(University of Illinois/AgriMarketing) When corn prices increase farmers reap higher yields by making changes. According to a recent University of Illinois study, about one-third of the yield increase derives from more intensive management practices and two-thirds from cropping additional acreage.
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg Business) Renmatix Inc., a U.S. maker of technology for cellulosic biomaterials, will develop its first commercial biorefinery next year. The refinery will be commissioned by one of the company’s undisclosed partners and will be in the Americas, Europe
(Business Standard) India needs to emanate innovative ideas to manufacture bio-diesel by efficiently utilising waste resources, besides judiciously using water and other crucial resources, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here on Tuesday. "We need to find an alternative model for growth
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued Cellulosic Waiver Credit Price Calculation for 2016 as laid out by EPA must reduce the required volume of cellulosic biofuel for that year to the projected volume,
(PR Newswire/BCC Research) This BCC Research report explores present and future strategies within the biofuel enzymes market, which includes amylase, cellulose, xylanase, lipase and other enzymes such as protease, lysomax, FermaSure, etc. Forecasts provided through 2020. Use this report to: Analyze the
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Louis Dreyfus Commodities' new glycerin refinery in Claypool, Indiana, will soon be operational. The company says the new 80-million-pound-per-year plant will be the second-largest in the U.S. producing USP-grade Kosher refined glycerin. A new glycerin refinery
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oberon Fuels is facilitating the growth of the DME transportation industry by converting biogas and other hydrocarbon rich waste streams to higher valued commodities such as DME. Using its proprietary small-scale process, Oberon makes DME
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s building what, where, now. 29 projects in construction or in commissioning in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas Despite low oil prices, first-gen biofuels and advanced biofuels continue to develop, and
by Caroline Knight (Platts The Barrel) The European ethanol community gathered in Budapest over the first week of November to look at the current challenges and opportunities facing the ethanol, and wider biofuels, markets. As the dust settles and the excitement
by Dennis Farrell (The Daily Evergreen) ... A regional consortium for sustainable biofuels is teaming up with multiple companies and universities like Washington State to convert poplar trees into ethanol. Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB) invests time, money and research
(Bloomberg/McClatchy-Tribune/Star Tribune) Low prices at the gas pump have put a persistent squeeze on Midwest ethanol producers, but most are staying profitable. Of eight Minnesota-affiliated ethanol producers tracked by the Star Tribune, all but one made money in the third quarter,
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) One of the oil industry’s favorite talking points in its campaign to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the argument that “gasoline demand is falling,” and thus refiners have fewer gallons of gasoline
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg/The Washington Post) A brew made from sawdust and water hyacinth flowers may help reduce the millions of lives lost across the developing world from the fumes of ramshackle cooking equipment. Those are the ingredients being used by Green
(SustainableBusiness.com) Yesterday, NY State took a stand against fossil fuels by rejecting a LNG plant, and now Portland, Oregon issued a landmark resolution that prevents new fossil infrastructure. The city council's unanimous resolution - the toughest fossil fuel export policy in the US - directs staff to propose modified codes that
by David Roberts (VOX) ... In certain specialized markets, RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) can be expensive and have substantial direct impact on the decisions of renewable energy investors. But most RECs sold in the voluntary market are nonspecific — they represent
(Center for Regulatory Solutions) San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer and other national political figures have sold out California’s economy by supporting the federal government’s corn ethanol mandate. The mandate has already imposed $13.1 billion in higher fuel costs on Golden
by Jessica Eise (Phys.Org) Making biofuel from corn crop residue could become economically viable for farmers with government support and, therefore, lead to a major shift in crop rotation practices favoring more continuous corn plantings, Purdue University researchers conclude. The agricultural economists
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Novvi LLC is a joint venture of Amyris, Inc. and Cosan S.A. Industria e Comercio created to develop, produce, market, and distribute high-performance oils and lubricants from renewable sources. Novvi draws from the strength of both
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As the reader notes, much of the original underlying biomass is not utilized when we make a hydrocarbon fuel, or any fuel. Take the case of corn, for example, and conversion into ethanol. We start
(VIASPACE/PRNewswire) VIASPACE Inc. (OTC: VSPC) has been working intensively on growing Giant King®Grass (GKG) in California at the VIASPACE nursery, the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center, and with our partner Almaden Energy Group, LLC (AEG) for
(Farm Futures) Biofuel from stover could favor continuous corn, other production changes -- ... If technology and government support become economically viable, converting corn stover to biofuels would affect farmers' planting decisions and crop rotation practices across the Midwest. Corn
by Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) A recent farmdoc daily article (August 19, 2015) documented that real (inflation-adjusted) prices of crude of oil and gasoline have recently fallen all the way back to levels prevailing more than a decade ago.
(CBC News) With Paris summit looming, there will be 'regulatory risk' ahead of extreme weather risk --- Climate change risk has arrived as an investment issue, according to the world's largest institutional investment manager. BlackRock Inc., with $4.5 trillion US under
by Robert D. Atkinson (Information Technology & Innovation Foundation/Christian Science Monitor) Many of the recent attacks on government-backed research conveniently ignore the huge impact that such science has provided worldwide. --- Distrust of government has long focused on economic and
(Pacific Ag) For industries like mushroom composting to erosion technology as well as dairy and cattle feed, Pacific Ag is creating a supply chain for agricultural residue -- — Pacific Ag, the nation’s largest crop residue harvest company, has recently completed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The US Environmental Protection Agency has discovered the following way of interpreting Energy Independence and Security Act. To wit, if the transportation fuels supply chain — controlled by guess whom — does not build renewable
by Demetrio Bueno Carvalho (Astana Times) ... Referring to Brazilian experience, in the past 12 years the blending of ethanol with gasoline (anhydrousethanol) or its use as a pure fuel for automobiles (hydrated) prevented emissions of more than 300 million tonnes of
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) RFA works with many fleets each year to assist them with meeting their federal requirements to purchase alternative fuel vehicles and ultimately use the fuel. Each year thousands of vehicles receive a federal fuel
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Coon (D-DE) and Al Franken have introduced a new bill, S. 2271 the Renewable Chemicals Act of 2015. If passed, the legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to
by Doug Kennedy (KWBE) A biodiesel plant at the northwest edge of Beatrice is getting ready for the start of operations, by planning to do some testing procedures, soon. ... Crews have been retrofitting the former Beatrice Biodiesel facility to use
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Visolis process will enable production of bio-based elastomers, unsaturated polyester resins, super adsorbent polymers, and other products using a variety of feedstocks like agri-residues, dextrose, glycerol and syn-gas. As we come down the cost
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Dupont Cellulosic Ethanol project in Nevada, Iowa is the debut subject of The Digest’s online short-subject documentary series, The New Places, which is available for streaming as of today, here. ... DuPont executives William Feehery
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Dyadic cashes out of industrial biotech and retains a C1 license for pharma, DSM and Syngenta also announce a partnership. Companies are girding their loins for the long haul. The Digest takes a look, In
by Kenneth Armstrong (SOOTODAY.com) The so-called alternative energy capital of North America is going to get a little less green once the city completes a phasing out its use of biodiesel in Sault Transit buses. Nobody was more surprised to hear
by Nick Hromiak (Examiner.com) With winter oncoming, it customarily means an end to the boating season. As such it’s important to prepare the boats’ outboard and inboard motors for winter. Most important is managing the potential for engine damage because of
(Joule/Red Rock Biofuels/BusinessWire) Joule, the pioneer of liquid fuels from recycled CO2, and Red Rock Biofuels, a leading developer of renewable jet and diesel fuel bio-refineries, today announced their intent to merge. Red Rock adds a proven technology pathway to
by Kevin Johnson (Grist/Fusion) Veterans know firsthand the dangerous challenges that come from fossil-fuel dependence, and many are choosing to help the country transition to a clean-energy economy when they return home. As a veteran, I personally know the high price we
by Elizabeth Bast (PriceOfOil.org) G20 country governments are providing $452 billion a year in subsidies for the production of fossil fuels. Their continued support for fossil fuel production marries bad economics with potentially disastrous consequences for the climate. In effect, governments
by Rick Fedrizzi (US Green Building Council/GreenBiz) ... I’m constantly confronted by — and confronting — people who just don’t get who I am and what I do. You could say I stick out like a green thumb, thanks to my
by Joseph Bebon (Next-Gen Transportation News) Although Kane Is Able Inc. still isn’t operating its compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks following a January fire and subsequent lawsuit, the third-party logistics provider nevertheless likes the notion of using cleaner-burning vehicles. In
by Emma McBryde (The Chronicle) AGFORCE is pushing for the Queensland Government to raise its biofuels mandate to avoid failing to generate regional jobs. The agricultural group's grains president, Wayne Newton, said the government's preferred 2% mandate was only slightly
by Alastair Stewart (DTN The Progressive Farmer) With Brazil set to produce a record soybean crop of 100 million metric tons or more in the 2015-16 season, Brazil's crushing industry is pressing for a hike in the biodiesel percentage in
by John Andersen (Townsville Bulletin) Work on a $564 million biofuel project which is set to create about 650 jobs is expected to start at Pentland in June next year. The project, underpinned by the National Australia Bank and the
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The prices for higher ethanol blends at the Citgo Gas Station on John Young Parkway in Kissimmee are low normally, but Friday they were even lower as the retailer continued to celebrate the ability to offer
by John Kirkwood (Faegre Baker Daniels LLP/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A few changes have been implemented in the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, writes John Kirkwood. ... In June, an interim final rule was published in the
(US Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A team of U.S. ethanol industry representatives led by USDA Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse traveled to India last week to discuss opportunities for developing clean
by Bharani Vaitheesvaran (Economic Times) Tamil Nadu sugar mills are lobbying for permissions to produce more ethanol as they find a state government-cap for making the fuel ingredient is disappointingly low. ... A steady drop in prices and production exceeding demand for two
(Hellenic Shipping News) Indonesia may no longer import gasoil over 2016-18 due to slowing demand and the government’s plan to raise the biodiesel mandate to 20% next year, the head of state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina’s Integrated Supply Chain,
(Neste) Neste, the leading producer of renewable diesel and Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer will work together to promote and accelerate the commercialization of renewable aviation fuel. The companies will work toward American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
by Shreejana Shrestha (My Republica) ... When most of the vehicles are in queue at fuel stations, BA 1 Cha 6355 is never seen at any of such lines. It instead plies snugly on the road every day. The deepening fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Taking in algae, biomass and organic waste streams, Muradel is using Green2Black, a suite of state of the art harvesting, extraction and sub-critical water reactor technologies, to produce “green crude” – green environmentally, but black
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Despite a signature partnership with Praj, Gevo’s short-term future looks strongest at the marina, where blockbuster economics apply. ... So, a pretty good deal for both. Gevo potentially gets some new customers and Praj lands EPC work
(Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)/CNW) Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) are fostering innovation in the province's growing agri-based industrial bioproducts sector. Through the $3 million Agri-Based Industrial Bioproducts (ABIB)
(Biofuels International) In Sweden, renewable fuels now make up two thirds of total fuel consumption of buses in public transport, new statistics show. According to the Swedish Public Transport Association data, the use of renewables in Sweden’s public transportation has
(Shell) Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has signed an agreement with Project Gaia Prospects Limited (PGPL) for the conduct of a pilot study on the use of Ethanol clean cookstoves, a cleaner and safer way of cooking. SNEPCo will
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Intrexon’s proprietary methanotroph bioconversion platform has the potential to transform the gas-to-liquids (GTL) industry through use of optimized microbial cell lines to convert natural gas into higher carbon compounds such as isobutanol and farnesene under
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Benefuel, Liquid Light, xF Technologies, Enogen, POET-DSM, Kiverdi, GeoSynFuels, Iogen, Edeniq, NexSteppe, BioProcess Algae, Syngenta/QCCP, Vertimass, Byogy, GranBio, Renewable Energy Group READ MORE
by James P. Lenfestey (Star Tribune) ... Keystone would not, as Obama noted, have any noticeable economic benefit to the U.S., and probably would have a negative impact, since it could actually increase domestic gasoline prices (by opening the
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... This fact sheet examines employment in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the United States and around the world. The job figures cited below are sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) Supporters and opponents of biofuel mandates are ramping up pressure on EPA in hopes of influencing a rule, due on Nov. 30, on how much corn ethanol and advanced biofuel will be blended
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Hungary, Clean Fuels Development Coalition Executive Director Douglas Durante said as a way for ethanol to find value beyond limitations of government imposed limits, both in the EU and the U.S., the focus should be on providing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Based on the clarity provided by the resolution of the lawsuits, and based on the most recent results of the isobutanol fermentation campaigns conducted at the company’s production plant in Luverne, Minn, Gevo announced its
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ensyn uses its patented and proprietary RTP fast thermal technology to convert wood residues and other non-food, cellulosic biomass to liquid biofuels. Ensyn has had continuous commercial operations for more than 25 years. Its technology has
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Minnesota Awards $26 Million to Fund Sweetwater’s Biochemical Facility --- In Minnesota, Sweetwater Energy has received commitment for $26 million in long-term loans from the state of Minnesota to construct a biochemical production facility near
by Thierry Dubois (AIN Online) Biofuels for aviation are still facing multiple challenges, the greatest being finding ways to make production economical, according to a report jointly released in September by the French Académie des Technologies and Académie de l’Air
by Meghan Grebner (Brownfield Ag News) The president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) says the announcement of the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) grants will help promote and grow the state’s ethanol industry. Denny Maple says the grants from USDA
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association released a report today pointing out that, while nearly 30 countries attending December’s climate talks in Paris have submitted action plans that call for using biofuels as a means of reducing greenhouse
(Indianapolis Zoo) ... In partnership with Cummins Inc., the Zoo recently took on a biofuel initiative, working to advance its mission of conservation, while implementing new, innovative ways to fuel some of the vehicles throughout grounds. By collecting used vegetable oil from
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Companies across the United States, are signing on with their support for the American Business Act on Climate Pledge. By late October, 81 companies including at least 11 with ties to the biofuel industry,
(Green Car Congress) Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have discovered that the reactions underlying the transformation of ethanol into higher-grade hydrocarbons unfolds in a different manner than previously thought. The research, supported by DOE’s BioEnergy Technologies Office (BETO), has
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Nearly two years after the project was announced, a 5 MMgy supercritical biodiesel plant in Annawan, Illinois, is now operational. Designed and built by Jatrodiesel Inc., the innovative facility is co-located with the 125 MMgy
(Green Plains Partners LP) Green Plains Partners LP and Delek US Holdings, Inc. today announced plans to form a 50:50 joint venture to build an ethanol unit train terminal in Maumelle, Arkansas, on the Union Pacific rail line. The project
(Market Watch/Eco-Energy Distribution Services) Eco-Energy Distribution Services, a leading biofuel supply chain company, is pleased to announce the commencement of construction of its distribution facility located within the terminal complex area in Selma, NC. The project includes service agreements with
(Viet Nam News) The relevant state offices must ensure supply of E5 grade bio-fuel for the domestic market to sell bio-petrol nationwide from November end, the deputy minister of Industry and Trade said. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang
by Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) The government is optimistic that B20 biodiesel fuel will be ready to enter the market next year in accordance with an initial schedule, as no technical or quality problems were found in the new variant
by Paul F. Bryan (Biofuels Digest) OK, so the 10 Commandments take up 10 slides, not eight. And throw in a title slide and that makes 11. But in this case, Paul Bryan’s “10 Commandments” presented at ABLC NEXT 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellana made news at ABLC NEXT 2015 with specifics on timing, volumes, and capex. As the slides demonstrate, they plan to be cash-flow positive on the 10-acre expansion in Kona and then to be in an even better
(Ship & Bunker) U.S.-based E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) says that biofuels derived from agricultural waste will not be competitive against conventional fuels until oil rises to $70 to$80 per barrel, the Financial Times reports. ... Energy analyst
(SandlerResearch/PR Newswire) The increasing need for environmental sustainability and energy independence is driving the biorefinery market growth globally, between the period of 2014 and 2019. This is mainly due to its ability to generate energy and fuel through the use
Present your bio-based products on a new, public information platform -- The EU is currently seeking ways to promote the market uptake of bio-based products through standards, labels and public procurement. nova-Institute – together with the German Agency for Renewable
(DEINOVE/BusinessWire) DEINOVE (Paris:ALDEI), a biotech company developing innovative processes for producing biofuels and bio-based chemicals by using Deinococcus bacteria as host strains, today announces an agreement with Flint Hills Resources to develop a process for producing ingredients for animal nutrition. Flint
(Neste/Globe Newswire) Neste, the leading producer of renewable diesel and Boeing, the world's largest aircraft manufacturer will work together to promote and accelerate the commercialization of renewable aviation fuel. The companies will work toward American Society for Testing and Materials
(Environmental Protection Agency) Program promotes environmental and economic benefits of using novel green technologies in chemical design, manufacture, and use -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its request for nominations for its 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) As the battle over the biodiesel tax credit structure heats up, the National Biodiesel Board sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and Ranking Member Sander Levin Oct. 28 urging
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Back in September I brought you a story about Orrie Swayze, an active ethanol advocate, who wants all drivers to use E30 in their cars. At the time, there was a special order in front of
by Kay Ledbetter (AgriLife Today) Dr. Russ Jessup, an AgriLife Research perennial grass breeder in College Station, said he is introducing a new biofuel-biomass feedstock that is a hybrid “similar to seedless watermelons, seedless grapes and other sterile triploid crops.” Jessup
(HITRANS) HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, is spearheading a significant European-funded project to assist and develop rural and remote airports with use of new technologies. ... Mindful of aviation’s carbon footprint, two work strands have
(Renewable Energy Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The conclusions of five years of field research in the UK show that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the UK’s arable sector are significantly lower than previously thought. The report is positive news
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 5 pieces of advice, above all, Holland & Knight give in obtaining grants and research opportunities through the Federal Government: Align with agency and programmatic objectives and metrics. Build relationships with technology offices and experienced partners in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At ABLC NEXT, PrecisionHawk and Genera Energy announced a partnership to develop new analysis algorithms specific to improving the efficiency and quality of sustainable biomass crop production and distribution. The algorithms will convert raw aerial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Virent, Renmatix, Verdezyne take top slots in The 40 Hottest Small Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy for 2015-16 -- At the ABLC NEXT 2015 conference in San Francisco, Virent took the #1 spot in
by Jarrett Renshaw and Catherine Ngai (Reuters) ... North Dakota's Bakken production peaked at 1.153 million barrels per day in June, and had fallen to 1.13 million barrels per day by August, according to state data. The supply restraint has made Bakken
(Columbus Dispatch) Ohio received a $3.4 million grant to install more than 100 pumps for ethanol-blended fuels. The grant was through the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program and will double the number of higher-ethanol pumps —
by Sarah Kent (Global Finance) ... The cost of producing energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind will fall sharply over the next 35 years, BP PLC said Monday, but without a system in place that levies a charge for
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) ... "If you add them up, we are way, way, way short to what we committed to in Paris," said David Bookbinder, former counsel for environmental group Sierra Club and a leading figure on environmental
(National Corn Growers Association) For the third year in a row, Texas Corn Producers is teaming up with American Ethanol at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. On November 6 through 8, American Ethanol will be top of mind
(Associated Press/Bakken.com) The North Dakota Department of Commerce is accepting applications for a program to market biofuels. The $1.2 million program sponsored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership offers grants to test and evaluate ways to promote
(Lincoln Journal Star) Money raised or promised in Nebraska has more than matched $2.85 million in federal funds to establish a public-private partnership to add 80 new blender pumps across the state of Nebraska, allowing greater access to ethanol for
by Mario Parker (BloombergBusiness) Obama administration may increase biofuel consumption targets; U.S. gasoline demand this year to reach highest since 2007 -- More demand means more gasoline being blended. And more blending means more ethanol potentially getting added to the mix.
by Monte Shaw (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association/Des Moines Register) Letter to Editor: I was embarrassed for the University of Northern Iowa to read the recent letter to the editor by professor Kamyar Enshayan regarding ethanol ['Renewable fuel' a term thrown around loosely, Oct.
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Defense has yet to purchase alternative fuels beyond testing and demonstration purposes, but intentions remain. -- In July, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report observing U.S. Department of Defense
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) The enormity of the military’s fuel usage is still very much on the industry’s radar, but the exuberance of 2012-‘13 has largely been replaced with the more measured tone. -- Three years ago, in the months
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Biofuels produced from switchgrass and post-harvest corn waste could significantly reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, according to an analysis by EWG and University of California biofuels experts. EWG’s analysis found that the life
(Spooner Advocate) The Public Service Commission (PSC) has announced that Wisconsin is the recipient of a $3.7 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to significantly expand and support the installation of ethanol blending equipment at retail gas stations throughout the
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, United Biscuits now has 16 delivery trucks running on biodiesel produced from UCO used in the making of its products from McVitties to Jaffa Cakes. The company added six more trucks to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Includes Ohio State University's "Advanced Bioeconomy" flowchart and BioPreferred Program map; results of surveys regarding awareness of bio-based products, etc. READ MORE
by Marc Gunther (Nonprofit Chronicles) ... “Why exactly are we ahead with 100 million more wood burning stoves in the world? It’s an output metric and not an impact metric,” says Kevin Starr of Mulago, who wrote a pointed 2014 essay
by Varun Sivaram and Michael A. Levi (Council on Foreign Relations) Corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, which require automakers to achieve government-mandated targets for the efficiency of the vehicles they sell each year, can reduce U.S. reliance on oil,
by Matthew Daly and Tom Krisher (Associated Press/Washington Post) ... The Environmental Protection Agency, along with the California Air Resources Board, said Volkswagen installed software on thousands of Audi, Porsche and VW cars with six-cylinder diesel engines that allowed them to emit
(Ford School Center for Local, State and Urban Policy) The release earlier this year of the Papal Encyclical, Laudato Si’, and the visit of Pope Francis to the United States have reinvigorated the discussion of the relationship between religion and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Vertimass completed its DOE technology validation that verifies the benchmark performance, initial process design and preliminary cost information for a new award of $2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world’s three existing sources – petroleum, plants and animal fats. Initially, Solazyme is focused on commercializing its products into
by Susanna Twidale (Reuters) Governments around the world will this year raise around $22 billion from schemes putting a price on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions such as taxes or emissions trading systems, a report on Wednesday showed. The role of carbon pricing,
by Ron Kotrba (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biodiesel process and biogas technology provider BDI-BioEnergy International AG and Brau Union Österreich, part of the international Heineken family, celebrated the opening of a new spent-grain fermentation plant at the Göss Brewery in Austria,
(See News) Brazil's Commission of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (CRA) approved today the bill 252/11 that seeks to encourage production of biofuels at micro plants, especially those operated by family farmers. In Brazil, micro biofuel plants are those with a production capacity of up to
(Associated Press/The Republic) The U.S. Agriculture Department has awarded Kansas $1.3 million in matching funds for a program to increase the availability of ethanol blended fuels for motorists. ... The funds will allow a coalition called the Kansas Better Blends Initiative
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) USDA's Office of the Chief Economist just released a comprehensive report on ethanol. The 87-page report, “U.S. Ethanol: An Examination of Policy, Production, Use, Distribution, and Market Interactions,” examines the complex interaction of
(Gaia Association) Gaia Association contributes to poverty reduction and climate mitigation by enabling access to clean, safe, renewable and locally produced household cooking fuels to displace the traditional use of biomass for cooking in Ethiopian communities. With this objective Gaia Association
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) ...The Raceland plant uses technology developed by Virdia and enables cellulosic biomass, such as wood or agricultural waste, to be converted into highly refined sugars. It is located in the vicinity of existing sugar cane plantations and will use bagasse waste as feedstock. Sugar
(UPM Biofuels/Biomass Magazine) UPM is to start field tests of its novel wood-based diesel fuel in urban buses together with Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) and the VTT Technical Research Centre. The field tests are also supported by St1, Volvo and
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) Agreeing to respectfully disagree was one of very few assenting points reached by association heads representing the biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuel groups during a candid debate about the renewable fuel standard (RFS), policy amendments
(Inside Ottawa Valley) Community feedback is being sought in the proposed opening of a 8,073 square feet biofuel facility at 1 Hershey Drive. ... The firm, C3 Acquisition Inc., has leased the facility space from Tweed Inc with plans to install two
(CLEANCOOK) An animated video showing a new clean cooking stove concept for the developing world. Highly automated production, optimized logistics and local assembly will bring proven technologies to the developing world markets at a lower cost and create local employment. Along
(DuPont/PR Web) DuPont celebrated the opening of its cellulosic biofuel facility in Nevada, Iowa, with a ceremony including Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad and many other dignitaries. This biorefinery is the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant, with the capacity to produce
by Fred Ojambo (Bloomberg Business) Praj Industries of India contracted to build 6,000l/day plant; Uganda to enforce biofuels blending when crude output starts Kakira Sugar Works Ltd., Uganda’s biggest producer of the sweetener, said it will start commercial output at its $36.6 million
(Punjab News Express) The Progressive Punjab Investor Summit 2015 today culmination of yearlong efforts by Bikram Singh Majithia, Renewable Energy Minister Punjab that brought largest ever bio-refinery in the wheat bowl of the country that would solve the end of
by Bill Hanna (Mesabi Daily News) Mountain Iron intended home for Sweetwater Energy project -- The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board on Friday will consider authorizing $26 million in public money for a startup biotechnology company in Rochester, N.Y.,
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) ... "This is one of the core technologies that we need to cut oil use and reduce emissions from transportation," said Jeremy Martin, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "It would be great if we
by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) (Ames Tribune) ... Iowa’s new cellulosic facility also will help dry up the crocodile tears spilled by Big Food that tries to assign blame to corn-based ethanol for rising food prices. Don’t forget, the facility in
(Associated Press/CBS Radio) The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is spending $3 million to add about 130 additional ethanol fuel pumps in Michigan. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says Thursday the grant will be matched by state and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Honeywell’s UOP has developed a renewable jet fuel processing technology, a renewable diesel process, as well as a joint venture, Envergent Technologies, that will market technologies and equipment for generating power, transportation fuel and heating
by Grayson Schmidt (Ames Tribune) ... According to Plant Operations Manager Terraun Jones, the new facility will not only impact the biofuel industry, but will also boost the local economy by bringing in 90 permanent jobs at the site, and 150
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest looks at security and energy security --- ... This week, the head of Russian state intelligence service, Alexander Bortnikov,warned of a potential “invasion of Central Asia”by Taliban or ISIS forces. And, the US and
by Jon Scharingson (Renewable Energy Group, Inc./Convenience Store Decisions) Whether or not to sell biodiesel can be a significant decision for a convenience store owner. Convenience store owners need to determine what will work best for their operation and how they
by Cristina Maza (The Christian Science Monitor) Economists, officials, and executives across the globe increasingly support carbon pricing to stem the rise of greenhouse-gas emissions. Can it work? --- ... “Pricing carbon obviously adds a cost to our production and our products,”
by Christopher Tan (Straits Times Singapore) Authorities seeking industry views on feasibility of such plant-based fuels -- Singapore is exploring the possibility of introducing biofuels at the pumps. ... The National Environment Agency has reached out to the auto and transport industries to
by Stephanie Pearl (US Department of Agriculture) U.S. airline carriers collectively used more than 16 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2014. Given growing concerns over energy independence and the environment, commercial airlines are looking for secure and reliable alternative jet
by Alison Goss Eng and Daniel Adams (U.S. Department of Energy) ... Earlier this year, we highlighted five cost-saving harvesting technologies that private companies and universities developed through $21 million in 2009 funding from the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). At the
(U.S. Department of Energy) ... The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is working together with industry to develop and test integrated biorefineries—facilities capable of efficiently converting plant and waste material into affordable biofuels, biopower and other products. These projects are located around the country
(Reuters) Avril aims to meet demand from higher French biodiesel blending levels with output from a 100,000-tonne-per-year plant it opened on France's Mediterranean coast on Wednesday, the chief executive of the European Union's largest maker of the biofuel said. The facility
by Leo Jegho (Global Indonesian Voices) All airline companies operating in Indonesia will be obliged to use aviation biofuel for their aircraft instead of avtur from 2018 onwards, which aims to help reduce air pollution, Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan said
by Jonathan McCoy (Zurich Energy/Biofuels Digest) So, you have a great technology, it scales and it works. You have a customer. Supper. But if you don’t have a supply chain, you’re toast. Here’s a recent deck on avoiding the toaster,
by Danny Kennedy and Jeremy Leggett (California Clean Energy Fund/Carbon Tracker Initiative/Sacramento Bee) ... Since 2013, the world has been adding more renewable electricity capacity than fossil fuel capacity each year. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry is showing its age. For
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) ... According to the DOE's 2015 Quadrennial Technology Review, the internal combustion engine is one of the most promising and cost-effective approaches to improving fuel economy in the near to mid-term. This, the DOE said, can be achieved
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Thirty-five high schools students today toured the Guardian Energy ethanol plant to gain a better understanding of renewable fuel production. The students, from Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Secondary School, toured the various processes of ethanol production at the
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Minnesota has been awarded an $8 million grant from the USDA to install or retrofit 620 flex fuel pumps in 165 stations in the state. In a statement today, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) said the grant
(Humboldt State University/Biomass Magazine) A potential revolution is unfolding on out-of-the-way logging roads. Foresters and researchers are innovating unique ways to make use of forest residues—low quality trees, tree tops, limbs, and chunks that formerly would have been left in
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) Mahdi Al-Kaisi is not against using corn stover to make cellulosic ethanol products, and he isn’t against baling stubble for use in a livestock operation. But he wants to make it clear that the single
by Tona Kunz (Argonne National Laboratory) The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory this week released a pair of studies on the efficiency of shale oil production excavation. The reports show that shale oil production generates greenhouse gas emissions
(US Department of Agriculture/Biomass Magazine) USDA under secretary Lisa Mensah recently encouraged rural small businesses to apply for loans and grants to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. “Helping rural small businesses save money on energy costs strengthens their bottom
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