ACORE Announces Submission of Comments on DOE's Biofuel Research and Development Pathways

(American Council On Renewable Energy) Today (June 2, 2014), the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) announced that it has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) which sought stakeholder input regarding the biofuel pathways that the DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has selected to guide its research and development (R &D) strategy in the near-term. The comments were compiled by a diverse coalition of industry stakeholders convened by ACORE, and can be read, here.
"We at ACORE applaud the United States Department of Energy for clarifying its biofuel research and development pathways, as well as offering the opportunity for stakeholders to comment on them," said ACORE President & CEO, Michael Brower. "Thirty percent of U.S. carbon emissions come from the transportation sector. Creating certainty for development pathways as well as for the certification and market access for biofuels is essential for America to continue to lead in innovation as we evolve our transportation fuels, grown our economy, enhance our national security and create a cleaner, more sustainable country."
Identifying biofuel R &D pathways is an essential first step in the path to developing cost competitive, clean, domestically produced renewable liquid transportation fuels. Government-conducted early stage R &D leverages private sector research, development, deployment and demonstration. When coupled with market access and policy certainty, these innovations can help transform the transportation sector while creating new jobs, strengthening local economies, reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy and improving our environment.
"ACORE is working through its diverse portfolio of members, biofuel companies, end users, financiers, professional service firms, NGOs and government entities to advanced the development of clean renewable liquid transportation fuels," said Director of Transportation, (Ms) Jeramy Shays. "Through our comments to USEPA on the proposed 2014 RVO, our Renewable Energy Finance Forum –West (REFF- West), our National Policy Forum, executive meetings with military and Agency officials, and many communication portals, ACORE's Transportation Initiative is supporting R &D, the fundamental foundation of biofuel development, encouraging capital flows to and investment in biofuels, calling for greater market access and policy certainty, as well as communicating the facts about the economic, security and environmental benefits of biofuels."
"On behalf of our client, the Algae Biomass Organization, K &L Gates applauds DOE's Bioenergy Tech Office for their interest in stakeholder input," said Laurie Purpuro, Government Affairs Advisor, K &L Gates. "We are confident that BETO's collaboration with industry and academia has been instrumental in advancing the algae industry."
ACORE is proud to have convened and led the diverse group of stakeholders in submitting comments to the DOE. Members of ACORE's Biofuel Research and Development Pathways comments coalition include:
o   Paul Woods, CEO, Algenol Biofuels
o   Pernille Hager, Vice President Business Relations, Solena Fuels
o   Steven A. McCain, Director of Defense and Policy Practice, and Laurie Purpuro, Government Affairs Advisor, K & L Gates, LLP (on behalf of their client, Algae Biomass Organization)
o   Stephen Bolotin, Policy Associate, Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA)
o   Mark Riedy, Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend
o   Jeramy Shays, Director of Transportation, ACORE READ MORE and MORE (Comments)