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Woody Biomass Commodity Exchange Study In Progress

CleanTech Partners (CTP) announced today the implementation of the Biomass Commodity Exchange (BCEX) project, now in progress. CTP intends to create a business plan to launch a woody biomass commodity exchange.

The objective of BCEX is to increase the efficiency of the supply chain providing biomass to the existing forest products industry and the emerging forest biorefinery sector. The plan will examine facilitation of trading existing woody biomass markets, such as pulpwood, emerging open-loop biomass markets such as forest residue and the future trade of closed-loop energy crops, such as willow, poplar and switch grass.

The goals for the project are to -

o    Facilitate expansion of the biomass market by providing a transparent pricing mechanism.

o    Reduce trade costs in biomass commodities for both current and future market participants.

o    Encourage market infrastructure investment by communicating current and future prices.

o    Promote the efficient management of Upper Midwest and U.S. biomass resources.

"To meet the needs of privately-held forest resources and the demands of the growing wood-to-energy markets require a long-term commitment. This can be fostered through the combined efforts of the private sector, plus local and state agencies," said Ed Corrigan, Director of Finance and Operations, CTP. "An important missing link to facilitate these markets is a commodity exchange that will standardize products, enable cost discovery and facilitate long-term contractual agreements."

The project is being coordinated by Heartland Business Consultants (HBC).

According to Stephen Dinehart, President of HBC, "The biomass commodity exchange will ensure the future vitality of the current forest products industry plus biofuels and biorefineries and will make sure the most efficient, effective market in which to conduct business and trade is possible. To accomplish this, we are actively seeking public and trade input to the business plan for a woody biomass commodity exchange. We invite all to engage us through our Website at www.biomasscommodityexchange.com."

"The biomass industry is in the beginning of a new era across the United States," Dinehart said. "Billions of dollars are being deployed to utilize our biomass resources for power generation and biofuels production -- advanced and cellulosic. BCEX is the only project that is addressing the efficiency of the markets for that resource base."

The project is being funded by Wisconsin-based CleanTech Partner's Biorefinery Development Collaborative, Focus on Energy, New Page Corporation, WE Energies and the Wisconsin Public Service, and nationally by the U.S. Forest Service.

More information about the Biomass Commodity Exchange can be found at www.biomasscommodityexchange.com.

About CleanTech Partners:

CleanTech Partners (CTP), headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin, helps companies reduce energy consumption in Wisconsin through the introduction and use of new energy-efficient technology. CTP provides financing and business resources assisting the developers of new energy savings technologies with commercialization efforts. Also, CTP provides installation financing for Wisconsin companies as prospective users of new energy savings technologies. Find more information at www.cleantechpartners.org.

About Heartland Business Consultants:

Heartland Business Consultants (HBC), located in Madison, Wisconsin, focuses on providing insightful analysis and actionable recommendations for businesses, its executives and owners, and public policymakers faced with the complex issues of the business environment and its interface with the public sector. The firm's expertise includes strategic business development, commodity exchanges, the federal regulator process, entrepreneurial business development and mergers and acquisitions. Find more information at www.heartlandbusinessconsultants.com.

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