by Meg Cichon (RenewableEnergyWorld.com) As China’s demand for biofuels grows, it may follow the same production overcapacity boom and subsequent reality check as the solar industry showed in recent years. While the Chinese government attempts to address its pollution problem and deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday held a hearing on the economic benefits of advanced biofuels in creating jobs and lowering gasoline prices. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hydrocarbon fuel from seawater and nothing else? Is it possible? Not only possible, but demonstrated as a process, and tested in a model plane. How does it rate on the Hooey scale? The Digest investigates. In
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA’s policies with regard to bioenergy were among the topics discussed during a recent EPA budget hearing held by the House Committee on Appropriations. During the event, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy addressed
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday a recent uptick in gasoline consumption should be considered by the Environmental Protection Agency when it determines how much renewable fuel should be blended into the motor fuel
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/US News and World Report) Ethanol is less expensive than gas, and consumers will benefit more if it's used. Logic is nowhere to be seen in petroleum analyst Gregg Laskoski’s call to reduce or revise the
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) A crop that has had an undeserved stigma attached to it could now become a source for biodiesel and ethanol. The recently passed and signed Farm Bill contains a provision that would allow hemp to be grown
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On March 28, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the results of biofuel testing completed onboard the training ship State of Michigan. The tests compared operational, vibration and air emissions differences between regular ultralow
(US Department of Energy) U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz today highlighted key improvements to the Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Legislative Summit. The ATVM Loan Program plays a
(25 x '25) Risk is a word closely associated with the agriculture industry ‑ and rightfully so. Farming and ranching are some of the most risk-prevalent callings on the planet, given the vagaries of weather, markets, soil conditions, technology and
by Lisa Song and Jim Morris (InsideClimateNews.org) Gas drilling facilities have sporadic emission spikes that spew toxins harmful to human health, but states rarely monitor these fleeting events. People in natural gas drilling areas who complain about nauseating odors, nosebleeds and
by Kevin Jeffries (25 x '25) ... Lower demand for renewable fuels means lower prices for corn, soybeans and other crops. Generally, producers account for lower prices by shifting to more profitable crops and by cutting back on investments like conservation
by Milsa Vijayadharan* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Luxresearch conducted a webinar on March 4th 2014 about new opportunities for downstream producers due to the growing production of bio-based chemical Intermediates. The basic science of bio-based material and chemicals has advanced.
by Johnny Green (The Weed Blog/The Joint Blog) Hawaii’s House Committee on Agriculture, and the state’s House Judiciary Committee, have both voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2175, a proposal to establish a two-year research program to study the effectiveness of using hemp
(7thSpace.com) Following is a question by the Hon Tommy Cheung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (March 26): Question: In March last year, this Council passed a motion urging the
(Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft) No more oil – renewable raw materials are the future. This motto not only applies to biodiesel, but also to isobutene, a basic product used in the chemical industry. In a pilot plant researchers now want to obtain this
(The Medi-Telegraph) One of the main topics of the meeting between Italian Defence Secretary Domenico Rossi and US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus was the cooperation programme on alternative fuels between Italy and the United States. ... Today, at the bio-refinery Eni
(Scania/BusinessWire) Scania (STO:SCVA)(STO:SCVB) is now adding yet another environmentally oriented alternative to its industry-leading palette with Euro 6 certified truck engines. The Scania 16-litre, 580 hp V8 engine can now be ordered in a configuration with up to 100 percent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, Biofuels Digest reports that 9 biobased ventures raised $391 million in new capital in Q1 2014, while 8 biobased ventures raised $128.6 million in Q4 2013. This compares to $363.8M million in Q2,
by Paul Winters (Biotechnology Industry Organization) If left unchanged, the Obama administration’s proposal to slash use of biofuels in 2014 would increase emissions of greenhouse gases next year, according to a new white paper from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Brent Erickson,
by Kelly Baumgarten (KHAS TV) ...On Wednesday, Attorney General Jon Bruning toured a facility that seems to be thriving. Bruning was at Chief Ethanol in Hastings. He talked about the importance of ethanol to Nebraska's economy, but also the role ethanol could play
by Ehren Goossens (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Royal DSM NV (DSM), the world’s largest vitamin manufacturer, expects to begin producing cellulosic ethanol in the U.S. by July as the government considers reducing the amount of renewable fuel that oil companies will be
by Asjylyn Loder (MSN Money/Bloomberg) Jan Arps is the most influential oilman you’ve never heard of. In 1945, Arps, then a 33-year-old petroleum engineer for British-American Oil Producing Co., published a formula to predict how much crude a well will produce
By Alta LeCompte(Las Cruces Bulletin) On a tour Thursday, Jan. 23, of Sapphire Energy’s research and development facility in the West Mesa Industrial Park, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich addressed the unique nature of the advanced biodiesel industry and the challenge it poses
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Midtex Oil, L.P. is now offering E85 at its Spirit-branded convenience store located in San Marcos, Texas. Its fifth E85 station in the state, it is located off the interstate at 1214 IH-35 South, San Marcos,
(GreenAirOnline) The early excitement of demonstration flights and subsequent approvals for the use of some types of biofuel blends on passenger flights has given way to the less headline-grabbing ‘hard yards’ of establishing supply chains to provide airlines with cost-competitive
(GreenAirOnline) Norway’s state-owned airport operator and air navigation services provider Avinor has pledged to contribute up to 100 million Norwegian kroner ($16.5 million) over a ten-year period to help develop an aviation biofuel sector in the country. Announcing the move
(GreenAirOnline) With a crucial vote in the European Parliament this week, MEPs will be presented with two choices that will likely determine the future of the Aviation EU ETS until at least 2016. As the lead environment committee (ENVI) voted
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) U.S. energy markets cannot absorb the levels of biofuels required by law to be blended into the fuel supply in 2014, Environmental Protection Agency head Gina McCarthy said on Thursday, defending a controversial proposal to slash the target
by Peter Harriman (Argus Leader) ...But while BNSF Railway spokeswoman Amy McBeth says the problem is operational and not systemic, and the bottleneck will be cleared, Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek points to the continued growth of both
by Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) As new negative advertising hits Iowa today skewering Democrat Bruce Braley for insulting farmers, a positive ad thanking the U.S. Senate candidate also goes up today. The pro-veterans political organization VoteVets.org is spending $245,000 on
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel equipment manufacturer Springboard Biodiesel has donated a BioPro 380 processing unit to the Center for Sustainable Energy Farming, a Torrance, Calif.-based nonprofit research organization. The BioPro 380 converts a wide variety of fats, oils and greases into
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) In March, U.S. EPA announced it is making changes to the fuel pathway petition process under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), in order to “enable more timely and efficient decision-making.” EPA is asking new petitioners
(UFOP (Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen e. V. )/Biodiesel Magazine) The European resolution and discussion situation with respect to European Commission proposals for amendments to the Renewable Energies Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive only permits one conclusion at
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This panel will focus on the agency’s
by Timothy Cama (The Hill E2Wire) Four members of the House who want the renewable fuel standard (RFS) to be lowered wrote to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ask what problems the agency has faced in writing regulations for
by Jeannine Otto (AgriNews) Defend, expand, export. ... “We need to make sure that people understand this entire standard is under attack. Folks in Congress, some folks in Congress, would like to do away totally with the entire Renewable Fuels Standard and
(Sunshine Biofuels/PR WEB) The company now brings replacement fuel for marine diesel that can save thousands of dollars per week and effectively reduce environmental impact. Sunshine Biofuels now offers a replacement fuel for marine diesel and fuel oils. Branded as Sunshine Renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Ron Wyden, released his “Chairman’s Mark” of the “Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency Act of 2014″ (EXPIRE Act). The Chairman’s Mark extends all expired advanced biofuels tax provisions 2 years
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In California, Amyris and Kuraray announced the expansion and extension of their ongoing collaboration in high performance polymers using Biofene, Amyris’s brand of renewable farnesene. Amyris and Kuraray launched the collaboration in 2011 with an initial
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today’s editions of the New York Times and Politico have published a good-humored, but factual takedown of Big Oil’s false, hypocritical attacks against clean, renewable ethanol. The full page ad, which is published in Politico and all DC
(Algae Industry Magazine.com) UniVerve Biofuel, headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel – with a small-scale demonstration site located at nearby Bar-Ilan University – has focused its R&D on developing a highly efficient platform to produce oil from microalgae as feedstock for
(VIASPACE) VIASPACE Inc. (OTCQB: VSPC) today announced that the company has signed a contract with Mesquite Lake Water and Power LLC to provide Giant King Grass for a biomass power plant and a companion advanced biofuels facility in Imperial, California. Mesquite Lake
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) American Ethanol is once again partnering with NASCAR® for the NASCAR Race to Green™ initiative now through April 25 to promote environmentally friendly biofuels. The goal of the initiative is to highlight the accomplishments of green programs that have helped
by Kevin Begos and Marc Levy (Associated Press/Fuel Fix) An energy company is dusting off an old, unused state law that can force property owners to accept oil and gas drilling under their land, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a
(Omaha World-Herald) ... The first commercial production of cellulosic ethanol began in 2013, and this year biomass plants in Iowa will be taking the lead in expanding capacity. The facilities will take crop waste and non-edible plants and convert them into
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) BP has released its 2013 sustainability report, announcing that it has fulfilled its 2005 commitment to invest $8 billion in alternative energy by 2015 a full two years early. ... Regarding biofuels, the report noted
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The $163.9 million Illinois Basin-Decatur Project celebrated as new milestone as its carbon sequestration project stored 750,000 metric tons carbon dioxide from Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s ethanol plant in Decatur, Ill. “We are here today
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for February, reporting that more than 1.21 billion RINs were generated during the month across all five fuel categories. EPA data shows 7,072 D3
(University of Maryland/PR Newswire) A team of four students from the Georgia Institute of Technology developing a new electrical power grid technology with an Internet-like control architecture won the third annual ACC Clean Energy Challenge and the Department of Energy's $100,000 grand prize, competition officials announce
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The European Commission’s Joint Research Center recently published a new report on indirect land use change (ILUC) emissions from biofuels. The study presents the results of a new run on the economic model MIRAGE
(25 x '25 Alliance) The 25x'25 Alliance and the Energy Future Coalition applaud an International Panel on Climate Change work group for recognizing the valuable role that bioenergy, including biofuels, can play in addressing a changing climate. The second of
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) ... MBA has embarked on several new campaigns to increase E85 and E15 usage. One of these campaigns is with KS95, one of the top radio stations in the Twin Cities. We will be running a series of ads on
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) ... Examples of said policy certainty include renewal of the United Kingdom’s Renewables Obligation, a clearer picture of what meeting sustainability criteria entails, and movement outside of the U.K., in markets including the Netherlands and Asia. ... Unlike
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) EurObserv’ER has released the 2013 edition of its annual renewable energy report, which determined that final energy consumption from renewable resources increased significantly in 2012. The report, titled “The State of Renewable Energies in Europe,”
by Lucia Kassai (Bloomberg) The U.S. is importing ethanol from Brazil after an 81 percent rally in domestic prices this year, according to two people with knowledge of a shipment. The vessel Chembulk Ulsan is scheduled to load 5.3 million gallons
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Opening up your ethanol plant for public tours is a wonderful educational opportunity that could do wonders for your business and the industry as a whole. ... I wonder how many people in your community, drive
(Frost & Sullivan/Digital Journal/PR Newswire) Countries across the globe are desperately looking for alternate sources of power that are dense enough to accommodate consumption needs, while preserving the global ecosystem. Amongst the contenders for mainstream alternative energy production is hydrogen
by David Titley (hypergeometric) That inestimable corporate institution, Exxon-Mobil, announced today, on the heels of the IPCC WG2 report, that: … it was “highly unlikely” that the world would cut greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently to keep global warming within the internationally agreed
by Nompumelelo Magwaza (Independent Online/Business Report) he Local sugar industry would need to be highly subsidised to kick-start the production of fuel grade ethanol, the SA Sugar Association (Sasa) said last week. Production had been in the pipeline since 2007,
by Alessandra Rosete (Platts) Small volumes of fuel ethanol from Paraguay were recently exported to Brazil, sources said Thursday. Brazilian trading houses purchased 5 million liters (1.32 million gallons) to be delivered in trucks to the states of Mato Grosso do
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... One of the latest entries is a study out of the UK’s University of Southampton, with assist from researchers in Scotland and Italy, that delves into the pros and cons of the soil amendment known
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Wearing a tie and sporting a “Don’t Mess with the RFS” button, 10-year-old Ethan Fagen was the youngest of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Biofuels Beltway marchers this week on Capitol Hill. Ethan came along with
(Federal Trade Commission) The Federal Trade Commission is proposing changes to its Fuel Rating Rule, which determines the fuel rating that appears on fuel pump labels, how octane levels are calculated, and helps to inform consumers about proper fuel for
by Phillip Fiorini and Cynthia Sequin (Purdue University) Purdue University researchers are launching a company focusing on an innovative process that could revolutionize how lignocellulosic biomass is used to make biofuels and other bio-based products and chemicals. Spero Energy Inc., which is based
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Gevo reports its 4Q results and adds back some ethanol production, we look at the short-term gains and the long-term implications. Why ethanol, why now — what’s the latest news mean from this signature
(Florida Biodiesel, Inc./PR.com) Florida Biodiesel, Inc. has completed a B-500 Biodiesel plant sale to the Lorymat Corporation Ivory Coast, Africa. The Biodiesel production equipment will be used to demonstrate Green Fuel technology and produce Biodiesel for the Ivory Coast. READ
by Avia Collinder (The Gleaner) JB Ethanol Limited, which processes and sells fuel-grade ethanol, has seen production fall to lower levels year over year as overseas contractors say no to price increases attached to Brazilian-sourced raw materials. Citing depressed conditions in
by Tim Sklar (Biofuels Digest) Part 1 ... It seems that many of the companies providing new biofuels technologies do not fully understanding the competitive environment that they must navigate. As a consequence they fail to develop strategies that will allow
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Solazyme announced its entry into the oil and gas drilling fluids additive market. Building upon its proprietary platform of high performance, sustainable Tailored oils, Solazyme has introduced Encapso, the world’s first encapsulated biodegradable
(Algae Biomass Organization) A new survey of the algae industry conducted by the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) broadly shows an industry that is growing, from increased production of biomass and oils, to increased hiring, to a wider variety of end products. The
by Brent Erickson, Matt Carr, and Paul Winters (Industrial Biotechnology) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a significant change to the US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2014 and beyond, which will have an impact on greenhouse gas (GHG)
(Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Anew Travel Center in Cambridge, Neb., now offers E15 to consumers for use in 2001 and newer vehicles. The expanded offering of E15 will create savings at the pump for consumers. Currently, E15 is available in 14
(Hydro Dynamics/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Hydro Dynamics Inc. of Rome, Ga., has announced that a ShockWave Power Reactor has been purchased and installed in a commercial cellulosic pilot plant in Italy. The SPR was purchased after successful lab testing on extraction of
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bloomberg New Energy Finance has published a new white paper that provides analysis of California’s transportation fuel market. The paper, titled “2020 California transport outlook: the decarbonisation drive,” highlights the impacts of the renewable
(Utah State University) The Algae Test & Evaluation Facility (AT&E) was established in collaboration with Logan City Environmental Department and Utah State University as a pilot facility co-located at the City of Logan Wastewater Treatment Plant. The AT&E site has
(Sustainable Development Technology Canada) On behalf of the Government of Canada, SDTC is looking for the next wave of innovative cleantech entrepreneurs. The SD Tech Fund™ is open for applications from February 19th to April 16th, 2014. SDTC supports technologies that address
by James Henry (AgriNews) ... President Don Villwock stressed during Indiana Farm Bureau’s Spring Conference in Indianapolis that weather cannot be farmers’ main topic of conversation. “We need to stay on point. We need to stay on agriculture-only issues,” he said. “For
(Platts) More conversions of California ethanol rail unloading terminals to crude service are unlikely, following Kinder Morgan's switch of its Richmond, California, unloading facility, an analyst said Monday. "The other big [ethanol] terminals aren't as close to refiners, and there is
by Caitlin Davis (The Hopewell News) A $250,000 grant to aid the Vireol ethanol plant in Hopewell has reached a roadblock. The grant would help facilitate the opening of the plant, which currently has not begun operations. Vireol, a British company, purchased
by Ray Bande (Manica Post) Production of ethanol at the embattled Greenfuel Chisumbanje plant stopped after Zinwa disconnected water supplies owing to a $7,3 million debt. In a statement on Wednesday, Zinwa public relations manager Ms Majory Munyonga confirmed that her
by Bill Power (Chronicle Herald Business) Queens County’s CelluFuel already has Nova Scotia aid for $4m project using wood fibre The CelluFuel Inc. demonstration biofuel project in Brooklyn, Queens County, received a $500,000 loan from the federal government Wednesday. “The plant is designed, the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) First plant go/no-go expected in 2014; target: Oklahoma. Future expansion in North America, UK, China. In Oklahoma, Velocys, Waste Management, NRG Energy, and Ventech Engineers International announced a joint venture to develop gas-to-liquids plants in the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... This week, Blue Sun Energy, ARA, and Chevron Lummus Global achieved a key development milestone with their 100 barrel/day (4,200 gallon/per day) demonstration-scale Biofuels ISOCONVERSION facility in St. Joseph, Mo. Less than a year after
(Biofuel PR) Communications firm to bridge gap between national campaigns and local community Veteran biofuel experts Joshua Morby and Joanna Schroeder have launched Biofuel PR in response to the ethanol industry’s call for assistance in helping tell Americans the story about
(PR NewsWire) A group of biofuel trade organizations today sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) encouraging extension of critical advanced biofuel tax incentives -- the Second Generation Biofuel Producer
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the expansion of the Farm Storage and Facility Loan program, which provides low-interest financing to producers. The enhanced program includes 23 new categories of eligible equipment for fruit
(Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy) Following the January decision by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to deny rehearing en banc in the litigation regarding California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth
by Richard G. Newell, William A. Pizer, Daniel Raimi (Science Magazine) Prices in the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) spent 2013 at historic lows. Elected officials have promised to repeal the Australian carbon market. Yet five new regional carbon
by David Muller (MLive.com) U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D - Bloomfield Hills, joined a counterpart in Illinois on Wednesday to call on the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the best methods for storing and transporting petroleum coke, as well as
(Arjuna Capital/PR NewsWire) In response to a shareholder resolution, ExxonMobil (XOM) – the largest U.S. energy company, for the first time ever has agreed to publish a Carbon Asset Risk report on the Company website describing how it assesses the
(GINA/Government's Information Agency) Twenty (20) vehicles from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will shortly begin using renewable fuel, as the sugar company has started fuel production using ‘blackstrap’ molasses at its Bio-Ethanol Demonstration Plant in Albion,
by Jeff Sheler (Virginia Pilot/HamptonRoads.com) The (Chesapeake) City Council renewed its permission Tuesday for an alternative energy company to make biodiesel fuel in Deep Creek. Plans call for Tidewater Biodiesel LLC to build a plant in an industrial complex off Military
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Both companies produce advanced biofuels for the American domestic market. Both utilize advanced technologies deployed at commercial-scale in the past 24 months. Both are publicly-traded stocks. Both were founded in 2006-07, after the Energy Policy
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a notice to its website announcing that it is taking action to improve the petition process for new renewable fuel pathways under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program. According to
by John Podesta, Dr. John P. Holdren (White House) ... Rising seas threaten our coastlines. Dry regions are at higher risk of destructive wildfires. Heat waves impact health and agriculture. Heavier downpours can lead to damaging floods. Even as we work to curb
by David Schwartz (Algae Industry Magazine) A new report issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) ranked 28 Algae Technology Area projects. Dr. Mark Hildebrand and his team at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego
(The World Bank) Story Highlights: Green bonds give investors an innovative way of supporting clean energy, mass transit, and other low-carbon projects that can help countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. The World Bank has mobilized over $5.3 billion
by Robert Vierhout (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) For European ethanol producers, E15 is still a distant dream. In the EU, the struggle is to get from E5 to E10. The legislation to offer E10 has been in place since 2009 but its
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) The ability for independent fuel marketers to sell renewable fuels at lower prices while improving profit margins by selling RINs, has given independent fuel marketers something they have never had before:
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Still seeking commercial-scale opportunities, Lignol continues to collaborate with companies that are eager to buy high-purity lignin in bulk. Is this abundant byproduct of pulp and paper milling and biorefining poised for new and
(Valmet Corp./Biomass Magazine) Fortum, UPM and Valmet have joined forces to develop a new, winning technology to produce advanced high value lignocellulosic fuels, such as transportation fuels or higher value bio-liquids. The idea is to develop catalytic pyrolysis technology for
by Dennis Pollock (Western Farm Press) Salinity and scarcity of water were very much in the spotlight at the 2014 California Plant and Soil Conference in Fresno. Multiple speakers showed pictures of what they labeled “California snow,” salt that had precipitated out
by Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) A pro-veterans political group placed a full-page advertisement in today’s Des Moines Register targeted at potential 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who visits Iowa today. The ad centers on the federal mandate that requires fuel
(National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel Offers Renewable Alternative to Fuel Economy You wouldn’t be reading this if it weren’t for diesel power. Diesel engines are responsible for moving the majority of goods, including electronics, from manufacturer to consumer. And more than ever
by Jerry Hagstrom (AgWeek) The National Farmers Union will try to increase its membership and fight for the preservation of country-of-origin labeling for red meat, the Renewable Fuel Standard and fair trade agreements in 2014, NFU President Roger Johnson said
by Jerry Hagstrom (AgWeek) Higher grade levels of ethanol need to be available outside the Midwest and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help make that possible, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. Higher grade levels of ethanol need to be available outside
by Jared Council (Inside Business: The Hampton Roads Business Journal) A consortium of businesses looking to build a zero-waste, zero-landfill recycling plant in Chesapeake said they're securing capital to purchase 67 acres of waterfront property. Officials with eCyclingUSA LLC, one of
(The New York World) Permit pending for long-delayed facility on Newtown Creek that would transform food oil into vehicle fuel New York City’s first large-scale biodiesel fuel production facility is slated to come to Greenpoint, courtesy of former Republican mayoral candidate
by Jerry Oster (WNAX, Yankton/Nebraska Radio) ... Todd Becker, president of the Omaha-based Green Plains Renewable Energy, says corn-based ethanol is continuing to have an enormous impact on the state’s economy. Becker says the value-added by-products are of great value, too,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In 1970, an oil company launched the first major ad campaign around environmental benefits of a new fuel formulation. Then, a radical shift in gasoline pricing occurred just as those remarkable ads went off the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Delayed 2013 results includes going concern statement. Future Khosla financing contingent on milestones. Default looms as soon as April. Financing after August unclear. In Texas, KiOR announced a $347.5M net loss for 2013, and issued a
(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is pleased to announce that Bonsucro certified operators will now be able to access RSB certification through a simplified audit process to demonstrate compliance, therefore saving costs and time. An RSB
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) 2014 will bear witness to the commissioning of some of the first U.S. commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants. Those in the cellulosic ethanol industry know “five more years down the road” as a phrase that’s been associated
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) ... Not only is Abengoa Biomass Energy LLC forging the path to commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol, it is taking a new road when it comes to fuel. Besides cellulosic ethanol, the Hugoton, Kan., facility, located in the southwest
(American Chemistry Council) The American Chemistry Council (ACC) unveiled today a new Biobased Chemistry Network to help educate policymakers on how to create effective and workable regulatory programs for the growing biobased chemistry industry. Global sales of this segment of
(UDOP) Brazil´s Ubrabio (Brazilian Biodiesel Union and Biokerosene) met today with Minister of Sports Aldo Rebelo in order to request his support in the implementation of B20 (mixture of 20% biodiesel added to fossil diesel) in all urban transportation of the 12 cities (Rio
(Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy is partnering with GreenField Specialty Alcohols to test and develop a technology that, if successful, will lead to significant economic and
(Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Vertimass LLC, a California-based start-up company, has licensed an Oak Ridge National Laboratory technology that directly converts ethanol into a hydrocarbon blend-stock for use in transportation fuels. The ORNL technology offers a new pathway to biomass-derived renewable
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) According to a new paper authored by two University of Missouri professors, rural regions are poised to benefit from bioenergy. While remoteness is a penalty in the centralized petroeconomy, due to high power transmission and
( North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative is seeking grant proposals focused on research and development of agricultural and forestry-based feedstocks for bioenergy production, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently announced. A total of
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new U.S. Energy Information Administration brief shows that the number of E85 retail fueling station has grown rapidly since 2007, with the most recent growth in states outside the Midwest, particularly California and
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Legislation pending in the Minnesota Legislature aims to create incentives for renewable chemicals, advanced biofuels, and biomass thermal energy. In the Minnesota House of Representatives, H.F. 2456 aims to create a capital equipment loan program
by William J. Broad (The New York Times) ... Absent from his (President Barack Obama's) narrative, though, was the back story, one that underscores a profound change taking place in the way science is paid for and practiced in
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) ... Fortunately, the Administration’s budget for 2014 contains a proposal for a nearly 10-year extension of the advanced biofuel tax credit, which was first adopted by Congress in 2007. By contrast, the budget proposal
(Algae Industry Magazine) This American Land travels to Shenandoah, Iowa, to take a look at BioProcess Algae’s novel technology for recycling CO2 from corn ethanol production into algae production. WATCH VIDEO and Duke Power VIDEO
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) California-based Pixley Biogas has been given final approval for a $4.68 million dollar grant from the California Energy Commission. Located in southwestern Tulare County, Calif., the anaerobic digester will take in dairy farm manure as
(Lesaffre) Through its business unit Fermentis launched in 2003 Lesaffre has successfully served the fuel ethanol industry with yeast, yeast products and technical support. Aiming to concentrate their efforts on offering more specialized services and products to theirpartners in the first
by Commander Pasquale Tripodi (Italian Navy/Biofuels Digest) Italy’s Navy joins the global green fleet movement with its first sea trials and certifications. Including a dramatic at-sea rescue, powered by alternative fuel blends. The complete story, in pictures. ... On January 27th, ITS Foscari was refuelled
Leaders from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined top executives from the automobile and fuel industries Saturday at Sebring International Raceway to praise the International Motor Sports Association’s (IMSA) alternative fuels program,
by Brendan Greeley (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) ... In the developing world, it’s tempting for a country to keep the price of fossil fuels artificially low. The subsidy can take the form of a price cap, preventing oil companies from charging too much
(National Biodiesel Board) Before you lift that green beer on St. Patrick’s Day, why not select one that comes from a “green” brewery? Many breweries throughout the U.S. and Canada have robust sustainability initiatives that include using biodiesel. One example is a
(Precision BioSciences) Nova Synthetix and Precision BioSciences, Inc., today announced that they have initiated a joint research effort to generate non-GM, ricin-free castor plants using Precision’s Directed Nuclease Editor (DNE) technology in combination with Nova Synthetix’s proprietary plant transformation system. Scientists at Nova Synthetix
by Rick Smith (The Gazette) Keynote speaker Craig Stuart-Paul, chief executive officer of waste-to-energy company Fiberight, told a luncheon crowd of 315 here on Wednesday that his company will be able to keep 80 percent of what they toss in
(Bernama) Felda Global Ventures Biotechnologies Sdn Bhd (FGVB) has delivered its first 48 metric tonnes (MT) of palm methyl ester (PME) under the B5 programme to a client at the Kuantan Fuel Terminal. In a statement, the Felda Global Ventures Holdings
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Reminiscent of 2009′s Summer of Algae, when those technologies were coming out of the woodwork, we appear to be in the Hydrogen Spring. Every time we write about them, more pop up, like a Prairie
by Will Drabold (Columbus Dispatch) While geologists raised questions yesterday about whether a northeastern Ohio fracking operation caused a series of earthquakes in Mahoning County on Monday, state officials refused to provide any answers. On Monday, Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) It’s a pretty cool looking design (although I’m not sure how my friends in the trucking industry would take to being inches from the roadway). And what makes it even cooler is the fact that a
by Merle Anderson (Grand Forks Herald) Orrie Swayze from Watertown, S.D., and I have traveled many miles together as friends and American Coalition for Ethanol founding board members. We have gained a historical perspective on all that is called ethanol. ... First,
by Will Wade (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Suez Environnement Co. (SEV), the water and solid-waste company part-owned by GDF Suez, agreed to a five-year, 54 million-euro ($75-million) contract to operate a recycling center in Canada. Under the contract with the city of Edmonton,
by Mark Peplow (Nature) Pioneering biofuel producers hope that US government largesse will ease their way into a tough market. ...Thousands of tonnes of corn stover — the leaves, stalks and husks left over after the maize harvest — are already waiting,
by Brad Shannon (The Olympian/The News Tribune) A consultant to Gov. Jay Inslee’s bipartisan work group on climate change is disputing Republican and oil-industry claims that a clean-fuels standard in Washington could tack $1 or more to the cost of
by Dave Kolpack (Associated Press/Star Tribune) Backers of a proposed project in North Dakota that would turn a variety of sugar beets into ethanol have preached patience for the last five years. Now they're looking for a commitment from farmers
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sweetwater Energy and Proterro, two companies using widely different approaches, aim for low-cost sugar that may give today’s corn ethanol plants a glide path into advanced ethanol production. They're in different stages, but share
by Ted Neuman (Biodiesel Magazine/GEA Mechanical Equipment US Inc.) A historical look at how biodiesel production in Europe and, later, the U.S. has relied on centrifuges for a number of aspects in the biodiesel process. Technologies and markets have changed, but
by Atul Deshmane (Whole Energy/Biodiesel Magazine) ... Today most glycerin is derived from biodiesel production. ... The basis of Whole Energy’s glycerin process is to distill off water and methanol and then allow salts and other residuals from biodiesel production to separate from
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The uses of glycerin - crude, USP-grade or otherwise - and other byproducts from biodiesel production are virtually limitless. Profiled here is the glycerin and coproduct research of three Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel. In the early
(Senator Susan Collins) U.S. Senator Susan Collins today introduced the "Clean Cookstoves Support Act," a bill that would reduce carbon pollution and improve public health by supporting a global market for clean and efficient cookstoves. "Replacing unsafe cookstoves with modern alternatives
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) According to the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and other media organizations, 14 scientists and researchers submitted a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on March 6 urging the agency to meaningfully reduce its
by Ashwin Raman (Duluth News Tribune) I disagreed with the Feb. 18 commentary, “Ethanol mandate hurts environment,” by Annette Meeks of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. How Meeks came to the conclusion that, “Since its inception, the ethanol mandate had made neither
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