry programs. “Certifying leading North American organizations such as Westervelt Renewable Energy to the Sustainable Biomass Partnership Framework is an important and crucial part of protecting our forests and natural resources.”

“Seeking internationally-recognized certification for our renewable energy operations validates our ongoing commitment to best management practices as we seek to fulfill our land stewardship mission,” said Alicia Cramer, president of Westervelt Renewable Energy. “With SBP certification, we have added another layer of affirmation that our long established forestry and sustainability practices meet the needs of both the present and the future.”

Following a rigorous application process and the successful certification of Westervelt Renewable Energy, NSF International is now an SBP-approved certification body in Canada and the United States. Additionally, NSF International provided evidence that it meets SBP requirements regarding its existing accreditations and demonstrated sufficient resource and competence to manage the SBP certification program under the SBP Framework.

To learn more about NSF International’s SBP Framework certification or other forestry services, please visit NSF’s Forestry Services Web page or contact sustainability@nsf.org. 

About Sustainable Biomass Partnership
The Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP) is an industry-led initiative formed in 2013 by major European utilities that use biomass, mostly in the form of wood pellets, in large thermal power plants. SBP’s vision is an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable solid biomass supply chain that contributes to a low carbon economy.

About Westervelt Renewable Energy
The Westervelt Company is a land resource organization committed to land stewardship and managing its resources for future generations.  The company operates in multiple arenas and industries including timber and natural resources, yellow pine lumber, forest recreation, mitigation banking, and renewable energy. To learn more visit www.westervelt.com.

About NSF International
NSF International is an independent global organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the building materials, food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 155 countries, NSF International is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment. NSF Sustainability draws upon this expertise in standards development, product assurance and certification, advisory services and quality management systems to help companies create more sustainable products, operations, systems and supply chains.