Opinions – Advanced BioFuels USA

Trump Administration to Finalize Weaker Mileage Standards, Dealing a Blow to Obama-Era Climate Policy

by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (Washington Post) The new rule will improve the U.S. car and light truck fleet’s efficiency by 1.5 percent a year, versus nearly 5 percent under current law. The new rule will improve the U.S. car and light truck fleet’s efficiency by 1.5 percent a year,

March 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Generate Revenue with Clean Fuels

by Sean Turner (Fleet Owner Magazine/ACT News) Do you currently operate clean vehicles in California? Or, are you thinking of making a transition to lower emission technologies? If so, your fleet has the potential to generate enough money to pay for the cost of these advanced technologies, and increase your bottom

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Airline Chiefs Slam European Countries over Green Taxes and Overdue Reform of Inefficient Airspace

(GreenAir Online) Chief executives from Europe’s biggest airlines called for urgent reform and modernisation of European airspace that they said could eliminate around 25 million tonnes of CO2 a year and save €17.4 billion ($19.4bn) in fuel and related socio-economic costs. IAG’s Willie Walsh said it was “scandalous” that after many

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Efforts to Link US Airline Rescue Package to Carbon Targets Resisted as Industry Faces Unprecedented Times

(GreenAir Online) Attempts have failed to link the future carbon emissions performance of US airlines to the rescue package aimed at helping the beleaguered sector through the coronavirus crisis. Congress voted last Friday to provide the US aviation industry around $60 billion in grants and potential loans as part of

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Now: Cost-Effective Solutions Include Diesel Engines and Advanced Biofuels

(Diesel Technology Forum) States that have enacted greenhouse gas emissions reduction programs for the transportation sector, including low-carbon fuel requirements, are realizing significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the use of advanced biofuels including biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel in diesel engines, vehicles and equipment. “As state leaders

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuels Industry Tackling Challenges

by Susan Reidy (World-Grain.com) Despite a challenging environment, the global biofuels industry is holding steady and driving ahead with new policies, innovations and legislation to promote more robust growth in the future. In the EU, 2020 marks the deadline for certain greenhouse gas reduction goals, which many nations will struggle to

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuels Associations Advise EC Caution over Waivers

by Leonidas Kanonis, Giulia Squadrin and Daniel Mackay (Argus Media) European associations representing the biofuels supply chain have sent a letter today (March 24, 2020) to the European Commission addressing potential waivers for biofuels blending mandates in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The letter, addressed to vice president for the European

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Plants Could Soon Start Producing for DDGs, Not Ethanol

by Tyne Morgan (Farm Journal AgWeb) Ethanol prices are in a free fall due to fewer people driving and a recent price war. As some ethanol plants shutter production, facilities may start producing for DDGs – not ethanol – to meet the possibility of upcoming Chinese demand. — … “The ethanol

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

What’s Lining up for Phase Four?

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) … Both the House and Senate have begun work on surface transportation bills ahead of a September deadline to act, but lawmakers haven’t been able to settle on how to pay for the legislation, Pro’s Sam Mintz reports. House Transportation Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) wants to “double

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA: EPA Stall Tactic on Tenth Circuit Decision Just Delays the Inevitable

(Renewable Fuels Association) As part of a package intended to “protect the nation’s gasoline supply in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it intends to wait until “appeals have been resolved and the court’s mandate has been issued” before developing “an appropriate implementation and enforcement response to

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Focus Forward from Challenge to Opportunity: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to RFA’s 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook

y Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Renewable Fuels Association released its 2020 Ethanol Industry Outlook, an annual publication that provides policymakers, regulators, consumers, the media, and renewable fuel advocates with key statistics, trends, insight, and analysis on the latest developments in the U.S. renewable fuels industry, as well as commentary

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Rex Idles NuGen Plant, Explores Carbon Sequestration Project

Rex American Resources Corp. released fiscal fourth quarter financial results on March 26. The company discussed a potential carbon capture and sequestration project under development at its One Earth Energy plant in Illinois and discussed the impact of COVID-19 on plant operations. During an earnings call, Stuart Rose, executive chairman

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

From the 3 E’s to the 3 C’s

by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Touting ethanol as a source of clean octane, it’s ability to reduce carbon, and allowing consumer choice in the marketplace. — For decades, ethanol advocates have used the “Three E’s” to describe the renewable fuel’s main advantages: energy security, economic development and

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

The Coronavirus and Ethanol Demand Destruction

by Scott Irwin and Todd Hubbs (FarmDocDaily) … One implication of the virus-related restrictions is that people are driving much less than before, which means that gasoline and ethanol use are declining. The impact on the price of ethanol has been swift and severe, as shown in Figure 1. The

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

FJ Live: Farmers, Ethanol Plants Should Look at Small Business Aid

by John Herath (Farm Journal/AgWeb) There could be an opening for relief for farmers and ethanol refiners under the small business provisions of the COVID-19 aid plan passed by the Senate late Wednesday according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer. The provisions are not specifically designed for agriculture and there

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

V4+ Countries Warn of Ulterior Motives for Seeking Biofuel Blending Cuts in Eastern Europe

by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Hungary, although the European Union committed to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels by 2020, one spectacular last subsidy is now in the works in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Biofuel producers from the V4+ countries say in some CEE Member States, governments are

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

LowCVP News: New Guide Highlights Low Carbon and Sustainable Fuel Opportunities for Decarbonisation of Commercial Fleets

(Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership) A new guide from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) for fleet operators shows how renewable fuels can immediately cut greenhouse gas emissions in road transport, particularly from commercial vehicles for which few low emission solutions are currently available. While the focus has been mainly on vehicle

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Wärtsilä Advances Future Fuel Capabilities with First Ammonia Tests

(Wärtsilä) The technology group Wärtsilä has initiated combustion trials using ammonia. The research will help the company to prepare for the use of ammonia as a fuel that can contribute to reducing both the shipping’s and energy sectors’ greenhouse gas emissions. … Although ammonia is derived mainly from fossil sources

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Where’s Biodiesel At? Fuel Specs, Legislative Impacts, Fleet Support and more: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 3

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out Part 3 of the National Biodiesel Board’s slide guide that delves into ASTM fuel specifications for biodiesel and fuel quality, biodiesel standards like BQ-9000, legislative updates impacting biodiesel demand and state policies, latest on OEM and fleet support for biodiesel. READ MORE Where’s

March 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Brazilian Drivers May Continue to Favor Hydrous Ethanol Consumption Despite Oil Price Collapse: Data

by Nicolle Monteiro de Castro (S&P Global Platts) … Despite the price collapse by international oil prices and the latest gasoline ex-refinery price adjustments, hydrous ethanol – E100 – is still technically offering an economic advantage for drivers in southeastern Brazil, government data show. … Hydrous ethanol is not losing

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Senate Passes Emergency Package without Green Provisions

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) SENATE PASSES RELIEF PACKAGE: The Senate last night unanimously passed a mammoth $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, POLITICO’s Melanie Zanona, Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle report. The measure, which is the biggest economic rescue package in U.S. history, passed by a 96-0 vote. The bill now

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Top Democratic Law Firm Helps Oil Companies Dodge Climate Regulations

by Donald Shaw and David Moore (Sludge) Perkins Coie, a law firm with deep ties to the Democratic Party, is lobbying for fossil fuel clients to win exemptions from a federal program to limit greenhouse gas emissions. — … The primary focus of Perkins Coie’s fossil fuel lobbying in recent

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Coronavirus Stimulus Would Provide Indirect Help for Biofuels

by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The head of the Renewable Fuels Association says although there’s no direct assistance for biofuels, the economic stimulus package would help ethanol plants. Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield several measures benefit producers. “There’s some small business relief, loans and grants, and loan forgiveness. There’s some tax relief provisions

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

UPDATE 1-U.S. Ethanol Plants Cutting Output Due to Crashing Demand -Trade Group

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. ethanol producers are on track to shut about 2 billion gallons of annualized output by the end of this week because of a slump in demand for fuel, the head of the Renewable Fuels Association trade group said on Monday. Biofuel producers are feeling the impact

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Biodiesel’s Green Footprint for Fleets: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Industry – Part 2

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Check out Part 2 of the National Biodiesel Board’s slide guide that focuses on biodiesel’s on-road heavy-duty emission benefits, why they consider biodiesel as “liquid solar energy”, how 3 billion gallons of biodiesel used in the U.S. would reduce carbon emissions by more than 25

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Looking beyond the Headlines during COVID-19 Pandemic

by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) … The 1 – 2 punch of the COVID-19 economic hit and the Saudi – Russian fight over oil markets have combined to collapse the price of oil. Low oil prices obviously do not bode well for the uptake

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Clean Energy & Sustainability Extravaganza

by Pedro Malpartida* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Leaders in Energy hosted their sixth annual Clean Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza in the A. James Clarke Hall at the University of Maryland (UMD) along with the Association of Energy Engineers-National Capital Chapter (AEE NCC). At this event, companies, association members, and students showcased

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Production: What Next for Zim?

by Nyasha Kavhiza (The Herald) A technical analysis of the current situation will point to the lack of feedstock as the main problem stalling biodiesel production in Zimbabwe. … Instead of discarding the project all together, the Government and all stakeholders involved ought to glean lessons from the experience and address the

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Pelosi Stimulus Requires Airlines Receiving Aid to Cut Emissions

by Ari Natter and Ryan Beene (Bloomberg) … Airlines would get $37 billion in grants to keep workers on the job as part of a $71 billion package to rescue carriers and airports struggling with the coronavirus outbreak, but the airlines would be required to adhere to new emissions requirements

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Deal in Congress Axes Funding to Fill SPR with US Crudes

by Meghan Gordon and Brian Scheid (S&P Global Platts) Trump administration sought $3 billion to buy US crudes; Analyst sees market hit from US failing to take ‘no-brainer policy’ — The Trump administration’s plan to fill the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve with 77 million barrels of medium and heavy crudes appears to

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Plants to Be Set up at Kawardha, Pandaria, Balod and Ambikapur

(The Pioneer) The state cabinet in a meeting on Tuesday gave nod for establishing ethanol plants at cooperative sugar mills of Kawardha, Pandaria, Balod and Ambikapur. The plants will be set up under a public-private-partnership mode, an official sources said. READ MORE Chhattisgarh state cabinet OKs ethanol plants co-located at four coop

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Fuels Coalition Welcomes Administration’s Decision Not to Seek Re-Hearing of Tenth Circuit SRE Ruling

(Renewable Fuels Association) Ethanol and farm groups today welcomed the Trump administration’s decision not to seek a re-hearing of a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that struck down certain small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard. On Jan. 24, a panel of

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

The Hand Sanitizer Market: A Salvation for Beleaguered Ethanol Producers, or Not?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) created exemptions allowing certain alcohol fuel permit holders to sell ethanol (alcohol) for use in the production of hand sanitizers. Consequently. Aemetis, Inc. said its 65 million

March 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Fewer Refineries Able to Get Biofuel Waivers Under Trump Plan

by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Administration will not appeal court ruling curbing exemptions; Officials directed to look for other ways to help oil refiners — The Trump administration doesn’t plan to challenge a federal court ruling that dramatically curbs its ability to exempt oil refineries from biofuel-blending requirements, according to three

March 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Grassley Asks White House for Biofuel Support as SPR Fill Helps Oil Industry

by Meghan Gordon (S&P Global) US Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican-Iowa, urged the Trump administration Thursday to help the US biofuel industry weather plunging fuel prices and demand, just as the White House was seen as supporting domestic oil producers by filling up the government’s emergency crude stockpile. “Fuel consumption has

March 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Maine Takes Significant Step in Addressing Climate Challenge Through Renewable Chemicals Tax Credit

(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) Maine is speeding up its transformation to a 21st-century, biobased economy with the passing of the Renewable Chemicals Tax Credit, which will foster the production of environmentally friendly innovations—like renewable chemicals and biobased products. “In order to address the climate challenge, we must shed our reliance on

March 20, 2020 Read Full Article

PODCAST: Europe Industrial Ethanol Demand, Prices Spike as Coronavirus Disrupts Market

by Will Beacham (Independent Commodity Intelligence Services) Spot prices for Europe industrial ethanol are spiking and the market is facing disruption as demand soars for disinfectant and cleaning products linked to coronavirus. Biofuel producers, gin distilleries and perfume manufacturers are switching to ethanol production to help meet the spike in demand.

March 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Coronavirus Responses & Impacts Bioeconomy Survey Results – March 2020

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During the week of March 16-20, 2020, The Digest surveyed its readers on how they were impacted by the Coronavirus health & economic crisis, and how they were responding. The bioeconomy’s pioneers are an optimistic bunch, and generally are far more optimistic than pessimistic about the next

March 20, 2020 Read Full Article

ICCT: Potential Biomass-Based Diesel Production in the United States by 2032

by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies) One of the biggest issues I’ve been working on in my consulting practice over the last year is related to the scale up of renewable diesel (RD also known as hydrogenated vegetable oil or HVO). Who is investing? Where are the facilities going to be

March 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Fuels Coalition Launches Campaign Calling for EPA Not to Appeal 10th Circuit Decision

(Renewable Fuels Association) With the need for a decision only days away, the coalition that successfully won a unanimous court decision against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continued its call for the agency to not appeal the decision by launching a new social media campaign aimed at encouraging policymakers and the

March 19, 2020 Read Full Article

New Report Reveals Global Banks Funneled $2.7 Trillion into Fossil Fuels Since Paris Climate Agreement, with Financing on the Rise Each Year

by Gabby Brown (Sierra Club) The latest version of the most comprehensive report on global banks’ fossil fuel financing, Banking on Climate Change 2020, was released today (March 18, 2020), revealing that 35 global banks have not only been sustaining but expanding the fossil fuel sector with more than $2.7 trillion in the

March 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Oregon Climate Change: Governor’s New Plan Leans on Supersizing the Clean Fuels Program

by Ted Sickinger (The Oregonian/OregonLive) … The Clean Fuels Program has been humming along in the background for four years now, helping tamp down Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions at a nominal cost – pennies on the gallon so far. That’s a promising result. And it’s one the governor hopes to build on,

March 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Are Biofuels Part of the Carbon Emissions Solution?

by Neil Briscoe (Irish Times) … “Ireland has one million petrol vehicles,” James Cogan, Ethanol Europe’s industry and policy adviser told The Irish Times. “E10 allows that fleet to cut emissions by an amount equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road. Or the amount that would be achieved by replacing 100,000 of

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Vegetable Oil Fuel a ‘Faultless Solution’ to Construction’s Woeful Emissions

by Joshua Stein (New Civil Engineer) Construction’s carbon footprint could be significantly reduced by use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as fuel, according to civil engineering and environmental firm Land & Water. The company trialled the HVO supplied by company Crown Oil to run its machinery at a site in Rainham,

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

A Moderate Proposal: Nationalize the Fossil Fuel Industry

by Kate Aronoff (The New Republic) … For the last week, the White House has reportedly been exploring low-interest loans to a struggling fossil fuel industry. Talk of a bailout is in the air, spurred on in part by longtime Trump ally and fracking magnate Harold Hamm. In the first concrete move on this

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

House Democrats Warn against Oil Industry Bailout

by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) A growing number of Democrats are voicing concern that the White House may pursue broad relief for the oil and gas industry amid sinking prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump on Tuesday cautioning against dolling out further funds to the

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Prices Hit All-Time Low, Unconfirmed Reports of Plant Shutdowns

by Jerry Perkins (Successful Farming) … The downturn in demand for ethanol, which is blended at a 10% rate in almost every gallon of gasoline consumed in the U.S., is coming at a time when ethanol plants were already economically challenged by the Small Refinery Exemptions granted by the Trump

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA Calls on Trump Administration to Help Struggling Biofuels Industry

by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) … With many ethanol plants on the verge of shutting down, we implore the Trump Administration to take action that equitably supports all liquid fuel industries—including ethanol producers—during this time of unprecedented market uncertainty and unrest,” RFA CEO Geoff Cooper said in a new release.

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Reality EV: Let’s Not Overlook Biofuels

(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) The widespread introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of reducing carbon emissions presents a far greater challenge than the public is being led to believe, according to new research by the Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC). This conclusion is presented in Reality EV, a new Issue Brief

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science COMMENTS DUE April 17, 2020

(Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) includes clarifications, modifications and additions to certain provisions in the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science Proposed Rulemaking (“2018 proposed rulemaking,” Ref. 1), published on April 30, 2018. This SNPRM proposes that the scope of the rulemaking apply to influential

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Why Raising the Alcohol Content of Europe’s Fuels Could Reduce Carbon Emissions

(Horizon Magazine) By 2030, a fifth of the fuel that motorists put into the petrol tanks of their cars could be alcohol, according to research concluding that new petrol and ethanol blends can reduce carbon emissions from Europe’s transport sector with little additional cost to consumers. … Most petrol now

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

PTG Earmarks B5bn for Pumps, Expansion

by Yuthana Praiwan (Bangkok Post) …PTG is also allocating another 500 million baht for the PPP Green Complex, a palm oil plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan, to make cooking oil and biodiesel. This project is a joint venture between PTG, Thachang Green Energy Co and RD Kasetpattana Co. The PPP

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

There’s More than One Way to Save the Planet! Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Another New Market for Bioenergy

by Mike Newman (Parhelion Underwriting/Biofuels Digest) Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is an important strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate climate change. CCS is a process by which large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) are captured, compressed, transported, and sequestered. The sequestration component of CCS includes CO2 injection into geologic formations

March 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reform: Addressing America’s Plastic Waste Crisis

( Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce) The Subcommittee heard testimony about recycling and waste management in the United States, including its impacts on climate and the environment. Memorandum from Chairman Pallone to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Witnesses Jenna Jambeck,

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Securing U.S. Leadership in the Bioeconomy

(U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather) The hearing examined the bioeconomy, the federal government’s role in the bioeconomy, and the potential risks from such research. Witnesses will also discuss the necessary policies and practices for the advancement of biotechnology. Witnesses: Dr.

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Carper Asks EPA IG to Open Investigation into Process Irregularities and Potential Illegalities Associated with the SAFE Vehicles and Secret Science Rules

(Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)) U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General (IG) to open an investigation into potentially unlawful efforts and procedural problems related to the preparation and review of both

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Oil’s Plunge Is an Existential Threat to a Far Cleaner Biofuel

by Fabiana Batista and Tatiana Freitas (Bloomberg/Yahoo! Finance) … The spectacular plunge in the crude market is sparking unprecedented reverberations across commodities and economies, with Brazil’s corn-ethanol producers standing out as a concentration of the pain.It goes to show how the unraveling in the oil market is threatening production of

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

COVID-19 Lowers Corn Demand, Ethanol Price

by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A report from University of Illinois Extension shows weak demand for corn for ethanol use, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production will fall dramatically, it predicts. “Estimates of a 15 to 20 percent reduction in gasoline use seem to be the expectation for

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

The United States Is Still too Reliant on Oil

by Varsha Koduvayur (CNN Business Perspectives/Foundation for Defense of Democracies) … While the global decline in oil prices will certainly cause pain for both Saudi Arabia and Russia, its impact on US oil producers, especially many of the smaller shale producers, could be especially severe. Even major companies like Chevron and

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Jokowi’s Plan to Use B40 Biodiesel by 2021 Difficult to Realize: Experts

(The Jakarta Post) Experts have expressed doubt about President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plan to increase the palm oil content in biodiesel to 40 percent on a mass scale by next year from 30 percent at present. They say producers may fail to meet the increase in demand and the quality

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Turkey Halts Ethanol-Mixed Fuel for More Disinfectants

(Middle East Monitor) Turkey’s temporary suspension of the requirement to include ethanol in gasoline will provide an additional 20,000 cubic meter ethanol capacity for the production of disinfectants and colognes in the country, Anadolu reports. Cologne is a traditional ethanol-based scented disinfectant in Turkey. The precautionary move in order to help stem the coronavirus

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Blockchain, Ag Futures, CPC Potential for Ethanol Industry: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Ethanol Commodity Plus Carbon

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Commodity Plus Carbon, or CPC can maximize monetization opportunities from the sequestration potential in the agricultural sector. CPC offers synergies between regulated ETS traded carbon credits, voluntary and futures commodity markets and offers a new trading vehicle with the potential to incentivize good agricultural practices

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol and Electric Vehicle Advocates Merging on Fuel Plan

(Energy News Network/Associated Press) After years of fighting their own policy battles, ethanol and electric vehicle advocates are tentatively banding together against a shared enemy: fossil fuels. More than two dozen organizations have been meeting for nearly two years in Minnesota to work on a “technology-neutral” policy proposal aimed at decarbonizing transportation,

March 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Petrobras Cuts Brazil Gasoline Prices by Near 10%; Sugar Prices Tumble

by Marta Nogueira, Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Brazil’s state-controlled oil company Petrobras cut gasoline prices at refineries in the country by almost 10% on Thursday, the first cut since this week’s oil price collapse, a move that could boost sugar production and reduce ethanol output. … This move makes retail gasoline more

March 16, 2020 Read Full Article

ICAO Council Adopts CORSIA Emissions Units

(ICAO) The ICAO Council approved the eligible emissions units for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) today, reaching another important milestone toward CORSIA global implementation supporting worldwide efforts against climate change. The Council’s decision follows on recommendations it received from the Technical Advisory Body (TAB) it established for

March 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Pulled Back into Oil-Ethanol Fight

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Poltico’s Morning Energy) JUST WHEN HE THOUGHT HE WAS OUT:The president is once again caught in the middle of a spat between oil refiners and ethanol producers centered around small refinery exemptions under the RFS, Pro’s Eric Wolff reports. The White House is trying to set up

March 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Why a Good Ethanol Education Program is Needed Now, More Than Ever

by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) U.S. DOE and EPA are Screwing America (And No One Cares – Do You?) +VIDEO — … So, I did a Google search of his name (Daniel R. Simmons) along with the word “ethanol.” There was only one pertinent search return involving Simmons and

March 13, 2020 Read Full Article

California Wins First Round of Cap-and-Trade Fight

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) A federal judge ruled against the Justice Department on Thursday in the first round of a lawsuit between the Trump administration and California over the state’s cap-and-trade program with Quebec, Pro’s Debra Kahn reports. Judge William Shubb of the U.S. District Court for the

March 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Grassley Doubts Administration Will Appeal 10th Circuit Ruling on SRES

by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Earlier this week the Trump Administration was granted a two-week delay in deciding whether to appeal a court ruling on small refinery exemptions. Does that mean an appeal is likely? Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley doesn’t think so. “No, I read it as just the opposite,” Grassley

March 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Despite Tough Times, Study Finds Ethanol and Biodiesel Production Continues to Power Iowa’s Economy

(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Economic benefits hampered by RFS exemptions — Today (March 11, 2020) a new study finds despite challenges, Iowa biofuel production continues to have a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, supporting over 48,000 jobs and more than $2.4 billion in household income. The study, authored by John Urbanchuk

March 13, 2020 Read Full Article

The Global Annual Market Value of Biogas is Expected to Reach $20.9 Billion by 2028

(Navigant) Biogas and renewable natural gas offer solutions vital to further sustainability and decarbonization — A new report from Navigant Research projects global biogas production and revenue regionally and by feedstock, providing market forecasts through 2028. Since the early 2000s, the global biogas market has made tremendous strides in development, with successful applications in

March 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Can the European Union’s Kerosene Demand Be Met by the Amount of Biomass Produced in the EU?

(nova-Institute) Regarding climate change and tackling its mitigation there is no question that the aviation industry has to reduce its greenhouse gas impact and has to shift to alternative fuels. If the European Union wants to achieve its ambitious climate goals, it needs to uncouple it growing kerosene demand from

March 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Why Airlines Should Sell Sustainable Jet Fuels: An Open Letter to the Airline Industry

by Merlin Woodman (Biofuels Digest) Dear airlines, please sell us sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). It’s the only feasible way to green up aviation at the moment.* I’ve cleaned up most of my CO2-emitting activities, but now flying remains as the largest remaining slice of the pie. I have a family that

March 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Student Seeking Farmer Perspectives On AD

(BioCycle Magazine) Risa Lewis, an undergraduate in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources program at the University of Connecticut, has focused her senior thesis on on-farm anaerobic digestion in the Northeastern United States. A component of Lewis’ thesis is to conduct a survey titled “Farmer Perspectives & Investment

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Hawaii Bill Could Become Nation’s First Carbon Emissions Tax

(Associated Press) Hawaii could become the first state to enact a tax on carbon emissions, but the bill still requires passage by the House and the governor. A carbon tax proposed by Democratic state Sen. Karl Rhoads was recently passed by the Senate, Hawaii Public Radio reported Monday. No dollar figure for the tax

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Oregon Climate Change: Governor Signs Executive Order to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

by Ted Sickinger (The Oregonian/Oregon Live/Herald and News) With Republicans determined to block any movement on climate change in the Legislature, Gov. Kate Brown, as promised, has decided to end run them with a far-reaching use of her executive powers to achieve the same goals on a different path. Brown

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump, EPA to Appeal Ethanol Blending Decision

(Kallanish Energy) President Donald Trump and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have agreed to appeal a federal appeals court decision on ethanol blending, Kallanish Energy reports. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had invalidated three small refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ruling covered blending waivers granted to Wynnewood Refining

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Promotion of Ethanol to Have Positive Impacts on Energy Security

(The International News) The Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad organised a seminar ‘Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks – Pakistan’, to promote ethanol as a modern and sustainable option for mobility, capable of generating immediate positive impacts on energy security, health, reduction of local air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, says a press

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

The 7 Pillars of Technology Breakthrough: Novozymes’ Innovations in Yeast Show the New Way

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Let’s explore today — using the recent news from Novozymes about their pioneering advances in yeast — what exactly a breakthrough is, and does. That’s relevant to everyone bringing forward a technology or product — whether yeast is in the mix or not. The News

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

E10 ‘Cleaner Petrol’ Could Cut Transport CO2 by 750,000 Tonnes per Year

(Transport Xtra) Drivers across the UK could soon be filling up their cars with a greener, lower emission fuel, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced. The government is consulting on plans for E10, a lower carbon fuel made with up to 10% ethanol, to become the standard grade of petrol at UK

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Farm Groups Focus on Trade, Biofuels at Commodity Classic

by Michelle Rook (AgWeek) Leaders of the nation’s top commodity organizations were focused on trade, biofuels and the upcoming crop season at this year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio. — …U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told farmers at Commodity Classic that the agency is not working on a third round of

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

White House Likely to Pursue Federal Aid for Shale Companies Hit by Oil Shock, Coronavirus Downturn

by Jeff Stein, Will Englund, Steven Mufson and Robert Costa (Washington Post) … The White House is strongly considering pushing federal assistance for oil and natural gas producers hit by plummeting oil prices amid the coronavirus outbreak, as industry officials close to the administration clamor for help, according to four people

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Powertrain Choices for Future Work Trucks Include New Generation of Diesel to Meet Growing Service, Sustainability Needs

(Diesel Technology Forum) Approximately six million diesel-powered work trucks today are on the job working for small businesses and governments alike. These trucks that deliver the everyday services Americans demand, are doing so with fewer emissions and a greater eye on sustainability, which is why diesel technology will continue to

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Oil’s Epic Crash Reminds Farmers They’re Also Energy Traders

by Isis Almeida, Michael Hirtzer, and Jen Skerritt (Bloomberg) Oil’s nosedive is sending farmers a stark reminder: they also need to be energy traders. — Growers have become more vulnerable to energy swings over the past decades as nations from the U.S. to Brazil mandated the use of biofuels. About a

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Committee Endorses More Flexible Biofuel Component Bill

(ERR/Estonian Public Broadcasting/BNS) The economic affairs committee of the parliament has decided to send to second reading a bill seeking to make the obligation of adding a bio-component to petrol and diesel fuel more flexible, and to increase the transparency and efficiency of trading in bio-component and renewable energy statistics.

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Green Jobs Could Increase by 85% in 10 Years with Government Support, Says REA

(Bioenergy Insight) Green jobs could increase by 85% in 10 years with government support, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA). Employment in the renewables and clean technology sector stood at 128,954 in 2017/18, but there is potential to boost the number to 238,000 by 2030. The REA predicts that

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Biomethane Could Deliver 30% of the UK’s Carbon Budget, Says ADBA

(Bioenergy Insight) Biomethane could deliver 30% of the UK’s carbon budget in the hardest-to-decarbonise sectors, according to the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA). In a newly-released report, launched by Alan Whitehead MP at the House of Commons in London on 2 March, ADBA claims that biomethane could provide ‘green

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

INA Selects FUTUROL™ Licensed by Axens for Its Project of Advanced Bioethanol Production in Croatia

(Axens) The Croatian oil and gas company INA has awarded Axens a license agreement to supply Futurol™ cellulosic ethanol technology and contract for basic engineering design of an advanced bioethanol production plant in Sisak, Croatia. Supplying INA with its innovative and sustainable Futurol™ technology for the advanced bioethanol production project marks

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

EIA Projects U.S. Biofuel Production to Slowly Increase through 2050

(U.S. Energy Information Administration) The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2020 (AEO2020) projects that U.S. biofuel production will slowly grow through 2050, primarily driven by economic and policy factors. In the Reference case, which reflects current laws and regulations, biofuels production in 2050 is 18% higher than 2019 levels. However,

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

EU Climate Law Falls Short of Expectations — UFOP: Climate Protection by Consensus and Motivating instead of Using the “Crowbar”

(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The climate law presented today by the EU Commission does not meet the expectations of a previously announced, more ambitious climate protection policy. In order to achieve the net zero emissions target 2050, the conditions for achieving the climate protection target

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

UFOP Questions Straw’s Feedstock Potential for “Advanced” Biofuels

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, UFOP reports that straw is a scarce commodity and not waste, making it a sought-after resource, but that the use of grain straw for biofuels production should take a back seat. UFOP questioned the current political preference in Germany given to biofuels from

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Global Clean Fuel Standards

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) In recent years, we have seen several countries beginning to develop clean fuel standards that can offer both opportunities and challenges for U.S. ethanol producers. A panel at the National Ethanol Conference focused on “The Emergence of International Clean Fuel Standards: Innovation Drivers or Industry Protectionism?” with insights on

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

How Can Renewable Natural Gas Provide a Negative Carbon Impact?

by Ashley Duplechien (ACT News/Trillium) Renewable natural gas is growing rapidly in the transportation fuel industry and decades of research confirms that it is a price-stable, low-carbon—and even carbon-negative—fuel option for fleets. — The attention surrounding the benefits of renewable natural gas (RNG) is for good reason. The fuel can

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Joni Ernst

“So, the President, his point to me was, Joni, it’s not going to be overturned. It’s not going to be overturned. And this way, let Ted Cruz and the oil buddies feel good about what they are doing, but he said it’s not going to be overturned,” said Senator Joni

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump’s Biofuel Plan Triggers Fallout in U.S. Farm Country

by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Appeal would be ‘a stunning betrayal’ of farmers, groups warn; Move allows EPA to keep waiving refineries from biofuel quotas — President Donald Trump’s decision to defend the U.S. government’s power to broadly exempt oil refineries from biofuel-blending requirements is triggering a backlash in Iowa and

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Oil Slammed by Price War and Virus in Worst Loss Since 1991

by Dan Murtaugh, Alex Longley, and Jacqueline Davalos (Bloomberg) Saudi Arabia and Russia both plan to increase production; IEA sees unprecedented combination of supply-and-demand shock — Oil plunged as both Russia and Saudi Arabia stood poised to flood the market with cheap crude in an all-out price war just as the

March 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Seeing New Markets Clearly in 2020

by Ron Lamberty (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … Straight-ahead, black and white vision tells us updated Reid vapor pressure (RVP) rules mean more E15 sales in 2020. No question. However, to move significant new ethanol volume in E15, we need additional perspectives to have a fuller picture. We

March 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Driving Demand in 2020 and Beyond

by Emily Skor (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … Driving new demand is at the heart of our work, and we envision a future where markets are open, E15 (not E10) is the floor for domestic growth, consumer confidence in ethanol soars to new heights, and policymakers globally lean in on

March 7, 2020 Read Full Article

Notice of Request for Public Comment on Updates to Technical Guidelines for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Carbon Sequestration at the Entity-Scale for Agriculture and Forestry COMMENTS DUE April 20, 2020

(U.S. Department of Agriculture/Federal Register) In accordance with Section 2709 of the 2008 Farm Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed technical guidelines and science-based methods to quantify greenhouse gas sources and sinks from the agriculture and forest sectors at the entity-scale. In the report, Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in

March 7, 2020 Read Full Article

North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance Sends Recommendations to Capitol Hill

(North America Climate Smart Agricultur Alliance) The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NACSAA) – a wide range of voices, focuses, and viewpoints from across the North American agricultural industry – submitted to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (HSCCC) today (March 5, 2020) a series of recommendations

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

B30 Mixed-Fuel to Absorb 9.6-Million KL of Biodiesel in 2020

(Antara News) Implementation of the B30 biodiesel fuel program, a diesel fuel blended with 30-percent palm-based biofuel, is expected to absorb 9.6 million kiloliters (KL) of domestic biodiesel in 2020, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated. “The B30 program is expected to absorb 9.6 million kiloliters of domestic biodiesel in

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Blog: Inhofe Amendment Would Cap Biofuels Credits Price at 10 Cents

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, has offered an amendment to an energy bill to cap the price of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, at 10 cents, as time is running out on the EPA to make a decision on possible changes to the small-refinery exemptions program.

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Plans to Appeal Ruling that Imperils Refinery Biofuel Waivers

by Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Mario Parker (Bloomberg News/The Eagle) President Donald Trump has decided to appeal a federal court ruling that jeopardized the U.S. government’s ability to widely exempt refineries from requirements to use renewable fuels. The decision follows an intense pressure campaign by oil-state senators, including Ted Cruz, a

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

UECC to Trial Marine Biofuels

(Marine Link) Short sea ro-ro operator UECC and marine biofuel company GoodFuels have launched a joint trial of GoodFuels Bio-Fuel Oil (MR1-100 or BFO) on UECC’s ro-ro vessel M/V Autosky, the companies announced Thursday. The three month trial will test 3,000 metric tons of sustainable biofuel on the 140m, 2,080 vehicle carrier –

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Finnair, Neste Partner to Reduce CO2 Footprint of Flying with Sustainable Aviation Fuels

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Finland, Finnair and Neste inked a new agreement which will gradually and considerably increase Finnair’s use of sustainable aviation fuel in its operations. The new partnership will be a key contributing factor in Finnair’s long-term target of carbon neutrality. Sustainable aviation fuels are a key part

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Rural Climate Action in the U.S. and China

(Wilson Center) In China and the United States–the top two emitters of greenhouse gasses–most climate policies and civil society campaigns have focused on reducing fossil fuels.. At this China Environment Forum (CEF) meeting, speakers will instead shine a light on the need for rural climate action that helps farming communities become

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Building a 100 Percent Clean Future Can Drive an Additional $8 Billion a Year to Rural Communities

by Bidisha Bhattacharyya, Ryan Richards, and Rita Cliffton (Center for American Progress) Rural communities face many challenges, and climate change is only making matters worse. Flooding and drought are hitting rural communities hard, causing massive financial losses for farmers, who are also facing low commodity prices and bearing the brunt

March 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Could Biofuels Answer Zimbabwe’s Fuel Headache?

by Shingirai Huni (The Herald) Zimbabwe is facing fuel shortages, with long queues now the order of the day at fuel stations. Many motorists now leave their cars at home and use public transport to save money on fuel as prices keep rising. Yet, adopting bio-fuels can help ease the fuel shortages Zimbabwe

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

IMO 2020: A Crisis That Didn’t Happen

by David Blackmon (Forbes) More than a decade in the making, the new IMO 2020 rule mandating lower sulfur emissions from the shipping industry went into effect on January 1, 2020. The new regulations have been the subject of much concern and predictions of vast disruptions and impacts to shippers, customers and producers

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

REG: Industry Experts Confirm Continued Importance of Biodiesel

by Steve Klein (Fleet Equipment/Renewable Energy Group ) I recently attended the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Tampa and came away with a lot of information and ideas about where the transportation industry is heading. One major point the speakers reiterated was that, despite all the talk of electrification,

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

China Must ‘Leap over Oil Age’ to Meet Climate Challenge

by Feng Hao and Gao Baiyu (China Dialogue) With stronger policies, China could peak its oil consumption in 2025, report finds — … A two-year study led by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental non-profit, has concluded that China must “leap over the oil age” to meet its

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Could Government Biofuel Drive Bring £350m Hull Plant Back to Life?

by David Laister (Business Live) Saltend facility was mothballed after 11 years of “inaction” over petrol pump policy — … Vivergo, an employer of 150 at Saltend Chemicals Park, closed in September 2018, with only a skeleton maintenance team remaining. The sprawling plant, owned by AB Sugar, had operated for

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

EU Commission Unveils Climate Law Amid Criticism

by Samuel Petrequin (Associated Press) Amid fierce criticism from environmental activists, the European Commission unveiled plans Wednesday for its first ever climate law, which will act as the basis of the European Union’s aim to make the 27-country bloc climate neutral by 2050. Under its Green Deal agenda, the EU’s executive

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

UPDATE 2-U.S. EPA Mulls Ways to Stabilize Biofuel Costs for Refiners, with Waiver Program at Risk

by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Wednesday it is mulling new measures to help oil refiners cope with the cost of complying with the nation’s biofuel policy, as the agency faces a sweeping legal challenge to a waiver program worth a fortune to the industry.

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Do We Really Need Hydrogen?

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jack Brouwer, Director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center at UC Irvine asks this very question. Take a look at his presentation from the H2@Scale panel to find out what today’s popular thinking and arguments are against hydrogen, a look at hydrogen energy storage

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

New Diesel Engine Powered by Ethanol ClearFlame Engines Can Cut Diesel Emissions Burning Straight Ethanol

by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) When ClearFlame Engines CEO B.J. Johnson told ethanol industry representatives about the potential ethanol market for the company’s all-ethanol diesel engine, those at the recent National Ethanol Conference in Houston could have kissed him. While concerns continue about the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Restored Biodiesel Blender Credit Boosts TravelCenters Of America Q4 Profits

by Alan Adler (Freight Waves) … TravelCenters of America Inc. (NASDAQ: TA) reported higher fourth-quarter net income Tuesday from the restoration of the federal biodiesel blending tax credit and selling 5.3% more diesel fuel and gasoline. … The blender’s credit, which expired at the end of 2017, was restored as