Biomass Supply Chains
Certification process of Texas Pellets Inc. / German Pellets Texas, LLC (“TPI”) – RFS announces Public Consultation on Supply Base Report for wood pellet mill in Woodville, Texas, seeking certification under Sustainable Biomass Program standards
TPI operates a pellet mill located in the town of Woodville, in East Texas. The company is committed to operating a high quality biomass processing facility, and to promoting the development of energy generation from renewable sources (namely industrial wood pellets). To help ensure the sustainable management of the forested landbase from which raw material is sourced, TPI is seeking Sustainable Biomass Program certification [click link for details on the SBP standards]. The company has contracted with RFS to assist in the implementation of policies and procedures, as well as a management system for fiber procurement, that conform with SBP requirements.
The SBP requires that all interested parties have the opportunity to provide feedback or input on any new certification process undertaken under SBP standards. RFS as well as TPI management are keen to hear from any individual or entity that has an interest in the Woodville mill, or the fiber basket in which it operates.*
Two key documents prepared by RFS on behalf of TPI (as the Biomass Producer, or BP, in SBP terms) are available at the links below, for free public access, and we look forward to receiving your comments. The documents in question are: The ‘Supply Base Report’ [5MB PDF] – the SBR is a summary of the approach taken by TPI and RFS in evaluating the possible impact of fiber procurement for the Woodville mill at the landscape level, and how any potential risks may be avoided or mitigated.
‘Annex I’ [500KB PDF] to the SBR – this document provides a point-by-point discussion of how some steps of the process have been approached, based on the specific indicators of the relevant SBP Standard.
The stakeholder consultation will be formally completed by Monday April 29 – although we remain open to comments, ongoing, as they arise.
The on-site main (initial) certification audit of the Woodville mill is to be performed that same week (of April 29th – May 3th), by an audit team working on behalf of SCS Global Services, the SBP-accredited Certi_cation Body with whom TPI has contracted for the audit (see: www.SCSglobalservices.com).
Both TPI and RFS thank you in advance for your comments! Please contact us at the following address:
* Eastern Texas – the list of counties from which fiber may originate is included on the last page of the SBR document.