Benefits of biomass fuels overlooked
Watertown Daily Times
Most of the political and media conversation around energy focuses on electricity and transportation fuels, but in Northern New York, around the Northeast and in many areas of the world, heating is a very important use of energy and an incredible opportunity for advancements in the use of renewable energies. Biomass is a term that not only includes forest products but also several agricultural products including grasses, crop residues such as straw and fast growing energy crops such as willow. In addition, there is a great deal of work being done with other intriguing energy crops such as miscanthus, a high-yielding perennial grass.More

The grilling is great and the salads are easy
The Charleston Daily Mail
Steven Keith, Charleston Daily Mail food writer commented "The Grilling Season is upon us, and with Father's Day coming up Sunday I suspect more grills than usual will get a workout this weekend. Men meat fire beer  equals one tough combination to beat. But whether they're manning their own coals or letting someone else do the searing, they're probably going to have a good time. We love the thrill of the grill, with a new survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association saying nearly 90 percent of all Americans plan to enjoy grilled food in their own backyard this summer."More

Healthy grilling
Vineland Daily Journal
The sun beats down without relent and the air is heavy with heat. Going for a dip in the pool is a welcome relief, and the thought of spending the rest of the day floating in lazy circles is a tempting one. But then, snaking its way through the air is something more tantalizing: a wisp of smoky, char-grilled heaven. It's enough to make just about anyone's stomach grumble. There's nothing quite like walking up to a picnics table as the grill sizzles close by, especially after the first satisfying snap of a hot dog or juicy bite of a burger with the full setup. Grill season is back, and life is very, very good.More

Landscapes designed for men
The Star-Ledger
Pity the poor Neanderthal who roamed the wilderness, yielded a club and had to hunt for his dinner; today's cave dweller prefers to mark his territory and relax in a lair that's super rock star cool. The latest trend has the male of the species opting to head outdoors to bask in fiery machismo and chill with buddies in spaces equipped with all the deluxe comforts of a high-end resort. Man space is not a new concept; even Batman enjoyed escaping to his bat cave when he wasn't saving Gotham. More

Pizza breaks your barbecue out of boredom
Danbury News Times
Show your grill a little variety, besides steaks and marinated chicken, with grilled pizza. It's so light you'll feel like you could jump in the pool within minutes of chomping down that last bit of crust. It's also easily tailored to preferences. Vegetarians? Tomato, feta and olives. Meat-lovers? Layer on grilled chicken, blue cheese and hot sauce. Picky kids? Just grill the dough.More

Tips for grilling better burgers this summer
The Plain Dealer
If your goal is burger perfection, plan ahead. One of the dumbest things you can do is pull your perfectly grilled patties off the fire and remember, "Oh, I forgot to slice the tomatoes and onions." Have condiments and buns set up and ready to go. And buy the best meat you can. If you can afford it, grass-fed beef produces burgers that have the kind of flavor you probably haven't tasted in years; more meaty, mellow and plain "beefy."More

Make some magic in a spring fireplace
Hamilton Spectator
Think of your empty hearth as a shadow box waiting to showcase something pretty. It's the perfect stage for an artful display or an unusual object. Here are five easy ideas to spark your imagination and turn a black hole into a visual treat.More

Study analyzes 'carbon debt' of woody biomass
Sustainable Business
A new study quantifies the pros and cons of burning forest wood for heating and electricty production. The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences released the results of a six-month study that began last December to answer some critical questions about using forest wood for energy in Massachusetts. More

Wood stoves under fire as health risk
Fair Warning
When Darrell McGillis, 82, steps outside to fetch the newspaper on a winter morning, his lungs serve as his personal barometer. If the air is thick with chimney smoke, his nostrils and lungs begin to burn. "If I spend any time out there, I have to take a breath of my inhaler when I get back inside," said McGillis, a cardiac patient whose lungs are wracked with a chronic disorder. He relies on three separate prescription devices to ease his breathing. On smoky days, he stays indoors.More

Incentive offered to replace old woodstoves
Burns Times Herald
A woodstove replacement fund was created during the June 2, Harney County, Court meeting in Oregon using funds available from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.More