Squeezing More From Ethanol
by Matthew L. Wald (The New York Times) Faced with a crop of lemons — too much ethanol, a population of cars not tuned to burn it effectively and a driving public leery of the fuel’s properties — the Environmental
Federal Agency/Executive Branch
Back TO HOMEMichigan State University Bioenergy Research Looks for Food and Fuel Solutions
by Russ White (MLive) ... Michigan State University leads research of bioenergies and biofuels through AgBioResearch and the Kellogg Biological Station and partnerships with coalitions such as the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and the Global Center for Food Systems Innovation. ... The
May 06, 2013 Read Full Article
New Yeast Strain Could Lower Costs for Cellulosic Ethanol Production
by Ann Perry (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service) A new strain of yeast that could help streamline cellulosic ethanol costs and production has been developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers. This work, which supports the USDA
May 06, 2013 Read Full Article
NREL Researchers Use Enzyme Combination to Break Down Biomass
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enzymes could break down cell walls faster – leading to less expensive biofuels for transportation – if two enzyme systems are brought together in an industrial setting, new research by the Energy Department’s National
May 06, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Methane Report Further Divides Fracking Camps
(National Public Radio/Associated Press) The Environmental Protection Agency has dramatically lowered its estimate of how much of a potent heat-trapping gas leaks during natural gas production, in a shift with major implications for a debate that has divided environmentalists: Does
May 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Petroleum Losing Its Luster for Agriculture Sector, Too
by Tina Casey (TriplePundit) Just yesterday, we noted that auto manufacturers are beginning to shed their century-old love affair with petroleum, and now it seems that the agriculture sector is ready to move on, too. On Tuesday, a coalition of more
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Divisions Appear To Grow Among Biofuels Groups Over EPA Fuels Policies
(Clean Energy Report) An initial split between some biofuels groups over EPA's 2013 renewable fuel standard's (RFS) production targets appears to be expanding divisions over other agency fuel policies. Advanced biofuels producers are opposing EPA's Tier III plan to make 15
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Is Any Science Safe?
by Kenneth Prewitt (Science Magazine) Editorial: This month, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) will apply two criteria in its review of research proposals: intellectual merit and impact. One discipline, however, will have to meet a further test. In March, at the
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Supports Proposed Tier 3 Higher Octane Vehicle Fuel and Emissions Regulations, with Recommendations for Implementation
(Advanced Biofuels USA) As part of the recently proposed Tier 3 motor vehicle fuel and emission regulations, EPA had included a very forward looking idea that could bring higher octane, higher ethanol (E-30) gasoline to the marketplace. Advanced Biofuels USA
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
The Promiscuous, the Selective, and Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Promiscuous, because a zillion organisms know how to use photosynthesis, under a zillion set of circumstances, to turn simple and abundant molecular compounds — like carbon dioxide and water — into longer-chain and useful molecules
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuel Groups Encourage Lawmakers to Maintain the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Several biofuel trade organizations have weighed in on white paper published by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the impact the renewable fuel standard (RFS) has had on the U.S. agricultural sector. The report examines a
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
RFA to House Committee: RFS is Single Most Important Economic Value-Added Market for Agriculture
(Renewable Fuels Association) In seventeen pages of comments, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) answered questions put forth in the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Assessment on Agricultural Sector Impacts. Bob Dinneen, RFA’s President and
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Requiring More E15 Study out of Committee, Gets CBO Review
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bill proposed Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that would put E15 on hold for another round of studies was evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office. ...H.R. 875 would require the U.S. EPA to coordinate with
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Los Alamos National Lab Improves Biomass-to-Fuel Process
(Los Alamos National Laboratory/Biodiesel Magazine) ...Los Alamos scientists and collaborators from The University of Guelph in Canada published an article in the scientific journal Nature Chemistry this week that could offer a big step on the path to renewable energy. The April journal
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Virent Delivers Plant-Based Jet Fuel to U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for Testing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Produces Drop-In Jet Fuel from 100% Renewable Plant Sugars In Wisconsin, Virent announced the delivery of 100 gallons of its bio-based jet fuel to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for testing purposes. Product testing will
May 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Groups in Spat over Imports
by Darren Goode (Politico) An effort by ethanol backers to get the Environmental Protection Agency to scale back the amount of advanced biofuels required in the U.S. gasoline supply this year has opened a rift in a decades-old friendship within
May 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels and the Problem of Tropical Islands, Part II of II
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...It used to be that the outskirts of Honolulu had the dual scent of diesel and pineapple processing — but now, all you really smell is the diesel. Sugarcane and pineapple are every year less
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
National Labs Release New Biochemical Biorefinery Sizing Study
(US Department of Energy) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory have released a joint study on biochemical biorefinery sizing. “Investigation of biochemical biorefinery sizing and environmental sustainability impacts for conventional
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Benefits across the Supply Chain
(US Department of Energy) On Earth Day and every day, BETO is working to improve the sustainability of the transportation industry in the United States through the development and deployment of commercially viable, high-performance, domestic biofuels. BETO’s Sustainability subprogram closely
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Hyundai Tech Center Expansion to Allow More Emissions Testing
by Alisa Priddle (Detroit Free Press) An expansion of Hyundai’s eight-year-old technical center in Superior Township, east of Ann Arbor, will require 50 new jobs and enable more vehicle emission testing. ...The new testing chambers can run vehicles through extreme temperature
April 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Recipe for Low-Cost, Biomass-Derived Catalyst for Hydrogen Production
(Brookhaven National Laboratory) Promising results are a step toward a range of renewable energy strategies fueled by Nature In a paper to be published in an upcoming issue of Energy & Environmental Science (now available online), researchers at the U.S. Department
April 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy Committee Seeks Stakeholder Comments on the Impacts of the RFS on Agriculture
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is continuing its assessment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Committee has issued its second white paper focusing on "Agricultural Sector Impacts." The Committee is seeking stakeholder
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
NASA Measures Effects of Biofuel on Jet Engines, Environment
by Brock Vergakis (Associated Press/The Washington Post) NASA researchers said Thursday that test flights conducted in California have shown a commercial jet could fly safely with a blend of jet fuel that includes a plant oil. Scientists at NASA’s Langley Research center
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources: Senate Finance Committee Staff Tax Reform Options for Discussion
(US Senate Finance Committee) This document is the fourth in a series of papers compiling tax reform options that Finance Committee members may wish to consider as they work towards reforming our nation’s tax system. This compilation is a joint product
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
New R&D Strategies for a New Era
by Douglas L. Faulkner with contributions from Jacques Beaudry-Losique (Biofuels Digest) ...We believe it is time for bioenergy industry leaders to take the initiative and chalk up a new comprehensive game plan, reflecting the new reality of leaner federal funding. ... Our first
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Aviation RFJ: Are You Getting on Board? Technical Pathway Development--Expanding Supply and Reducing Cost
by Aino Siirala (Advanced Biofuels USA) Steve Csonka, as director of Enviro Strategy and Ecomagination, GE Aviation, the world-leading provider of jet engines, gave an overview of the importance of renewable jet fuel specifications leading to commercialization at the Biomass
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Increase My MPG!
(The PEW Charitable Trusts) High gas prices may give us pause before taking a long road trip, but we still need to drive to work, the grocery store or school. This Pew Clean Energy Program video highlights the benefits of increasing
April 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol RINs Market Explodes
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Lack of transparency makes market analysis difficult. ...The ethanol producer's role in RIN generation is basic: produce the physical gallons and fill in the required information to generate the RINs in the automated EMTS system.
April 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Ten Ways Renewable Fuels are Enviro
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has unveiled a list of 10 ways the renewable fuels industry is helping to improve the environment. According to IRFA, renewable fuels offer positive impacts on the environment compared to
April 24, 2013 Read Full Article
EERE Transportation Energy Futures Study: Deep Reductions in Petroleum Use and Carbon Emissions
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Studies Institute (EESI) and the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) held a briefing on the conclusions of the newly released EERE Transportation Energy Futures (TEF)
April 23, 2013 Read Full Article
National Algae Testbed Kicks off at Arizona State University
(Algae Industry Magazine) lgae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP3) members from across the U.S. gathered at the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus April 15-18 for their national kickoff meetings to discuss strategies for advancing research and development of algae-based technologies for
April 23, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Holds Hearings to Gather Public Comments on Vehicle and Gasoline Standards
(Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold two public hearings in April on the Tier 3 proposed rulemaking aimed at addressing the impacts of motor vehicles on air quality and public health. The program proposes to
April 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Cobalt, Mercurius, BioProcess Algae, Frontline Land $17.7M in Military Biofuels Grants
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Pilot-scale biorefineries for drop-in military diesel, jet fuel the focus of the DOE’s latest grant round. In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced up to $17.7 million in grants to four pilot-scale biorefinery projects aimed
April 23, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S., Israel Could Collaborate on Advanced Biofuel Development
by U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation/Biomass Magazine) After a briefing by senior White House staff on April 17, following their arrival in the U.S., an Israeli delegation of top academic and industrial biofuels research scientists and innovators, and Israeli government program
April 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Tax Writers Warm to Giving Renewables Parity with Fossil Fuels
by Nick Juliano (MidWest Energy News) A proposal to allow renewable energy developers to take advantage of a tax structure that has long been popular among fossil fuel companies is gaining traction among lawmakers tasked with overhauling the tax code. Rep.
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Long List of Lobbies Oppose Renewable-Fuels Standard
by Amy Harder (National Journal) It’s hard to rival the diversity and sheer number of groups and companies with a vested interest in the renewable-fuels standard, from food and livestock businesses to those in the environmental and energy sectors. No official
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Dinneen to Forbes: Forbes Should Be Advocating For, Not Arguing Against, Increased Competition
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) To the Editor: What’s there about lower prices at the pump, less pollution and reduced reliance on imported oil that Robert Bradley, Jr., doesn’t like (“It’s Time to Repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard,” April 17)? Thanks
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
AFPM Welcomes EPA Move to Address Biodiesel Fraud but Greater Fix is Needed
(Wall Street Journal/The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) and American Petroleum Institute (API) filed comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed biofuel Quality Assurance Program. "EPA's proposal is a welcome attempt
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Oil-and-Gas Lobby Talks Biofuel Rule with White House, EPA, Senior Lawmakers
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) The head of a powerful oil industry lobbying group met with top White House officials and senior lawmakers Wednesday about stripping a federal biofuel rule. “We’re talking about the renewable fuel standard (RFS). It’s a hot
April 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Monitoring, Diagnostics Tackle Algae Biofuel Pond Crash Problem
(Sandia National Laboratories/Biodiesel Magazine) Sandia National Laboratories is developing a suite of complementary technologies to help the emerging algae industry detect and quickly recover from algal pond crashes, an obstacle to large-scale algae cultivation for future biofuels. The research, which focuses
April 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Vilsack, LaHood Extend Aviation Biofuels Commitment
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Two members of Pres. Obama’s cabinet today have signed their names to an agreement that will extend the administration’s commitment to the production of biofuels for use in airplanes. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Transportation
April 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Bashing The Oil Industry at Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference: Offense and Defense in the Game of Whack-a-Mole
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Although conference convener, Biofuels Digest's Jim Lane, insisted that he "discouraged industry bashing," the first morning of this 3-day conference was replete with unveiled references to The Oil Industry, Oil Interests, Big Oil and
April 15, 2013 Read Full Article
BIO Comments on EPA’s 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Rules
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) recently submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). The comments emphasized that continued stable implementation of the RFS provides
April 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Gevo Wins a Judgment in Latest Butamax vs Gevo Dust-Up
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Delaware, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware entered a final judgment in favor of Gevo and against Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC (Butamax), a 50/50 joint venture between DuPont and BP,
April 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Freeze It - A Proposal for Implementing RFS2 through 2015
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily) ...Here, we present a proposal for implementing the RFS2 through 2015 that recognizes the constraints implied by the E10 blend wall and will avert the impact of the issues identified in the previous
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
The EIA Publishes Data on E85-Capable Vehicles
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published updated data on alternative fuels and vehicles through 2011. The analysis addresses several alternative transportation fuels, including E85, hydrogen, electricity, natural gas and propane. According to the EIA,
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
President’s FY2014 Budget Boosts DOE Vehicle Technology Spending 75% to $575M; $282M for Advanced Biofuels
(EV-olution.org) President Obama’s FY 2014 budget proposal submitted to Congress provides $28.4 billion in discretionary funds for the Department of Energy, an 8% increase above the 2012 enacted level. Among the direct transportation-related highlights of the department’s budget proposal are $575 million
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Digest’s 3-Minute Guide to the EIA Energy Outlook
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Eager to understand the bio investor impact from the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook – but not crazy about reading 46 pages of dense text and graphics? Our 3-Minute Guide can help. ...We see four key trends. 1. Retail
April 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Use Up 240% in 2011
by Justin Loiseau (Motley Fool) Alternative and replacement fuels are making moves, according to the most recent data released by the Energy Information Administration on Monday. From 2007 to 2011, traditional fuel use dropped 7.8% to 171 billion gasoline equivalent gallons, while
April 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Co-Hosts DOE's Biomass 2013
Advanced Biofuels USA, co-hosting with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, invites you to be a supporter of Biomass 2013: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy. This year’s conference will be held July 31-August 1, 2013, at the
April 10, 2013 Read Full Article
New EPA Fuel, Emission Standards A Benefit for Ethanol
(Farm Futures) National Corn Growers Association says more stringent emissions standards create a place for ethanol's higher octane levels to shine ...The tier 3 standards increase the level of stringency with which vehicle emissions are regulated with the goal of decreasing
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
CME Plans to Introduce Ethanol RINs Contract by End of May
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) CME Group Inc. (CME), owner of the world’s largest futures exchange, plans to start a contract for ethanol Renewable Identification Numbers by the end of May amid concern that higher RINs costs will boost gasoline prices. The
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Seeks Toned-Down Renewable Fuel Goals
by Ben Goad (The Hill E2Wire) A key industry group is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ratchet back this year’s volume requirements for biofuel production, arguing the proposed standards are unrealistic. In formal comments submitted Monday, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA)
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA Asks White House to Approve Sugar-for-Ethanol Program
by Charles Abbott (Reuters) The White House will decide in coming weeks whether to attempt to blunt low prices in the U.S. sugar market by buying hundreds of thousands of tons of surplus sugar and selling it at a loss
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
A Crash of Algae, Bioterrorism and the Future of Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...You’ve probably seen it, in some way, for years — a local pond seems suddenly crowded with algae — or there’s news of a “red tide” blooming at sea — as quickly as it forms,
April 09, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Tier 3 Rules Lower Sulfur Content, Assume E15 to Replace E10
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has proposed Tier 3 emission standards for cars and gasoline. The new goals for lower sulfur content got the attention in the first days after the release of the proposed
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Files Comments on EPA's Unworkable RFS
(American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers/PR Newswire) The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) filed formal comments detailing the problems and harmful consequences caused by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
RFA to House Energy & Commerce Committee: Let RFS Work and Solutions to Blend Wall Will Be Found!
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today (April 5, 2013) responded to the questions posed by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce in a white paper entitled, “Examining ‘Blend Wall’ Challenges”. The Committee is
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Informs Court of Plan to Reconsider Cellulosic Ethanol Requirement for 2011
by Andrew Childers (Bloomberg BNA) The Environmental Protection Agency will voluntarily reconsider the cellulosic ethanol blending requirement for 2011, the agency told a federal appellate court in an April 3 motion (American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers v. EPA, D.C. Cir., No. 12-1249, 4/3/13). It
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Notice of Funding Availability for the Rural Energy for America Program
(US Department of Agriculture/Federal Register) This Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces the acceptance of applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for Fiscal Year 2013 for financial assistance as follows: grants, guaranteed loans, and combined grants and
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
ACC Clean Energy Challenge Announces Elite Eight Plus Two, Will Vie to Reach Final Four
(Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute/PR NewsWire) The $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge, a business plan competition supported by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) encouraging students from universities in the southeastern United States to develop business plans
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Breakthrough in Hydrogen Fuel Production Could Revolutionize Alternative Energy Market
(Virginia Tech News) A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered a way to extract large quantities of hydrogen from any plant, a breakthrough that has the potential to bring a low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel source to the world. “Our new
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA Accepting Apps for Blender Pump Grants under REAP Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for federal REAP funds to help gasoline retailers install blender pumps designed to give consumers flexibility and choice in the ethanol blends they use.
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
DOE Announces Five-Year Renewal of Funding for Bioenergy Research Centers
(Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy today announced it would fund its three Bioenergy Research Centers for an additional five-year period, subject to continued congressional appropriations. The three Centers—including the BioEnergy Research Center (BESC) led by Oak Ridge
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
US Department of Energy Gives Michigan State, University of Wisconsin $125 Million to Continue Biofuels Research
by Brandon Howell (MLive) Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin will continue their partnered research of advanced biofuels thanks to $125 million from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, housed at the Wisconsin campus
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
7 Steps to Meeting US Renewable Fuels Targets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We go through the renewable fuels math — and find that the nattering nabobs of negativism might have crowed too soon. ...Lately, the nattering nabobs appear to have landed at the American Petroleum Institute — which
April 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Federal Grant Helps Keep Jackson Express' Ethanol Cause Pumping
by Diana Johnsen (KCAUTV.com) ...The Jackson Express Gas station in Jackson, Nebraska has what are called ethanol "blender pumps", which allows drivers to customize how much ethanol goes into their fuel. And the more ethanol, the less you pay. "The gas is
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
DOE Study: RFS Boosts US Economy
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) As Congress and the country debate the renewable fuel standard (RFS), Big Oil and Big Food are flooding the zone with bought-and-paid-for “studies” seeking to discredit American ethanol and the public policies
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Not an Answer
by Amy Harder (National Journal) As policy makers in Washington DC and across the country confront the costly consequences of mandating renewable fuels, some have suggested a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) as an alternative. But an LCFS would be
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
The Hydrogen Problem
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A numbers of readers responding to “Biofuels from a raging fireball” (Friday’s Top Story, on research work with the raging fireball, Pyrococchus furiosus, to make biofuels and renewable chemicals from hydrogen gas and CO2) raised
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Making Do with More: Joint BioEnergy Institute Researchers Engineer Plant Cell Walls to Boost Sugar Yields for Biofuels
by Lynn Yarris (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) When blessed with a resource in overwhelming abundance it’s generally a good idea to make valuable use of that resource. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant organic material on Earth. For thousands of
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA, DuPont Pair up on Corn Stover Guidelines
(Associated Press/Quad Cities Times) U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack signed an agreement Friday with DuPont that will help establish guidelines for how the company will collect corn-plant residue for a new ethanol plant in central Iowa while maintaining soil quality. DuPont
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
The Future of Biofuels in 10 Charts and Maps
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... The good news is that biofuel production can responsibly continue to grow if we switch from corn to biomass as a source material or feedstock. Our recent analysis confirms that biomass is available within the United States at
March 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Better Biofuels
by James Hataway (UGA Research) ... Li Tan was examining some of the sugars, proteins and polymers that make up plant cell walls, which provide the structural support and protection that allow plants to grow. Yet his samples contained a mixture of
March 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Bio-diesel Fuel Company Owner Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal Prison for Crimes Connected to Illegal Fuels Scheme / Jeffrey Gunselman also fined $175,000 and ordered to pay nearly $55 million in restitution
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Jeffrey David Gunselman, 30, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 188 months in federal prison, fined $175,000 and ordered to pay more than $54.9 million in restitution, following his guilty plea
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Based on extensive input from auto manufacturers, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Renewables Strongly up Since 2008, Says New EIA Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Maryland, the “Monthly Energy Review” by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with data through December 31, 2012 is showing that renewable energy sources and natural gas expanded rapidly during the Obama Administration’s first term while coal,
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
Congress’s Affair With Ethanol: Love Gone Wrong?
by Bill Chameides (The Green Grok/Duke University) ...As a libation, ethanol’s been around for a long, long time. As a fuel, it dates back to 1826 when it was first used in an internal combustion engine. Ethanol was also the fuel
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
11 Reasons Why You Should Invest in the Biodiesel Industry
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine/MarketWire) Below is breakdown of the latest, sourced information as to why investment in biodiesel is a sound decision written by Ron Kotrba, Editor of Biodiesel Magazine. 1. Jump in on a growing market: The U.S. biodiesel industry
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
The Cutting Edge of Corn Stover and Switchgrass Supply: A Comprehensive Feedstock Solution
(U.S. Department of Energy) Supplying high-quality feedstock for use in a broad range of sustainable conversion processes to produce advanced biofuels is a complex, multi-step process. Each step in the feedstock supply and logistics chain—from harvesting, preparing, and packaging, to
March 28, 2013 Read Full Article
US Refiners May Boost Renewables Spending if RFS Targets Not Lowered: Moody's
by Beth Evans (Platts) Ratings agency Moody's expects US refiners to increase investments in renewables blending and infrastructure if federal renewables targets are not lowered. "In the absence of any EPA waivers to meeting the renewable fuel requirements, we expect refiners
March 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Study Shows RINs Not Factor in Higher Gasoline, Fuel Group Says
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) A surge in the value of Renewable Identification Numbers for ethanol compliance isn’t one of the reasons for higher gasoline retail prices, the Renewable Fuels Association said, citing a study by Informa Economics Inc. ... “A fact-based
March 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Algae Biofuels and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...As can be seen in the research by Perrine, Negi, and Sayre — a more optimal light distribution strategy is available to algae but they don’t take it, because they find themselves in the Prisoner’s
March 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy Department Launches New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative
(U. S. Department of Energy) As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to revitalizing America's manufacturing sector, today the Energy Department launched the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI), a new Department initiative focused on growing American manufacturing of clean energy products and
March 27, 2013 Read Full Article
University of Georgia Discovery May Allow Scientists to Make Fuel from CO2 in the Atmosphere
by James Hataway (University of Georgia) Excess carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere created by the widespread burning of fossil fuels is the major driving force of global climate change, and researchers the world over are looking for new ways
March 27, 2013 Read Full Article
ARPA-E Launches $20M Project REMOTE – Bioconversion of Natural Gas to Liquid Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ARPA-E aims to drive liquid fuel production from abundant, affordable methane — and sees biobased technology as the path forward. In Washington, ARPA-E released its long-awaited funding opportunity announcement for Project REMOTE – Reducing Emissions using
March 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Automakers Ask Supreme Court to Take up Ethanol Challenge
by David Shephardson (Detroit News) Major automakers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to approve a higher blend of ethanol for vehicles from 2001 and newer. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers —
March 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Letter to President Obama on Climate Change: From the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
(Center for Climate and Security) The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, or PCAS, recently released a set of recommendations for President Obama on addressing climate change. The top-line recommendations include: Focus on national preparedness for climate change, which can help decrease
March 26, 2013 Read Full Article
DOE Gives Southern Research Institute $925,000 for Bio-Oil Work
by Chris Hanson (Biomass Magazine) Southern Research Institute won a $925,000 energy award from the U.S. DOE to develop a mild liquefaction process to convert biomass to petroleum refinery-ready bio-oils. “We hope the project will advance liquefaction by demonstrating cost-effective biomass
March 26, 2013 Read Full Article
RFS: #1 on Big Oil Hitlist for a Reason
by Brooke Coleman (National Journal/Advanced Ethanol Council) First, let's assess what we know to be true ... RFS2 is just five years old. We are about one-third of the way through a 15-year commitment to diversify the liquid fuels marketplace with
March 26, 2013 Read Full Article
BSCS Seeks Teacher-Collaborators for Research Project Funded by the National Science Foundation DEADLINE March 31, 2013
(Biological Sciences Curriculum Study) Teacher-collaborators will field test a 3-credit, online, graduate-level course designed to enhance teachers’ knowledge and practice related to energy concepts. The course is titled Energy: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Teachers (EMAT). Teacher-collaborators and their students will take part
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Institute for Educators Now Accepting Applications for 2013! DEADLINE March 31, 2013
(Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) Institute dates: June 24-29, 2013 Application dealdine: March 31, 2013, In this one-week summer program, teams of educators core areas of GLBRC research, get hands-on experience with our education materials, and delve into the development of
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
You Don’t Say?
by Ron Lamberty (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The subhead of the article was “The U.S. will be the world's leading energy producer, if we allow it.” That was a remarkably incomplete description. A more accurate subhead would have been,
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Senators Ask McCarthy to Outline Response to RIN Price Increase
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have sent a letter to U.S. EPA administrator nominee Gina McCarthy, asking her to outline “how she will protect American citizens from rising gas prices due
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Study Shows Carbon Sequestration from Corn Production Runs Deep
(25 x '25) The ethanol industry has some good news to share. And it comes in an arena where the domestically produced biofuel has often been challenged – carbon sequestration and the life-cycle assessment of ethanol made from corn. A study
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Turning Cow Manure Into Brown Gold
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) In the heart of Wisconsin, a project is underway to produce energy from a resource that is in little danger of running low: cow manure, or “brown gold.” Thanks to a $7 million grant from the United
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Peach Genome Offers Insights into Breeding Strategies for Biofuels Crops
(Science Codex) Rapidly growing trees like poplars and willows are candidate "biofuel crops" from which it is expected that cellulosic ethanol and higher energy content fuels can be efficiently extracted. Domesticating these as crops requires a deep understanding of the
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Auburn Researcher Receives National Science Foundation CAREER Award to Study Biofuels
by Jessica Nelson (Auburn University) Maobing Tu, an assistant professor in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, has received a $401,155 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award for his research in biofuels and bioenergy. The CAREER program offers
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Biorefinery 2015 – Transformations in Biofuels Costs, Financing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The first wave of cellulosic biofuels projects are now reaching completion. But what does the next wave look like – from technology to financing? We explore the trends in our two-part Biorefinery 2015 series. ... Long-term,
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
How Much More Domestic Corn Ethanol and Imported Sugar Ethanol Should EPA Require in 2013?
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments from stakeholders on the EPA’s proposed Renewable Fuel Standards for 2013. The proposed final standards would require the blending of more domestic corn ethanol in 2013 than
March 23, 2013 Read Full Article
US Congress Committee Examines RFS, Plans Hearings on Renewable Mandate
(Platts) A third key congressional committee has entered the debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard, calling for comment on a series of questions and issuing a "white paper" detailing concerns about the biofuels mandate and some of the proposed solutions
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
First E15 Gas Station Gets Warning from ConocoPhillips, Might Have to Stop Ethanol Sales
by Jon LeSage (AutoBlogGreen) Ethanol advocates are continuing to throw down the gauntlet with Big Oil. Jabs have been thrown through satire and blogging – now the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is throwing a hook by going after ConocoPhillips, one of Big Oil's top five conglomerates. RFA
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
I Have a Ream: Biofuels Digest’s 60-Second Guide to this Week’s DC Overload
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week in Washington, it has been one for the record books, emailwise and biofuelswise. Reams and reams of emails attest to the seriousness of the stakes — as NGOs, trade associations and Congress paper
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Senate Rejects Amendment Gutting Military Biofuels Program by 40-59 Vote
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) An amendment to a $984 billion Senate government funding bill that would have stripped funds from the Defense Department's drop-in biofuels program failed by a 40-59 vote on Wednesday. Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) amendment aimed
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil Calls for End of Renewable Fuel Standard
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Major oil companies called on Congress Wednesday to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard, the six-year-old federal law mandating biofuels use that is the base of demand for both ethanol and biodiesel. The American Petroleum Institute, which
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Update: Valero Says Ethanoll Blending Costs to Double or Triple this Year
by Alison Sider (Dow Jones Newswire/Lloyds) Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) said it will have to spend two or even three times as much as it did last year to comply with the federal ethanol blending requirement due to the high
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Gevo vs Butamax: Butamax Heads for Appeal after Court Setback
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...To Gevo, Butamax we now attend, And their legal record, we now amend. The Federal judge overseeing the complex patent infringement litigation between Gevo and Butamax has issued a series of pre-trial rulings and orders, days before
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Are Algae Biofuels a Realistic Alternative to Petroleum?
by Ian Branam (Scientific American) Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found that nearly 14 percent of land in the continental United States, or roughly the combined area of Texas and New Mexico, could be used for converting
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Fast Stop in Cresco, Iowa Offering E15
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Dave Sovereign from Cresco, Iowa has been busy. Last week he helped to convert the Fast Stop station he owns in his hometown to E15. Then he caught an airplane to Washington, D.C. to participate in
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Southern Research Institute Wins $925,000 Dept. of Energy Award to Liquefy Biomass for Production of Transportation Fuels
(Southern Research Institute) Research could encourage blending of bio-oils into refinery streams for producing renewable diesel and gasoline Durham, North Carolina — Southern Research Institute today announced it has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Dept. of Energy to
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Colonial Pipeline to Ship Biodiesel on Georgia Line by End-March
(Platts) Colonial Pipeline will begin shipping biodiesel blends on its pipeline to central and southern Georgia by the end of the month, the company said Monday, calling it a first for the nation's largest volume pipeline shipper of refined products. The
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Antitrust Complaint Filed against ConocoPhillips over “Anti-Competitive Activities”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is ConocoPhillips unlawfully attempting to limit competition in the fuels marketplace? We’ll find out soon. In Florida, Biofuels Digest filed an antitrust violation complaint against ConocoPhillips with the US Department of Justice, regarding alleged activities in
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Petroleum Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Automobiles Could Drop 80 Percent by 2050; Efficiency, Alternative Fuels, and Strong Government Policies Will Be Needed
(National Academies of Science) A new National Research Council report finds that by the year 2050, the U.S. may be able to reduce petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent for light-duty vehicles -- cars and small trucks -- via
March 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Operation Deathanol, RINs, and the Selling of the Fossil Fuels Story
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Read any stories about renewable fuels lately in mainstream media? Bet they’re bad ones. Here we look at the latest chapter in the “death to all renewables” propaganda war. If you are a reader of the
March 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Biochemical Production of Ethanol and Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters from Switchgrass: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental and Economic Performance
by Scott M. Paapa, Todd H. West, Dawn K. Manley, Eric J. Steen, Harry R. Beller, Jay D. Keasling, Dean C. Dibble, Shiyan Chang, Blake A. Simmons (Biomass and Bioenergy) As advances in biotechnology have continued at a rapid pace,
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producers Respond to Market Conditions
(U.S. Energy Information Administration/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Beginning in summer 2012, the prices of ethanol and corn reached levels where production costs at relatively simple ethanol plants exceeded revenue. These simple plants, which are not able to recover corn oil, make
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office Comments on Air Force Strategic Studies Quarterly Article: Energy Insecurity, The False Promise of Liquid Biofuels
(US Department of Energy/Department of Defense) General Comments Although the author has done an extensive literature reading in the biofuels area, the paper does not have any analysis of critical issues of energy systems including petroleum systems and biofuel systems. Instead,
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S. Biofuels & Ethanol Mandate: More Vulnerable Than Ever Now?
by John Voelcker (Green Car Reports) ...Now two bills recently introduced into Congress seek to delay or ban altogether the sale of E15 gasoline, which contains 15 percent ethanol rather than the 10-percent maximum standard since 1978. As Hemmings Motor News noted last
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Surplus May Lift Gas Prices
by Matthew L. Wald (New York Times) A glut of ethanol in the gasoline supply is threatening to push up prices at the pump and may have exacerbated the growing cost gap between regular gasoline and premium, some oil experts say. Refiners
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Digest’s 10-Minute Guide to the Obama Administration’s New Energy Policy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Major push from Obama on energy. From DOE: “Liquid fuels demand can be sufficiently reduced so that biomass can meet all liquid fuel needs.” What’s up? ...“I’m proposing that we take some of our oil and
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2012
(Environmental Protection Agency) EPA’s annual report that tracks the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the United States is signaling a significant 1.4 mile per gallon (mpg) increase for 2012 cars and trucks – along with a continued decrease in
March 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Funding Bill Amendments Target Military Biofuels
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) filed two amendments to a $984 billion government funding bill on Thursday that would gut the military's alternative fuels program. The amendments already are drawing criticism the program's supporters, which are
March 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Camelina on the Move: Global Clean Energy Holdings Acquires Sustainable Oils
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Global Clean Energy Holdings announced that it has acquired Sustainable Oils, a leader in Camelina genetics and production. The acquisition includes 100% ownership interest of Sustainable Oils and the ownership of the key intellectual
March 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Domtar Inaugurates Commercial Lignin Production
(Domtar) Plymouth Mill to produce bio-material with wide range of industrial applications as petro-chemical alternative - the first of its kind in over quarter century Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) today announced that it has successfully installed a commercial-scale lignin separation
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Positive Results from Long-Term Stability Study
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) National Renewable Energy Laboratory chemist Earl Christensen presented preliminary results from an ongoing B100 and biodiesel blends stability study at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Las Vegas Feb. 4-7. The study was commissioned
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Latest NREL Quality Survey Shows 97 Percent on Spec
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Teresa Alleman, a senior chemist at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shared the latest biodiesel fuel quality survey results at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Las Vegas Feb. 4-7. NREL obtained B100 samples from 53
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Overview of Wastewater Regulation for Biodiesel Processing
by Gary D. Colby (Biodiesel Magazine/Dilworth Paxson LLP) Preventing discharge of biodiesel processing wastes into the environment contributes significantly to production expenses. Processors incur these costs, rather than discarding waste products more cheaply or easily for at least two reasons.
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Governors Tell Congress to Support RFS
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Governor’s Biofuels Coalition met in Sioux Falls Wednesday and sent a letter to members of Congress in support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. The letter from the 30 governors represented by the Coalition, led by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, urges
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at World Biofuels Markets 2013
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Neste Oil confirmed that they are using 65% virgin oils, primarily palm oil, and 35% waste residues, but that they are seeking to increase that percent of waste supplied, Neste’s P for Renewable Fuels, Kaisa
March 13, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Zeros Out 2012 Cellulosic RVO - Recognizes Phantom Fuels
(PR NewsWire/American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement following the withdrawal of its Petition for Waiver of the 2012 Cellulosic Biofuel Volumetric Requirements: "We appreciate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) prompt
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Des Moines Company Keeps Tabs on Biofuel Production, Sales
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) EcoEngineers tapped by EPA to help audit RFS compliance. In a small office in the East Village of Des Moines, a handful of engineers and statisticians are hard at work keeping score on how much
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
ZeaChem Begins Production of Cellulosic Chemicals and Ethanol, Advances Toward Commercialization
(PR NewsWire/ZeaChem) Facility will prove biorefining process for commercial-scale production ZeaChem Inc., developer of highly-efficient biorefineries, today announced that it has produced commercial-grade cellulosic chemicals and ethanol at its 250,000 gallons per year (GPY) biorefinery in Boardman, Ore. Among the first operational cellulosic
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
For Montana Biofuel, It's Not Easy Being Green
by Tom Lutey (Billings Gazette) When it was first promoted as a biofuel source perfect for the Montana plains, camelina looked to many like a weed. Seven tough years later, its persistence is being tested. Acres planted in the crop have plummeted
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Kountry Korner in Baxter, IA Offering E15
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Kountry Korner in Baxter, Iowa has become the third retail location in the state to offer E15 as a registered fuel. E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Debate Rages over Who Is to Blame for Rising RIN Prices
(Platts) Prices for renewable fuel credits cracked the $1 barrier Friday and RBOB prices settled sharply higher as the war of words over who is to blame for skyrocketing credits prices also escalated. ...RINs have shown "an incredible spike" in a
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Gasoline Quality Greatly Affects Fuel Systems; Not Ethanol Content
by Kristy Moore (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s decision to grant the use of E15 in 2001 and newer automobiles and light duty vehicles was based on multiple-year, multiple-aspect testing of more than 88 vehicles. The testing included evaluations of engines,
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Phycal Captures CO2 Funding for Biofuel
by Debra Fiakas (Alt Energy Stocks) As part of its program to promote beneficial reuse of carbon dioxide, the Department of Energy awarded a total of $27.2 million ($3.0 million in the first phase and $24.2 million in a second phase)
March 12, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Vehicle Club Has Optimistic Goals
by Molly Craig (Iowa State Daily) In the spring of 2012, Tyler Cain had an idea. A year later, his idea has grown into his passion project: the REV club. REV stands for Renewable Energy Vehicle. Think along the lines of
March 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Group Says U.S. Energy Policy ‘Like an Orchestra without a Conductor’
(Midwest Energy News) To achieve true energy security, the United States badly needs a single federal energy policy and a new White House council to make it happen, retired Marine Corps General Jim Jones said this week at the annual
March 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Report: Flaws in EPA Drilling Pollution Data
by Dina Cappiello (Associated Press/San Francisco Chronicle) Limited data and unreliable estimates on air pollution from oil and natural gas production is hindering the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to police the drilling boom, the agency's internal watchdog said in a
March 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Introduced in House Would Require Additional Study of E15
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to repeal the E15 waiver and require additional testing of the fuel, despite extensive testing by the U.S. DOE. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., introduced H.R.
March 07, 2013 Read Full Article
How to Ensure Biofuel Crops Don’t Become Weeds
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A Virginia Tech researcher, along with several others, have offered a way to ensure that plants grown for biofuels do not become an invasive weed. According to Jacob Barney, an assistance professor of plant pathology, physiology
March 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Australian Biofuels Project Another Step Closer
(Biofuels International) Australian research company Agritechnology has found a location as it further develops a biofuels demonstration plant. A site for the plant has been chosen in Orange, New South Wales and it will aim to convert sweet sorghum, native grasses
March 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Skyrocketing RIN Prices Signal Ethanol Blend Wall Imminent
(Platts) Prices of renewable fuel credits, needed by refiners to comply with the nation's Renewable Fuel Standard, have skyrocketed over the past few months, an indication to some that the dreaded "blend wall" is close. The price for the traded Renewable
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Stoel Rives Publishes White Paper on RIN Program Change Proposal
(Stoel Rives/Biodiesel Magazine) Stoel Rives LLP, a national energy and biofuels law firm, has published a white paper that provides a comprehensive overview of proposed regulatory changes to the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program, specifically the renewable identification number (RIN)
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Arundo Donax Safe from Noxious Weed Designation in North Carolina
(SFN Today) At the North Carolina Board of Agriculture’s meeting on Tuesday, whether or not to classify Arundo donax as a noxious weed in the state was at the top of the agenda. Vernon Cox, Division Director of the Plant
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels: Are you Getting on Board? Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels: An Update on Efforts
by Nate Brown (Federal Aviation Administration) Nate Brown, Alternative Fuels Project Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration, presented an update on FAA's efforts at the Biomass 2012 conference. FAA's approach is advancing the use of alternative jet fuels. FAA collaborates via
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Global Economic Effects of US Biofuel Policy and the Potential Contribution from Advanced Biofuels
Gbadebo Oladosu, Keith Kline, Paul Leiby, Rocio Uria-Martinez, Maggie Davis, Mark Downing & Laurence Eaton (Future-Science.com/Biofuels) Background: This study evaluates the global economic effects of the current US RFS2, and the potential contribution from advanced biofuels. Results & discussion: Our simulation results suggest
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Project in Tri-Cities Using Ag Waste to Create Biofuel Becoming Commercially Reliable
by Kristi Pihl (Tri-City Herald) A pilot project to produce biofuel using agricultural and organic municipal waste has reached levels that makes the process commercially viable, researchers say. The project, paid for by the Department of Energy, is within six months of
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
A National Biomass Lend-Lease Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The military would like, affordable, domestically-produced, drop-in, renewable fuels. Drop-in fuel producers would like long-term, stable fuel sale and feedstock purchase contracts. Why not put those needs together? According to a Defense Department report, the
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
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