by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has denied 36 petitions from oil refiners seeking exemptions to the nation's biofuel blending laws for the 2018 compliance year, but will provide 31 of those refineries with another avenue to seek
(Bergeson & Campbell) On April 6, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a webinar on “New Chemical Risk Management Actions under TSCA.” As reported in our January 24, 2022, blog item, in January 2022, EPA announced an effort to streamline the review
(Solutions from the Land) ... Unfortunately, he has ignored a widely available, less expensive source of clean transportation fuel – biofuels, like ethanol – that could help ease those prices and supply concerns. Russian oil represents only 2 percent of all U.S.
(KLGR) Two Senate Ag Committee members recently urged the Environmental Protection Agency to update its greenhouse gas modeling for biofuels. Senators John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, and Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, asked the EPA to adopt the Argonne National Lab’s
(Renewable Fuels Association) Sales of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, hit a record 814 million gallons in 2021, according to a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association. The 2021 volume represented a 62 percent increase over the prior year
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Two years ago ethanol producers were in the middle of the worst downturn in the industry’s history as the new COVID-19 pandemic put the country at a standstill and production dropped by 50 percent in a month.
(Bergeson & Campbell) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published on April 4, 2022, a request for information (RFI) from interested parties on federal programs and activities in support of sustainable chemistry. 87 Fed. Reg. 19539. OSTP notes that “[t]he
by Marc Heller (E&E News) House Agriculture Committee lawmakers pressed the administration to expand ethanol use in response to high gasoline prices. -- House Agriculture Committee Republicans yesterday bashed the Biden administration’s energy policies, saying the White House focus on long-term
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the agency’s particulate matter (PM) emissions standards and test procedures for jet engines, and the role biofuels play in reducing PM and greenhouse gas emissions in mobile sources including
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... Also using more biodiesel fuels can help offset the higher costs of petroleum diesel. Biodiesel fuels (B20) were running about 20 cents less per gallon than petroleum diesel, according to the latest information from the U.S.
(C3 Biotech) C3 BIOTECH is proud to be working with the UK RAF and US Navy to develop synthetic aviation fuel. In an international collaboration between UK and US, our fuel was successfully used by the RAF to fly a
by Madelyn Ostendorf (Successful Farming) In a first-of-its kind study, researchers at Purdue University have illustrated the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on the production of biofuels. Over the past 15 years, production and consumption of biofuels have increased in
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Attorneys general in Iowa, Kansas and the governor of Minnesota asked the EPA for a waiver to allow E15 sales to continue in their states when those sales are set to end starting on June
by Michael McAdams (The Hill/Advanced Biofuels Association) ... As (President Joe) Biden said, this moment “should motivate us to accelerate the transition to clean energy,” rightly touting his plan to shift the majority of passenger vehicles to electric. While the president’s commitment
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In South Dakota, The American Coalition for Ethanol submitted feedback to the Environmental Protection Agency’s request for comment on the current scientific understanding of greenhouse gas modeling of land-based crop biofuels. ACE CEO Brian Jennings and ACE Board
(U.S. Department of Transportation) Standards to require fleet average of 49 mpg by 2026, save consumers money, and advance U.S. energy independence -- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced new, landmark fuel economy standards which
by Daniel B. Fishman and Anne Otwell (U.S. Department of Energy) National laboratories discover the telltale signs of algae distress to target effective treatments and mitigate crop collapse. -- Algae are an exciting renewable feedstock for the future of sustainable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you want to know what is being done to overcome current limitations for conversion of algae biomass to fuels and bioproducts by efficient utilization of proteins and carbohydrates, which are the dominant components of
by Justin McPherson (Advanced Biofuels USA) The 2022 ABCL conference, held March 16 – 18 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC, brought together many different companies, organizations, and ‘ordinary’ people from a variety of different backgrounds, all with their
by S. Heather Duncan (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Scientists with the Center for Bioenergy Innovation at ORNL highlighted a hybrid approach that uses microbes and catalysis to convert cellulosic biomass into fuels suitable for aviation and other difficult-to-electrify sectors. -- The
by Zack Budryk (The Hill) President Biden is set to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) as early as this week to step up production of minerals used to manufacture electric vehicle batteries, a source familiar the plans confirmed to The Hill. Biden is set to
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Representatives from Iowa questioned Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young Tuesday on the lack of biofuels in the $6 trillion White House budget unveiled this week. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) both pressed Young
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 50-70% of bioprocessing costs are associated with separations, so there is a need to raise technical maturity of separations for biomass-derived intermediate and product streams while reducing costs and addressing the major separation challenges. So
(Bio Market Insights) Around 3.5 billion years ago, plants became able to turn sunlight and carbon dioxide into energy. Researchers in the field of artificial photosynthesis are figuring out how humans could do the same. Plant photosynthesis consists of three steps. First,
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) ClearFlame Engine Technologies' ethanol-diesel engine will head to the field for testing in a John Deere 9-liter model, perhaps in tractors and harvesters in the fourth quarter of 2022, said ClearFlame CEO BJ Johnson. Johnson shared
by Spencer Chase (Agri-Pulse) The Biden administration is fielding a steady stream of requests for emergency action to allow for summertime sales of E15, but those calls are coming up against the realities of the fuel supply chain as demonstrated
by Kristen Mally Dean (Argonne National Laboratory) Using hydrous ethanol as a dual fuel in internal combustion engines may help reduce greenhouse gases in the rail industry. -- ... Essam El-Hannouny, a principal mechanical engineer at the Department of Energy’s (DOE)
(Intercontinental Exchange/Business Wire) Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, today announced the launch of two Renewable Volume Obligation futures contracts, expanding ICE’s U.S. renewable fuels futures markets. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable
by Alex Guillén (Politico) The Biden administration has issued a final rule applying a major hike in penalties for automakers who fall short of fuel economy standards back through model year 2019 vehicles. The decision is expected to lead to hundreds of millions in
(AECOM) AECOM, the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced it has signed a strategic agreement with Genifuel Corporation to scale production of carbon neutral sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biogas from wild algae and biosolids. The partnership employs a patent-pending
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) NREL is focusing on commodity productswith sufficient market sizes to aid biofuels production (e.g., adipic acid), working with Lignin Util. & SepConfor lignin substrates, and developing innovative biocatalysts and bioprocesses for lignin valorization. Get all
(International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce) The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC or the Committee) will hold a virtual meeting via WebEx on Thursday March 31, 2022, hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The meeting is open
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) With the start of the summer driving season fast approaching and year-round E15 sales no longer an option, EPA's Rod Snyder said on Thursday the agency continues to work to restore those sales. Snyder, who is
On March 22, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced a new $34.5 million funding opportunity to improve the current science and infrastructure for converting waste streams, often disproportionately located in underserved communities, into valuable
by Martina Gini (Earth.org) ... Over 370,000 flights have taken to the skies using SAF since 2016 and it is estimated that implementing this fuel could contribute nearly 65% to the reduction in emissions needed to reach the net-zero target in the next
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan on March 22 issued a statement in support of National Agriculture Day thanking farmers for their work to produce food, feed, fuel and fiber. Regan also discussed the importance of the
(Chemical Processing) Novel electrocatalyst-based system operates at mild conditions and produces hydrogen -- A research team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Wash., has developed a patent-pending system that uses a flow cell bioreactor to turn carbon previously
by Estella Shi, Will Sommer, Andrew Smiddy (U.S. Energy Information Administration) In our Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022) Reference case, which reflects current laws and regulations, we project that renewable diesel supply (domestic production and net imports) will exceed biodiesel supply in the near
(Environmental Protection Agency) Reviewing New Chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- The Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention’s (OCSPP) New Chemicals Division (NCD) has implemented a robust, consistent, and efficient process to assess the risk and apply
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA in holding webinars on March 23 and April 6 related to its January 2022 announcement that the agency is launching a new initiative under the Toxic Substances Control Act that aims to streamline the
(Carbon 180) By focusing on our soils, the US can radically transform the agriculture sector’s relationship to climate change. Yet today’s efforts to promote healthy soils are deeply fragmented. The Soil Carbon Moonshot is a five-year proposal for a coordinated,
(U.S. Department of Energy) New funding opportunity helps underserved communities turn waste into a resource for a clean and equitable energy economy -- Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new $34.5 million funding opportunity to improve the current
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Reps. Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.; and Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, on March 21 introduced the Home Front Energy Independence Act, a bill that aims to expand access to biofuels and ban
by F. Taheripour, S. Mueller, H. Kwon, M. Khanna, I. Emery, K. Copenhaver, M. Wang (Argonne National Laboratory) The Systems Assessment Center and its collaborators provide a detailed technical review of a recently published article “Environmental Outcomes of the US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Topsoe’s Mikala Grubb stepped in. “What we have is a solids to liquids conversion problem.” The room went quiet, quiet like a church. “750 delegates negotiating in a small hotel but you can hear a watch
by Bill Hagy (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) In considering applying for federal funding for a commercial scale bioeconomy project, one should know that there are many types of federal funding available – grants, direct loans, loan guarantees or combinations of two
(U.S. Department of Transportation/NGV Journal) President Biden and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $409.3 million in grants to 70 projects in 39 states to modernize U.S. buses, make bus systems and routes more reliable, and improve
by Nichole Fitzgerald (U.S. Department of Energy) How Idaho National Laboratory's Dr. Lynn Wendt has come to understand and mitigate the detrimental impacts of biomass decay after harvest. -- Renewable biomass is one of the key clean energy resources that will
(Ohio Soybean Association/Highland County Press) At a time of growing consensus on the need for greater reliance on domestic fuel sources, the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) joined other state soybean associations in support of a petition to include biofuels in
by Geogg Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Minneapolis Star Tribune) Contrary to the assertions of the March 13 article "Ethanol's emissions clouding its benefits," ethanol's environmental benefits are as clear as the blue sky on a cloudless, sunny day. While the article correctly mentions that
(GreenBiz) A visit with 'badass' LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren (29:10) Jennifer Holmgren was thinking about retirement when she was recruited to lead the carbon recycling company LanzaTech. Under her leadership, the company has forged high-profile relationships to turn captured CO2
(Bergeson & Campbell) On March 16, 2022, the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing on “Bioenergy Research and Development for the Fuels and Chemicals of Tomorrow.” According to the hearing charter, the purpose of the hearing
by Nicole Heslip (Brownfield Ag News) Leaders from the biofuels industry say the dialog between biofuels and refining communities is changing as efforts increase to decarbonize the economy. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the U.S. simply cannot achieve its climate goals
(Newswise/Argonne National Laboratory) New chemical separations enable battery recycling, biodiesel -- When recycling cans and bottles, at some point it becomes necessary to separate out plastic from metal. When recycling car batteries, getting out the most valuable metals also requires a separation,
by Walker Jaroch (Aviation Pros) The Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative held its first meeting this week, discussing the challenges around and needs of removing lead from general aviation fuel over a two day event. ... The two-day event was
by Ashley Davenport (Hoosier Ag Today) ... “We have the Next Generation Fuel Bill, which would bring energy security to our fuel situation with higher gas prices,” says Matt Frostic, a Michigan farmer and at-large member of NCGA. “It allows higher compression
by Douglas MacMillan and Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) From Coca-Cola to Tesla, companies report emissions in widely different ways. A new federal rule is expected to standardize climate disclosures, putting the U.S. on closer footing with other countries. -- The
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ABLC’s theme of “Dawn of Net Zero” and hundreds of delegates from organizations all over the world grappling with the immense opportunities and supply chain challenges posed by the world’s rapid turn towards charting
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm calling on the department to address the most recent inaccurate and misleading study by Tyler Lark and others that claims to have been partially
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) House progressives are planning to request Biden use emergency measures to ban future fossil fuel drilling on federal lands and deploy the Defense Production Act to ramp up clean energy generation, POLITICO’s Josh Siegel reports. The
(U.S. Forest Service/Biomass Magazine) Overgrown forests are one of the key contributing factors to the current wildfire crisis in the West. The new Forest Service strategy on Confronting the Wildfire Crisis outlines the agency’s plan for increasing fuels and forest health treatments to create healthier
by Daniel Grant (Farm Week Now) While the U.S. scrambles to fill the void in the oil market created by the ban of Russian imports, commodity group leaders believe the solution is closer to home than Venezuela or Saudi Arabia. “If ever
by C. Boyden Gray (Boyden Gray & Associates/Real Clear Politics) ... Currently, the EPA regulates fuels and automobiles separately, instead of as a single system. Automakers have the technological know-how to make much more efficient car engines, but regulatory barriers prevent
by Mark Heller (E&E Daily) The House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing this week on bioenergy. -- The House Science, Space and Technology Committee this week will peek into the future of biofuels — a future that's
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA on March 10 issued a notice to all obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard that the agency will disclose certain confidential business information (CBI) related to small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions
by Leah Douglas (Reuters/Investing.com) U.S. ethanol producers are betting heavily on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and secure a place for the corn-based fuel in a climate-friendly future, according to industry groups and executives. But the
by Amy Brundeen (University of North Texas) ... Helping plants produce C-lignin could lead to crops that are useful for creating an economically feasible plant-based jet fuel, among other applications. The latest findings from (Richrd) Dixon’s lab at UNT’s BioDiscovery
by Anne C. Mulkern (E&E News) EPA today officially restored California’s ability to set its own rules for vehicle tailpipe emissions and to require automakers to sell an increasing number of clean cars. The Biden administration granted the nation’s most populous state
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Lawmakers in both parties and chambers hope to reduce heavy trucking emissions, and they view hydrogen as just the ticket to make that happen. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), as well as Reps. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.),
( Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice of disclosure to all obligated parties under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program that have petitioned for a small refinery exemption (SRE) or that have submitted any
(Solutions from the Land) ... The news of increased fuel costs comes as the Biden administration is considering a relaxation of federal requirements calling on blenders to mix specific amounts of ethanol or biodiesel when producing the nation’s petroleum-based fuel supply. To
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for up to $1 billion in funding offered through the newly established Airport Terminal Program. Projects that support terminal development related to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are among those
(Environmental Protection Agency) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the selection of 11 organizations expected to receive a total of approximately $2 million in funding to divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digester capacity nationwide. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a process
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Iowa senators introduce bipartisan legislation to open up the use of clean, American-made renewable fuels that are available right now to replace banned Russian oil -- As gas prices hit all-time record highs, Sens. Chuck Grassley
by Savannah Bertrand (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States contains toxic chemicals called aromatic hydrocarbons—mainly mixtures of BTEX chemicals, which stands for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—that increase octane. Higher octane levels prevent engines from prematurely
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report released by the U.S. Department of Energy in February found that the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology poses no significant supply chain risk and will support the U.S. government in
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Representatives of the biofuels industry on Feb. 28 filed two separate petitions in with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit challenging a final rule issued by the U.S. EPA in December setting greenhouse gas (GHG)
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing new and updated resources to support states as they work to address the climate crisis and reduce climate pollution. These resources include new state-level data on greenhouse gas emissions
by John O'Malley (Purdue University) Gozdem Kilaz, associate professor of engineering technology, has been recognized for her contributions to the research mission in Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute. In May 2021, Kilaz received the college’s Outstanding Faculty in Discovery Award. Kilaz holds bachelor’s
by Fungmin Eric Liew (Lanza Tech/Nature Bioengineering Community) Industrial waste gas can serve as feedstock to manufacture fuels and chemicals through gas fermentation. Our work describes a collaborative and multidisciplinary team effort to engineer gas-utilizing microbe to produce acetone and
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Yesterday, Growth Energy submitted supplemental comments to the U.S. EPA responding to erroneous comments from others on the environmental, economic, and compliance impacts of EPA’s proposed 2020, 2021, and 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard
(Aerospace Testing International) aine, USA-based rocket developer bluShift has performed the first full-scale test of its hybrid, biofuel rocket engine. As shown in the video ..., the test of the Modular Adaptable Rocket Engine for Vehicle Launch (MAREVL 2.0) fired the
by James Arkin (Law360) The United States and United Kingdom will ban imports of Russian oil and gas, the countries announced Tuesday in the latest round of sanctions to target Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. President Joe Biden said the move
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, news arrived that LanzaTech will go public in a merger with the NASDAQ-traded blank check firm AMCI Acquisition Corp II. The deal is reported to value the company at $2.2 billion. The transaction is expected
by Blair Fannin (Texas A&M University/AgriLife Today) Jet fuel, animal feed among potential products from algae -- Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are using artificial intelligence to set a new world record for producing algae as a reliable, economic source for
(Environmental Protection Agency) On March 3, 2022, EPA Administrator Regan signed a proposed rule that would set new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. The proposed standards would significantly reduce
by Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbel Biobased and Sustainable Chemicals Blog) On January 27, 2022, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and 14 of her colleagues submitted a letter to the
(Energy Vision) Expanding RNG Could Be a Key Strategy for Cutting Methane Emissions and Tackling Climate Change -- The sustainable energy NGO Energy Vision today released its latest assessment of the US renewable natural gas (RNG) industry, performed on behalf
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Nova Pangaea Technologies, the UK cleantech company at the heart of the drive to Net Zero, started the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study for its first commercial plant in the UK. Aemetis, Gevo, USA BioEnergy,
by Cristel Zoebisch (Carbon 180) One giant leap for soil carbon - Farmers and ranchers play a central role in the health of our climate and planet. Today, they face more and more pressure from climate change, and one solution — soil
(U.S. Grains Council/GrainNet) As part of ongoing market development efforts in Chile, Guatemala, and Mexico, and to increase ethanol use in Colombia, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)hosted a delegation comprised of key government and industry representatives last week. The group attended the National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in New Orleans before visiting the Denver area
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is studying whether waiving biofuel blending mandates could help offset a surge in prices for key food ingredients like corn and soy oil following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, two sources familiar
(Inside EPA) As EPA comes under growing pressure to increase its estimates of how much greenhouse gas emissions biofuels save over their lifetime, the agency is holding consultations that could result in changes that may boost programs encouraging biofuels use
by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) On this episode of the Fueling the Future podcast, I spoke with Dr. Dev Shrestha of the University of Idaho about the recent paper he co-authored, “Biofuel Impact on Food Prices Index and Land Use Change.” The
NCD is launching outreach and training for interested stakeholders in the biofuels sector to review TSCA requirements, outline the streamlined approaches for risk assessments and risk management actions, and provide information on how to navigate the new chemicals PMN process. NCD
NCD is launching outreach and training for interested stakeholders in the biofuels sector to review TSCA requirements, outline the streamlined approaches for risk assessments and risk management actions, and provide information on how to navigate the new chemicals PMN process. NCD
(Bergeson & Campbell) On February 23, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a webinar on requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the premanufacture notice (PMN) process for biofuels. As reported in our January 24, 2022, blog item,
by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) With oil reaching its highest price in nearly 11 years and OPEC nations opting not to increase production, the biofuels industry is clamoring for attention in the U.S. and calling on the Biden administration to
On March 28-29th, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) will host a public virtual workshop to discuss soil carbon storage with a focus on the role of bioenergy. The
(Renewable Fuels Association) America’s top biofuel and farm advocates called on President Biden to swiftly expand access to plentiful, lower-cost biofuels as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes fuel prices closer to record levels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soon expected to finalize biofuel
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) In his first State of the Union Address, President Joe Biden spoke about many of the challenges facing our nation and world today, from the Ukraine invasion to domestic inflation, from climate change to the COVID pandemic.
by Tyne Morgan (AgWeb) ... As the crisis in Ukraine continues to overtake the world’s attention, President Joe Biden delivered his first State of the Union address Tuesday night. And while he stated the U.S. is in a better place than it
by Ellen Friedman and Ben Reiter (Law360) The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15, 2021, includes over $12 billion in funding for carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS, programs.[1] At the heart of
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Pictures worth 1000 words show the prices on March 1 at a Sheetz in Virginia. Compare the E10 Regular to E15 Unleaded 88 and E85 FlexFuel. Compare those to the price of E0 --
by Joel Rosenblatt (Bloomberg) Renewable fuel producers join Valero unit in court challenge; EPA rule governs release of carbon dioxide from car tailpipes -- The gasoline industry and alternative fuel makers, frequent foes, put aside their differences for court challenges to
by Clark Mindock (Law360) A Texas-led group of states is slamming the Biden administration's push to strengthen greenhouse gas standards for auto emissions, telling the D.C. Circuit on Monday it must intervene and stop a purported federal war on fossil fuels. The
(Inside EPA) EPA officials say they expect “most” biofuels will meet regulatory criteria requiring review and likely regulation under TSCA, though any such limits are likely to end once the substance is incorporated into the fuel supply because it presents
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) ... Erik Huschitt with Badger State Ethanol in Monroe, Wisconsin tells Brownfield America had the one-pound waiver approved by the prior administration, “And then, we have a change in the Supreme Court level that doesn’t
by Andrew Wulfeck (FOX Weather) U.S. Department of Energy reports more than 98 percent of gasoline contains some ethanol -- ... Because of continuous fluctuating prices, studies have had difficulty capturing the exact monetary benefit of ethanol usage but have
by Erik F. Ringle (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) With Extensive Data, Broad Analyses, and Detailed Models, NREL Scientists and Collaborators Stake the Boundaries of Producing Chemicals and Fuels From Carbon Dioxide, Biomass, and Renewable Electricity -- ... In fact, growing supplies of
(GTI Energy) GTI Energy, S&P Global Commodity Insights and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) today launched the Open Hydrogen Initiative (OHI), a new collaboration to further transparency into the environmental impact of hydrogen production and help unlock its full
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium is led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and coordinates efforts among 9 labs – big ones like NREL, ORNL, Sandia, INL and others. Check out the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) National Renewable Energy Laboratory’sstudy looks at the impact of ethanol-blended fuel at various blending levels (10%, 15%, and 20% vol.) on “in-operation” vehicles built to differing emissions and manufacturing standards around the world – focusing
by Justine Calma (The Verge) The Biden administration says the US will ‘likely’ need controversial carbon capture tech to meet climate goals -- On Tuesday(February 15, 2022), the Biden administration issued new guidelines for federal agencies on how to assess proposals
by Olga Kuchment (Agri-Life Today) Texas A&M AgriLife study shows the annual crop can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide -- The study, “Bioenergy sorghum’s deep roots: A key to sustainable biomass production on annual cropland,” was recently published in GCB Bioenergy. According to the
(U.S. Department of Energy/Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office has released two new requests for information (RFIs) related to biomass conversion research and development and community organic waste programs. The
by Michael H. Levin (BioCycle Magazine) EPA’s "proposed adjudication" of 65 pending small-refiner exemption requests could deny virtually all such requests — now and in the future. -- ... In June 2021, the Supreme Court (reviewing a Tenth Circuit decision) ruled
(Renewable Fuels Association) In his annual State of the Industry Address, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said that, while the U.S. ethanol industry has a long history of capitalizing on unique opportunities, the global quest to achieve net-zero carbon
(Growth Energy) Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will file a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to finalize the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume
(U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry) Today, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking the administration to take a meaningful step
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) Geoff Cooper, head of the Renewable Fuels Association, said Tuesday that the trade group heard from EPA that it’s aiming to propose a rule for the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard by late
(Advanced Biofuels Association/Biomass Magazine) The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the leading voice of energy innovators working to decarbonize transportation fuel, released comments calling on the U.S. EPA to restore regulatory certainty in their proposed renewable volume obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. ABFA's comments
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for scientific experts to serve on an external expert panel to peer review the agency’s third triennial report to congress on biofuels and the environment. The agency is required to
by Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) A recent court ruling that bars the Biden administration from accounting for the real-world costs of climate change has created temporary chaos at federal agencies, upending everything from planned oil and gas lease sales to infrastructure
by Fungmin Eric Liew, Robert Nogle, Tanus Abdalla, et al. (Nature Biotechnology) Many industrial chemicals that are produced from fossil resources could be manufactured more sustainably through fermentation. Here we describe the development of a carbon-negative fermentation route to producing
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The White House Council on Environmental Quality is unveiling its draft Justice40 screener today, outlining what communities are considered disadvantaged and eligible to be prioritized for environmental justice benefits. The screener's methodology takes into
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) FERC voted on party lines Thursday to include environmental considerations when approving pipeline permits, fulfilling the aspirations of Chair Rich Glick over the objections of Republican commissioners and lawmakers. The commission will now look at
(Center for Seafood Solutions at Bigelow Laboratory) Discuss topics relating to seagrass and seaweed research in your region. About this event Facilitated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the Center for Seafood Solutions at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, this working group
(U.S. Department of Energy) Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is striving to bring more low- and zero-net-carbon sustainable aviation fuel to the market. The equivalent of 30,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools—that’s how
(University of Maryland Eastern Shore) AgDiscovery is a unique opportunity for students to explore agricultural sciences and gain knowledge about careers in animal and plant disciplines, wildlife management, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, entomology, food safety, food production, agribusiness, forestry, and much
by Matthew Choi (Politico's Morning Energy) The fallout has started arriving following last week's court order blocking the Biden administration from using its social cost of carbon metric in rulemakings. The conservative Competitive Enterprise Institute on Tuesday sent a letter asking EPA
by Arianna Skibell (E&E News) The Biden administration is preparing to reinstate California’s authority to set auto emissions rules that are more stringent than federal standards, taking a major step toward cutting transportation-related climate pollution and continuing to chip away at
(U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service) Sweet sorghum is best known for the amber-colored syrup that's made from its juices. Now, this hardy member of the grass family could also be tapped as a "home-grown" resource for making a renewable
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) released comments it submitted to U.S. EPA on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rule. The comments support a higher standard for the advanced biofuel (D5) pool, referencing data on available
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) A new report published today (February 14, 2022) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, funded in part by the National Wildlife Federation, purports to examine the “environmental outcomes” of the Renewable
by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) During transportation day at COPO26, the focus for the aviation sector was setting targets and commitments for aviation emissions reduction, as well as the announcement of plans and strategies for lowering aviation’s climate impact.
by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... The Biden-Harris Administration and Congress are focusing on expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through multi-agency coordination to reduce climate emissions from aviation.... ... On September 9, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration
by Jeff Overton (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Aviation is a difficult sector to decarbonize. The enormous energy required to fly a heavy aircraft long distances takes an energy dense power source that liquid hydrocarbon fuel provides. Battery technology for
(Inside EPA) Oil sector groups are divided over EPA’s proposal to deny all remaining requests from small refiners for compliance waivers from the renewable fuel standard (RFS), with smaller refiners arguing the plan is illogical and unlawful, while bigger firms
(U.S. Department of Energy ) On December 1, 2021, a United 737 Max 8 carried more than 100 passengers from Chicago to Washington, D.C.—just one of roughly 87,000 flights over the United States that day. Reporters and TV crews gathered to
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has teamed with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on NSF’s Civic Innovation Challenge 2022 (CIVIC), a national
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM's) Carbon Utilization Program announced up to $19 million
“During a time of high gasoline prices, it is more important than ever that higher blends of biofuels be made available to consumers year-round. ... By removing remaining regulatory hurdles and providing greater access to E15, you can help keep
(Growth Energy) Yesterday, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to turn to higher biofuel blends to combat high gas prices. At a February 4th press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the administration
(Comstock Mining) Technologies Enable Dramatic Reduction in Carbon Intensity for America’s Decarbonization Portfolio -- Comstock Mining Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced its submission of comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) calling for enhanced regulations governing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Dairies, landfills, wastewater treatment plants, food processing plants…wherever there’s biomass, there’s potential for biogas and renewable natural gas. Check out this illuminating slide guide from William Orts at the USDA Western Regional Research Center in
(Fossil Free Racing) Fossil Free Racing, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was founded to become the testbed for an alternative racing fuel that promises to reduce the carbon footprint of race cars by 90% while lowering fuel costs and increasing performance. Motorsports competition
by Brendan Cole (Newsweek) The administration of President Joe Biden faces an escalating battle over fossil fuel production in the U.S. after the American Petroleum Institute (API) said it would challenge a January court decision to annul a massive sale of oil
by Stephanie Kelly and Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A U.S. Senate committee is expected to hold a hearing around the nation's biofuel blending laws next week, as the Biden administration works to finalize controversial proposals around blending requirements and exemptions for oil
by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) Farmers who plant cover crops will be eligible for crop insurance premium subsidies worth $5 an acre for the second year in a row. To qualify for the payments from USDA, farmers must report their cover crop acreage to
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