by Sara Stefanini (Politico) Getting fuel into a war zone can be deadly. One soldier is killed on average for every 24 convoys sent across the mountains and deserts of Pakistan to supply foreign troops in Afghanistan. That’s why some of the
Archive
Back TO HOMERenewable Energy Benefits: Measuring the Economics
(International Renewable Energy Agency) This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)provides the first quantification of the macroeconomic impact of doubling the global share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030. The study builds on IRENA’s previous work
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Industry’s United Stand
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The biofuel industry continues to maintain its united front on encouraging legislative support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) especially during the presidential campaigns. Leaders from the renewable fuels and agriculture community released a public letter to
January 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Company Industrializes Photosynthesis
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For eight years, Joule has been working under the radar to develop and commercialize its CO2-to-fuel technology. -- When it comes to ethanol production volumes per acre of land, Joule's Helioculture technology leaves all
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
The North Dakota Crude Oil That’s Worth Less than Nothing
by Dan Murtaugh and Javier Blas (Bloomberg/msn.com) Oil is so plentiful and cheap in the U.S. that at least one buyer says it would need to be paid to take a certain type of low-quality crude. Flint Hills Resources LLC, the refining
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
This Couple Is Driving Cross-Country To Return Their Polluting Jetta To VW Headquarters
by David Tracy (Jalopnik) Upset that Volkswagen deceived them into buying a not-so-clean diesel, Marcus Moench and Elisabeth Caspari are driving from Colorado to VW’s headquarters in Virginia to return their Jetta SportWagen TDI and drop off 20,000 petitions. ... ... You see,
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
E85 Retrofit Project: Getting Started, Choosing a Retrofit Kit
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Once we decided to go forward with the E85 conversion, Bob Kozak researched options for retrofitting my bright yellow 2002 Ford Focus ZX3. He decided that the kit offered by Fuel Flex International would
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Carrier USS John C. Stennis Leaves Kitsap-Bremerton for Great Green Fleet Deployment
by Sam LaGrone (US Naval Institute News) Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash. for a seven-month Western Pacific deployment on Friday, Navy officials told USNI News. The Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will be the
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
New White Paper Identifies Opportunities for Increased Ethanol Demand: Growing Beyond the RFS Keys on Regulatory Relief
(Ethanol Across America) Despite the effectiveness of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in providing an entry ramp to the fuel market, the potential for corn ethanol to contribute to meeting a range of public policy objectives has only scratched the
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biobased Chemicals, the Regional Opportunity: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Iowa’s Biobased Prospects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What’s next in the biobased revolution? After fuels, chemicals, say many. What’s the role of incentives, the size of the opportunity and the potential rewards for a region? Two Iowa-based organizations, the Cultivation Corridor and Iowa
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Plug-and Play Synthbio: Arzeda, INVISTA, Others Finding New Pathways to Affordable, Everyday Materials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A new generation of advanced technologies, based primarily in the United States but active in Europe and around the world, is changing our way of thinking about what a factory has to look like, one
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Backers See Big Expansion of Niche Renewable Product in Florida
by William R. Levesque (Tampa Bay Times) ... But the biodiesel industry remains something of an enigma to most Americans despite its production of an estimated 2 billion gallons of fuel in 2015, a figure that is expected to jump by
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Oklahoma Earthquakes Raise Calls for Restrictions on Energy Firms
by Heide Brandes (Reuters) Earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week, including one of the strongest ever recorded in the state, have led to calls for the governor to make changes to oil and gas drilling regulations and reduce seismic activity
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
NYC Council Member Sold on Biodiesel Benefits
by by Tom Steever (Brownfield Ag News) New York City officials are looking for ways to increase the required blend of biodiesel in fuel. New York City Council Member Costa Constantanides tells Brownfield Ag News that the current standard of a
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Global Cleantech Summit: Business and Strategies 2015, September 8-10, Helsinki, Finland
by Maija Sihvonen* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Global Cleantech Summit 2015 concentrated on cleantech strategies and business cooperation. Some venture capitalists have already declared cleantech dead as it has undergone the typical innovation life-cycle and has suffered somewhat from hype. However,
January 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Greens: Gas Developers Aren’t Telling Investors of Methane Leaks
by Devin Henry (The Hill) Natural gas developers are providing very restricted information about their methane emissions to investors, according to a report released Monday by a green group. According to an Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) analysis, only 18 of 65 major
January 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Sampson County OKs Incentives Package for 2 Hog Waste Power Plants
by Michael Futch (Fayetteville Observer) Michigan-based NOVI Energy is moving forward with plans to build two anaerobic digester power plants in Sampson County after county commissioners approved incentives for the facilities. The proposed plants would bring at least 36 jobs to
January 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Department Announces $15 Million for Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2 (ABY2)
(US Department of Energy) The Energy Department today announced up to $15 million in funding to develop technologies that are likely to succeed in producing 3,700 gallons of algal biofuel intermediate (or equivalent dry weight basis) per acre per year
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
BioHiTech America Collaborates to Convert Food Waste to Energy
(BioHiTech Global Inc./Biomass Magazine) ... BioHiTech's Eco-Safe Digester utilizes an aerobic digestion process to convert food waste to grey water, also referred to as effluent. Typically the effluent is discharged safely into the sewage system and individual wastewater treatment facilities to
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Bringing Up Biofuel
by Rosalie Bliss (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service) ... U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have advanced a process to produce a crude liquid called “bio-oil” from agricultural waste. The team is headed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Mitigation of International Aviation Emissions: The Flightpath from Paris to Montreal
(GreenAir Online) ... Of particular relevance is the development by ICAO of a global market-based measure (MBM) for consideration by the 39th Session of its Assembly later this year and intended implementation from 2020. Chris Lyle reviews some implications of
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Aircraft Operators Rack up over $1 Million in UK Penalties for Non-Compliance with EU ETS
(GreenAir Online) Following the civil penalties handed out to five aircraft operators last June (see article), a further 18 operators of corporate or VIP aircraft and two airlines have been issued with penalties for failing to surrender sufficient EU ETS allowances
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Reports from IMF and French Economists Call for Climate Taxes on International Aviation Fuel or Air Travel
(GreenAir Online) Two reports, one an International Monetary Fund (IMF) internal discussion note and the other by the Paris School of Economics (PSE), suggest taxing international aviation fuel or air travel could provide an equitable solution to raising global finance
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Ecological Farming: A Different Form of Agtech –Exclusive Report
by Louisa Burwood-Taylor (AgFunderNews) ... “Ecological farming is ‘AgTech’ but of a different kind. It is a return to the original definition of ‘technology’, which comes from two Greek words: technis, which means art, skill, craft or the way something is gained, and logos,
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Arkema Addresses Corrosion in Biodiesel Process
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) One of the issues for biodiesel producers is corrosion of equipment by chemicals used in the production process. Pennsylvania-based chemical company Arkema has developed a low corrosion version of Methane Sulfonic Acid (MSA LC) that will
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol, RFS Are Points of Contention in Ag States
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) A pair of volunteers holds up a sign near a rally for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz. It says “I’m caucusing for ethanol in 2016.” The message is clear. Ethanol supporters would like to remind farmers
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Questioning The Final RFS Rule, Part 2: The Meaning Of The Word 'Supply'
by Jonathan Coppess (Farms.com/Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois) This article looks specifically at EPA's interpretation of the word 'supply' in the waiver provision 'inadequate domestic supply' and what Congress intended it to mean. ... The waiver authority includes when
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
The Candidates and Media Are Getting the Iowa Ethanol Debate All Wrong
by Michelle Ye Hee Lee (Washington Post Fact Checker) ... The Fact Checker will explore an important distinction in the rhetoric over the ethanol mandate that has been mischaracterized by politicians, including Cruz, and even members of the media. The premise set
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Files Motion to Intervene in Ethanol Industry Lawsuit
(American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Chet Thompson announces the association’s decision to intervene in the lawsuit brought by the ethanol industry against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) use of its general waiver authority
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
BESC Study Seeks Nature's Best Biocatalysts for Biofuel Production
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Researchers at the Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center are looking beyond the usual suspects in the search for microbes that can efficiently break down inedible plant matter for conversion to biofuels. A new comparative study
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
New Dooly County Biofuel Plant to Bring 138 Jobs
by Kasandra N Ortiz (13WMAZ) People in Dooly County hope that their economy will be growing along with their trees. A company called Ensyn plans to add 138 jobs to their new biofuel plant. It will be built on a piece of property that has been
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Govt to Come out with New 'Larger' Policy on Ethanol Blending with Petrol in a Month: Nitin Gadkari
(DNA India) Gadkari said the new policy will seek to address a wider source of ethanol, including bio-wastes, over and above the main source sugar. -- Government will come out with a new 'larger' policy within a month to promote ethanol
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Little Falls Ethanol Plant Begins Renovation
by Vicki Ikeogu (SC Times) Construction has started at a Little Falls ethanol plant to convert it to a renewable chemical manufacturing plant. U.K.-based Green Biologics Ltd. owns Central Minnesota Renewables, formerly known as Central Minnesota Ethanol Cooperative. It's in the process
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Invisible Disaster of Aliso Canyon Leak May Give Methane Rules Momentum
by Eric Wolff (Politico Morning Energy) The massive methane spill at the Aliso Canyon storage field has pumped out at least 77,500 metric tons of gas since Oct. 23, and it will be months before the spill can be closed.
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Report Calls for Iowa Biochemical Tax Credit
by George C. Ford (The Gazette) Authors contend state offers 'discernible advantages' -- A report released Thursday (January 13, 2016) contends Iowa is better positioned than many other states to capture a large share of the emerging biorenewable chemical market,
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biofuel: The Importance of Managing Biomass Supply Chain
by Ajay Shah (Renewable Energy World) Massive availability of agricultural waste, left unutilized in the field, and its potential to be converted to environmentally friendly biofuel has led to an increasing attention towards the advancement of cellulosic biofuel. ... Cellulosic biofuel
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Anti-Cruz Campaign Could Backfire on Ethanol, Backer Says
by Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) The ethanol industry risks losing its long-standing political clout in presidential elections if Texas Sen. Ted Cruz wins the Iowa caucuses despite the industry's attacks on him, says Iowa Rep. Steve King. “If they fall short, then
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Comments on DOE’s Innovative “Optima” Program
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) had a call for information on Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Optima). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments stating that the Association agrees that “co-optimization of future
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
London’s Cutting Back on Smokes
(Clean Fuels Community) After a successful two month trial period, one third of London's bus fleet will soon by powered by a biofuel-diesel hybrid, resulting in more than 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions being reduced annually. Biodeisel producers Argent Energy has
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
CORRECTED: Cruz Still Favors Slashing Ethanol Mandate Every Year for Five Years
by Timothy P. Carney (Washington Examiner) With some hasty blogging — and exacerbated by an Iowan's mistaken assertion about the ethanol mandate, Ted Cruz's shrewd answering, and the ethanol lobby's odd response — I contributed to some confusion about Ted
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
One-Stop Shop for Biofuels
by Lynn Yarris (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) ... Led by Seema Singh and Blake Simmons, JBEI researchers have developed a “high-gravity” one-pot process for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass that gives unprecedented yields while minimizing water use and waste disposal. The
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Crude Oil Tumble Hits Southeast Asia's Biodiesel Ambitions
by Naveen Thukral (Reuters) The world's top palm oil producers Indonesia and Malaysia may have to curb plans to channel more of the commodity into biodiesel as tumbling crude oil prices render the edible oil twice as expensive as its
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Japan Airlines to Build First Biofuel Plant for Its Planes
(4-Traders.com) Japan Airlines, or JAL, plans to build Japan's first plant that will turn waste into fuel to be used as biofuel in its planes, economic daily Nikkei reported Thursday. JAL is building its first demonstration complex in Chiba Prefecture,
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
More Pain Seen ahead for U.S. Banks Exposed to Energy Loans
by Dan Freed (Reuters) U.S. banks exposed to energy-related loans will need to set aside even more money than previously expected to cover potential losses as oil prices near 12-year lows. Earlier on Wednesday, BOK Financial Corp became the third
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Campaign Collects Frying Oil
by Cristina Ávila (Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (Google Translation)) Product used in the kitchen will be directed to produce biodiesel by the Environmental Sanitation Company of the Federal District The Ministry of Environment (MMA) begins at home good sustainability practices
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel Vehicles Coming in Vogue
(Finland Times) The popularity of cars running on biofuel is growing and can still grow further, believes an expert. Flexifuel cars use E85 biofuel, which is 80-85 per cent ethanol. “Legislation allowing the installation of biofuel converters suitable for older vehicles
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
The 30 Hottest Biobased Molecules for 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest has released the 30 Hottest Biobased Molecules for 2016, as voted by the Digest’s global readership. The Readers were surveyed over December and January, and rated more than 100 individual molecules
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Shell India to Build New Demo Biofuel Plant in Bangalore
(Biofuels International) Shell India Markets, the Indian arm of Royal Dutch Shell, has announced plans to build a five tonne/day biofuel demonstration plant using IH2 technology on the site of its new technology centre in Bangalore, India. IH2 technology is a
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Audi Beefs up Collaboration with French Biotech to Extend Biofuels Scope
(Biofuels International) Car giant Audi is entering a renewed collaboration agreement with French renewable energy firm Global Bioenergies to promote the development of biofuels. The two companies recently announced the delivery by Global Bioenergies to Audi of a first batch of
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Opportunities Abroad
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Several U.S. producers, including Genuine Bio-Fuel, Hero BX and the now-defunct Promethean Biofuels, in addition to Miami-based biodiesel exporter and hopeful technology provider Lagosur, sketch out overviews of international developments. ... “Taxation, regulation, cost of production, market
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
FOS Orders IFA to Pay Redress over Sipp Biofuel Investment
by Charles Walmsley (CityWire) The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has ordered a Rugby-based advice firm to compensate a client who invested a £13,700 pension pot in unregulated biofuel scheme Sustainable AgroEnergy. Sustainable AgroEnergy invested in jatropha oil, a form of biofuel, in
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Will Launch Buses in India that Run on Bio-Ethanol and Bio-Gas
by Mahesh Kulkarni (Financial Express) Swedish heavy-duty truck and bus maker Scania Commercial Vehicles India is bullish on India’s commercial vehicle market. The company, which has more than doubled its truck and bus sales in 2015, has geared up to launch
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
IH2 Deep-Dive: Breakthrough Biofuel Technology Has Commercial-Scale In Sight
by Jim Lane (Renewable Energy World) ... The IH2 technology is a thermocatalytic conversion route for woody biomass and forest residues feedstock that has been estimated to produce drop-in renewable fuels at around ~$2.25/gallon (in 2014 dollars), based on a
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Switchgrass Key to Future Plant Hardiness?
(Agri-View/Renewable Energy World) The relationship between a prairie grass such as switchgrass and naturally occurring microbes may help shed light on growing hardier plants for livestock and humans. Understanding how microbes promote prairie grasses to grow in nutrient-deficient, marginal soils
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s 2016 State of the State Address, Renewable Energy Excerpts
(compiled by Governors' Coalition for Biofuels) ... In the 1980’s, Iowa began investing in renewable energies like ethanol, biodiesel and wind. We were the first state to implement a renewable electric standard which I signed it into law in 1983. At the
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
New Biofuels Could Cut Emissions and Preserve Land Used to Grow Food
by Nathan Collins (Pacific Standard) Researchers combine ecological and economic models to examine the benefits of growing grass as fuel. --- ... Fortunately, corn isn't the only source of ethanol—in particular, there are perennial grasses like switchgrass and miscanthus. Those options
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Rubio: 'Let's Be No. 1' in Renewable Energy
by Kyle Feldscher (The Washington Examiner) Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio told a crowd of voters in New Hampshire Tuesday that he wants the United States to lead the world in renewable energy. It's a surprising statement from a lawmaker who
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Obama, with No Elections Left to Lose, Drops Mention of Fossil Fuels
by Eric Wolff (Politico Morning Energy) President Obama's final State of the Union address made no mention of an "all of the above" energy policy, nor of natural gas or fracking, and it only mentioned oil to either criticize it
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Zoning Commission Denies Rehearing Request to Allow Fuel Transfer Station in South Bibb County
by Linda S. Morris (The Telegraph) The Macon-Bibb County zoning commission denied a request for the rehearing of an application that would allow a rail terminal and ethanol fuel transfer station. Houston, Texas-based Epic Midstream received approval in November from the
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Avoiding Common Pitfalls: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the USDA Section 9003 Loan Guarantee
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of Agriculture needs no introduction, but within USDA Rural Development is the Energy Division takes a leading role on biorefinery loan guarantees. How does the process work, what are the deadlines, how are applications scored?
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Compilation of US State of the Union 2016: Selected Remarks on Energy and Climate Change
(compiled by Biofuels Digest) "Gas under two bucks a gallon ain’t bad, either.” ... We need the same level of commitment when it comes to developing clean energy sources. Look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around climate change,
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Defour Group and Transportation Fuel Consulting Post Responses to DOE Request Regarding Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines
(Defour Group/Transportation Fuels Consulting) Dean Drake of the Defour Group LLC (D4) and Gary Herwick of Transportation Fuels Consulting (TFC) have submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy's Request for Information about co-optimization of fuels and engines. Their response reflects their
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Economist: Blend Wall Debate Might Help Sluggish Crop Prices
by Nat Williams (The Southern News Services) ...The reasons include the Great Recession and falling gasoline prices, among a few other things. At issue is the federal mandate for ethanol inclusion as a component of motor fuels, according to Scott Irwin.
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
CARB Releases FAQ on New LCFS Regulations in Advance of Deadline
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... CARB has said that those meeting the January deadline will be guaranteed a carbon intensity (CI) rating this year. Ethanol pathways will be processed in the first batch, scheduled to be completed by the
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Indiana University Scientists Create 'Nano-Reactor' for the Production of Hydrogen Biofuel
(Indiana University Bloomington) Combining bacterial genes and virus shell creates a highly efficient, renewable material used in generating power from water -- Scientists at Indiana University have created a highly efficient biomaterial that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen -- one
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
More Ethanol Coming to Selma
(The News and Observer) Two companies have announced ethanol expansion to Selma in recent months; Both will use rail cars and pipes to transport the fuel; The method is deemed safer and greener ... Archer Daniels Midland, a food-processing and commodities-trading corporation, announced in
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Just Makes Sense
by Erin Torkelson (Des Moines Register, Letter to the Editor) Question: What bipartisan, commonsense law enacted in 2005 under President George W. Bush is directly responsible for creating more than 73,000 Iowa jobs, providing more than $5 billion in wages to
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Air Force Seeks Public Comments on Environmental Impact of Proposed Red Rock Biofuels Facility
(Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) USAF Announces a draft environmental assessment -- Red Rock Biofuels LLC, Integrated Biofuel Production Enterprise, Lake County OR This assessment is contained in three files: Part One Part Two Part Three AGENCY: United States Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory ACTION: Notice of
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Southern Online Bio Technologies Starts Operations at Bio Diesel Unit in Visakhapatnam
(Business Standard) Recieves supply order from APSRTC and LoA from Ministry of Railways, IRAOF -- Southern Online Bio Technologies announced that the Company's Bio diesel unit at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh which was effected due to Hudhud cyclone occurred on 12
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Biocatalytic Solutions: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Microvi Biotechnologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Microvi is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes biocatalytic solutions in the water, energy and chemical industries. The company’s core discipline is its MicroNiche Engineering platform technology, where the microenvironment of biological
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Pushmi-Pullyu: How Do Carbon Prices and Fuel Mandates Work Together in Breaking through a Fossil Fuel Monopoly? Or, Do They?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sometimes, the set-up of the transition from fossil fuels is as pretty and impractical as Dr. Doolittle’s Pushmi-Pullyu. The Digest investigates. -- ... For example, a renewable fuel does not qualify under the Renewable Fuel Standard
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
The Government Has Spent a Lot on Electric Cars, but Was It Worth It?
by Charles Lane (Washington Post) In August 2010, I proposed this wager to a fellow journalist: President Obama’s declared goal was to get 1 million plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars on the road in the United States by 2015. I
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Consumer Rebate: Legislation Puts Price on Carbon
by Barbara Vergetis Lundin (SmartGridNews.com) ... "... My Consumers REBATE Act takes the revenue generated from pricing carbon over time and puts it in the hands of consumers to empower individuals to become more efficient in their energy choices," said McNerney
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
ARF Releases Candidate Report Card on RFS Support
(America’s Renewable Future/Ethanol Producer Magazine) America’s Renewable Future recently released its final candidate report card. The report card places each presidential contender into a good or bad category based on their support for the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). ARF
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Bill Aims for Long-Term Extension of Renewable Energy Tax Credits
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In mid-December, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is seeking the democratic presidential nomination, introduced legislation that aims to enact long-term extensions of several clean energy tax credits that benefit the bioenergy and biofuel sectors. The
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
California Sugarcane Ethanol Pathway Certified by CARB
(California Ethanol & Power LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) California Ethanol & Power LLC (CE+P) recently announced the certification of the carbon intensity (CI) pathway for its anticipated sugarcane and sweet sorghum ethanol by the California’s Air Resources Board. CE+P’s sugarcane ethanol will
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Reacts to API Criticism of RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen has spoken out to reject (American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack) Gerard’s claims. “I’m not sure what reality Jack is living in, but it is
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
New Funding Opportunity Commissioned by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
(Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)) The Programme "Beyond Europe" supports Austrian companies, research and university institutes and other organisations in creating and extending collaborations. The Call is open for all topics. Funding is available for projects in all technical disciplines. The applicant must
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Online Course Offered by McGill University and BioFuelNet Canada
(BioFuelNet Canada) BioFuelNet Canada, a national research network hosted by McGill University, is offering an online certificate course on advanced biofuels. BioFuelNet strongly recommends that the network’s Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) take this course, but anyone from outside the organization is
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump’s Trump Card in Iowa?
by Devin Henry (The Hill) Donald Trump is an unabashed backer of federal support for ethanol, a popular issue in Iowa that could provide the GOP front-runner with an effective closing argument against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) ahead of the Feb.
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Second-Generation Biofuels Can Reduce Emissions
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Second-generation biofuel crops like the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Illinois
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae-Derived Biofuels Gain Traction as Commercial Viability Increases
(Eco-Business/Future Market Insights) Algaculture, the farming of algae for fuel, is gaining traction globally as governments and private players look to leverage on the potential of algae as a biofuel. Concerns about depleting oil resources and the environmental impact of
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Kolmar Scoops up U.S. Biodiesel Plant as Trader Seeks to Expand
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Kolmar Group AG's U.S. unit has bought a small Connecticut biodiesel plant, the Swiss commodities trader's first ever acquisition of an asset, in a move that may stir hopes of renewed investment for the struggling biofuel
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts Become 2016 Chairmen of Governors’ Biofuels Coalition
(Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The Coalition announced today that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will become chairman and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will become vice chairman of Governors’ Biofuels Coalition this year. “For more than 20 years, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has worked
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Entsorga West Virginia Announces U.S.’s First Resource Recovery Facility to Utilize Mechanical Biological Treatment
(Entsorga West Virginia) Groundbreaking Held on January 6, 2016 in Martinsburg, West Virginia -- Entsorga West Virginia today announced the groundbreaking of the U.S.’s first resource recovery facility utilizing Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT). The state-of-the-art waste-to-solid fuel plant will be located
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Only Results Count: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Success with a Section 9003 Loan Guarantee App
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Purpose of the Feasibility Study? How can I know if my project is feasible? What should I look for in choosing a feasibility study consultant? What does a successful proforma look like when oil
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Engineers Are from Mars, Business Developers Are from Venus
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC) ... In this case, we are substituting engineers and business developers, then focusing on the differences in how they view biotechnology commercialization and the resulting impact on their ability to successfully scale-up technology as a team.
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
E Pluribus, Unum: LanzaTech, Global Bioenergies Demonstrate The Biotechnology App Store
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Global Bioenergies, LanzaTech tighten isobutene partnership, the era of “swap-in, swap out” biorefining microbes comes clear, closer -- In France, Global Bioenergies and LanzaTech signed a new collaboration agreement to broaden the feedstock flexibility
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Facing U.S. Storm, VW Set for Easier Ride in Europe on Emissions Scandal
by Barbara Lewis and Kirstin Ridley (Reuters) Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is unlikely to face U.S.-style fines in Europe over its emissions scandal because of a softer regulatory regime and its home country Germany's determination to protect its car industry, EU sources and
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Report: Methane a Rising Risk for Both Oil & Gas Sector and Investors
(Environmental Defense Fund) A first-of-its-kind report by Environmental Defense Fund shows that leading oil and gas companies are putting themselves and their investors at financial and reputational risk by failing to adequately disclose meaningful information on emissions of methane. The report,
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-Groups Kick off Legal Challenge to U.S. Biofuels Standard
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Jan 8 Seven biofuel and agriculture groups have asked a U.S. court to a review the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016, according to a court filing on Friday, kicking off a widely-expected
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae Industry Magazine's 2015 International Readers’ Poll — Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
(Algae Industry Magazine) In any industry, a few incredible people make an enormous impact. The algae industry is fortunate to honor Algae Ambassadors that are great scientists and industry leaders. They are also superb educators for our next generation of
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Always Something to Learn at the Keystone Farm Show
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Beginning the new year with a few days steeped in agriculture proved a great winter tonic, raising optimism that the seemingly ordinary people tromping through the York County Fair buildings at the Keystone Farm
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Bob Kozak Writes about Green Racing Developments from The Roar B4 the Rolex 24 in Daytona
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Ed note: Here are some initial notes from Bob Kozak, covering green racing developments at the Daytona International Speedway's Roar before the Rolex 24. Sounds like we are racing backwards instead of forwards. To
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Bacteria Attack Lignin with Enzymatic Tag Team
(Rice University/Science Daily) Research shows how nature handles lignin -- New research shows how bacterial enzymes team up to attack lignin. The findings could lead to more efficient processes for creating biofuels from wood, grass and agricultural waste, say scientists. The molecules
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Gevo to Supply Biofuel for Alaska Airlines Commercial Flight
by Steve Wilhelm (Denver Business Journal) Alaska Airlines says it will will partner with Gevo Inc., a leading maker of plant-based jet fuel, as the Seattle-based airline progresses from previous demonstration flights using Gevo's aviation biofuel to commercial flight sometime
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Virent Bio-Jet Provides More than 50% Reduction in Particulate Matter Emissions
(Virent) Rolls-Royce Testing Demonstrates Virent Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) Bio-Jet Fuel Blend Provides Health and Environmental Benefits While Maintaining Engine Performance Bio-jet emissions testing by Rolls-Royce and supported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Mack Trucks Green-Lights Renewable Diesel Fuel for Use in Mack Engines
(Volvo) Following extensive truck and engine testing, Mack Trucks today (January 7, 2016) signed off on the use of renewable diesel fuel in all Mack® engines. Renewable diesel fuel delivers performance similar to diesel refined from petroleum, but with several additional
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Great Green Fleet: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to the US Navy’s Transition to Renewable Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of the Navy is now buying advanced, drop-in, cost-competitive, next gen renewable fuels. The biofuels sought can be blended in a range of 10 to 50 percent with conventional petroleum products and must meet
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
‘When Ethanol Attacks,’ Starring Ted Cruz
by David Weigel (The Washington Post) (Wednesday, January 6, 2016) 11:45 a.m. ... "Because of this EPA wall, the market is currently dominated by low-level ethanol blends, such as 'E10' (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline)," Cruz writes. "That has prevented
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Navy to Launch Great Green Fleet with 77 Million Gallon Buy of Cost-Competitive, Non-Food Advanced Biofuels Blends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They’re here. $2.05 per gallon, at-scale, domestically produced advanced renewable fuels — utilizing non-food feedstocks and based on next-generation technology. The Navy’s 7-year quest to diversify its fuel supply without paying more or changing its
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 11th Biennial SRWC Operations Working Group Conference — October 11-13, 2016 — Fort Pierce, FL DEADLINE: February 1, 2016
SRWC Science and Technology in an Uncertain Marketplace Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) are being developed as a sustainable supply of woody biomass for the production of bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts as well as for traditional solid wood and fiber products. Recent
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Poplar (Populus spp.) Trees for Biofuel Production
(Extension.org) If you are looking for a comprehensive article on poplar for biofuel production, this is for you. Table of Contents Introduction Current and Potential Use as a Biofuel Biology and Adaptation Production and Agronomic Information Harvest Potential Yields Production Challenges Estimated Production Cost Environmental/Sustainability Issues Feasibility Summary Bibliography For More Information Contributors to This
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS: 20th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference — June 14-16, 2016 — Portland, OR DEADLINE: February 15, 2016
The 2016 GC&E Conference will focus on the theme Advancing Sustainable Solutions by Design. See the 2016 themes and session topics below and submit abstracts by February 15, 2016. For 20 years, the mission of the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute®
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Project Aims to Lower Cellulase Cost through Enzyme Recycling
(Autodisplay Biotech GmbH) In November, an international consortium led by Autodisplay Biotech GmbH started Pathway EFB, a €1.6 million ($1.75 million) collaborative research and development project to significantly lower cellulase cost in the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals. The
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Purdue Engineer Receives Top Award from Obama
(Purdue University) Nancy Ho, founder and president of Green Tech America Inc. and a research professor emerita in Purdue University's School of Chemical Engineering, will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama. The award, announced Dec. 22,
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
USDA Highlights 2015 Bioeconomy Achievements
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Several of the achievements listed by the USDA benefited the bioenergy and biofuels sectors. Under the category of climate change achievements, the department highlighted its work with the U.S. EPA to set the first-ever
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Dirt Work Begins on Ringneck Energy as Project Details Finalized
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... “Most investors are from South Dakota by far,” he reported, but the project did attract investors from Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. “Generally, from areas where they understand the ethanol investment,” he
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable Energy Management Teaching Assistantships DEADLINE: January 15, 2016
The SUNY ESF Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management (FNRM) is seeking qualified students to serve as Teaching Assistants to assist with teaching natural resources policy and law courses. Selected students will be teaching assistants for two courses each
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
United States Files Complaint Against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations
(U.S. Department of Justice) The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Indian Firm to Invest in Wheat-Based Ethanol Plant
(Biofuels International) Oasis Group, an India-based technology, engineering and construction company, will build a wheat-based ethanol plant in Punjab. The facility is worth around £51m (INR 500 crore), according to news agency Press Trust of India. The ethanol will be producing
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: Building on Ethanol Success Is a Good Way to Reach Renewable Energy Goals
by Robert Moffitt (American Lung Association in Minnesota/Post Bulletin) A Dec. 14 letter to the editor described Rochester's "community responsibility to become energy sustainable." A key component to achieving this goal is increasing the use of clean-burning transportation fuels in the
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
IFES 2015: The Outlook for Conventional Biofuels Is Brighter than You Think
by Scott Irwin (FarmDocDaily) This is a presentation summary from the 2015 Illinois Farm Economics Summit (IFES) which occurred December 14-18, 2015. A complete collection of presentations including PowerPoint Slides (PPT) and printable summaries (PDF) are available here. The EPA released
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Group Picks Its Winners, Losers in Presidential Race
(Farm Futures) America's Renewable Future released its final U.S. Presidential candidate report card last week, declaring "good" and "bad" category candidates based on support for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Iowa-based ARF says it will publicize the report card so 50,000
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Cheap Oil Slows down UW’s Plan for Tree-Based Biofuels
by Katherine Long (Seattle Times) Four years after the University of Washington received a $40 million federal grant to kick-start a biofuels industry in the Northwest, scientists have made great progress, but plans are lagging, in part because fossil fuels
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Large-Scale Reaction Screening Study of Advanced Cellulosic Biofuel Pathways Finds ethyllevulinate and 2-MTHF Promising Alternatives to Ethanol
(Green Car Congress) A team at RWTH Aachen University has identified ethyllevulinate and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as promising alternatives to cellulosic bioethanol with respect to cost and environmental impact based on a large-scale reaction screening study. In addition, the study of 97 reactions
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Here's One Transportation Fuel Ending 2015 on a Positive Note
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg Business) ... Spot biodiesel prices have jumped at least 10 percent because of moves in Washington since Nov. 30, when the Obama administration increased consumption targets for the fuel. About three weeks later, Congress reinstated a $1-a-gallon tax
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Griselda Corro, the Scientist Who Won the World Race Biodiesel
by Serafin Castro (24 Horas Puebla (modified Google Translation)) A Griselda Corro has too many doubts. As a scientist, and her 59 years, the questions had since childhood have not diminished, "on the contrary, they became more," she says, "but now
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
The Untold Upside of Low Oil Prices
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Alternative energy companies typically prosper when oil prices are high, but it’s not all doom and gloom when the cost of crude nosedives. ... So what does all this mean for the wood pellet and other bioenergy
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Group Releases Germany Country Profile in Year End Newsletter
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Group released its end of year newsletter, which included a comprehensive country profile for biofuels activity in Germany, authored by Franziska Müller-Langer (DBFZ and Nicolaus Dahmen (KIT). The overview includes Background
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Garrett County Board Mulls Gas Drilling Restrictions near Deep Creek Lake
(Associated Press/Frederick News Post) The Garrett County Commissioners are considering a Deep Creek Lake watershed management plan that would restrict drilling for natural gas in the resort area. ... The plan was drafted in 2014. It would prohibit wellheads on 41,000
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Aemetis Shares Jump 52% in One Day
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, investors were pleasantly shocked when shares in Aemetis traded up 52% last Thursday. What exactly is happening? In a release, Aemetis credited five factors for the jump: January 1, 2016: California LCFS re-adopted as of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy and Biofuels Predictions for 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we reach the end of 2015? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and peer into tomorrowland. As the sunset of 2015 gives way
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Any Alcohol into Jet Fuel: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Byogy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Mandates Around the World: 2016
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world,
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Big Oil to Cut Investment again in 2016
by Karolin Schaps and Ron Bousso (Reuters) With crude prices at 11-year lows, the world's biggest oil and gas producers are facing their longest period of investment cuts in decades, but are expected to borrow more to preserve the dividends demanded
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
LA's Gas Leak Is a Global Disaster
by Maddie Stone (GizMoDo) One of the worst environmental disasters of the decade is currently underway in a quiet community 25 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Putrid, methane-rich natural gas has been spewing into the air at an estimated rate of