Advanced BioFuels USA – Truly Sustainable Renewable Future

QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- Allen Schaeffer

The New York Times captured the total (Biden Administration funding) for EVs at $174 billion. You don’t need an accounting degree to see the stark differences between that $174 billion and the mere few-hundred million for renewable fuels. Allen Schaeffer, Engine Technology Forum in Biobased Diesel Daily READ MORE

Where Will the Reductions Come From? High Octane BioEthanol to the Rescue

by Doug Durante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) The evidence seems overwhelming that Electric Vehicles are not going to be able to meet the timeline predicted by the Biden Administration and consequently, fail to provide the reductions in pollution the U.S. EPA is promising.

There are ever growing signs of consumer resistance as evidenced by a new McKinsey & Co. poll indicating a whopping 46% of current EV owners would switch back to internal combustion vehicles. Another recent poll found that nearly half the respondents generally held a negative view of EVs. Range, cost, recharging, and other challenges EVs are facing are in the news daily. In part this has led to it becoming a divisive political issue in the so-called battle ground states where Donald Trump, among others, has vowed to eliminate EV incentives. Sadly, it has become a red state vs. blue state flashpoint and only looks to get worse.

Add to that the fact that the recently finalized EPA multipollutant rule has been under fire for the assumption that two thirds of all new vehicles sold in 2032 will be electric. In what seems like its own economic stimulus for law firms, the rule has unleashed a flood of legal challenges. Individual states, oil interests, auto dealers, agriculture organizations, and ethanol producers are all challenging the rule and may prevail.

Which leads us to what should be a concern of policy makers and the public they serve: How then do we achieve the goals of reducing oil consumption and the carbon emissions and health hazards they produce? The 14.2 million conventional vehicles sold in 2023 and the 270 million or more on the road today should be viewed as a bank vault waiting to be opened in that substantial energy security and environmental benefits are there to be had. More than 95% of the vehicles comprising the current fleet are spark ignition, internal combustion engines running on gasoline. With the addition of high octane bioethanol, the gasoline fueling those vehicles can provide the greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions we won’t get from the multipollutant rule while providing a range of energy security, economic, and environmental benefits.

According to Brian West, an automotive engineer who led the vehicle testing for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Program (that EPA cited when they approved the E15 waiver in 2010), we should be talking about much higher volumes of ethanol in terms of blend rates. He notes that vehicles today are safer, more durable, have more power and better fuel economy, and dramatically lower emissions due to the robust systems and the calibrators’ ability to micromanage the powertrain. They can handle blends well in excess of the current E10 and in so doing provide substantial emission reductions.

In a recent interview with Poet’s vital, West said “I felt that bioethanol could do so much more than simply displace gasoline. Bioethanol boosts octane and allows improved engine efficiency, thereby displacing even more gasoline and providing even greater reductions in GHG.”

A Long Time Coming

The E15 and E20 work done at the Oak Ridge Lab was underway for almost 2 years when the waiver petition for E15 was filed. What many people –particularly critics—do not know is that the testing done as part of the approval process for E15 included 20% ethanol blends. West argues that a 95 RON (Research Octane Number, equivalent to roughly 89-90 at the pump) using E20 as a phase-in to higher blends would be compatible with virtually all vehicles on the road today. Taking it a step further, the Oak Ridge testing experiments showed a 98 RON E25 in a modified Ford 150 light duty truck increased power, improved efficiency in the range of 6%, and reduced measured CO2 by roughly 6%, demonstrating the benefits available to the manufacturers and the consumers with a new high-octane ethanol blend.

The Oak Ridge team also did a good bit of fundamental combustion research with 100 RON E30, exploring its outstanding knock resistance and efficiency benefits. 100 RON E30 got a lot of attention because it can be blended from today’s sub-octane BOB. The Oak Ridge engineers have noted that 2/3rds of the octane boost is realized from the first 1/3rd of blending, so with E30 you get significant octane boost and retain high energy density. While the Oak Ridge team conducted millions of miles of aging and about 1000 emissions tests in legacy vehicles with E15 and E20, the E30 work was more fundamental combustion research, not legacy fleet durability focused. However, an ongoing EPA sanctioned demonstration in Nebraska and millions of miles driven in South Dakota through the Glacial Lakes Energy’s E30 Challenge have found no legacy vehicle issues and indicate even more benefits are there to be had. In addition, in 2013 the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado published a thorough review of 43 publications related to the E15 waiver approval, including both DOE and industry-supported studies, many including blends higher than E15. That review and evaluation of these tests and demonstrations concluded there was absolutely no evidence of any engine deterioration or any issues requiring maintenance.

The Brazilians are taking it one step further with E40 Hybrids as well as conventional FFVs. The Renewable Fuels Association’s 15-month study of plug-in hybrid flex fuel vehicles is yet another pathway showing great promise for increased bioethanol use.

West notes that “All these pathways have benefits and challenges, and all should be pursued. Nationwide E20 as the base gasoline would be the starting point. It would be a high octane, “new regular” as prescribed in the Next Generation Fuels Act.” That legislation addresses a number of ancillary issues such as GHG accounting, auto warranties, and correcting EPA emission and testing procedures.

While aromatics were not a component of the testing at Oak Ridge, our work at CFDC and EPA’s own data shows this clean, high octane ethanol also replaces aromatic compounds which fall under EPA regulation of air toxics. General Motors, among others, has concluded aromatics are the source of 98% of the fine particulates from gasoline combustion.

So if the vault of potential benefits is open, how do we cash in? The crux of the legal challenges to the EPA rule is that it fails to account for any carbon reductions from these higher blends, thus tilting the table towards EVs. The CO2 reductions from bioethanol are substantial and need to be part of the carbon reduction strategy.

To be clear, EVs will have a place in the universe of fuels and vehicles. But the force feeding and the one size fits all approach of the Administration simply isn’t going to work.

There is no reason to limit ourselves to a 10 or 15% blend; the Oak Ridge work and many other studies have demonstrated that higher blends are safe. Whether the multipollutant rule is upheld in the courts or not, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the majority of both US and international automakers, has stated time and again we will need high octane low carbon liquid fuels for the foreseeable future and that they can benefit both new cars and vehicles on the road today. As Brian West said in the recent vital interview, “With honest accounting of carbon sources and appropriate incentives, manufacturers would produce optimized bioethanol-fueled vehicles, making a significant contribution to curbing carbon emissions.”
The angst over low corn prices and competition from the emerging corn market in Brazil—as well as Brazil’s continuation of the 18% duty on U.S. ethanol—would be easily dismissed as a “who cares” by simply increasing our blend rates here at home. Let’s work with EPA to recognize the carbon benefits of bioethanol, stop penalizing it on the basis of BTUs when the efficiency is easily addressed through higher compression engines, and reward all pathways to GHG reductions.

When they do, and the Administration realizes the quest for low carbon and reduced pollution will require a mix of technologies and approaches, the country can stop talking and start actually doing something. The petroleum, ethanol, ag, auto and related industries all would have a role. The only losers might be the lawyers, because if we get it right, we won’t have to sue EPA on what seems like a daily basis. READ MORE

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Mechanics Corner: Automotive Expert Q&A -- Brian West (POET's vital)

Excerpt from POET's vital: I (Brian West) was the lead engineer at ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) during the DOE Mid-Level Ethanol Blends (MLB) program when we conducted vehicle, engine, and materials work with E15 and E20. During this program, we urged a move to higher-octane fuels. I felt that bioethanol could do so much more than simply displace gasoline. Bioethanol boosts octane and allows improved engine efficiency, thereby displacing even more gasoline and providing even greater reductions in GHG. The DOE heard us and supported a pilot high-octane fuel study, which led to the Co-Optimization of Engines and Fuels Initiative.

...

In my lifetime, we’ve seen the complete phase-out of tetraethyl lead and remarkable innovation in engine and vehicle systems. Vehicles today are safer, more durable, have more power and better fuel economy, and dramatically lower emissions due to the robust systems and the calibrators’ ability to micromanage the powertrain.

Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) came on the scene about 25 years ago and ramped up to over 150 different models being offered in 2013. The idea for FFVs arose from the challenges of fueling vehicles with alternatives that were not widely available. Flex Fuel was a great idea that, in my opinion, was never fully implemented. A lack of regulatory certainty led to fewer and fewer FFVs being offered each year since 2013. To develop product plans, manufacturers need to know at least 3 to 5 years ahead of production how their vehicles will be regulated.

For years, I’ve encouraged automakers to build optimized FFVs, vehicles that produce exceptional power and efficiency when fueled with high-octane E85 while still operating adequately with gasoline. Only a few manufacturers have produced FFVs that take full advantage of E85, some producing up to 25% more power with E85 than with gasoline. I’d like to see this become commonplace, with a focus on improved efficiency. My view is that it is all in the regulators’ hands. With honest accounting of carbon sources and appropriate incentives, manufacturers would produce optimized bioethanol-fueled vehicles, making a significant contribution to curbing carbon emissions.

...

In any given year, there are one to two billion bushels of carryout, which is the corn left over from the previous harvest just before the harvest. Clearly, there is no competition between food and fuel.

The other trope is that it takes more energy to produce a gallon of bioethanol than it contains or that the carbon intensity (CI) of bioethanol is worse than that of petroleum. These matters have been analyzed comprehensively by DOE and its laboratories. Bioethanol produced from corn demonstrates a substantial positive energy balance, meaning that the process of producing bioethanol fuel does not require more energy than the amount of energy contained in the fuel itself. Corn bioethanol’s CI today is about half that of gasoline and is improving all the time. With continuous improvement in agriculture, bioprocessing, and carbon reduction initiatives, we could see net-zero carbon bioethanol come to market in a few years. READ MORE

Leading Scientists Urge Court to Reject Faulty Land Use Change Arguments

(Renewable Fuels Association) The nation’s leading experts in agricultural economics and biofuels lifecycle analysis urged the D.C. Circuit Court last week to reject erroneous claims made by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) in its lawsuit challenging EPA’s 2023-2025 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes.

In its challenge to EPA’s so-called “RFS set rule,” CBD relied on debunked studies by University of Wisconsin researcher Tyler Lark, and others, to wrongly suggest the RFS has caused habitat loss and conversion of grasslands into cropland. In their detailed amicus brief submitted last week, eight scientists informed the court that the Lark studies and CBD’s claims are “divorced from scientific evidence and reality” and “based on outdated, flawed, and disproven research.” They pointed out that “there is simply no valid scientific evidence behind claims that RFS-driven demand for ethanol production leads to the conversion of grasslands not previously farmed.”

The independent brief was submitted by experts from the University of California Davis, University of Idaho, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, Oak Ridge National Laboratory/University of Tennessee, South Dakota State University, WSP USA and CropGrower LLC. Over the past 20 years, these scientists have conducted extensive peer-reviewed research on land use and biofuels lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis, much of which has informed regulatory decision-making by EPA on the RFS program.

“Neither biofuel production nor the RFS has been scientifically linked to the conversion of ‘natural’ lands, such as native prairies, forests, and wetlands, to crop production,” the researchers told the court. “Experts in the field of biomass and agricultural economics have demonstrated that much of the outlier research was based on flawed assumptions and methods related to land use.”

In reality, biofuels like ethanol have significant GHG benefits, according to the experts’ brief. “Updated analyses have repeatedly confirmed that low-carbon biofuels reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector,” they wrote. “The GHG intensity for biofuels decreased by about 50 percent and is currently estimated to be more than 40 percent lower than gasoline produced from crude oil.”

They also noted ethanol producers are on a pathway to net zero lifecycle emissions, specifically highlighting the pledge made by RFA members in 2021. “Members of the Renewable Fuels Association have announced a commitment to further reduce the carbon intensity of corn ethanol, aiming to achieve a 70-percent reduction compared to petroleum gasoline by 2030 and net neutral status by 2050,” according to the brief.

The amicus brief cites a robust body of recent research that thoroughly debunks Lark’s previous work, including a new study showing that more than 98 percent of the land claimed by Lark to be “converted” from “native lands” to cropland had actually been previously engaged in crop production.

RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper offered the following comment on the amicus brief: “As we pointed out last week, the walls are closing in around the Center for Biological Diversity, Tyler Lark, the National Wildlife Federation, and other anti-biofuel activists who perpetuate the ridiculous land use change myth. In his newest work, even Lark is now admitting that U.S. cropland continued to shrink as biofuels production expanded. We applaud this group of experts for their independent efforts to stand up for scientific integrity. Their amicus brief deftly exposes the flawed and misleading claims made by CBD about the environmental impacts of biofuels like ethanol.”

EPA filed its initial reply to CBD’s claims last week, noting that the agency’s own analysis of potential land use impacts “…found all potential effects to be either discountable, insignificant, or both.” RFA has intervened on behalf of EPA in the litigation challenging the 2023-2025 RFS volumes. READ MORE

Related articles

Top Scientists Defend Biofuels in RFS Court Filing (Growth Energy)
Considering Historical Land Use When Estimating Soil Carbon Stock Changes of Transitional Croplands (MDPI/Sustainability) PDF
Response to comments from Lark et al. regarding Taheripour et al. March 2022 comments on Lark et. al. original PNAS paper (Growth Energy)
New Lark Study on ESA Impacts Continues History of Unsupported Claims, Debunked Science (Growth Energy)
Changing Their Minds on “Land Use Change”? (Renewable Fuels Association)
REBUTTAL TO THE LARK ET AL. REPORT “ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES OF THE U.S. RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD” (Renewable Fuels Association)
Response to comments from Lark et al. regarding Taheripour et al. March 2022 comments on Lark et. al. original PNAS paper (Argonne National Laboratory)
Cropland abandonment between 1986 and 2018 across the United States: spatiotemporal patterns and current land uses (Environmental Research Letters)
DOE Shares Concerns on Lark Study Letter (Growth Energy)
Scientists Urge Court to Reject Land Use Claims (Energy.AgWired.com)
Scientists: RFS Land Use Claims False -- Scientists Push Court to Reject Land-Use Change Arguments in RFS Lawsuit (DTN Progressive Farmer)

Excerpt from Growth Energy: Eight of the nation’s top agricultural, biomass, and greenhouse gas (GHG) lifecycle scientists filed an amicus brief on July 3rd that challenged the faulty assumptions underpinning a number of attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The brief was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) v. EPA et al. (Case No. 23-1177).

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, highlighted the importance of the brief in a statement:

“The new brief from America’s top lifecycle experts sends a clear signal—it’s time for environmental advocates to stop parroting fossil fuel companies and start supporting low-carbon biofuels at the gas pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Decades of data have demonstrated again and again that bioethanol has not increased crop acreage—in fact, U.S. farm acreage has been largely unchanged since the 1930s. Even the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) rejected similar claims in a letter to Growth Energy, acknowledging the scientific consensus that U.S. ethanol slashes greenhouse gas emissions by 44 to 52 percent.”

“It’s time for environmentalist skeptics of biofuels to listen to the experts and let go of outdated and debunked research” she added. “The scientists who filed the amicus brief in support of EPA provide a clear-eyed and honest assessment of the environmental profile of biofuel production, and we look forward to working with any group that wants to help us expand access to lower-carbon bioethanol.”

To access the full brief, users can register for an account through the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system and search for the case (U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Case No. 23-1177, Center for Biological Diversity v. Environmental Protection Agency, et al.). It was submitted on behalf of:

Dr. David Clay, Distinguished Professor of Soil Science at South Dakota State University, Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy, Editor in Chief for the American Society of Agronomy, and the South Dakota Corn Endowed Chair of Precision Farming.

Kenneth Copenhaver, former scientist for NASA and Founding Principal at CropGrower LLC.

Dr. Isaac Emery, environmental sustainability scientist, consultant and project director at WSP USA.

Dr. Stephen Kaffka, Professor Emeritus of Cooperative Extension at the University of California Davis and Director of the California Biomass Initiative.

Dr. Madhu Khanna, ACES Distinguished Professor in Environmental Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Keith Kline, Distinguished Scientist in the Environmental Sciences Division and the Climate Change Science Institute of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Adjunct Professor in the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

Dr. Steffen Mueller, leader of the Bioenergy and Transportation Emissions Research Group at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Dr. Dev Shrestha, professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Idaho.

Background

In the underlying case, CBD is challenging EPA’s most recent “Set” rule for the 2023-2025 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the RFS. They argue that, in promulgating the rule, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to properly consult with both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service regarding the rule’s potential impact on the habitats of endangered species, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In August 2023, Growth Energy filed a motion to intervene in the case, as its outcome would have a material impact on the association and its membership.

Some of CBD’s arguments against the RVOs rely on research published by Tyler Lark, whose work has been previously debunked and dismissed by leading scientists, including those at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, and Argonne National Laboratory, among others. Today’s brief from the aforementioned group of scientists takes direct aim at Lark’s claims and research methods, adding to the chorus of voices using science to undermine Lark’s anti-ethanol claims.

The RFS was first enacted in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act. It was then expanded in 2007 with the passage of the Energy Independency and Security Act. It sets the number of gallons of renewable fuels (like biofuels) that must be blended into the nation’s total fuel supply each year. The RFS remains one of America’s most successful clean energy policies, reducing carbon emissions, offering consumers more affordable options at the pump, and delivering greater energy security for more than 15 years. READ MORE

Excerpt from DTN Progressive Farmer: Eight scientists told a federal appeals court last week that claims made in a lawsuit that the Renewable Fuel Standard has led to the loss of habitat for endangered species and loss of grasslands are untrue.

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in July 2023 challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's so-called RFS set rule that finalized biofuels volumes for multiple years, https://www.dtnpf.com/….

The scientists intervened in the lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on July 3, 2024.

"There is no compelling scientific evidence linking the RFS to the conversion of grasslands and loss of biodiversity," the scientists said in a brief.

"Research based on misclassifications of land use and flawed assumptions and methodologies spurred skepticism about the environmental and GHG emission reduction benefits of biofuels but that research has since been disproven."

The scientists said that analyses based on "more complete, updated data" found that the average carbon intensity of biofuels is "significantly less" than conventional gasoline.

"Over time, as technologies and practices advance and with various incentives the federal government has put into place, that benefit is expected to continue growing at an accelerated pace," they said in a brief.

"Although the EPA conservatively referenced some of the outdated and inaccurate research, petitioners' arguments based on that research necessarily inherit its flaws."

Biofuel groups including the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy also have intervened in the lawsuit. READ MORE

Banle Energy Successfully Completed Port Klang’s First B24 Biofuel Bunkering Services in Malaysia

(Banle Energy/CBL International Ltd./Globe Newswire) The Global Green Marine Fuel Market Anticipated to Grow to USD 201.35 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 50.4% from 2023-2030 -- On June 28 and July 10, 2024, Banle Energy International Limited, a Hong Kong subsidiary

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Evonik Expands Biofuel Production at Argentina Plant

(Evonik/Fibre2Fashion) Evonik is expanding its sodium methylate production capacity at the Rosario plant in Argentina; This move supports regional sustainability and economic resilience, aligning with Brazil's increased biodiesel quotas and NIB objectives; The expansion reinforces Evonik's global leadership in catalyst manufacturing and commitment

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Ag Outlook Forum --- September 16, 2024 --- Kansas City, MO

The 10th annual Ag Outlook Forum will feature top economic, policy, business, and government officials presenting their current outlooks and helping you identify the challenges and opportunities you face in these volatile times. Whether you are a business leader, trade association

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Treasury, IRS Issue Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Registration for the Clean Fuel Production Credit

(Internal Revenue Service) The Internal Revenue Service today issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) in Fact Sheet 2024-25 related to which entities must apply for registration for the Clean Fuel Production Credit. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) added a new income tax credit

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Policy Insights -- Declaring Energy Independence

by Robin Vercruse (Low Carbon Fuels Coalition) ... Declarations of “energy independence” usually provide more heat than light (pun very much intended). The often heated discussion on the topic usually obscures the essential distinction between energy resources and their end use. From

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

New Study Shows U.S. Oilseed Feedstock Production Exceeds Existing Federal Renewable Fuel Requirements; Domestic Feedstocks to Support Additional 1.4 Billion Gallons of U.S. Biofuel Production by 2030

(National Oilseed Processors Association) The National Oilseed Processors Association commissioned S&P Global Commodity Insights to review the present and future availability of biofuel feedstocks to support U.S. biofuel production and consumption. -- A new study shows feedstocks produced within the U.S.

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

California Must Retire Gas-Guzzling Trucks to Meet 2045 Emissions Targets: Study

by Sharon Udasin (The Hill) California must retire existing heavy-duty trucks to meet the state’s 2045 carbon neutrality goals, in addition to promoting the purchase of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), a new study has found. Stricter policies that cover both the rollout of

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

China Regulator Launches Country's First 'Green' Jet Aviation Fuel Centre

by Chen Aizhu (Reuters) The Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) launched the country's first technical centre for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that focuses on standard setting and product research, a report published in the aviation regulator's news channel showed late

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

IISc Researchers Develop Engineered Biocatalyst for Making Drop-in Biofuels

(The Hindu) ... Researchers at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (IPC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed an enzymatic platform that can efficiently transform naturally abundant and inexpensive fatty acids to valuable hydrocarbons called 1-alkenes, which are

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Denmark Approves Certification Scheme for PtX Producers

by Patrick Jowett (PV Magazine) The Danish Energy Agency says its new certification scheme is a “short-term transitional solution” to launch Power-to-X (PtX) projects this year. It will eventually be replaced with the European Commission’s certification system. The Danish Energy Agency has

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

South Korea Enforces New Legislation to Boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry

by Jung Min-hee (Business Korea) In a significant move towards sustainable aviation, South Korea's refining industry is set to gain momentum with the enforcement of the "Petroleum and Petroleum Alternative Fuel Business Act" starting from August 7. This legislation aims to

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to BDO Zones

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BDO Zone ratings are powerful market signals of regional readiness for bio-manufacturing. Ratings undergo rigorous due diligence using a standardized framework of over 100 risk indicators. Jordan Solomon, CEO of Ecostrat, presented these slides for ABLC 2024. READ

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Farmers Excited for ZFS RIGA Project

by Nicole Heslip (Brownfield Ag News) ... In 2019, Valero Energy idled the plant (in Michigan near the Ohio border) and it’s been sitting unused since. This week ZFS Riga, a new affiliate of Michigan-based Zeeland Farm Services, announced it has purchased

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Could Help Clear the Air, Former Kansas senator Says | Opinion

by Pat Roberts (Wichita Eagle/Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels) ... Unfortunately, SAF represents less than one percent of the current market and costs two to four times more than traditional jet fuel. To tackle this challenge, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act

July 15, 2024 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to Axens Technologies

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Axens offers today the largest portfolio for renewable technology deployment, providing efficient, reliable and flexible technologies to convert biomass into high quality and low-carbon alternative products for the transportation sector as well as the chemical industry.

July 13, 2024 Read Full Article

Sustainable Agriculture Summit: A Decade of Progress and a Vision for the Future --- November 20-21. 2024 --- Minneapolis, MN

Ten years ago, the first Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Minneapolis brought together farmers, suppliers, processors, brands, academia, conservation organizations, and the public sector to advance sustainability in U.S. agriculture.  Since then, agriculture has undergone massive shifts driven by ground-breaking technologies,

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

It's Time for Sustainable Aviation Fuel! Climate Week NYC 2024 --- September 24, 2024 --- New York, NY FREE

During the event we’ll guide you through interesting topics such as how to set up and advance your Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) agenda. After the session, you will have the opportunity to network with CSR leaders and likeminded professionals. Spots are

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

What to Do about Harmful Algal Blooms? Turn Them into Biofuel, says Byron Donalds

by Amy Bennett Williams (Fort Myers News-Press/Naples Daily News) Naples Congressman Byron Donalds says his recently introduced bill to turn cyanobacteria into biofuel could be a win/win: un-gunked water with a new energy source as a bonus byproduct, though he admits "It’s not

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Monjasa and FAMOIL Expand Biofuels Logistics in South America and Complete First Supply Operation in Peru

(Monjasa) On 22 February 2024, global top 10 marine fuels company, Monjasa, supplied a total of 510 tonnes of B30 marine biofuels the Cargill operated dry bulk carrier, Infinity Sky, in the Port of Callao, Peru. This operation marked the first ISCC-certified

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

No Surprise! AlgaePrize Finalist Teams Make Great Strides in Projects to Unlock Algal Energy

(U.S. Department of Energy) Since being selected as finalists for AlgaePrize 2023–2025, student teams from across the country have been rolling up their sleeves to turn smart research proposals into results. Now only approximately 5 months into the competition, the U.S. Department

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Ethanol Report 7-12-24: RFA Continues Work in California to Approve Sales of E15

(Ag Newswire) It has been nearly 15 years since the Environmental Protection Agency approved the sale of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) for 2001 model year cars and older, and nearly every state in the nation now sells it, often at

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

A New Catalyst Can “Recycle” Carbon Dioxide into Useful Chemicals

(University of Chicago) Research by Argonne, University of Chicago scientists aims to turn CO2 into resource -- Carbon dioxide is leaking from industrial operations into the atmosphere, causing a cascade of dangerous changes to Earth’s climate. But some scientists wondered if

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Bio-LNG Bunker Fuel Key to Supporting LNG's Future in Stricter Maritime Emissions Climate

by Megan Gildea, Aly Blakeway, Hassan Butt (S&P Global) ... While the bio-LNG bunkering market is still in its infancy companies have been closely eyeing the market as a means of meeting emissions targets and bolstering LNG's future as a marine fuel,

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

IVECO and the CNR Present a New Study on the Environmental Impacts of cCompressed Biomethane for the Decarbonisation of the Sector

(IVECO) An analysis by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) in partnership with IVECO confirms bio-CNG as the optimal solution for waste collection – the perfect example of “well-to-wheel” circular economy. -- IVECO, established leader in the alternative traction sector, has promoted

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Energy Ministry Accentuates Importance of Expediting SAF Development

(Antara) The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources highlighted the need to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country, given their potential. "The roadmap for SAF for aircraft has been issued by the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Analysis of the Potential for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production from Colombian Agro-Industrial Residues

by Mauricio López, Sergio Leonb, Sergio Rocha, Johan Saenz, Santiago Rincon, Vladimir Silva, John Posada, Oscar Alvarez (Chemical Engineering Transactions) This study assesses the economic and environmental implications of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production using Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) and Gasification Fischer-Tropsch (GFT) technologies,

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Ricardo Supporting EASA to Establish EU Sustainable Aviation Fuels Clearing House

(Ricardo) Ricardo, a global strategic environmental and engineering consulting company, has been chosen by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to lead a consortium creating Europe’s first ever Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Clearing House. Working alongside fellow consortium members - Trinity

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

DHL Express and CIMB Join Forces to Reduce CO2e through Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(DHL Express) The leading focused ASEAN bank subscribes to DHL Express’ GoGreen Plus service to enable up to 20 percent reduction in carbon emissions for time-definite international air shipments via DHL Express; The announcement embodies CIMB’s latest effort in its journey to

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

New Study Showcases Corn Farming’s Contribution to the Economy

(National Corn Growers Association) Corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to a new report released this week by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The report, entitled NCGA Economic Contribution Study for 2023, looked

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Mining Giants Collaborate on Eco-Friendly Dual Fuel Trucks to Slash Emissions

(WION) Vale, Komatsu, and Cummins have unveiled plans to develop innovative Dual Fuel haul trucks. This revolutionary initiative, announced as part of the newly launched Dual Fuel Program, aims to transform the mining industry by significantly reducing carbon emissions through the

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

What Is Climate Smart Agriculture?

by Olivia Messerges and Trent Ford (farmdoc daily) As the United States agricultural system faces the challenges of feeding a growing population, adapting to climate change, and reducing environmental consequences, the concept of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) was established as a comprehensive

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

Referendum on Carbon Pipeline Law Validated for November Election

by Makenzie Huber (South Dakota Searchlight) A seventh ballot question has been validated by the Secretary of State’s Office for the Nov. 5 general election. The referendum asks voters to consider a recently adopted state law concerning carbon dioxide pipeline restrictions

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

US to Fund Lower-Emission Fertilizer with Eye to Greener Ethanol

by Leah Douglas (Reuters) The U.S. Department of Energy plans to spend $36 million on technologies to lower emissions from applying synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to corn and sorghum used in ethanol production, the agency said Thursday. The money would support projects that reduce

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

West Coast Summer Refinery Margins Decline Despite Reduced Capacity

(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Biobased Diesel Daily) This spring, California refinery crack spreads for gasoline and diesel dipped below average despite shrinking refinery capacity on the West Coast. Crack spreads are the difference between refined product prices and an equivalent volume of crude oil. The U.S.

July 12, 2024 Read Full Article

U.S. Renewable Diesel Production Growth Drastically Impacts Global Feedstock Trade

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) During the past few years, the landscape for U.S. renewable diesel production has drastically changed, akin to the growth of ethanol and biodiesel during the past two decades. Driven by federal and state policies aimed at reducing

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Visualized: The Price of Carbon Around the World

(Motive-Power) ... Only 1% of global emissions are priced high enough to meet the Paris Agreement’s temperature target in 2024. This chart, created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, shows carbon prices around the world using data from the World Bank. Let’s start

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Embedding Ethics into the Engineering Biology Pipeline

by Danielle Hamm (Nuffield Bioethics) Engineering biology is not new, some would say it is synthetic biology rebranded. But whether you agree with this, or not, there is no denying that the current interest in engineering biology is palpable. And that a clear driver

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Decarbonizing the Aviation Sector: Global Bioenergies Extends Its Technological Process to the Production of e-SAF

(Global Bioenergies) a unique e-SAF with a record selectivity rate of 95% compared to existing technologies; a complementary approach to ASTM-certified SAF technology, substituting a plant-based resource for a synthetic resource -- Global Bioenergies announced today that it has adapted its process for

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Anaerobic Digestion Of Food Waste

by Nora Goldstein (BioCycle Magazine) Two recent analyses shed light on stand-alone and food waste codigestion facilities processing pre and postconsumer streams. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been surveying operators of anaerobic digesters that process pre and postconsumer food waste streams

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Climate Workshop #2 --- July 16, 2024 --- ONLINE

The NextGen America Climate Workshop is a professional development program that will empower young people to receive hands-on experience in the climate space. The Climate Workshop will focus on providing information on employment opportunities in the United States. Panelists include

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

KPI OceanConnect Achieves the First Biofuel Delivery for a Foreign Container Shipping Company in South Korea

(KPI OceanConnect) Bunker delivery marks the first commercial delivery for a foreign container shipping company in South Korea, highlighting growing demand for biofuel across ports worldwide. 11 July 2024: KPI OceanConnect, the leading global provider of marine energy solutions, has announced the successful

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Industry CCUS 2024 -- November 19-21, 2024 --- Rotterdam, Netherlands

With the urgency of climate action at the forefront, the Industry CCUS 2024 conference brings together industry leaders to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Through discussions on carbon capture, utilization and storage, attendees will explore

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Are You Plugging in or Filling Up for Your Summer Road Trip? Yes!

by Allen Schaeffer (Engine Technology Forum) ... The bold predictions for EV market success were perhaps too bold, with many assumptions about consumers and infrastructure blind to some of the uncertainties that have accelerated over the last year. McKinsey’s 2024 Mobility Consumer

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

OMV Starts up Co-processing Plant at Schwechat Refinery

(OMV) Up to 160,000 metric tons of liquid biomass per year to be converted into high quality renewable diesel blending component, also be used for the newest generation of OMV’s MaxxMotion Diesel; Almost EUR 200 mn invested in OMV Schwechat refinery; OMV carbon

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Amtrak Used 2 Million Gallons of Renewable Diesel in FY2023

(Transport Topics) Three California Rail Lines Consume All of Amtrak’s Biofuel -- Switching to renewable diesel has enabled Amtrak to replace more than 2 million gallons of fossil fuel during the past fiscal year and move closer to its goal of achieving zero emissions

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Bolivia’s First Biodiesel Plant in Operation

(Biofuels International) Bolivia’s first biodiesel production plant has started operating in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The Government said that the new undertaking will generate up to $100 million (€92 million) in savings on fossil fuel imports. “This plant will produce ecological diesel

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

XPO Logistics Makes Progress in Reducing the Environmental Impact of the Tour de France

(XPO Logistics) As the Official Transport Partner of the Tour and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, XPO will use an electric truck for the first time and, again, HVO biofuel to support Amaury Sport Organisation in its CSR

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Hand in Glove: The Importance of Carbon Accounting in Emissions Reduction

(S&P Global) Titans of industry have long embraced the concept that what gets measured gets managed. Reaching consensus on measurable items like benchmarks, milestones, and definitions of success can be some of the most challenging parts of any multi-stakeholder plan. S&P Global

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Growmark Testing Biodiesel in Semi Fleet

by Jody Heemstra (DRG News) Growmark has partnered with Optimus Technologies to test biodiesel in five of its semi-tractors. The move may be a potential pathway to transitioning its entire fleet to low-carbon fuels. The engine upgrades from Optimus ensure heavy-duty diesel engines

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Clean Fuels Applauds Senate Letter Urging Higher RFS Volumes

(Clean Fuels America Alliance) Today, a bipartisan group of 18 Senators, led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan encouraging the agency to complete 2026 RFS rules and raise volumes for

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Biofuel Growth Driven by Increasing Use in Transport in China and Emerging Economies, New Report Reveals

(Biofuels International) This year’s Energy Outlook by bp is focused on two main scenarios – the current trajectory and net-zero. These scenarios, as highlighted in the 107-page report, are not predictions of what is likely to happen or what bp would

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

EU Action Proves Urgent as Biofuel Producers Furlough Workers

(European Biodiesel Board) While biodiesel from China continues to flood into the European markets, policy makers in the European Commission deliberate their response. The European Biodiesel Board (EBB), which brought a trade case before the institutions, remains confident anti-dumping measures will

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Cargill and University of Minnesota Partner on Winter Camelina and Pennycress Research

(Cargill/Business Wire) Project will help develop new seed varieties and a grower playbook tailored to Upper Midwest growing conditions -- Cargill and the Forever Green Initiative, a research platform in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

dnata Partners with ExxonMobil to Lead Renewable Diesel Trial at Singapore Changi Airport

(Aviation Pros) The trial uses Esso Renewable Diesel R20, which is a high-quality fuel with an estimated 15.4 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel. -- dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, and ExxonMobil, a leading

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Mölnlycke Sets Sail with Ocean Biofuel: A Step towards Greener Logistics

(Scan Global Logistics) Longstanding partners, Mölnlycke Health Care and Scan Global Logistics (SGL), have entered an agreement for the purchase and deployment of ocean biofuel covering trade lanes from Asia to Europe to further reduce carbon emissions. This decision supports the

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

X-Press Feeders Starts Europe’s First Feeder Network Powered by Green Methanol, Ushering in New Era of Sustainable Shipping

(X-Press Feeders) New Green Network Starts with Rotterdam and Antwerp Bruges to Finland and the Baltics -- X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent common carrier, has started Europe’s first scheduled feeder network in which the vessels are powered by green methanol, a

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

BP to Invest $48.54 Million in China Biofuels Producer as Market Anticipates SAF Mandates Soon

Chau kit Boey (S&P Global) BP to buy 15% stake in Lianyungang Jiaao New Energy; Parent Jiaao Enprotech has 100,000 mt/year SAF capacity -- BP will invest Yuan 353 million ($48.54 million) to acquire a 15% stake in Lianyungang Jiaao New Energy,

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Report: Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative

(Safetytech Accelerator) Our report delves into the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII). In the last two years, we have completed a comprehensive series of analyses detailing the nature of methane emissions at every stage of the value chain. Gain insights into

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

ORIX Places Order for Three New, Next-Generation Environmentally Friendly Ships, including Methanol-Fueled Ships

(ORIX) ORIX Corporation (“ORIX”) announced today that it has placed an order for two Methanol Dual Fuel KAMSARMAX Bulk Carriers (“KAMSARMAX”), the latest environmentally friendly ships from TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd., and one bulk carrier from Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. through

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

MOU Signed for 35,000 Hectares of Land in Sonora, Mexico, to Propel Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Production

(Aslan Energy Capital/PR Newswire) A significant step towards sustainable energy production and environmental preservation was taken by Aslan Energy Capital (Aslan Energy) by signing an MOU for the acquisition of 35,000 hectares of land in Sonora, Mexico. The land will serve as

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

China Plans Trading Platform for Green Hydrogen-Derived Fuels to Decarbonise Shipping

by Yujie Xue (South China Morning Post) Hydrogen, methanol and ammonia are ‘inevitable choices’ for green shipping, says official of the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange -- China will set up a platform to support the trading of net-zero hydrogen and its derivatives

July 11, 2024 Read Full Article

Grow Demand for Carbon Removal as a Stripe Climate Fellow

(Stripe) In order for carbon removal to get to climate-relevant scale, demand for it needs to grow dramatically. Since 2020, Stripe Climate has made it easy for businesses that accept payments through Stripe to direct a fraction of their revenue to

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Scaling up the Bioeconomy Workforce: Welcoming a New Wave of Bioprocessing Graduates

by Katy Christiansen (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) As a recent college graduate, Javier Santana was working in the petrochemical industry when he decided to make a career change. Seeking more opportunities for innovation, he turned to biomanufacturing — a growing industry

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Report: Japan Works to Develop SAF Standards

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Japan is working to develop standards for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) according to a report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service's Global Agricultural Information Network on July 5. The government is expecting to begin drafting

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

RNG Coalition Celebrates 13 Years Of Leadership

(RNG Coalition/Biomass Magazine) This week, the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) celebrates 13 years of leadership in the renewable natural gas (RNG) industry. Founded on July 7, 2011, with just six member companies, RNG Coalition has provided advocacy and education

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Iowa Biofuels Plant Using Solar to Reduce Carbon Footprint

by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A biofuels producer is turning to solar to help reduce its carbon footprint. Edgar Castro with Chevron Renewable Energy Group says the installation of a solar array at its facility in north Iowa will cut electricity

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Future of RNG North America --- March 19-20, 2025 --- Las Vegas, NV

The Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) industry in North America is experiencing significant growth, projected to increase from $1.5 billion in 2022 to $4.0 billion by 2030, driven by stringent emissions standards and regulatory support. The number of RNG facilities has

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

The European Bioenergy Future 2024 --- November 20-21, 2024 --- Brussels, Belgium

The European Bioenergy Future (EBF) conference will return on 20 – 21 November 2024 at BluePoint Brussels (Blvd Auguste Reyers 80, 1030), with a rich programme and interesting pre- and post-conference events. Organised by Bioenergy Europe, EBF has been established as a leading

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Sustainable Road Transport Europe 2024 --- September 3-4, 2024 --- Amsterdam, Netherlands

Net-Zero Now: Accelerating Decarbonisation in Europe’s Road Freight -- The European hub for sustainable heavy-duty transport leaders – where innovation meets action Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) may be only 2% of the road fleet, but they pack a punch, contributing to 27%

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Clean Aviation & Hamburg Set Strategic Cooperation to Accelerate Innovation for Net-Zero Aviation

(Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking) At the ILA Berlin International Air Show today, the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking and the Free & Hanseatic City of Hamburg signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to accelerate the demonstration of low-emission aircraft technologies and concepts for entry

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

N.D.’s Burgum Says ‘Unconstitutional’ Minn. Climate Law Must Allow CCS

by Jefffrey Tomich (Politico Pro's Energywire) A panel led by the Republican governor is pressing Minnesota regulators on the issue. -- North Dakota officials led by Republican Gov. Doug Burgum and leaders in the state's coal industry are pushing for carbon capture

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Air Travel and Climate: German Plant Produces First Quantities of Carbon-Neutral Synthetic Kerosene

(Atmosfair) A pilot plant in northern Germany has produced the first quantities of CO2-neutral aviation fuel on an industrial scale, using renewable electricity, water, and CO2 extracted from the air. Among the customers are two German tour operators, suggesting that air

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Thought for the Week: All Plants Are Not Created Equal

by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) While reading today's The Digest's Chemicals & Materials Update, it occurred to me that there didn't seem to be any concern about the carbon intensity or carbon footprint of the plant-based products in the

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Green Plains and Tharaldson Ethanol Announce Successful Start-Up of MSC™ System

(Green Plains/Business Wire) Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) and joint venture partner Tharaldson Ethanol today announced that the world’s largest MSC™ system to date at Tharaldson’s 175 million-gallon biorefinery in Casselton, North Dakota is producing and shipping on-spec product. Leveraging MSC™ technology

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Vattenfall and Shell Have Decided to Pause Their Collaboration in the HySkies Electrofuel Project

(Vattenfall) Vattenfall continues review of HySkies project scope -- Vattenfall and Shell have decided to pause their collaboration in the HySkies electrofuel project while Vattenfall continues the search for new partners to join potential industry decarbonisation developments in the Forsmark region. In 2021

July 10, 2024 Read Full Article

Commentary: Capping Aviation Emissions – A Pressing Necessity with a Potential Solution

by Chris Lyle ( Air Transport Economics/GreenAir) For the “difficult to decarbonise” air transport sector, the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and alternative propulsion sources are well under way, along with technological and operational emissions mitigation measures. But even collectively they