by Sigurd Koldste (Bio2Oil) Back in late November, our CEO Ib Johannsen participated in an expert workshop on hydrothermal liquefaction in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop was hosted by five European research projects (HyFlexFuel, WASTE2ROAD, 4refinery, NextGenRoadFuels and Heat to Fuel) in collaboration with the Norwegian National Centre
Archive
Back TO HOMEGermany Registers Strong Increase in the Share of Biomethane in CNG Fuel
(DVGW (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water)/NGV Journal) The ‘Industriekreis CNG-Mobilität’, a group of companies and associations composed of representatives of the automotive and energy industries as well as infrastructure operators and providers of renewable fuels like biomethane,
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
A Roadmap to the Ammonia Economy
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies) Researchers at Monash University in Australia have proposed a roadmap to renewable ammonia being produced in the future at a scale that is significant in terms of global fossil fuel use in a paper recently published
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Evergreen Action Plan
by Sam Ricketts, Bracken Hendricks and Maggie Thomas (Medium) A National Mobilization to Defeat the Climate Crisis and Build a Just and Thriving Clean Energy Economy -- ... As we recover and rebuild from the economic collapse created by global pandemic,
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Carper, Alexander Bill Would Spur Clean Refueling Growth
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Senate Environment and Public Works ranking member Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Appropriations Energy-Water Subcommittee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) will introduce legislation today to expand the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Investment Tax Credit and encourage private investment in clean
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Move to E10 Fuel Presents Benefits but Union Calls for Lessons to be Learned from Filter Blocking Issues
(National Farmers Union of Scotland/Press Release Point) NFU Scotland has welcomed the opportunities that switching to E10 petrol on forecourts could bring but consumers must be protected to ensure problems like those encountered in agricultural vehicles last winter are to be
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Indonesia Weighing Subsidy Options to Support Biodiesel Programme
by Gayatri Suroyo, Tabita Diela, Bernadette Christina Munthe and Fransiska Nangoy (Reuters) The Indonesian government is considering alternate plans to increase subsidies for the country’s ambitious biodiesel programme after crude oil prices tumbled, a finance ministry official said on Wednesday. A historic
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Running for Office on Climate Change?
by Peter Brown (Euro Marketing Tools/Biofuels Digest) This election cycle has confirmed that the United States’ political hopefuls have abdicated any participation, influence and presence in the climate change debate as it is being set out in the various ecosystems around
May 14, 2020 Read Full Article
Climate Power 2020 Seeks to Change the Politics of Climate Change
(Our Daily Planet) Today, the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Sierra Club announced the launch of Climate Power 2020 — an independently run campaign dedicated to changing the politics of climate in
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Discover Europe’s Market Roll-out of Advanced Renewable Fuels --- May 28, 2020
Learn more about the barriers and solutions for market uptake of advanced renewable fuels identified by ADVANCEFUEL and as best practice hear from Clariant's sunliquid® technology producing advanced biofuels from agricultural residues. This webinar showcases latest results and good practices
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Update from Dave on COVID-19, Air Pollution and Ethanol
(Urban Air Initiative) The last few months have been tough, the sudden distress caused by COVID-19 has caused so much harm and heartache for all of us. But if there is something positive coming from this pandemic, it is the world's attention
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Help for Coronavirus-Stricken Biofuel Industry and Others is Needed Now!
(Solutions from the Land) ... Compared to the relief that is being considered for the oil industry, it is still a meager response. Changes made late last month by the Federal Reserve to a $600 billion loan program created to help small- and
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Z Energy Puts Biofuel Plant to Sleep, Asks for Govt Money
by Eloise Gibson (Stuff) Z Energy is "hibernating" its biodiesel plant but may re-open in a year. --Z Energy has put its Auckland biofuel plant to sleep after a bidding war broke out for the fatty animal waste it runs
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Soybean Industry Calls for Increased Biodiesel Mix at Next Auction
(Reuters (Google Translation)) The soybean industry, which accounts for most of the raw material used in biodiesel production in Brazil, is pleading that, given the drop in consumption due to measures against the coronavirus, the mixture of renewable fuel in
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
This Is Not the Green Stimulus You're Looking for
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) House Democrats unveiled a $3 trillion package on Tuesday to respond to the coronavirus crisis that they're planning to vote on at the end of the week. The 1,815-page measure is largely a messaging bill with
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Newton, Ill., Jasper County Seek to Stimulate Southern Illinois Economy via $400 Million Renewable Fuels Plant; Add HealthcheckIn Protocol for COVID-19-Free Workplaces for City, County, State, Country
(Business Wire) The City of Newton, Ill., Jasper County, and St. Joseph Renewable Fuels, LLC announced plans to build a $400 million renewable diesel plant in Southern Illinois that envisions utilizing innovative technologies and a new healthcare protocol to test
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Extend Biofuel Subsidies to Get Moving on Transport Emissions
(UK Haulier) The Gas Vehicle Network, GVN, has called on the Department for Transport to extend a key component of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) which are due to expire at the end of 2020. Current plans will see subsidies
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Ensuring a Viable Biobased Circular Economy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the past 50 years, population has doubled, food and water tripled, fossil fuels quadrupled. So how do we transition to a net positive world? That’s where RSB comes in with their community, resources and sustainability standard
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Zounds, 40% More Algae! Leading Paradoxically to the Big Feedstock Problem
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A new technology that produces a doubling of overall biomass in algae and 40 percent in camelina has appeared on the horizon, and I’d like to draw your attention to this work in The Plant Journal and this
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Reducing Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions in New Jersey Should Include All Efficient Technologies and Low-Carbon Fuels
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... New technology diesel engines, advanced renewable biofuels can deliver benefits faster and should be included in transportation climate plan. -- In a letter to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the Diesel Technology Forum called for the Garden
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Leading with Soil: Scaling Soil Carbon Storage in Agriculture
(Carbon 180) Soil carbon storage offers significant economic and environmental opportunities for farmers and ranchers. Agricultural practices that store carbon in the soil can help fight climate change at a low cost. Those same practices can also improve overall soil
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Solve Invasive Seaweed Problem by Turning It into Biofuels and Fertilisers
(University of Bath/Phys.Org) UK researchers have developed a cheap and simple way of creating biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, whilst removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. Millions of tonnes of rotting seaweed
May 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Colombia Imposes Countervailing Tariffs On US Ethanol
by Loren Moss (Finance Colombia) Colombia’s government today announced that it would impose tariffs on ethyl alcohol (ethanol) imports from the United States for the next two years in the amount of 6.646 cents US per kilogram, an amount it says
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
AFBF Reports Bankruptcies Are Highest In 20 Years
(Farm Journal/AgWeb) Bankruptcies are rising and are expecting to increase due to problems associated with COVID-19. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcies for the 12 month period ending in March totaled 627 filings. That’s a 23%
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Midwesterners Were Already Doubting Trump. Covid Could Seal His Political Fate
by Art Cullen (The Guardian/Storm Lake Times) ... “A lot of voters wanted to believe Trump – that out there in Washington it’s all BS, and that a savvy businessman could straighten it out,” (Drake) Custer said. It’s hard for many
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
POET, EPA Tussle over Cellulosic Ethanol in Appeals Court
by Steve Davies (Agri-Pulse) Lawyers for EPA and POET Biorefining squared off in court Monday over whether the agency’s guidance for measuring production of cellulosic ethanol is tantamount to a rule containing requirements that are impossible to meet. One of the major issues is
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Ag Groups Ask Congress to Address GHG Emissions from Annual Crops
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biogenic CO2 Coalition sent a letter to Capitol Hill on May 11 asking lawmakers to direct the U.S. EPA to promptly publish a rule that states neither agricultural biomass nor woody biomass contribute to
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Groups Ask Congress to Provide COVID-19 Relief for Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of 11 ag and biofuel groups sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on May 11 asking congress to provide COVID-19 relief for ethanol and biodiesel
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
TU/e-led Consortium IDEALFUEL for the Development of Renewable Maritime Fuels Kicks off
(Eindhoven University of Technology) EU-funded project aims to develop new production methods for sustainable maritime fuels. -- Many ships use heavy fuel oils that contain large amounts of sulphur and nitrogen leading to the emission of greenhouse gases and other damaging
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Ernst, Grassley, Bipartisan Senators Reject Legality of Waiving the RFS, Call on Administration to Protect Biofuels
(Office of Senator Joni Ernst) Ernst and her colleagues write, “We urge you to direct the EPA to reject all calls to waive the RFS. The RFS is more important now than ever as farmers, the biofuel sector, and rural
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Resources for R&D, Pre-Commercial/Demo, Commercial Phases: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Federal Programs Supporting the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed the DigestConnect webinar last week, check out the slide guides from Bill Hagy’s presentation on what federal programs and resources are available for biofuels, biopower, biochemicals and biobased products throughout all stage
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
European Bioeconomy Alliance Position on the EU Green Deal
(The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)/Biofuels Digest) The ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has recently been set in motion as the European Green Deal. The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA),
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Decarbon8-US Debuts: New Philanthropic Impact Fund to Democratize, Spark Cleantech Investment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s a new way to invest in decarbonizing transportation. This week, the Seattle-based angel investor community known as E8 launched Decarbon8-US, that could break down several barriers holding back the scale-up of cleantech, especially barriers faced by
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Construction of LNG and LBG-Powered Ferry ‘on Schedule’
(Bioenergy Insight) Construction of a new car and passenger ferry in Finland that will partly run on liquefied biogas is on schedule, despite the coronavirus pandemic. Rauma Marine Constructions said work on the new ferry for Wasaline is progressing “uninterrupted”.
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Alon Bakersfield Refinery Converting to Renewable Diesel Production
by Matthew Mercure (NGT News)... Alon Bakersfield Refinery is an existing oil refinery located in Bakersfield, Calif. Historically, the refinery has produced diesel from crude oil. GCEH will immediately commence retooling the refinery to produce renewable diesel from organic feedstocks such
May 12, 2020 Read Full Article
New Biomethane Station for Heavy Trucks to Open in Southwest Finland
(Gasum/NGV Journal) Gasum is expanding the natural gas refueling infrastructure in Southwest Finland with the opening of a new filling station serving heavy-duty vehicles in summer 2020. Located on highway 10 in the Avanti business and industrial area of Lieto, it
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Making Commodity Chemicals Requires Fossil Fuels. New Devices Could Do It with Renewables
by Robert F. Service (Science Magazine) As windmills and solar panels multiply, the supply of renewable electricity sometimes exceeds demand. Chemists would like to put the excess to work making commodity chemicals, such as the raw materials for fertilizer and plastics,
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Brazil's Bolsonaro Rejects Idea of Gasoline Tax to Support Ethanol Industry
by Roberto Samora, Ricardo Brito and Gram Slattery (Reuters) Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro effectively ruled out raising gasoline taxes on Thursday, a blow to the ethanol industry which had asked for a gasoline tax hike to boost its own competitiveness
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Analysts Say Some Ethanol Plants Might Not Reopen after COVID-19
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) Two commodity analysts say the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on ethanol demand might permanently close some ethanol plants. Dale Durchholz is the principal at Grain Cycles commodity consulting. He says, “There’s going to be some
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINARS: USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program --- May 12, 19 and 26, 2020
The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service will be conducting three webinars to provide an overview of the Higher Blends program. Potential applicants will gain knowledge about the application process including preparing an application, submitting applications using the online application system and
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Nominations Open for 2020 Ethanol Producer Awards DEADLINE: May 15, 2020
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Producer Magazine, in conjunction with the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, proudly invites nominations for the 2020 Ethanol Producer Awards. In addition to the FEW’s longstanding industry accolades — The Award of Excellence and The
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
USTR Report Discusses Barriers to US Exports of Ethanol, DDGS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently issued its 2020 National Trade Estimate, an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters of goods and services and USTR’s efforts to reduce those
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
BIOKET 2020 and 2021 Digital --- March 1-19, 2021 --- ONLINE
An inspiring and targeted conference program which will tackle topics such as advanced and innovative biomass pretreatment; technologies for biomass conversion and functionalization; extraction, separation and purification of biomass; process modelisation and analytical methods and tools; innovative tools; design of bioprocesses,
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
SfL Takes on New Role to Advance Agricultural Solutions to Global Mega-Challenges
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL), a national, farmer-led not-for-profit that works to place farmers at the forefront of resolving global challenges, announced today that it is broadly expanding its mission to combat the interconnected threats the world
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: Forum Insights: Looking at Key Sectors of the Pacific Northwest's Economy - Ag, Construction, Goods Movement and More -- May 27, 2020 FREE
Exploring air quality, climate and energy profiles in key sectors of the region including transportation, ports, agriculture, construction, power generation and more. This session is designed for anyone interested in learning more about trucks, construction and farm equipment use in Oregon
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Natural & Renewable Gas, Key Actor for European Sustainable Recovery
(GasNaturally/NGV Journal) ... Therefore, GasNaturally, partnership of seven associations that together represent the whole European gas value chain (including NGVA Europe), urges the EU institutions and Member States to make natural, renewable and decarbonized gases as well as secure and affordable energy
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Biodiesel Industry Groups Commend 24 Senators’ RFS Letter to President
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., two biofuels groups, Iowa Biodiesel Board and Renewable Fuels Assocation, both released notes of thanks to 24 Senators that signed the bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to uphold the
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Create Hybrids of Six Yeast Species to Combine Useful Traits
by Jill Sakai (University of Wisconsin-Madison News) Researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a method to combine traits from up to six different yeast species in a single hybrid strain — a
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Duties to Stay on Biodiesel from Argentina
(KIWA Radio/National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is pleased that the Department of Commerce will keep countervailing duty orders on imports of Argentinian biodiesel. The Commerce Department made the determination after its “changed circumstances review” of the anti-dumping duty.
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Hit by Oil Crash, Indonesia Set to Delay B40 Biodiesel, Stay with B30 for Now
by Bernadette Christina (Reuters) Indonesia is likely to delay plans to raise bio-content in palm oil-based biodiesel to 40%, and keep going with an already ambitious 30% content, a senior official said, amid speculation that low crude prices could force a government
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINARS: Bunker Fuel Market Volatility Amid IMO 2020 & COVID-19 (Asia) or (Americas & Europe) --- May 14, 2020 FREE
As the IMO 2020 marine fuel regulations took effect and the market braced for unprecedented upheaval, no one could have predicted a global pandemic would put oil markets into even greater disarray. After months of extreme volatility, market watchers are
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Changing with the Times: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Neste’s Renewable Products
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Regardless of the Covid-19 pandemic, Neste’s just released Q1 financials show a solid start to the year and good results despite margin pressure. But how? Adaptation. Flexibility. Innovation. Efficiency. Neste’s renewable products segment led the way with
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Can U.S. Homegrown Sorghum Help the Ag Industry Get through Covid-19?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) It’s been only two years since the Environmental Protection Agency approved sorghum oil as an eligible feedstock under the Renewable Fuel Standard, but a lot has happened since then. The EPA’s announcement marked a significant step
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
The Car Is Staging a Comeback, Spurring Oil’s Recovery
(Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) ... Gasoline demand is rebounding, suggesting that the car -- at least for now -- is making a comeback. As lockdowns ease and parts of the world reopen for business, driving has emerged as the socially distant transportation mode
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Offers Bankrupt Refiner $10 Million Cap on Biofuel Obligation: Filing
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Trump administration has offered to place a $10 million cap on Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ biofuel blending obligations, effectively slashing the bankrupt refiner’s regulatory liability by more than 70%, according to a proposed settlement between the
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Electric Cooperatives Ask Congress to Provide Aid for Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Three dozen Midwestern electric cooperatives and rural electric associations send a letter to 20 federal lawmakers on May 7 asking Congress to provide much-needed economic relief for rural America, which continues to suffer from
May 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Are Sustainable Fuels A Viable Option For Aviation?
by Graham Warwick (Aviation Week) Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are a technically viable option today; it is their economic viability that remains in question. Synthetic fuels are 3-5 times more expensive than jet fuel made from fossil fuels—and that was before
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
The EPA Introduced the First-Ever US Airplane Carbon Regulations
by Dharna Noor (Gizmodo) This week, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed carbon dioxide standards for the airline industry. Yes, the Trump EPA. The standards would be the first time the federal government has ever regulated the airplane emissions. But let’s be clear, this isn’t exactly cause for
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Research Brief: Engineering Natural Selection in Microbes Has Implications for Biofuel Production, Addressing Antibiotic Resistance
(University of Minnesota) ... “So many other things change around a gene at the same time, you can’t focus on how a single gene changes,” said Michael Travisano, a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior and
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
CORRECTED-European Ethanol Makers Fear Influx from U.S. and Brazil
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) ... Ethanol consumption slumped globally due to COVID-19 crisis; EU makers fear cheap imports when demand resumes; Called the European Commission for action, possibly tariffs; U.S., Brazilian ethanol exports surged in past months -- An influx
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
CVR Energy to Explore Converting Refining Units for Renewable Diesel Production
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) CVR Energy Inc is looking to convert certain units in its refineries to renewable diesel production to reduce its exposure to the cost of renewable fuel credits (RINs), the company said on Thursday. The project, which would involve using
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
How Much Clean Air Could $100 Million Buy?
by Todd Campbell (California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership/Advanced Clean Tech News) ... (L)et’s look at what a hypothetical $100 million government investment could achieve when using one of California’s most popular funding programs. Which option would you chose if both cost
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Jet Fuel, Isooctane Gasoline, Ethanol and Isobutanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Low Carbon Drop-In Transportation Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo’s business strategy is to secure off take agreements for jet fuel and isooctane striking a price that gives attractive returns for project financing for large scale build out of capacity. But how? How will they
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Competitive Edge: HelioBioSys, Inc.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We formed HelioBioSys to reduce the carbon footprint of fuels and other biomaterials. We initially targeted ethanol production via a genetically modified cyanobacterium but realized this process was not commercially viable. We then developed and patented
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Clean Energy Enters Multiple RNG, Station Expansion Contracts
by Matthew Mercure (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has entered into new fuel agreements for its Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG) and has planned multiple CNG and LNG station expansions to accommodate the continued demand for natural gas fuel. “Despite this
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Don’t Lose Heart or Courage
by Brian Jennings (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) ... I encourage us to consider something Winston Churchill said during World War II that has resonance now. “It would be foolish to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
How to Make Sure the EU Doesn’t Backtrack on Biofuels
by Emmanuel Desplechin (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ePURE) In Europe, biofuels continue to be the predominant source of clean transportation fuels, and we will still need low-carbon fuels like ethanol beyond 2030. Policymakers need to make sure the Green Deal does not
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol: Innovation through the Now, Near and Next
by Jennifer Aurandt-Pilgrim (Marquis Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... A proven approach to innovative solutions for our industry is the “Now, Near and Next” approach. It’s an understanding that innovation is not as simple as investing in a technology or choosing
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: RNG as the Leading Transportation Fuel in North America - Exploring Challenges and Opportunities --- May 13, 2020
To explore the latest challenges and opportunities associated with Renewable Natural Gas [RNG] to vehicle fuel, make sure you join our next webinar on May 13 with BP, AMP Americas, California Bioenergy and The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition. You’ll
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Using Damaged Grains to Make Ethanol: Oil Retailers Await Norms
by Richa Mishra, TV Jayan (The Hindu Business Line) Commitment to EBP scheme gives sugar industry confidence to set up distilleries -- To ensure that the country does not miss any opportunity to generate its own fuel and bring down import
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Big Oil Overreaches on COVID-19 Bailout
by Jim Talent (The Gazette) ... Oil companies have requested special access to a $600 billion lending facility at the Federal Reserve, and the administration seems keen to deliver. The president just announced that the Secretary of Energy and Secretary
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
US Green Plains Expects China to Stick to Trade Agreement, Make Ethanol Purchases
by Alex Snodgrass (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services) US ethanol producer Green Plains said it still expects China to stick to the first phase of the US-China trade agreement that requires ethanol purchases. Green Plains remains optimistic about China and their role
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Policy Action Needed to Advance SAF, Even During Covid-19: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in U.S.
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Aviation’s current reliance on fossil fuels, its expected continued growth rate following the COVID-19 pandemic, the service lifespan of aircraft, and the lack of nonliquid fuel alternatives make it a challenging sector to decarbonize, especially
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Valero: Q1 Loss for Ethanol Segment, Profit for Renewable Diesel
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Valero Energy Corp. released first quarter 2020 financial results on April 29. While the company’s operations are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the executive team confirmed that demand for transportation fuels is
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Proposes to Collect Data on Biogas, RNG Production Public Comment DEADLINE: June 29, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration could soon begin publishing data related to the production of biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG). The agency has proposed to modify an existing information collection focused on natural gas to
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Webtool Created by Researchers Helps Predict Climate Change in Agriculture
(Estonian Research Council/Phys.Org) A webtool giving an overview of climate change in Europe and predicting subsequent developments was created as a joint collaboration between French, Spanish, German and Estonian researchers. Climate change is one of the main challenges facing the entire world,
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
European Bioeconomy Alliance Position on the EU Green Deal
(The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)/Biofuels Digest) The ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has recently been set in motion as the European Green Deal. The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA),
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative Shutting Down
by Josh Boyce (Blackburn News) The Cellulosic Sugar Producers Co-operative (CSPC) has announced that it’s ceasing operations to mitigate ongoing expenses and costs. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative said it’s purchased back all investments made by farmers, including the membership shares. The co-operative was
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
NFU Responds to Government E10 Consultation
(National Farmers Union) The government’s proposal to introduce E10 petrol in 2021 came after years of NFU lobbying to introduce the biofuel to petrol stations across the UK. Last year the NFU wrote to various government departments outlining how implementing
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Greasezilla Solves Worldwide (FOG) Processing Shortage with New System
(Greasezilla) The new modular Greasezilla system expands its FOG separation system to serve large food processors, wastewater treatment centers and waste haulers requiring FOG separation systems to be placed at any large-scale collection point -- Downey Ridge Environmental Company, developer of Greasezilla™,
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Converting Ethanol Plants to Alternative Protein Production: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to White Dog Lab’s Microbiome-Derived Proteins
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest reported yesterday how White Dog Labs is giving a glimmer of hope to the ethanol industry by being able to convert ethanol production into alternative protein production thanks to their microbiome-derived biotech – and
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
RNG’s Untapped Potential
by Michael Bakas (Distributed Energy Systems/Ameresco/Biofuels Digest) In the final weeks of 2019, the American Gas Foundation updated its nearly decade-old report assessing the market and technical potential for renewable natural gas (RNG) supply and emissions reductions. One of the biggest takeaways was
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Finnish City Bets on Circular Economy with Refuse Fleet Powered by Biogas
(Scania/NGV Journal) When Kuopio Municipality in Finland tendered refuse collection, Urbaser’s Finnish subsidiary was in pole position for the contract. Urbaser had the advantage of offering its services using six Scania’s biogas trucks, which was decisive. In additional to the superior
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Dems on COVID-19 Relief: Leave Fossil Fuels out of This
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin led 60 Democratic lawmakers in a letter to House leadership Monday opposing any efforts by the fossil fuel industry to use Covid-19 recovery legislation to "confer immunity" for climate change or pollution, citing efforts that
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Giant Sees More Driving Than Before in Post-Pandemic Era
by Isis Almeida (Bloomberg) Ethanol to benefit as people avoid mass transit: Green Plains; For now, biofuel plants have idled as drivers stay home -- There’s light at the end of the tunnel for the battered American ethanol market, according to
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Midwest Lawmakers: Biofuel Producers Need Relief Aid
(Nexstar Media Wire/Fox40) Midwest lawmakers say biofuel producers should be getting the same support and protection as oil companies. Coronavirus shutdowns have slashed the demand for gasoline, and while the White House is pledging to buy 75 million barrels of oil, ethanol
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Drax Launches Biomass Carbon Calculator to Measure Supply Chain Emissions
(Biofuels International) Drax has launched a Biomass Carbon Calculator to help the industry accurately measure emissions in the biomass supply chain. The new tool will allow the sector to identify where emissions reductions can be made and help to make
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Could Blossom if Govt Gives Industry Fertile Ground
by Jamieson Murphy (North Queensland Register) ... Nuffield scholar and a fourth generation farmer Steven Hobbs said if the federal government got the bioenergy strategy right, the industry could be "quite phenomenal". He began experimenting with alternative fuel sources nearly 20 years
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel for Ships: Diesel and Gasoline Sourced from Renewables
by Iris Kumpmann (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft/Tech Xplore) ... Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen have been looking into alternative climate-friendly fuels. They are now able to produce a renewable biofuel that can be converted
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA to Make $100 Million Available for Biofuels Infrastructure
by Jake Rinehart (KEYC News) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Monday the U.S. Department of Agriculture intends to make up to $100 million available in competitive grants for activities that are designed to expand the availability and sale
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
CRS Trips Over Itself in Assessing Whether COVID-19 Will Affect RFS Compliance
by Scott Richman(Renewable Fuels Association) The report “The 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): COVID-19 Impacts” released last week by the Congressional Research Service demonstrates a conflicted understanding of the mechanics of the RFS, leading to vague and erroneous conclusions about whether compliance will
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in the United States: A Pragmatic Way forward
by Fred Ghatala (Atlantic Council) The aviation sector has been working to decarbonize, but it faces unique challenges since decarbonization options that may work for ground or maritime transport are generally not feasible for air travel. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present an
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Fraud Suit Nets $70 Million for Whistleblower, Feds
(Bloomberg Law) Scheme to defraud EPA renewable fuel program; Criminal cases made damages easy to calculate e-Biofuels LLC and other defendants face a $70 million liability for violating the False Claims Act by engaging in a scheme to defraud the EPA’s renewable
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA’s BioPreferred Program and Opportunities for a Green Recovery: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the 2020 Green Recovery
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During last week’s DigestConnect webinar, Kate Lewis from USDA’s BioPreferred Program shared this slide guide on how there is a refresh going on with biobased products driven largely by Millennials, the growth in intermediates even
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Gene Edited Algae and Microbes to Make Fuel on Mars
by Brian Wang (Next BIG Future) NASA NIAC fund work to use bioorganisms to perform atmospheric in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Utilizing 100% ISRU for propellant production, they aim to reduce the Entry Descent Landing (EDL) mass of a crewed mission to Mars
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
The First European Standard for Algae and Algae Products
(Algae Biomass Organization) The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has released the first European standard for algae and algae products, an important milestone for establishing common baselines for an industry that is beginning to impact more markets than ever. Known as EN 17399:2020
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Global Biodiesel Market 2020 Industry Growth Analysis by Key Players, Segments, Competitive Landscape and Forecast to 2025
(MarketsandResearch.biz/MarketWatch) MarketsandResearch.biz has released a recent industry research report titled Global Biodiesel Market 2020 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2025 which spotlights on the study of past, present and future look of the industry. The report provides an assessment of the
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
OPINION: Ethanol Dominates in Clean Air Contest
by Chris Bliley (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... When it comes to transportation emissions, newsrooms around the world generally preserve their biggest headlines for the urgent, high-stakes battle against climate change. Biofuels are a major part of that conversation, and
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
From Food to Fuel – White Dog Labs Converts Ethanol Plant to Alternative Protein Production
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... White Dog Labs is starting to address the problem by bringing new markets to ethanol plants and corn farmers – starting with an ethanol plant in Minnesota and repurposing it for mass-production of alternative
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: A Discussion of the Midwest Clean Fuels Policy Initiative --- May 20, 2020
This web conference and discussion will focus on the Midwest Clean Fuels Policy Initiative. The web conference will be held Wednesday, May 20 from 10-11 am ET (4-5 pm Paris/Brussels time). Joining us to present about the Initiative and the
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Firms Linked to Trump Get Millions in Coronavirus Small Business Aid
by Emily Holden (The Guardian) Revealed: Oil and mining firms – some with ties to Trump officials – taking advantage of funding, review shows -- US fossil fuel companies have taken at least $50m in taxpayer money they probably won’t have
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Energy Transition to Be Shaped by World Response to COVID-19
by Allison Good, Taylor Kuykendall and Dan Testa (S&P Global) ... The coronavirus pandemic may accelerate a shift from fossil fuel spending to investments in renewable energy, but the pace of that transition depends heavily on how governments direct economic recovery
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Tapping into Technology to Improve Palm Oil Yields
(Biofuels International) Malaysian palm oil producers have been urged to use technology to improve yield as the industry wrestles with concerns about sustainability, the chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) revealed. Malaysia, the world’s second biggest palm oil producer,
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
New UK Statistics Reveal Biofuels Boost
(Biofuels International) The UK government has announced that 2,351 million litres of liquid biofuels were used in transport last year, which was an increase of 24% on the year before. In 2018, 1,899 million litres were consumed. The Renewable Transport
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
We Can Clearly See that Reduced Emissions Should Be a California Goal
by Mike Gatto (CalMatters) ... However, experts tell us that it may take decades for electrics to replace the millions of light-duty cars and trucks on our roads — and even longer to realize universal access to affordable, zero-emission vehicles and
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
WEBINAR: How Switching Fuels Can Grow Your Business: Driving Sustainability and Profitability with Cleaner Fuels --- May 7, 2020
As sustainability becomes more important to regulators and your customers, your fuel may be one of the simplest ways to meet their demands — and yours. In this webinar with Renewable Energy Group, learn how biodiesel and a blend of
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Global Emissions Standards All in One Place
(Delphi Technologies) Your guide to navigating the changing regulatory landscape. For nearly three decades, we have been tracking and compiling global emissions regulations and packaging them into easy-to-read reference guides. These publications are designed to be valuable tools for you
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Cargill-Led Fund to Pay U.S. Farmers for Carbon Capture, Exchange Credits
by Karl Plume (Reuters) Global commodities trader Cargill Inc [CARG.UL] starting this spring will pay American farmers for capturing carbon in their field soils and cutting fertilizer runoff, an executive said. The Soil & Water Outcomes Fund, a partnership with
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
We Need Health Warning Labels on Points of Sale of Fossil Fuels
Mike Gill, Kristie L. Ebi, Kirk R. Smith, Lorraine Whitmarsh and Andy Haines (The BMJ Opinion) Mike Gill and colleagues explain how the implementation of of fossil fuel labelling could have a significant impact on the awareness of climate change. This article is part of The BMJ’s Health
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Doubling Down on the Energy Transition Post Pandemic
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuels Strategies) ... According to a new IRENA study, accelerating investment in renewable energy would help tackle the climate crisis, provide a post COVID-19 stimulus and would in effect pay for itself. IRENA notes that investments
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Brazil Agriculture Minister 'Frustrated' with Lack of Ethanol Supports
by Jake Spring and Nayara Figueiredo (Reuters) Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Thursday she was “frustrated” that measures to help the country’s ethanol and sugarcane sector have not been announced yet, after predicting supports would be unveiled last
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Bank of North Dakota Establishes Ethanol Loan Program
by Dave Thompson (Prairie Public News) The North Dakota Industrial Commission has approved a new Bank of North Dakota loan program for ethanol plants, who have been hit hard by the drop in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The “Ethanol
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Coalition Opposes API Petition on 2020 RFS Obligations
(Renewable Fuels Association) A coalition of ethanol and farm groups today sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency opposing the American Petroleum Institute’s recent petition requesting reconsideration of the 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) final rule. API claims reconsideration of the
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
With Oil Reeling under Pandemic, Clean Energy Looks to Capitalize
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) As a sudden drop in demand decimates the oil industry, international efforts are underway to ride the lull in fossil fuel consumption to expedite the clean up of the world’s energy sector. Even as the coronavirus
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Professor’s Research on Creating Biofuel from Waste Published
(Guttman Community College) Assistant Professor of Science Dr. Jihyun Kim’s research on transforming brown grease into biodiesel fuel has been published in the Journal of Biochemical Engineering under the title “Biodiesel fuel production from brown grease produced by wastewater treatment plant: Optimization
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Can Techno-Economic Models and Environmental Impact Analysis Help You?: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Techno-Economic Modeling for Bioprocess Tech
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During last week’s DigestConnect discussion, Chris Burk from Burk Engineering and Lee Enterprises shared this slide guide on what exactly is techno-economic modeling, why it’s important, how techno-economic models work, how it’s used in real life
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Competitive Edge: MetGen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (W)e are driven to find renewable alternatives to oil-based products and chemicals. We believe that everything that is made from oil today, can be made of wood tomorrow. To fulfill our purpose, we had to