by Scott Patterson and Alexandra Wexler (Wall Street Journal) Apple Inc., Volkswagen AG and about 20 other global manufacturers found themselves on the defense when Amnesty International reported two years ago that the cobalt in some of their batteries was dug up
Archive
Back TO HOMEElizabeth Warren Leads Push by Democrats to Force Public Companies Make Climate-Risk Disclosures
by Francine McKenna (Market Watch) The Climate Risk Disclosure Act directs the SEC to issue rules that require every public company to disclose more on climate change exposure -- Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is spearheading an effort by Democratic senators to bring
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Airlines’ Biofuel-Powered Flights Might Soon Take Off
by Justin Bachman (Bloomberg) For years, airlines have experimented with biofuels, aiming to reduce both carbon emissions and their reliance on fossil fuels. It’s been a turbulent journey buffeted by inconsistent investment and the periodic lure of cheap oil. But several major carriers are planning larger-scale
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Cars Could Run on Hydrogen Made From Plastic
by Alan Harman (Wards Auto) Chemistry department researcher Moritz Kuehnel says light-absorbing materials are added to the plastic before it is placed in an alkaline solution and then exposed to sunlight, which creates hydrogen. Discarded plastic could be used to fuel cars with
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
CARB Internship Focuses on Cellulosic Ethanol
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF), Pacific Ethanol, and Aemetis co-sponsored a new internship this year at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for a college student to learn more about low-carbon cellulosic biofuels and their potential to reduce greenhouse
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS: European Biomass Conference and Exhibition — May 27-30, 2019 — Lisbon, Portugal DEADLINE: November 5, 2018
A leading platform for the biomass specialists — The conference programme will address topics from biomass to bioliquids and biofuels for heat and electricity, transport and biobased products. It will cover all aspects of each value chain, from supply and
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
DOE Funds 6 Projects for Co-Optimization of Engines and Fuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy has announced it will award 42 projects a total of $80 million to support advanced vehicles technologies research. Approximately $10.1 million of that funding will support six projects focused on
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Harnessing Algae and Fungi to Create New Biofuel System
by Igor Houwat (Michigan State University) Michigan State University scientists have found a solution to enhance oil production and harvest using what many consider sea sludge. The new proof of concept, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels, is a biofuel production platform that uses
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Gutter Oil Target to Be Met as Gas Sales Grow
by Chen Huizhi (Shine) The number of gas stations in Shanghai offering a hybrid fuel mixed with biodiesel made from “gutter oil” increased to 40 in August, the food safety commission said yesterday. Gutter oil, so called because it is sometimes dumped in
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Shree Renuka Sugars Plans To Expand Ethanol Capacity By 25%
by Sai Ishwarbharath (Bloomberg Quint) Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd. plans to capitalise on the Union Cabinet’s approval to hike the procurement price of ethanol. “We currently manufacture 12 crore litres of ethanol. We intend to increase the capacity by 25-30 percent in the
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Energy E3 to Build Innovation Center, Increase Access to Sustainable Energy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
(U.S. Department of Energy) It powers nearly every aspect of our daily lives, but in low- to middle-income countries, more than one billion people live without electricity. The issue is particularly overwhelming in sub-Saharan Africa where, according to the U.S. Agency
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Alaska Airlines Partner with Neste as Part of Its Efforts to Fly Greener and Expand Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels
(Alaska Airlines/Travel PR News) As part of Alaska Airlines’ ongoing efforts to fly greener and expand use of sustainable aviation fuels, Neste and Alaska have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). In addition to Alaska’s efforts to increase fuel-efficiency and adopt innovative flight technology, the
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Strategic Transformation: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to UPM, the Biofore Company
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) UPM is going through a transformation to ensure sustainable value creation in the long term. The aim is to improve profitability, generate growth and increase the value of the company’s business portfolio. UPM has been transforming
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
Biobased Smartphone Chargers, Biocomposite Boats, Smart Fields, Smart Farms, Surgery-Scale Biomaterials: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 13th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here are the top innovations for the week of September 13th — another illuminating set of advances. This week, we’re seeing biobased smartphone chargers, biocomposite boats, smart fields and smart farms, surgery-scale biomaterial scaffolding, biobased pet caskets,
September 14, 2018 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: CatCost: An Estimation Tool to Aid Commercialization and R&D Decisions for Catalytic Materials --- September 26, 2018
Join Kurt Van Allsburg and Frederick Baddour from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as they discuss CatCost, a catalyst cost estimation tool that has been developed to aid accurate estimation of catalyst costs early in catalyst development. CatCost incorporates industry
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Pushes Back on Urban Air Challenge of Faulty Emissions Model
(Urban Air Initiative) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has refused to acknowledge it used faulty science and blending practices to paint an inaccurate picture of ethanol emissions in a long-awaited response to the Urban Air Initiative (UAI). In January 2017,
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Groundbreaking for Clariant's Sunliquid® Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Romania
(Clariant) Investment represents biggest industrial commitment by an international corporation in the region of Craiova; Location chosen for combination of feedstock supply and infrastructure; Annual production capacity of 50 000 tons of cellulosic ethanol -- Muttenz, September 12, 2018 – Clariant, a world
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Airlines 4 America and Sustainable Aviation Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Annually, commercial aviation helps drive nearly $1.5 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. Airlines for America (A4A) vigorously advocates on behalf of the American airline industry as a model
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
Driving Decarbonization: How California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Is Helping the Environment While Saving Lives and Growing the Biobased Economy
by Bryan Sherbacow (World Energy) ... To understand a low carbon fuel standard, it’s best to look at California as an example. California is one of two states (neighboring state, Oregon, is the other) to enact a low carbon fuel standard. Typically,
September 13, 2018 Read Full Article
United States Biochar Initiative 2018 Conference: “The Carbon Link in Watershed Ecosystem Services” Stories from Stockholm to Virginia
by Bill Keba* (Advanced Biofuels USA) My wife checked my fishing gear upon learning that I was attending the Biochar 2018 Conference in Wilmington, Delaware. Why? She thought I made up “biochar” and the conference as a way escape to
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Hyundai, LG to Construct Biodiesel Factories in Indonesia
(Jakarta Post) West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji has said Korean companies Hyundai and LG will construct biodiesel factories in the province amid the government’s effort to expand the domestic use of the fuel through its mandatory 20 percent blended biodiesel ( B20 ) policy. ... He
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Answer Line: Money behind Lack of Ethanol-Based Fuel Locations
(Longview News Journal) ... Why are there no public refueling locations in the Longview/Tyler area that sell E85 ethanol blend? ... E85 fueling options are limited and appear concentrated in larger metropolitan areas. The Renewable Fuels Association operates the website www.E85prices.com, which has a
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
New Ethanol Pumps in St. Paul Expand Fuel Options
by Steve White (Nebraska TV) ... Aurora Cooperative celebrated the grand opening of new ethanol pumps in St. Paul on Friday. ... The farmer-owned company is a partner in an ethanol plant, and also sells ethanol to consumers. The CEO says he'd like 20
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Guest View: Kavanaugh Is No Friend to Midwestern Farmers
by Tammy Duckworth (Quad City Times) ... Time and again, he’s (Judge Brett Kavanaugh) chosen Big Oil over everyday Americans, serving as the lone dissenter in decisions that have pitted the fossil fuel industry against our farmers. In a recent case,
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Bill Would Require EPA to Reallocate Biofuels Gallons Lost to Waivers
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) While EPA remains in an impasse on requests to reallocate biofuels gallons lost to small refinery waivers of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would require
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Cyanotech® Corporation Signs Asset Purchase Agreement for Cellana’s Kona Demonstration Facility
(MarketWatch/Cyanotech) Cyanotech [®] Corporation (nasdaq capital market:CYAN), a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, is pleased to announce that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cellana LLC to acquire a six-acre production and research facility, known
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Baker-Schultz Carbon Tax Group Say It Would Beat Paris Target
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The carbon tax plan pushed by Republicans like James Baker, George Schultz and Christine Todd Whitman would exceed the 26-28 percent pollution reductions promised by the Obama administration under the Paris agreement. The proposal,
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Electric Vehicles, Green Automobiles to Be Exempted from Permit Requirements, Says Nitin Gadkari
(Business Today India) Vehicles using electricity or ethanol, biodiesel, CNG, methanol and biofuel need not apply for permits, said Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. -- The government has decided to keep electric vehicles and automobiles running on alternative fuels out of
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Operating Performance of a Tractor Engine of Emissions Standard EU IV in Biodiesel Operation
by Thomas Sadlowski, Volker Wichmann, Bert Buchholz and Markus Winkler (ATZ OffHighway) The use of pure biofuels in agricultural machinery offers the opportunity to reduce the use of fossil fuels. These engines are largely fuelled by self-consumption gas stations. Based on the introduction of new emission standards
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Farmers in Guatemala Are Destroying Dams to Fight ‘Dirty’ Renewable Energy
by Simon Granovsky-Larsen (The Conversation) ... Ixpátz and four other rivers in the Champerico area had been re-routed from their natural courses and into large plantations. Joining forces with other small farmers, Santiago set out with pickaxes and sticks to break up
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Think Green: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Waste Management
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Waste Management is the largest environmental solutions provider in North America, serving more than 21 million municipal, commercial and industrial customers in the U.S. and Canada. Today, this includes not just disposal and recycling, but personal
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
Biogas Projects Popping up Everywhere – Are They the Magical Solution We’ve Been Looking for?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Like a beautiful unicorn flying in the sky, biogas production is taking off in Denmark, accounting for almost 19% of the gas used in Denmark this July – an impressive 50% increase from last year!
September 10, 2018 Read Full Article
EPA Needs to Reallocate Gallons from RFS Waivers
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) : Incoming RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper addresses the small refiner exemptions issued by the U.S. EPA last year, and how they affect the ethanol market -- The U.S. EPA remains committed to
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
New Analysis Shows RFS Waiver Price
by Kelly Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA's small refinery waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard could cost the ethanol industry 4.6 billion gallons of domestic demand and close to $20 billion in sales revenue over the next six years, according
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
New Synthetic Biology Initiative to Boost Bio-Economy
(University of Queensland) A $4.5 million initiative to boost Australia’s synthetic biology capabilities will be built by The University of Queensland and CSIRO, helping drive advances in areas such as manufacturing, industrial biotechnology, environmental remediation, biosecurity, agriculture and healthcare research. UQ
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Proposed Standard Supports Sampling for Renewable Fuel Facilities
(ASTM) ASTM International’s bioenergy and industrial-chemicals-from-biomass committee (E48) is creating a standard that will help companies that produce biofuel using — in part — kernel fiber. This fiber was approved as a “cellulosic feedstock” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2014. As such, renewable biofuel that is produced using kernel
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Govt to Exempt Electric Vehicles, Alternative Fuel-Powered Vehicles from Permit Requirements: Gadkari
(PTI/India TV) Urging automakers to focus in this direction, the minister said demand for EVs could also be created by mandating cab aggregators like Ola and Uber to induct a certain percentage of such vehicles in their fleet. -- The government has
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Vivergo Fuels Bioethanol Plant Proposes Ceasing Production
(Vivergo Fuels) Today, we regret to announce that given the continued difficult trading environment and delays in the implementation of E10 in the UK over time, Vivergo Fuels Ltd proposes to cease production. Mark Chesworth, Managing Director, Vivergo Fuels Ltd, commented: “I am
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Strategic Diversification: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to The Andersons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Andersons operate four ethanol plants for respective LLCs in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Iowa that are collectively capable of producing over 475 million gallons of ethanol. The company’s Ethanol Group provides facility operations, risk management, ethanol and
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Pain-Relieving Yarns, Dissolvable Plastic Made out of Algae, Probiotic Nutrition from Soy Waste, Squid-Inspired Smart Materials. Illinois Okays Hemp Cultivation: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the Week of September 5th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pace of invention and change is just too strong, we’ve realized, to highlight annual or even quarterly or monthly rankings and summaries of significant product and service advances. For now, we’re going to be tracking
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Could Bacteria Fuel the Future? With $1.5 Million Grant, UD Engineers Study Microbes for Biofuel Production
by Julie Stewart (University of Delaware) A group of bacteria best known for causing stomach trouble could also be a source of sustainable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis a three-year, $1.5 million grant to study the
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Argentina to Pass B10 Mandate Thanks to Falling Exports
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Argentina, while exports are dropping, domestic consumption is seen rising this year to an all-time high of 1.48 billion liters, and for the first time since the policy was put in place in 2014, the blending
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Industrial Biotechnology for a Sustainable Future --- January 30-31, 2019 --- Glasgow, Scotland
IBioIC's Annual Conference is the leading general IB conference in the UK. The conference celebrates the success of the biotechnology industry in Scotland and provides delegates with the networking opportunities needed to drive new collaborations. IBioIC's Annual Conference 2019, Industrial Biotechnology for
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
EFIB 2018 – The European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy --- October 16-18, 2018 --- Toulouse, France
The EFIB conference plays a crucial role in providing a meeting place for policy and business communities to discuss how to harness the potential of today’s innovations as the industrial biotechnology sector develops more sustainable products and processes in building
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
SynBioBeta 2018: The Global Synthetic Biology Summit --- October 1-3, 2018 --- San Francisco, CA
At SynBioBeta 2018, you’ll join our growing community of inspired scientists, entrepreneurs, academics, investors, policy makers and pioneers using synthetic biology to build better, more sustainable, ways to Feed, Fuel, and Heal the World. SynBioBeta is the leading community of entrepreneurs,
September 07, 2018 Read Full Article
Activists Protest Biofuels outside UN Meeting on Climate Change in Bangkok
(Latin American Herald Tribune) Activists condemned on Wednesday biofuels at a protest in front of the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok, where an international conference on climate change is being held. ... “Defend our rights to food, land and water,” said one of
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Sunflowers at Dorothea Dix to Be Harvested for Raleigh's Biodiesel Supply
by Barbara Gibbs and Gloria Rodriguez (ABC11.com) It's time to say goodbye to the immensely popular sea of sunflowers at Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park. The good news, the five acres of beautiful blooms will be put to good use. Hundreds of people came out to
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Award DEADLINE: October 12, 2018
(American Chemical Society) The Kenneth G. Hancock Memorial Award provides national recognition and honor for outstanding student contributions to furthering the goals of green chemistry through research and/or studies. This includes but is not limited to the research, development, and implementation
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Joseph Breen Memorial Fellowship DEADLINE: October 12, 2018
(American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute) Each year, the ACS Green Chemistry Institute® (ACS GCI) awards one or more Dr. Joseph Breen Memorial Fellowships. The award sponsors the participation of a young international green chemistry scholar in a green chemistry technical meeting,
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Ciba Travel Awards in Green Chemistry DEADLINE: October 12, 2018
(American Chemical Society) This annual green chemistry award sponsors the participation of students (high school, undergraduates, and graduate students) residing in the U.S. to attend an American Chemical Society (ACS) technical meeting, conference, or training program, having a significant green
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
Understanding the Emissions Benefits of Higher Ethanol Blends: EPA Modeling Fails to Tell the Whole Story.
by Steve Vander Griend (Clean Fuels Development Coalition) Adding ethanol to gasoline improves it in every way. It lowers carbon, reduces common air pollutants for smog formation, lessens CO2 emissions, reduces sulfur content, and provides clean octane as a replacement
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
India to Have 10,000 CNG Stations in Next 10 Years, on Track to Adapt Cleaner Fuels: Dharmendra Pradhan
by Bilal Abdi (Economic Times Energy World) Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said the country was on its way to construct more than 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the coming decade. He was speaking at an event held
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
New Report Published by IRENA on the Importance of Hydrogen in the Energy Transition
(Fuel Cells Works) ‘Hydrogen is the missing link in the global energy system transition by 2050, as required by the targets in the Paris Agreement’ according to the report launched on 6 September 2018 in Bonn by the International Renewable Energy Agency
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2018 Guide to Italy in the Advanced Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Groups like Eni, Wilmar, Novamont, Reverdia, Blue Sphere, or the many consortia? The key takeaways; the mandates and national targets; the key producers; process technology R&D; feedstock & supply chain development. All in one concise guide. Mandates
September 06, 2018 Read Full Article
NNPC, Chinese Consortia Sign Pacts on Biofuel Development
(The Guardian Nigeria) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Chinese consortia to develop sustainable biofuels in the country. At a ceremony yesterday in Beijing on the sidelines of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit,
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Making America Great Again Starts with the States
by David Vander Griend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Urban Air Initiative) Dave VanderGriend, president of Urban Air Initiative, doesn't mince words in his column this month, calling out EPA for what he says is collusion with the oil industry. -- ... The 15.8 billion
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Special Issue: Using an Ecosystem Services Perspective to Assess Biofuel Sustainability
(SEI.org) This special issue of the journal Biomass and Bioenergy attempts to fill research gaps on the sustainability implications of liquid biofuel production, applying an ecosystem services perspective -- ... The 14 papers included in the special issue provide novel and original contributions that
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Pöyry Awarded Owner's Engineering Services Assignment by Biozin Holding AS for the Pre-engineering Phase of Biozin® Production Plant in Jordoya, Åmli, Norway
(Pöyry) Biozin Holding AS has awarded Pöyry with the Owner's Engineering Services assignment for the pre-engineering phase for the planned biozin® production plant in Norway. The new plant will convert biomass to liquid biocrude that will be sold and further
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Govt Enlists FGV's Help to Assist Smallholders Get MSPO Certification
by V. Ragananthini (Sun Daily) Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the ministry will assist FGV Holdings Bhd in attracting investors to develop the downstream palm oil segment and in turn look to it for help with getting small palm oil growers
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Proteins and Synthetic Biology: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Codexis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Codexis is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for the commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Americans Still Want Better Fuel Economy, Survey Says
by Eric C. Evarts (Green Car Reports) Just as the Trump administration moves to roll back fuel economy standards, a new survey shows that Americans are dissatisfied with the fuel economy their cars already get. The American Customer Satisfaction Index survey for cars
September 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Announces 36 Projects for Bioenergy Research and Development
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of 36 projects totaling $80 million to support early-stage bioenergy research and development (R&D). This R&D will enable cost-competitive, drop-in renewable hydrocarbon fuels, bio-based products, and power from
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Analysis: Where Are We with E10 Gasoline in Europe?
by Chrysa Glystra (S&P Global/Platts) Increasing biofuel mandates across Europe for 2019, combined with navigating the complexities of the post-2020 renewable energy framework (RED II), have brought discussions over wider adoption of E10 back on the table for European producers and
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
RFA, Growth Energy Demand Transparency for Small Refinery Exemptions in New Lawsuit
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy today filed a lawsuit in federal district court, alleging that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have improperly denied agency records requested by RFA, Growth
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Groups Oppose LCFS Change - Groups Ask Calif. to Draw Back on Proposal That Picks Winners, Losers
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) In a rare moment of unity, biofuels, environmental and other groups are calling on the California Air Resources Board to change a new provision in its low-carbon fuel standard, that the groups say would
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Bolivian Oil Company to Invest 49 Million Dollars in Ethanol
(Prensa Latina) State Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) will invest over the next five years, 49 million dollars to store alcohol anhydride, essential additive in production of ethanol. YPFB president, Oscar Barriga, informed the oil company sells at present five million liters
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
The Wonder from Down Under, Canada-Style: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Licella, Canfor
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Licella produces drop-in biofuels from a wide range of biomass and uses a supercritical water-based technology and catalysts to break up biomass and reform it into a drop-in fuel hydrocarbon. The compelling features of supercritical are several: 1.
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
Birth of an Industrial Sugars Giant? Sugars in Focus in Leaf Resources, Petronas Agreement
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We hear from Australia and Malaysia that PETRONAS Chemicals Group and Leaf Resources inked a Memorandum of Understanding for Leaf’s proposed biorefinery project in Malaysia. In prospect? A study of chemical markets and commercially ready bio-technologies. Potential
September 04, 2018 Read Full Article
An Open Letter to EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Consider this a blueprint for restoring the trust EPA has broken with farmers and rural America. 1. Make good on the president’s promises to allow E15 use year-round. Trump has made three or four
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
A Reality Check on Clean Mobility
by Emmanuel Desplechin (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Two new studies offer a timely reality check on what kind of cars are likely to be on Europe’s roads between now and 2050—and what will be needed to decarbonize them. The message from
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Youth Climate Kickoff --- October 13, 2018 --- St. Paul, MN
Save the date for this year’s Youth Climate Kickoff on October 13, from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Central High School in St. Paul. High school youth from across the state are invited to meet other youth, build leadership skills, and
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
#TeachClimate Network and BookClub
(Climate Generation) Do you know an educator who is looking for new ways to bring climate change into their classroom? Let them know about our #TeachClimate Network and Book Club. We meet online monthly to discuss our “best pick” climate change reads
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Mandate Is Costing Americans Billions
by Nan Swift (Washington Examiner/National Taxpayers Union) Mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard are displacing much more affordable petroleum fuel with expensive biodiesel. That includes millions of gallons that are imported from overseas. ... The fact is, American biodiesel production is simply not
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Maruti, IOC Join Hands for Biofuel Blend, Engine Efficiency
by Ronendra Sing and Richa Mishra (The Hindu Business Line) With consumers demanding cost-effective and fuel-efficient vehicles, and the government pushing for cleaner fuel as well as reducing import dependence, the onus is now on auto makers and oil refiners to offer
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Letter to Editor: A Push for Ethanol
by Trent Bushner (Denver Post) Re: “Don’t be a Luddite, ditch the buggy for electric,” Aug. 16 commentary -- I applaud Sen. Kevin Priola for including biomass as one of the transportation fuels he recommends using in our vehicles and advocating for a
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Rotten Potatoes: That's the Government's Answer to Your Rising Fuel Bill
by Garima Singh (Economic Times) ... While the government is hoping the rally in global rates declines soon, it is also looking at alternatives to lessen future pinches. This explains its current interest in rotten potatoes. You heard it right. India often overproduces
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Understanding the Debate Over Ethanol and Smog
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ... To recap, gasoline must meet a specific requirement called the Reid vapor pressure (RVP). If the vapor pressure of gasoline is too high, it evaporates too quickly and contributes more to smog formation. ... Pure ethanol has an
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
New Members of Biomass Research and Development TAC Announced DOE Office of Energy Efficien
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the newest members of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the DOE concerning
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Indonesia Sets Palm Biofuel Plant Condition for Jet Purchases from U.S., France - Minister
by Bernadette Christina Munthe, Jamie Freed, Cindy Silviana and Fransiska Nangoy (Reuters/EuroNews) Indonesia has asked for its companies to be allowed to build palm oil jet fuel plants in the United States and France as a condition for its airlines to buy
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Minister Jonan Threatens to Impose Sanctions for Violators of B20 Mandatory Regulation
(Netral News) Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan has signed several regulations which govern the Provision and Utilization of Biodiesel Type of Biofuels in the Framework of Financing by the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency. The regulation explains
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
High Feedstock Prices Hardly Reached Consumers
(Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP)) The scarcity of supply of agricultural feedstock due to drought-related declines in yield had little impact on consumer prices. The main factors driving prices up were labour or energy costs. ... The association has
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
U of A Biologist Receives Grant to Improve Biofuel Production
(University of Arkansas) A University of Arkansas biologist is developing methods that could make the production of biofuel — ethanol and diesel made from sources such as plant material — more efficient and environmentally sound. Ruben Michael Ceballos will use a
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
US Cellulosic Waiver Credit Likely to Be $1.77 in 2019: Platts Analytics
by Joshua Pedrick (S&P Global/Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency is likely to set the 2019 cellulosic waiver credit (CWC) at $1.77 for each credit, down from $1.96 in 2018, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics. "The most important variable in the
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program for Fiscal Year 2019
(U.S. Department of Agriculture/Federal Register) The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (the Agency) Notice of Solicitation of Applications (NOSA) is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations act to allow potential applicants time to submit applications for financial assistance under Rural
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Ethanol Leaders Consider Push to Label E15 as Unleaded 88
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) ... During the American Coalition for Ethanol conference in Minneapolis, ACE senior vice president Ron Lamberty says stakeholders looked at the pros and cons of a more uniform approach to labeling E15 as Unleaded 88. “Two
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Red Trail President Speaks up for Ethanol Production
by Mikkel Pates (Forum News Service/Bismark Tribune) Now more than ever, farmers who believe in the future of ethanol need to speak up for it, says Gerald Bachmeier, president of the North Dakota Ethanol Producers Association. Bachmeier, who also serves as
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
ODU Algae Research Aims to Fuel Bioeconomy
by Sarah Huddle (Old Dominion University) ... Cutting-edge research in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University is fueling the bioeconomy through the discovery of useful applications for algae as well as a proprietary process that can make
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Will Dems Act on GHGs after a Midterm Win? It's Complicated
by Nick Sobczyk (E&E News) Democrats have long billed themselves as the party of climate science, and if they take back the House in November, they want to put global warming back on the congressional calendar. "It's the 800-pound gorilla," said Rep.
September 03, 2018 Read Full Article
Spit-Activated Biobased Batteries, Glow-in-the-Dark Trees, Kombucha Clothes, Biobased Root Canals, Breakthroughs in Degradable Plastics, Straws: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of August 29th
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here are the top innovations in the advanced bioeconomy for the week of August 29th. Yep, it’s been a heck of a week if you’re looking for any of the following: Spit-activated, biobased batteries, glow-in-the-dark trees, kombucha
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
SD Mines Researcher Receives $2.2 Million DOE Grant to Turn Biorefinery Waste into Valuable Products
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology) Rajesh Shende, Ph.D., associate professor in the chemical and biological engineering department at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has received a $2.16 million grant from the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office to
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Canadian Competition Aims to Develop Sustainable Aviation Fuels DEADLINE: February 2019
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Natural Resources Canada recently announced the Sky’s the Limit Challenge, which aims to stimulate the development of sustainable aviation fuel supply chains. The challenge consists of two competitions and aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Dairy Industry Sustainability Summit Dairy Industry Inaugural Summit Highlights Methane Emission Solutions
by Cliff Gladstein (ACT News) ... One of the best, easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce methane emissions from dairies is to divert manure to lagoon anaerobic digesters, clean the biogas that is produced to pipeline quality, and inject it into the
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Six States Account for More than 70% of U.S. Fuel Ethanol Production
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) Six states accounted for 72% of U.S. fuel ethanol production in 2016, according to the most recent estimates from EIA’s State Energy Data System. Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, and South Dakota collectively produced 265 million barrels of
September 01, 2018 Read Full Article
Electric Vehicle Revolution Poses Threat to Biofuel
by D'Arce McMillan (Western Producer) They may seem like a novelty now, but electric vehicles could quickly grow in number and significantly reduce the demand for gasoline and biofuel. -- ... I wonder when the number of electric vehicles will become so numerous