by Cezary Podkul (Reuters) Biofuel and oil industry lobbyists have raced to the White House over the past two weeks in a last-ditch effort to sway controversial ethanol blending rules for next year, fueling talk of that a decision may be
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Senator Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Coburn (R-OK) are introducing legislation to eliminate conventional biofuels from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). According to a story first published by Greenwire, the impending bill would leave the advanced biofuel targets
by Lyle Estill (Piedmont Biofuels/Biodiesel Magazine) At Piedmont Biofuels we came by our culture of safety the hard way. We’ve been making biodiesel since 2002 and we have lots of “thrills, chills and excitement” to show for it. When we were brewing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The pressure has risen to 30 atmospheres and the temperatures are rising into the hundreds of degrees. You think: “I’m in a dream, on a journey to the center of the earth.” But, in fact,
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the 2013 recipients of EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Phase I grants. Forty teams of graduate and undergraduate students from across the country are each receiving
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The American Automobile Association (AAA) is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to “lower the amount of ethanol required to be blended into gasoline for 2014″ in order to “protect drivers by preventing a possible surge in gas
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Coast Guard is testing isobutanol gasoline blends in its marine engines. Since its founding in 1790 as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, the U.S. Coast Guard has had a history of implementing new technology
by Brianne Pfannenstiel (Kansas City Business Journal) The University of Missouri-Kansas City was awarded two grants totaling more than $2 million this week. The first is a grant valued at $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute to fund research into how
by Gary Gentile (Platts) America's abundance of oil and natural gas should not distract policymakers from the long-term goal of reducing our total dependence on oil, especially in the transportation sector, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Thursday. Moniz said increasing vehicle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Illinois, the Argonne National Laboratory is highlighting a new GREET fuel cycle model release (GREET1 2013) uploaded to the GREET web site. This release includes the following updates: New marine fuel pathways and commercial vessel
by Julian Hattem (The Hill Reg Watch) Officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have been busy meeting with chemical and energy companies in recent days, ahead of the expected release of new biofuel standards. This week, the
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) For many supporters of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a key goal was to stimulate the development and use of low-carbon, next generation biofuels – to help reduce both U.S. petroleum dependence
(Ag Professional/USDA Agricultural Research Service) Farmers in the semiarid central Great Plains have traditionally used a two-year, no-till, dryland, winter wheat/fallow cropping system, which stretches scarce soil water supplies and minimizes crop failure from water stress. Now they are interested
(National Biodiesel Board) Industry Poised for Record-Breaking Year New EPA statistics released Thursday show the biodiesel industry has cracked the 1 billion gallon mark for the third consecutive year, with several months of production remaining. “This is a tremendous achievement that is
by Cezary Podkul (Reuters) Thirteen U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday urged the derivatives market regulator to examine fraud and manipulation in the cash market for ethanol blending credits known as RINs, as political scrutiny of the market intensifies following an unprecedented
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A group of 30 biomass companies and organizations recently wrote to four congressmen supporting mandatory funding for Farm Bill Energy Title programs. Addressed to Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.; Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.; Rep. Frank Lucas,
(Brookhaven National Laboratory/Biodiesel Magazine) Scientists at the U.S. DOE’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have identified the key genes required for oil production and accumulation in plant leaves and other vegetative plant tissues. Enhancing expression of these genes resulted in vastly increased
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. EPA’s 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume obligation proposal is under review by the Office of Management and Budget, according to David Korotney with U.S. EPA. While EPA has not released a draft of
(Office of Representative Jim Costa (D-CA 16th)) Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Peter Welch (D-VT) released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the RFS Reform Act in the U.S. House of Representatives: “The
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $181 million to develop commercial-scale biorefineries or retrofit existing facilities with appropriate technology to develop advanced biofuels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Next-gen biofuels technologies may be key to making the International Space Station cost effective — not to mention, other destinations in the NASA agenda. Which may explain why a high-tech algae outfit, Evodos, is advertising
by Cezary Podkul (Reuters) The fate of a landmark U.S. requirement to blend increasing amounts of biofuels into the nation's gasoline pool rests on the meaning of three words tucked into a mammoth law: unless there is "inadequate domestic supply." But
by Senator Charles Grassley (The Wall Street Journal) Letter to editor: In response to you editorial "The Ethanol Enforcers" (Oct. 8): It's no secret that Big Oil has done nearly everything possible to keep ethanol out of the marketplace. Why? Because it
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...As most know, the US Government in the past few days re-opened for business, and there’s an attractive USDA Loan Guarantee program recently unveiled that aspiring bioeconomy projects definitely will want to take a look
(Causes.com) In Puerto Rico, an online campaign is trying to collect 1,000 signatures to send to the governor urging him to participate in the Renewable Fuel Standard before Oct. 31. Having the federal credits and incentives will attract investment and spur
(GlobalData) The US biodiesel industry is on pace to produce more than the 1.28 billion gallons set under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) for this year, says a new report from research and consulting firm GlobalData. According to the report, biodiesel
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ...Slashing the “renewable fuel” portion of the RFS from 14.4 BG to 13.0 BG could have the following impacts: 1. Corn Prices Sink and Farm Income Falls Cutting the requirement by 1.4 BG would reduce demand for
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) The most controversial topics in fuels -- the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and E15 -- took center stage during the NACS Show educational session, "Biofuels: A Look Ahead." Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco USA in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For industry observers, there is much that is mystifying in the EPA’s draft 2014 production targets for the US 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard. But nothing more mystifying than the biomass-based diesel numbers. ... If there’s any
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) What’s behind the plunge in renewable identification number (RIN) prices? University of Illinois economist Scott Irwin examined the question in another of his ongoing series of FarmDocDaily posts following the dramatic shifts in RINs
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Measuring current U.S. gasoline demand can be difficult, as there are 160,000 retail gasoline stations and more than 250 million vehicles in the country. ... Under present market conditions, where nearly all gasoline sold is
by Darrel Good and Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Corn prices continue the long retreat from the peak of September 2012, declining to the lowest level since late August 2010. The most recent price weakness reflects both supply and demand
by Cezary Podkul and Fabiola Gomes (Reuters) U.S. imports of Brazilian sugar cane ethanol could be cut by more than half if a draft proposal to reduce next year's U.S. biofuel blending mandate is enacted. While the U.S. corn-based ethanol industry
by Adam Monroe (Gaston Gazette) The Gazette’s Oct. 4 editorial says the nation’s renewable fuel mandate – called the “RFS” – was “intended to reduce dependence on foreign oil, make emissions cleaner and decrease gasoline prices.” Contrary to the writers’
by Kristy Moore (Renewable Fuels Association) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has carefully completed reviewing 43 studies on the effects of E15 on engine durability, emissions, and other factors and issued a report finding that the available literature “…did
by Mark Drajem & Lucia Kassai (Bloomberg) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering scaling back legal requirements on the use of ethanol next year amid complaints from refiners that statutory mandates would exceed their ability to blend it into fuels without putting
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s proposed rule establishing 2014 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is expected to be published soon. Many believe the 2014 RVO will, for the first time ever, require obligated
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Iowa Rep. Steve King said ending the controversial ethanol mandate would lead to higher gasoline prices for consumers and drive down the price of corn, hurting farmers in rural America. “If (the oil industry) should
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Petroleum Institute has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. EPA’s 2013 volume requirement under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), which was finalized in August. Representatives of the biofuels industry are calling the
(Inside EPA's Clean Energy Report) Biofuel groups that met with Capitol Hill staff last week say House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) is delaying plans to attach legislation reforming the renewable fuel standard (RFS) to a bill
(Algae Industry Magazine) The University of Arizona (UA) is the lead institution for the Regional Algal Feedstock Testbed, or RAFT, partnership, which was recently awarded $8 million over four years by the Department of Energy (DOE) to research how algae
(US Department of Energy) U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today (September 30, 2013) announced a proposed $100 million in FY2014 funding for Energy Frontier Research Centers to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy. Research
By Amanda Peterka (Midwest Energy News/Environment & Energy Daily) ...But USDA’s ability to carry out projects like the installation of solar panels was left to dangle Monday night with the expiration of the farm bill. Without a new bill
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy are disputing the results of a new poll released by the American Petroleum Institute, calling the data biased and deceptive. The RFA noted that two polls performed
Safiyh Taghavi, Javier A. Izquierdo, Daniel van der Lelie (American Society for Microbiology) We report the genome sequence of Clostridium sp. strain DL-VIII, a novel Gram-positive, endospore-forming, solventogenic bacterium isolated from activated anaerobic sludge of a wastewater treatment plant. Aside from a complete soloperon,
(BusinessWire/Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and a group of renewable chemical companies and state advocacy organizations today wrote to the chairpersons and ranking members of the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, urging passage of a five-year
by Holly Jessen (Biodiesel Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced funding for projects in 22 states to help reduce energy consumption and cost, as well as for increasing the use of renewable technologies, including a handful of biofuels- and
by Tim Burrack (Chicago Tribune) Letter to Editor: ... As family farmers for more than 40 years, we have had our share of ups and downs. The RFS gave farmers like us a new market for our corn, helped bring corn prices
by John Herrick (VTDigger.org) Waste from dairy farms and beer breweries could provide the necessary ingredients to grow algae-based biofuels, leaders of a project designed to research this technology said on Tuesday. Matt Cota, executive director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers
(Renewable Fuels Association) Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced a bill Monday that would create a grant program for ethanol-pump installations, establish a loan-guarantee program for renewable-fuel pipelines and require new Department of Energy regulations to encourage owners of fueling stations
(US Department of Agriculture/4-Traders) September 30, 2013 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced the results of the Sept. 18, 2013, Feedstock Flexibility Program (FFP) offer. CCC purchased 136,026 short tons of refined beet sugar
(Environmental Research Web) Biofuels could be a promising way to reduce reliance on imported petroleum oil and improve the environment, but the downside is that they can use up considerable natural resources. A new study, published in Environmental Research Letters
by Brent Erickson (Roll Call/Biotechnology Industry Organization) ... What’s really behind this year’s rapid rise in the price of RINs? And will their cost be passed to consumers at the pump? A simple exercise in following the money shows that it’s the
(Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will take one of the biggest hits of any federal agency if the government shuts down this week, operating with under 7 percent of its employees, according to guidance issued by the agency. Among those
by Jason Plautz (E&E News/Greenwire) Questions are rising about when U.S. EPA will release a final rule slashing the amount of sulfur in gasoline, as two key automaker groups say the agency has told them the rule will be delayed until
by Gary Pestoriou (The Hill's Congress Blog) I followed with interest the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearings concerning the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). I became very skeptical of the statements by those representing the livestock and poultry sectors
(Argonne National Laboratory) Sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors Corporation, Natural Resources Canada In the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, college engineering students work together to design, build, and evaluate a state-of-the-art vehicle. For the 1998 Ethanol Vehicle Challenge,
by Bob Dinneen (USA Today) Big Oil is pushing back to preserve its market share. ... The RFS is one of the most successful energy policies ever. Since it was enacted in 2005, U.S. dependence on imported oil has decreased from
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expanding the definition of heating oil as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. This means that renewable heating oil, such as bioheat, a mixture of biodiesel and heating
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) As controversy swells over the cost of special credits tied to ethanol, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley asked the agency charged with overseeing the country’s renewable policy for details on what is being done
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, asking her to reject the recent petition from American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers for a waiver of the
by Jake Ferris (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The change in stock levels from 2001-’05 accounted for about $1.28 of the $2.49 per bushel increase in corn prices (Table 2)—just over 50 percent. About 18 cents per bushel can be attributed
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Similar to the 1970s period of prosperity, Zulauf (Carl Zulauf, economics professor at Ohio State University) says that in 2012 crop prices increased by roughly 200 percent, which he attributes to China’s growing demand for
by Greg Akagi (KansasAgNetwork) Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today called on the Commodities Future Trading Commission to review recent allegations about possible manipulation of the markets for
by Douglas Durante (The Hill Congress Blog) ... the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 included a prescribed formula for reformulated gasoline that included an oxygen content, which ethanol provides. Oxygenated fuels promote more complete combustion and reduce carbon monoxide, particulates,
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) A study from Iowa State University said the cost of installing tanks to handle fuel with 85 percent ethanol could be cheaper than purchasing energy credits to avoid blending the fuel mostly made from
by Kaytlyn Leslie (The San Luis Obisbo Tribune) Cal Poly will receive $1.5 million to fund biofuel research, according to a Department of Energy news release. Cal Poly was one of two universities in the country to receive money to research the
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The employees of Illinois River Energy and GTL Resources Biorefining sent a letter to their Congressional delegation this week urging support of the Renewable Fuel Standard. “We are the 60 hard working employees of an independently owned and operated corn bio-refinery
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California legislature recently passed Assembly Joint Resolution 21, which urges federal lawmakers and the U.S. EPA to reform the renewable fuels standard (RFS), transitioning away from first-generation biofuels. The measure was introduced by
by Conglin Xu (Oil & Gas Journal) E85 motor fuel—gasoline blended with as much as 85% ethanol and commonly used by flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) in the US and Europe—is becoming increasingly price-competitive with gasoline in several Midwestern states on an energy-content basis,
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) has just encouraged the EPA to include the carbon capture and reuse (CCR) as an approved strategy for compliance under its New Source Performance Standard, a draft version of which was released
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The oil industry has formally petitioned the EPA to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2014, arguing that the ethanol market is saturated. But now that corn and ethanol
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As a precursor to the National Advanced Biofuel Conference and Expo in Omaha, Neb., Sept. 10-12, the Corn Stover Harvest & Transport Seminar hashed over the technological, logistical and environmental issues of using corn
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General has released a report recommending ways the agency should improve monitoring activities for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program. According to the report, the audit was conducted in
by Leticia Phillips (The Energy Collective/UNICA) ... Let’s turn to the facts to debunk two leading myths circulating around Washington, D.C. about Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. Myth #1: Brazil can’t supply sufficient sugarcane ethanol to meet America’s needs. Reality: Brazilian sugarcane ethanol is on
by Claire Everett (Daily Illini) ... Jody Endres, professor in environmental, natural resources and energy law, said while the USDA and other government agencies employ a variety of methods to encourage the growing of miscanthus for biofuel production, there is no crop
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced that 15 breakthrough energy projects will receive approximately $34 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) via the REMOTE program (Reducing Emissions using Methanotrophic Organisms for
(Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL)) Legislation Would Support Research & Development for Biofuels in U.S. Air Force Surrounded by agriculture leaders at a farm near Scott Air Force Base, Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL) today announced a major push to power the nation’s
(The United Soybean Board/Biodiesel Magazine) The biodiesel that fuels semis, farm tractors and bus fleets continues to fuel market potential for U.S. soybean oil and profit opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers. In order to meet federal biodiesel-usage requirements of 1.28 billion
(GreenAir Online) ... On regional measures, where the subtext is aviation’s future in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), any environmental credibility was nullified by US insistence on limiting emissions covered to those within regional airspace. If all 191 member
(US Department of Agriculture) The Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced another iteration of the Feedstock Flexibility Program (FFP). These invitations are subsequent to the first series of invitations issued Aug. 15. Congress created
(4-Traders.com/Graphene NanoChem plc) Graphene NanoChem (AIM: GRPH), the performance chemicals and advanced materials company, is pleased to announce that PlatClear, the Group's waste-based second generation biofuel and the Group's Senawang chemicals facility ("Senawang") have both received approval from the US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Indiana, federal officials are saying that a group of biodiesel operators associated with E-Biofuels stole nearly $100 million in a fraud scheme, and seven have been arrested in what has been described as the
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) E15 is again available after summer volatility restrictions ended Sept. 15. ... E15 is approved for use with vehicles model year 2001 and newer. However, because the U.S. EPA has awarded E10 a waiver to
by Chris Kick (Farm and Dairy) ...At 10 feet tall and higher, (Jon) Griswold’s “giant miscanthus” surpasses even the tallest of corn hybrids and the tallest of farmers. And its dense, wide-reaching foliage makes for a fort-like appearance from the roads. ...Griswold
by Javier E. David (CNBC) ..."They act as if they didn't see this coming," said Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North America, a biotechnoloy company that makes enzymes used in biofuel production. Given the onset of the 2008 recession
by Raquel Hendrickson (Bugle/Verde Independent) ... The unprecedented project intends to treat and restore ponderosa pine forests in the Coconino, Kaibab, Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests in Arizona. Now, the massive stewardship contract has been transferred from Pioneer Forest Projects to
by Anna King (KPLU) Washington State University will lead a new federal research center focused on finding new biofuels for jet airplanes. ...WSU will work closely with the FAA, MIT near Boston and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The project,
by Gretchen Morgenson and Robert Gebeloff (The New York Times) ...But a little known market in ethanol credits has also become a hot new game on Wall Street. ...But many people believe that is what happened this year when the price
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making payments to support the production of advanced biofuel. USDA is making nearly $15.5 million in payments to 188 producers through the
(EurekAlert) "Biofuel" has become a global buzzword, with cars and trucks powered by fuel made from corn, corncobs and stalks, switchgrass and even waste oil from cooking french fries, envisioned as a way to stretch out supplies of crude oil
(U.S. Department of Energy) ...Despite over 7 years of effort and the expenditure of about $603 million, the Department had not yet achieved its biorefinery development and production goals. Specifically, the EPAct mandate 2 to demonstrate the commercial application of integrated biorefineries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Corn stover. It’s that inedible leftover from the corn crop, and if you’ve ever noted how big a corn plant is in comparison to the size of the ear, you know there’s a lot of
by Mike Lux (Huffington Post) ...If the 2009 financial crisis taught us anything, it's that market manipulation and speculation is a recipe for disaster. Four years later, we don't seem to have learned our lesson. Wall Street has found another,
By Reid Detchon (The Baltimore Sun) Our ability to break our dependence on foreign oil is threatened by the effort to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard Oil is essential to our economic and national security because our transportation system runs on
(Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)) (from a letter to US Department of Agriculture) ... "You asked on August 13 if the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) had any information regarding the average price for installing E15 storage equipment and blender pumps at retail
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg/Fuel Fix) Valero Energy Corp., the world’s largest independent refining company, called on the Obama administration to waive the country’s biofuel target immediately, saying the cost to reach it has skyrocketed. “We need the waiver now,” Valero Chief
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) has released a new report that predicts projected growth in advanced biofuel production capacity will be sufficient to meet both the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) and California’s low carbon fuel
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... (Paul) Bertels (vice president of production and utilization for the National Corn Growers Association) said the harvest should bring in about 12.9 billion bushels of corn, the third largest crop ever and just 100
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Across America has released a new white paper that indicates mid-level ethanol blends offer much greater emission and health benefits than indicated by U.S. EPA models. The three-page document authored by Steve Vander
by Alan Bjerga & Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Efforts to roll back rules that nurtured the corn-based ethanol industry threaten to stunt other promising biofuels, according to a developer working on one of the nation’s first commercial plants that won’t use
by Tony Fitzpatrick (Washington University/Algae Industry Magazine) Synechocystis 6803 – a versatile, specialized cyanobacterium – can produce ethanol, hydrogen, butanol, isobutanol and potentially biodiesel. And it’s a natural at converting CO2 to useful chemicals that could help both tame
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) A tweak to an automobile’s engine software can improve by as much as 20 percent the estimated fuel efficiency when using gasoline with ethanol or methanol, according to a non-profit group pushing gasoline alternatives. A Fuel
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Fuel Fix) ... The rising cost of RINs turned out to be good economic news for some oil companies, especially those who are producing biofuels and have blending capacity, so they could capitalize on the credits tacked
(US Department of Energy Office of Science) Energy scientists hope new plant varieties will yield large amounts of biomaterial, which new types of microbes will quickly and cheaply convert into clean-burning fuel. To achieve these goals, researchers will need novel
(Seattle PI/Associated Press) Ethanol producers say they are running up against market and regulatory pressures that are putting a crimp on the industry's future, despite lower prices for a key commodity to produce the fuel. The ethanol industry is distilling enough product
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “What you really are in the business of,” Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee reflects, “is capturing the arbitrage between the commodity price of your most expensive feedstock — and the price of your finished molecule plus
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Today, we look at 2013-14, should Congress elect not to act — but leave the EPA and the markets to govern implementation of the existing law. 2014 Mandate The EPA will ultimately determine the annual mandate, but
by Alex Fitzsimmons (Institute for Energy Research) ...Millions of gallons of ethanol would be produced and used every year without the Renewable Fuel Standard since refiners would use it as an oxygenate. The problem is not ethanol per se, the problem
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Based on our industry sources, here’s an outline for a “change the RFS” outcome – what that might look like. We see four key elements — ethanol, drop-ins, biodiesel and the RIN system for smoothing
(Fort Mill Times) Aemetis California Plant Approved for Same Low-Carbon Biofuels Category as Brazilian Ethanol Aemetis, Inc. (OTCQB: AMTX), an advanced fuels and renewable chemicals company, announced today that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted Aemetis approval to produce
by Steve Everly (Kansas City Star) ... Ethanol has so far reduced the need for petroleum in gasoline by about 7 percent, which no other alternative fuel has come close to doing. But a shift is already in the works. ... In practice it
by Erica Sullivan (AgriNews) ...A faculty-and-student duo piloted the Purdue Embrarer Phenom 100 to the recent Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture, one of the largest international plane shows. One of the airplane’s engines was filled with typical jet fuel, and the other
(Lux Research) Corporations will need to integrate open source with traditional patents for biotech innovations in medicine, renewable materials, and nutrition, Lux Research says With synthetic biology (synbio) rapidly gaining momentum, and a landmark U.S. Supreme Court judgment striking down an
by Patrick Meehan and Pat Eiding (The Wall Street Journal) The price of EPA compliance rose 3,625% since the end of 2012. ... As a display of regulatory failure at its finest, current regulations place the compliance obligation on refiners rather than on
by Chris Woodward (One News Now) This week, CEI and ten other free-market organizations wrote Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Henry Waxman (D-CA), urging them to abolish the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is being thoroughly reviewed by both congressmen. Myron
by Gerald Jeffris (NASDAQ.com) Increased biofuel use and the development and application of new energy technologies will be the focus of talks between Brazil and the U.S. in coming months, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Friday. The secretary said the
(Argonne Leadership Computing Facility/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Scientists working at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility are looking to nature’s catalysts, enzymes, for inspiration in their quest to find a more effective means of converting biomass into renewable fuel. The research is aimed
by Anne Steckel (Biodiesel Magazine/National Biodiesel Board) ...Our industry is exceeding its volume requirements and producing enough fuel to fill the vast majority of the advanced biofuel pool. We are an EPA-designated advanced biofuel that’s doing just what the RFS
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Loyola University Chicago is expanding its biodiesel laboratory with much-needed additional space, and a new processor and analytical instrumentation. Lab manager Zach Waickman says Loyola built the school’s biodiesel program over the past five years
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Biodiesel emerged on the U.S. alternative fuels radar in the early 1990s, and for the next decade it slowly gained recognition as a real-world, here-and-now replacement for diesel fuel before its first ASTM specification, D6751,
by Joe Leo (Biodiesel Magazine/BrownWinick Law Firm) Let’s be honest, despite the fact that the biodiesel industry is experiencing arguably its most successful year, it is still difficult for biodiesel producers to raise capital in the current investing climate. This
(Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Bioprospecting for Cellulose-Degrading Microbes: Filter Paper Assay Method Students collect samples that they predict will contain communities of cellulose-degrading microbes and test for the ability of microrganisms in their samples to break down pure cellulose (filter
by Michael Bastasch (The Daily Caller) House Majority Leader Eric Cantor may attach legislation to reform the ethanol mandate to a debt ceiling package, the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) reports. ...“The Majority Leader listed a number of options to fix
(Platts) US RINs prices continued to slide Wednesday, reflecting a widespread morning market selloff and despite a later bounce after US gasoline stocks data was released. All current-year RINs assessments fell for the sixth time in the last seven sessions. ... Current-year ethanol
by Alan Bjerga and Marvin G. Perez (Bloomberg) A glut of corn has damped interest by biofuel makers in a U.S. government program to sell surplus sugar for ethanol, potentially decreasing its effectiveness in propping up sugar prices. With the U.S.
(Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter sent today (August 28, 2013) to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) urged EPA to reject the petition for a partial waiver of the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard
by Janell Baum (Farm Futures) National Corn Growers President Pam Johnson says NCGA membership ready to move forward on the farm bill; reinforces stance on Renewable Fuel Standard It's a common refrain at the 2013 Farm Progress Show – what will
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) It's even possible that conflicting state and federal policies on renewable fuels, both aimed at reducing global warming, could actually make things worse, some scientists say. California and the federal government want drivers to use
(Biofuels International) Diamond Green Biodiesel, a joint venture between Valero Energy and Darling International, has reached capacity during its start-up phase. The plant, based next to Valero’s St Charles refinery in Louisiana, began operations in June and uses animal fat, used
(Environmental Defense Fund/Biodiesel Magazine) A case study released today from Environmental Defense Fund and E2 examines the benefits of biodiesel, profiling six companies in California helping to revolutionize the industry. Growing production in the state shows California companies have started capitalizing on this diverse, low-carbon
by C. Boyden Gray (The Washington Times) ANALYSIS/OPINION: A media campaign is underway to malign a cleaner, cheaper challenger to gasoline’s virtual monopoly on transportation fuel. If it succeeds, this campaign will deprive American drivers of the next generation of high-octane,
by Bill Chameides (Duke University) ...So let’s take a look at specific regulations which were designed to protect the public from injection wells used to dispose of fracking wastes … but because they weren’t comprehensive, when it came to earthquakes,
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Farm Bureau officials are making the case that the Renewable Fuels Standard has some flexibility… but just don’t break it. In this story on its newsline, American Farm Bureau energy economist Matt Erickson makes the case that
by Richard Piersol (Lincoln Journal-Star) Demand for renewable credits helps change market Prices of premium and regular grades of gasoline without ethanol are likely to rise in Nebraska and Iowa, and those fuels may become harder to find as oil refiners
by Maxxwell A.R. Chatsko (Motley Fool) To blend or not to blend? That is the question refiners will need to answer in 2014 as they cope with falling gasoline demand and strict ethanol blending mandates set by the EPA. The
by Paul Tullis (The New York Times) ...But big drawbacks have prevented the wholesale adoption of trash-to-gas technology in the United States: incineration is polluting, and the capital costs of new plants are enormous. Gasification systems can expend a tremendous
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The National Science Foundation recently opened a new funding opportunity under its Biotechnology, Biochemical, and Biomass Engineering program. According to the grant notice, the program supports fundamental engineering research that advances the understanding of
by Editorial Board (The Washington Post) Washington is seeing a great fight between two extremely powerful lobbies, Big Ethanol and Big Oil. Neither should win. ... Ethanol backers are right that it’s firmly in the nation’s interest to reduce the amount of oil
by Senator Jim Inhofe (The Edmond Sun) ... The worst impact of RFS on the consumer is beginning to be seen at the grocery store. As demand for corn increases because of the government-subsidized ethanol market, the price of food will
by Darren Goode (Politico) ...Part of the problem for any upstart technology comes from the vast scale and long lifespans of the nation’s energy systems. Even moderately successful technologies such as wind, solar power and electric vehicles took decades of
by Carl Zulauf and Nick Rettig (Ohio State University/FarmDocDaily) ... Corn processed into alcohol for fuel was not a factor in the 1970 period of farm prosperity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) data series on this demand component does not
by Bruce Barcott (OnEarth.org) Imagine a future in which airliners run on cornstalks and Navy ships ply the oceans on tanks of switchgrass. That day may at last be inching closer. The promise of cellulosic biofuels sounds like a fable out
by Rick Smith (The Gazette) Solid waste recycling facility could divert waste from landfills in the region ... The Marion City Council Thursday unanimously approved a deal with waste-to-energy firm, Fiberight LLC, which gives the Maryland-based firm permission to build a
(Algae Industry Magazine) After a successful 2012 race season powered with yeast biodiesel, the Aggie A-Salt Streamliner, as the dragster is officially known, topped 73 miles per hour this week during its algae-fueled debut. The roadster, with a .8 liter
by Janet McGurty (Platts) ...This month PBF Energy and Alon USA both told analysts they had new plans to blend renewables like ethanol and biodiesel with gasoline and petroleum-based diesel as a way to fend off high prices for renewable credits, known as RINs. Refiners
by Les Harrison (SouthEast Farm Press/UF Extension, Wakulla County) A canola cousin, carinata produces oil seeds that can be used to make an alternative fuel which is virtually indistinguishable from petroleum counterparts. Researchers at the University of Florida’s North Florida
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Too many oil companies bet on risky strategies for compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard. Now, they turn to the US government for a bail-out on their obligations. Judging that the government will cave in rather
by Alan Ohnsman (Bloomberg) ...Mimicking the way plants turn sunlight and carbon dioxide in the air into energy and oxygen, the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis at the California Institute of Technology is in a race to trump nature and slow global
(USA Today) Editorial: When members of Congress decided in 2007 to require that Americans put 36 billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels in their gas tanks annually by 2022, they must have thought there was an award for bad public policy. The
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