Oil Prices Accelerating; NE Biomass Advocates Rally for Renewable Energy

Manchester, NH - February 28 , 2011According to estimates from the Energy Information Administration, prices for U.S. home heating oil rose 24 percent in February 2011, compared to February 2010. With prices expected to continue to rise, members of the Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group (NEBTWG) are urging homeowners, business owners and policy makers to take action making the utilization of renewable heating options, like biomass, a reality for more residents of the Northeastern United States. According to the group, steadily rising fossil fuel costs are, once again, causing the region to refocus efforts in support of renewable alternatives."Biomass, such as pellet fuel and wood chips, provides an alternative to exporting 75 cents out of every Northeastern dollar spent, which is what occurs with heating oil from foreign sources." - Charlie Niebling“The Northeastern U.S. is witnessing a rise in home heating fuel oil and propane costs – a dependency that drains our regional economy of billions each year,” said Charlie Niebling, co-chair of the NEBTWG Steering Committee and general manager of New England Wood Pellet. “Biomass, such as pellet fuel and wood chips, provides an alternative to exporting 75 cents out of every Northeastern dollar spent, which is what occurs with heating oil from foreign sources. Heating homes and businesses with biomass not only saves money on heating bills, but helps communities to retain more of their wealth due to local sourcing, delivery and use of sustainably produced fuel.”