Advanced BioFuels USA

A Fuel Value over $7.00 per Gallon, and Everyone’s Chasing It: The Birth of USA Bioenergy and the Surge in Renewable Diesel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, we are now seeing project flow projecting a sustainable $7.63 price for renewable diesel in the California market, where the Low Carbon Fuel Standard stacks on top of the RIN values from the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.

That’s market value, not subsidy. Though some die-hards might still insist that renewable fuels should only be sold based on energy value, not on market value, as in for example the markets which Californians freely established for themselves with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and in which any fuel producer can avoid carbon taxes and no one is guaranteed a subsidy. Yes, Californians have different standards for fuels than other states. But then again, some people drink bottled water at $6 a gallon and some drink tap water for pennies. Up to you — that’s how markets work.

The limitation that everyone is talking about is feedstock. At some stage, there’s not going to be a drop of tallow or other waste oils anywhere near the state of California; the economics are certainly there to begin to compete for veggie feedstocks such as soybean oils, but most of the newer projects have been wary of utilizing anything at scale that looks like it will be in long-term competition with food markets — problems with price swings and the optics of food-vs-fuel are usually cited.

For that reason, one of the top execs at one of the major players (that is, the “north of 300 million gallons per year” club predicted that the industry will begin to tilt towards wood-based feedstocks, especially residues. In some cases for finished fuels, in others as a source for a biocrude that can be refined by the bigger players.

…

For diesel, the big trucking firms are always on the radar and of course the major oil refiners with their large obligations under RFS to blend renewable fuels. In some ways, truck stops have the upper hand, if they can handle the supply volumes, because they are not themselves obligated parties under the US Renewable Fuel Standard, meaning they can buy the fuel, and detach and sell the RINs in the open market. For that reason, fuel retailing firms are the untapped resource that can push renewable fuels to new heights. READ MORE

Help Advanced Biofuels USA as You Shop

Do you want to help advocate for understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels? If yes, when you shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/80-0161655, AmazonSmile donates to Advanced Biofuels USA Inc. Or donate by clicking here. Special thanks from us during this Thanksgiving Season!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Emails between the EPA and the oil industry show that EPA asked oil industry employees what test fuels they would “prefer to see tested” and then revised the test fuels in response to their input. The EPA also threw out three test fuels after preliminary results showed that ethanol lowered emissions of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants and otherwise altered its slate of test fuels to downplay ethanol’s positive effects,” according to emails from a Freedom of Information Act request by Urban Air Initiative. READ MORE

Demanding Action: Youth Climate Activists Flooded Congressional District Offices

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Youth climate activists flooded congressional district offices around the country Tuesday at more than

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Free on-demand streaming of ABLC Global now Open for Viewing, Anywhere, Anytime, Any Device

(Biofuels Digest) Watch ABLC Global presentations on BioChannelTV. WATCH VIDEO

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Israeli Researchers Create Hydrochar from Human Waste

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Israel, researchers at the Ben-Gurion University Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research have published a study in

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

EPA Plans Biofuel ‘Reset’ as Program Misses Congress’ Targets

by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose new targets for the final three years of the nation’s

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Fiberight Now Expects Hampden Waste Plant to Start up in April, a Year after Scheduled Start

by Charles Eichacker (Bangor Daily News) The company developing a state-of-the-art waste processing facility in Hampden says the project will probably

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

New Report Shows Global Link Between Pro-Innovation Policies and Biotech Advances

(Biotechnology Innovation Organization/BusinessWire) A study released today highlights strategies, policies and best practices that have been successful in creating an environment

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Reforms Must Prepare the UK Countryside for Climate Change and Ensure that Our Use of Land Supports Reduced Emissions

(Committee on Climate Change) The Paris Agreement demands tougher action to remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. We must, at

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Exclusive: Chevron Granted Waiver from U.S. Biofuel Laws at Utah Plant – Source

by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted oil major Chevron Corp a 2017 hardship waiver from U.S. biofuel

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Virtual NGO Making Waves with Online Petition against Palm Oil in Europe

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, virtual NGO SumOfUs has gathered nearly 75,000 signatures on a digital petition demanding the

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Antares and Innovations in Harvest, Pre-Processing of Herbaceous Biomass

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ANTARES has been assisting clients identify and use biomass resources since the company was founded and

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

A Fuel Value over $7.00 per Gallon, and Everyone’s Chasing It: The Birth of USA Bioenergy and the Surge in Renewable Diesel

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, we are now seeing project flow projecting a sustainable $7.63 price for renewable diesel

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Help Advanced Biofuels USA as You Shop

Do you want to help advocate for understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels? If yes, when you shop at

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Analysis of High and Low Indirect Land-Use Change Definitions in European Union Renewable Fuel Policy

by Stephanie Searle & Jacopo Giuntoli (International Council on Clean Transportation) The European Union (EU) will continue incentivizing the use of

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Rotten Fish to Help Power Hurtigruten Cruise Ships after Refit

by Ole Petter Skonnord (Reuters) The Nordic region’s most high-profile cruise fleet operator is refitting its ships to make them less polluting,

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

UK Biofuels Consumption at 4% for April 15-December 31, 2018 (Yes, You Read That Right)

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, Department for Transport released biofuel consumption data for April 15 to December 31, 2018 based

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

CVEC, BioPro Seek Benson’s Support for Steam Energy Proposal on Portion of Fibrominn Property

by Tom Cherveny (West Central Tribune) … And it’s steam that Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company wants. Friese (Chad Friese, general manager of

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

Costa Rica’s State Refinery Will Start Mixing Gasoline with Ethanol as of May 2019

by Laura Alvarado (Costa Rica Star) Costa Rica’s state refinery, RECOPE, announced they will be mixing the “super” gasoline with ethanol

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

NYC Fleet Expanding Use of Renewable Diesel Fuel Following Success Six-Month Trial

(NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services) DCAS to Expand Use of 99% Petroleum-Free Renewable Diesel in City Vehicles — City Aims to

November 21, 2018 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide ABLC Guide to Anaergia

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Anaergia is the world leader in solving waste problems by recovering energy, water, and fertilizer from

November 20, 2018 Read Full Article

Beyond the Cow: ICYMI, BYND IPO PDQ, and Perfect Day AKA Muufri JDA w/ ADM, FYI

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In New York and California this week, the nutrition side of industrial biotechnology —

November 20, 2018 Read Full Article

Trump Plans to Nominate Andrew Wheeler, Former Coal Lobbyist, as EPA Chief

by Brady Dennis and Juliet Eilperin (Washington Post) President Trump said Friday that he intends to nominate former industry lobbyist Andrew Wheeler

November 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Purple Bacteria Can Turn Human Waste into Clean Hydrogen Energy

(ResearchGate) The new method reduces carbon emissions and turns wastewater treatment plants into green generators. A significant downside to wastewater treatment

November 19, 2018 Read Full Article

EPA Approves Renewable Fuel Pathway for Andersons Ethanol Facility

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Indiana, Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a pathway

November 19, 2018 Read Full Article

‘Breakthrough’ Harvesting Solution, Growing Market, Potential beyond Biodiesel – All Good Signs for Castor Oil’s Future

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) A ‘breakthrough’ mechanical harvesting solution for castor bean plants was developed by Evogene and agricultural equipment

November 19, 2018 Read Full Article

Part of the Answer to Climate Change May Be America’s Trees and Dirt, Scientists Say

by Brad Plumer (New York Times) A new study published on Wednesday, however, found that better management of forests, grasslands and soils

November 19, 2018 Read Full Article

VNY to Become First to Offer GA Retail Jet Biofuel

by Curt Epstein (AIN Online) In the wake of the multi-organizational release of the Business Aviation Guide to the Use of Sustainable

November 18, 2018 Read Full Article

National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Publishes “Gaseous Carbon Waste Streams Utilization: Status and Research Needs”

(U.S. Department of Energy) The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department

November 18, 2018 Read Full Article

Global Oil Demand under Growing Threat from Electric Cars, Cleaner Fuel

by Amanda Cooper (Reuters) Oil demand seen peaking in 2040 at 106.3 mln bpd – IEA; Demand forecast raised by over 1

November 18, 2018 Read Full Article

Bioenergy Is the Overlooked Giant of Decarbonization

by Graham Noyes (OurEnergyPolicy.org/Noyes Law Corporation) In October, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reaffirmed the leading role that bioenergy continues to play in

November 18, 2018 Read Full Article

The 2018 Algae Biomass Summit: Tracing the Evolution of the Algae Industry and Its New Trajectories Forward

by Jenna Bloxom* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The kickoff of the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit in The Woodlands, TX, was awash

November 17, 2018 Read Full Article

Colorado’s Air Quality Regulators Adopt New Vehicle Emission Standards

(Sierra Club) New Standards Mean Cleaner Air and Less Money Spent at the Gas Pump — Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC)

November 17, 2018 Read Full Article

DuPont Will Repay $10.5 Million in State Incentives, under Approved Settlement

by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) DuPont will give Iowa a big check — $10.5 million — after closing and selling

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Nominations Open for the Raphael Katzen Award DEADLINE: January 31, 2019

(Symposium on Biotechnology for Chemicals and Fuels) Initiated in 2008, the Raphael Katzen Award recognizes individuals who have made distinguished contributions

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Nominations Open for the Charles D. Scott Award DEADLINE: January 31, 2019

(Symposium on Biotechnology for Chemicals and Fuels) Initiated in 1995, the Charles D. Scott Award recognizes individuals who have made distinguished

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Nominations Open for Bioeconomy Leadership Award DEADLINE: January 31, 2019

(Symposium on Biotechnology for Chemicals and Fuels) The “Bioeconomy Leadership Award” is given on behalf of the SBFC community to

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Spanish Energy Companies Increase Efforts towards Renewable Gas Development

(Enagas/NGV Journal) Enagás’ CEO Marcelino Oreja and Ence’s CEO Ignacio de Colmenares have signed an agreement to develop projects that aim

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Company Removing Nitrates from Water Using Algae

by Jon Vanderford (1011 Now) The algae found in a lab at the University of Nebraska’s Beadle Center may hold the

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Renewable Energy: Decarbonise, Decentralise and Digitalise

Alan Brent (Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Engineering and Computer Science) … Where we haven’t reached consensus is what to

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

More RFS Exemption Requests Monroe Energy, Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf Want Full RFS Waiver

by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Pennsylvania’s governor and state refining interests are putting pressure on EPA to grant waivers

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Green Plains Sheds Three Plants, Shutters Another and Offloads Storage and Rail Assets

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Nebraska, Green Plains Inc. announced that it completed the previously announced sale of its three ethanol

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

One Molecule at a Time: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Amyris

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For many people, a key question in the advanced bioeconomy continues to be: “what is Amyris

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

40 Mistakes That Will Kill a Proposal

by C.J. Evans (Lee Enterprises/Biofuels Digest) It is not enough to just have a game-changing idea, concept, or innovation. Nor is

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

BRAG: Call For Candidate Chemicals For Equivalency Determinations

(Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®)) Is your company engaged in Class 2 chemistries that are similar to existing

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

March for Science — May 4, 2019 — various locations

SAVE THE DATE We turn our attention to the future of science advocacy. We’ll continue to advocate every day for equitable,

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

CALL FOR PAPERS: Plant Based Summit — May 22-24, 2019 — Lyons, France DEADLINE: November 21, 2018

Plant Based Summit will launch its 5th edition in Lyon, with an even sharpened positioning on the innovation, the co-development

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

Plant Based Summit — May 22-24, 2019 — Lyons, France

Plant Based Summit will launch its 5th edition in Lyon, with an even sharpened positioning on the innovation, the co-development

November 16, 2018 Read Full Article

USA Science & Engineering Festival — April 25-26, 2020 — Washington, DC

The USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo will return to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

CALL FOR PAPERS: BioCycle WEST COAST19 — April 1-4, 2019 — Portland, OR DEADLINE: December 10, 2018

Accepting abstracts now for presentations on April 2-3, 2019. BioCycle WEST COAST19 includes four tracks of sessions. Abstracts should be no longer than

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

6 Reasons Why This Tax Is a Crummy Way to Improve Illinois’ Roads and Bridges The So-Called Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax Being Bandied about in Springfield Is the Wrong Tool to Address Illinois’ Transportation Challenges. Here’s Why.

by Howard Lerner (Crain’s Chicago Business/Environmental Law & Policy Center ) Current gas tax revenues are insufficient to meet Illinois’ infrastructure

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Calvera Supplies CNG Equipment to E.ON Biofor Sweden’s Station Network

(Gasnam/Calvera/NGV Journal) The Calvera Industrial Group signed an important collaboration agreement with the Swedish company E.ON Biofor Sweden, division of the

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Biofuel Cell Can Match the Performance of Platinum

(The Engineer) Researchers in Germany have developed an enzyme-based biofuel cell that can match the performances of fuel cells made using

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Producers Call on Government to Implement B30 Biodiesel Policy

(Jakarta Post) While the implementation of the 20 percent blended biodiesel ( B20 ) mandatory policy needs fine tuning, biodiesel producers want

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Air BP Invests in New Fuelling Infrastructure to Supply Bergen Airport, Norway

(BP) Air BP has invested in upgrades to its fuel infrastructure at Dolvik terminal in Norway. The newly upgraded terminal, which

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

G20 Nations Still Led by Fossil Fuel Industry, Climate Report Finds

by Jonathan Watts (The Guardian) Coal, oil and gas subsidies risking rise in global temperatures to 3.2C, well beyond agreed Paris

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

National Corn Growers Association, Environmental Defense Fund Partner to Improve Environment while Growing Profits

(Wallaces Farmer) Environmental Defense Fund and National Corn Growers Association will engage in continuous improvements for water quality while strengthening yields

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Can We Produce Enough Green Hydrogen to Save the World?

(FuelCellsWorks) … ‘Hydrogen and fuels derived (from it) is capable of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels in the

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Dems to Hold Two Days of Hearings on Climate

by Timothy Cama (The Hill) House Democrats are planning to hold two days’ worth of hearings on the impacts of climate change and

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

EPA Extends Comment Period on RFS Information Collection Request New DEADLINE: December 13, 2018

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is extending the comment period on a previously announced information collection request

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Biofuel Groups Ask Federal Judge to Freeze U.S. Refinery Waiver Program

by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A group representing biofuel companies asked a federal judge on Tuesday to force the U.S. Environmental Protection

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Near-Zero ROUSH CleanTech Engine Can Run on Renewable Propane

by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) ROUSH CleanTech has announced that its 0.02 grams per brake horsepower-hour engine can operate on renewable

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

France Sets Out Plan to End ‘Imported Deforestation’

(France 24 with Reuters) France set out plans on Wednesday to tackle deforestation around the world, saying it would look to

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

China Seen Importing US Ethanol via Alternative Routes Amid Trade War

by Srijan Kanoi (S&P Global Platts) China has switched to importing US ethanol via alternative routes since the US-China trade war

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

It Might Be Giant: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Nanocellulose, American Process Style

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A few years back, Research & Markets startled the bio world when they projected that the “Nanocellulose

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

3D Printed Bio-Eyes, Biobased Surfactants, Duckweed’s Comeback, Cow Poop Fabric, Starch Algae Opp, Disney Goes Bio, Alt Tuna: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of November 14th

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of bioeconomy invention and change continues at a frenetic pace. Here are the top

November 15, 2018 Read Full Article

Big Oil Spent 1 Percent on Green Energy in 2018

by Ron Bousso (Reuters) Top oil and gas companies jointly spent around 1 percent of their 2018 budgets on clean energy,