by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Yesterday, we held a well-attended webinar on “Biobased Plastics and resins?” Here below are the slides presented on the day. The recorded version can be accessed here. READ MORE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Queensland, the state premier Anna Palaszczuk, the Minister for State Development Anthony Lynham, and the Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Mark Bailey jointly announced that a AUD $16 million advanced biofuels pilot plant will
by Allison Ong (Daily Bruin) ... UCLA researchers have been using bacteria, microscopic organisms responsible for disease and digestion, to convert living matter into liquid fuel. (Paul) Lin, a chemical engineering graduate student, is one of many students who work to
by Bill McKibben (The Nation) Our leaders thought fracking would save our climate. They were wrong. Very wrong. ... Meet methane, otherwise known as CH4. In February, Harvard researchers published an explosive paper in Geophysical Research Letters. Using satellite data
by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) (Daily Globe) ... The United States can’t sit on the sidelines and depend on foreign oil to keep our economy running. America is a powerful nation. We can’t let oil imports set the agenda. We
by Zac Auter (Gallup) Seventy-three percent of Americans say they prefer emphasizing alternative energy, rather than gas and oil production, as the solution to the nation's energy problems. This marks the highest percentage of Americans prioritizing alternative energy since Gallup
by Lee Seo-young (Korea Herald) GS Caltex will begin the construction of a plant for mass-production of biobutanol, a renewable biofuel for cars that can be used as a substitute for gasoline, during the first half of this year, the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We knew that Stora Enso has become awesomely serious about the advanced bioeconomy when news emerged in 2014 that the company had acquired Virdia for $33 million with additional potential payouts totaling approximately $29 million following
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, the NSW Parliament approved legislative changes to the operation of the NSW Biofuels Act. imposing the requirement that 6% of all motor spirits sold. The Bill also includes provision for a statutory review of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, the Federal Government announced that it is establishing a $1 billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund to support emerging technologies make the leap from demonstration to commercial deployment. The Clean Energy Innovation Fund will
by Kelli Gerry (The Collegian) South Dakota State researchers are working to perfect a process that could allow them to turn mustard seeds into jet fuel for Navy fighter planes. If people like Bill Gibbons are successful, some West River farmers could
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy) Last week, the Heartland Institute published a blog post claiming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has a detrimental impact on American farmers and rural corn producing areas. Growth Energy responded to the post, pointing to the
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, the proposed national budget provides C$50 million over four years to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to support the development of clean technologies; C$82.5 million over two years to NRC to bring clean
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we conducted a webinar on the state of cellulosic fuels as part of our 2016 March Madness series. You can experience the recorded version of the webinar here. Meanwhile, here is the primary slide
(Greenbelt Resources/PR Newswire) As a result of recent changes to Commerce Department regulations by the Obama administration regarding trade with Cuba, the advanced modular technology available from Greenbelt Resources Corporation (OTC: GRCO), an innovator of sustainable energy production systems, is
(Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.) Many Americans today, including many legislators at the federal and state levels, were not yet born when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by President Nixon in 1970, or they were too young to
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and 17 other senators today urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set high blending targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2017,
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) Poet Inc. is shipping fuel from Iowa facility, which could hit full output by year's end. -- Poet Inc., the nation’s first commercial-scale producer of cellulosic ethanol, is shipping the fuel from its plant in
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) ... Reuters' analysis of vehicle sales and government data shows that almost a fifth of the vehicles on U.S. roads can safely handle E-15 fuel, a gasoline with 15 percent ethanol content, or 50 percent more than
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg Business) ... Back in 2007, when crude oil was headed toward a record $147.27 a barrel, ethanol was being touted as a cheap alternative from abundant domestic resources. The U.S. is the world’s biggest corn grower and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last year, we reported that Research & Markets projected the “Nanocellulose Market by Type (Cellulose nanocrystals, Cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanocomposites, and others) to reach $250 Million by 2019, signifying annualized CAGR of 19% between 2014 and 2019. Heft growth
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) One of these days your personal transportation system might look like this. A solar or wind energy facility generates renewable electricity, which is converted into a solar fuel using electrofuel technology that converts CO2 and
(National Biodiesel Board/PR Newswire) North America's top fleets have spoken, and their #1 choice for greening their fleet operations is biodiesel. According to a new 2016 Fleet Purchasing Outlook study conducted by the NTEA - The Association for the Work
by Alexis Bateman and Yossi Sheffi (MIT Sloan Management Review) How a Lack of Systemic Thinking Threatens a Sustainable U.S. Energy Policy -- ... In 2011, a combination of market conditions and government policies in the U.S. and Brazil led to a
(Southeast Farm Press) Corn growers push to increase ethanol demand, explore new uses, increase livestock exports and improve transportation infrastructure. -- National Corn Growers Association finalized a new strategic plan March 5 to focus on four major strategic priorities that reflect
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) I just finished reading your article "Renewable Fuel Standard Continues To Devastate," published in February on the High Plains Leader & Times website. ... In fact, your article looks suspiciously like an article that
by Timothy P. Carney (Washington Examiner) Rick Bertrand, a state senator from Sioux City, Iowa, has announced a primary challenge against GOP Rep. Steve King. What did King do to earn the challenge? In the Iowa caucuses, King supported Ted
(RPA News) Our top story this month is a blunt reminder of how deeply U.S. policy uncertainty cut down and yanked back the progress of commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol over the past few years. The U.S. EPA’s epic indecision and sometimes indifference
by Margaret M. Zeigler (The Hill/Global Harvest Initiative) ... Held each year since 1973, National AG Day helps consumers, the administration and Congress understand how farmers grow safe and affordable food, and underscores the essential role of agriculture in maintaining both a
(Bioenergy Insight) Finnish energy solutions provider Wärtsilä has been awarded an order to supply the largest biogas liquefaction plant in the Nordic Countries to produce fuel for public transport vehicles. The supply contract was signed in December 2015, and is with
by Alicia Wood (The Daily Telegraph) NSW upper house government whip Peter Phelps resigned yesterday — forgoing $20,000 a year in salary — as part of a NSW parliament revolt over controversial new laws forcing petrol stations to sell ethanol. Dr
by Keona Gardner (TCPalm) ... Indian River Bio Diesel is seeking city approval to operate a plant that would process 250,000 gallons of its product a month in the now-vacant Egan packinghouse, 1103 N. Second St. The plant is a subsidiary
by Cécile Barbière (EurActiv) French MPs have approved an additional tax on palm oil. But sustainably-produced oil and imports for biofuels will be exempt from the tax. -- France has increased the tax on palm oil imports, amid heated protests from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To accompany our coverage this week of advanced chemicals with 5-HMF and its derivative, FDCA, we turn to a first-class study done by Weastra on the potential of selected bio-based chemical intermediates, specifically succinic acid,
(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) In the small country of Ecuador, all environmental risks of the production and consumption of fossil fuels can be observed by damages through oil exploration in the amazon rainforest and tank ship accidents close by Galapagos
by Ann Purvis (Heartland Institute) ... (A) new study from researchers at Strata Policy (SP) and the Institute of Political Economy (IPE) at Utah State University suggests RFS also harms the very farmers the ethanol mandate was designed to help. ... According to
by John O’Dell (Forbes/Trucks.com) With diesel fuel prices hovering at lows not seen in a decade, the smart money might bet against businesses developing products to replace the diesel engines and technology that keep the nation’s trucks on the road. But entrepreneurs
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today expressed deep appreciation to Lowe’s for responding so quickly to the industry’s request for the store to remove signs that inaccurately warned consumers to not use ethanol blends in small engines. In a
(Daily Hunt) Concerned over slow progress of ethanol blending in petrol and diesel, a parliamentary committee has expressed that the government should implement the Ethanol Blending Programme in order to cut down on crude oil import in the future and
by Suzanne Goldenberg (The Guardian) Arpa-E project deploys drones and robots to breed fast-growing, drought-resistant and greener biofuel from sorghum which could replace corn ethanol -- A US government agency is trying to build a better biofuel, using a higher energy-producing
by John Miller (The Energy Collective) U.S. total carbon emissions increased to a historic high in 2007. During the 2007-09 Great Recession U.S. total carbon emissions declined rapidly due to a combination effective Government energy and carbon policies, and economic factors.
(Renewable Fuels Association) Fueling retailer Thorntons announced today that it will offer its branded E15 option, Unleaded15, at all 43 Chicago-area locations beginning this month. In response, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued the following statement: “We are
by Warren Cornwall (Science Magazine) Scientists are tying climate change to individual cases of extreme weather with increasing confidence and speed. Although people have long said it's impossible to blame climate change for any single weather event, that's no longer the
by Peter Vail and Dallas Burtraw (Resources for the Future) As the political likelihood of passing comprehensive national climate policy has remained low, many states have taken up the mantle. This devolution of climate policy has been further reinforced by the US
by John Upton (Climate Central) A growing number of Americans are moving into homes nestled between the idyllic beaches of the Florida Keys — part of a national trend that’s seeing coastal populations swell even as the seas swell dangerously
by Sebastien Malo (PlanetArk/Reuters) A small Native American community in coastal Louisiana is to be resettled after losing nearly all its land partly due to rising seas, a first in the United States. The band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, a Native American tribe living
by Jeff St. John (GreenTechMedia) Will the fuel-cell maker lose its eligibility for California’s SGIP program? The debate rages on as regulators mull a decision. -- Bloom Energy, the deep-pocketed startup that’s garnered more than $400 million of the $1.4 billion
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) For a meeting about renewable energy held on St. Patrick's Day, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Janet McCabe, began her address with appropriate words from an old Irish
by Mike Jerke (Dickinson Press/Guardian Energy LLC) American-made ethanol is a clean-burning, environmentally friendly biofuel that represents an exciting step forward from dirty, foreign-sourced oil, yet an op-ed (“Renewable Fuel Standard continues to devastate”, March 10) being circulated in papers
by Holly Jessen and Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Although there are challenges facing the second generation ethanol industry, progress is being made -- U.S. EPA data shows 2.18 million cellulosic ethanol D3 RINs (renewable identification numbers) were generated in 2015.
by Camille von Kaenel (ClimateWire/Scientific American) Reducing emissions is not a priority for the military -- ... Concerns over energy security are spurring branches of the military to get more electricity from renewable sources, inching the Pentagon toward governmentwide climate goals. But environmental
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) In response to a recent misleading piece in BoatUS, which warned of marine engine damage due to ethanol, Keith Holmes, President and Owner of CK Motorsports, a certified Mercury Marine Engine & Racing service dealer, wrote
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The House Oversight Subcommittees on Interior and Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a joint hearing Wednesday to ostensibly examine the Renewable Fuel Standard but was basically an attack on the law. EPA Office of Transportation and Air
(Diesel Technology Forum) While diesel passenger vehicles sales have decreased in recent months, there are some positive signs that indicate diesel sales will recover and expand in the coming years, according to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel
by Herman Wang (Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency is considering a request by several independent refiners to shift the responsibility for complying with the federal biofuels mandate to blenders, a top agency official said Wednesday. But any such move would not
(Stratas Advisors/PR Newswire) Like government leaders around the world, candidates in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign have pandered to opposing constituencies surrounding the future of biofuels, agricultural versus petroleum, environmentalists versus industrialists. However, refiners, automakers, governments and investors want a
by Donnelle Eller and Christopher Doering (Iowa City Press-Citizen) Ethanol producers across the Corn Belt are being battered by tumbling gasoline prices and a glut of the corn-based fuel, pushing some companies to consider scaling back production or merging with another plant to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... a fascinating look at the evolution in the fuels, renewable chemicals, specialty products and nutrition that make up the advanced bioeconomy. ... The most spectacular news of the week belonged to TerraVia, which landed a
by Jim Lemon and Michael Lemon (BioCycle/Biogas Researchers, Inc.) Michael Lemon describes steps to move EPA forward on the RFS renewable electricity pathway on Tuesday, April 5 at BioCycle WEST COAST16. ... Steps to expand deployment of clean energy technologies like renewable
by Alex Nussbaum and Michael Roschnotti (Bloomberg Business) Bludgeoned by falling energy prices, at least a dozen oil and natural gas companies have opted to cut dividends this year to preserve cash, cannibalizing payouts considered sacrosanct by many investors. The cost to shareholders:
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) An expert on consumer marketing offered some recommendations on how to make ethanol the natural choice for consumers during the National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in New Orleans this week. Matthew Willcox, executive director of the Institute of
(GreenAir ONline) Industry and the media have hyped up new technological solutions that promise emissions reductions and so lead to an era of sustainable air travel but have yet to turn out to be feasible, finds a study by researchers
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) ... Our exchange began with his comments that government should not decide which fuel is the winner; that fossil fuels dominance over alternative fuels was due to consumer choice; and that society owes a
by Laurel Rosenhall (CALmatters/San Francisco Chronicle) A Harvard economist known globally for his work on climate change policy sat in the Sacramento office of the oil industry’s lobbying firm recently, making the case that California is fighting global warming the wrong way. California’s
by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) We welcome US Representatives Adam Kinzinger, Barbara Comstock, Joe Heck, Chris Gibson, Ryan Costello, Kevin Yoder, Richard Hanna, Dave Reichert, Elise Stefanik, Carlos Curbelo, Tom Reed and Bob Dold to the fight against climate
(Rep. Adrian Smith’s office/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., presented at a briefing March 1 to educate congressional staff on the impacts of a U.S. EPA regulation that currently prevents the sale of E15 during the summer months. Though E15
by Dave Franzman (KCRG-TV9) Gasoline retailers in Iowa plan to add a large number of renewable fuel pumps this year to sell gasoline with a higher percentage of ethanol. The Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board recently awarded a record number of
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association/The Daily Caller) The recent article, “America is off Foreign Oil, No Thanks to Ethanol” has it all wrong. First of all, America is not completely “off” foreign oil, as the article claims. According to
by Ross McKitrick (Financial Post) The existing policy framework has destroyed the possibility for carbon taxes to achieve efficiency -- In his March 2 article, “The cheapest way to cut carbon,” economist Trevor Tombe presents the basic logic of emission
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Several representatives of the biofuel industry are participating in a USDA trade mission to Peru and Chile March 14-18. The mission, led by Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack, aims to expand export opportunities for U.S.
by Brigham A. McCown (Forbes) ... Based upon a review of her (Hillary Clinton's) campaign website, The following are expressions of her current position on energy. Plans to create a $60 billion Clean Energy Challenge, partnering with States, cities, and rural communities to
by Roger Wicker (Daily Journal) America’s energy landscape has changed dramatically since the creation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) a decade ago. What began as a federal program to incorporate more biofuels – such as corn ethanol – into
by Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) The illegal activity of passing off used cooking oil (UCO) as non-brand cooking oil (NBCO), which is allegedly becoming widespread on a massive scale in the country, may be disrupting the government’s biofuel program, observers
by Doug Durante (The Hill/ Clean Fuels Development Coalition) With regard to the recent opinion expressed by Rob Green of the National Council of Chain Restaurants, all I can say is gosh, what a better source for an objective assessment
by Peder Holk Nielsen (Novozymes/EurActiv) If Europe is serious about its climate commitments, and if Europe wants to reduce its dependence on imported oil, then we need to increase the amount of low-carbon biofuels in the energy mix, writes Peder
(WNAX) At a recent meeting between President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an agreement was announced to address climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. Nebraska Ethanol Board Administrator Todd Sneller says that deal should lead to
(SkyNRG) During the award ceremonies at the World Biofuel Markets conference, the Fly Green Fund was announced as the winner of the Biofuel Partnership of the Year Award. The Fly Green Fund was launched in June 2015. Founders are SkyNRG, the
by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat (Bangkok Post) Rising ethanol demand this year, coupled with expected sugar-cane production cuts due to the severe drought, are likely to force ethanol producers to switch to cassava as their feedstock instead of molasses, industry officials say. Weaker oil
by Anastazio Mpumulo (AllAfrica) Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has handed over ethanol stoves to 36 households in Nkhotakota to mark the beginning of an assessment where ethanol is tested at household level as a domestic fuel. Speaking during
(Ecofys) Land Use Change effects differ significantly for various types of biofuels consumed in the EU. Today, the European Commission has published a report by Ecofys, IIASA and E4tech that quantifies the ILUC emissions from EU biofuel consumption. ILUC, or
by Jan Koninckx (DuPont/Biofuels Digest) ... (O)ur call is clear: we must act with the utmost urgency as we work toward solutions to help slow man-made climate change. Transportation contributes a quarter of all man-made CO2 emissions, and it needs
by James L. Stewart (California’s BioEnergy Producers Association/Technikon/Biofuels Digest) A major worldwide effort is underway through the non-profit organization R20 Regions of Climate Action to assist sub-national states and jurisdictions in developing projects that promote clean energy and combat climate change. Currently, R20
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... To write this, I talked to Chris Disher and Max Kinast. As Disher said, it’s a story full of controversy, intrigue and lies. And, even though that conversion kit was ultimately certified by the U.S.
by Valerie Richardson (The Washington Times) A newly released international study finds that farming, not fracking, is the likely culprit behind rising global methane levels, undermining the Obama administration’s crackdown on methane from oil-and-gas production in the name of climate
by Robin Vercruse (Fuel Freedom) ... Initially focused on reducing our nation’s petroleum use in the wake of the oil crisis of the 1970s, coupled with tailpipe emissions standards, the CAFE Standards have since become the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On March 3, two subcommittees associated with the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program. ... Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., defended the DOE’s
by Almuth Ernsting (Independent Science News) ... The disastrous experience with Fischer-Tropsch biofuels is just one part of a much larger failure of cellulosic and algal biofuels, on which billions of dollars of public subsidies have been spent. ... Those are just the largest
by Sean Pratt (The Western Producer) A small farmer-owned ethanol plant in northwestern Iowa has accomplished what many other companies have been unable to do. Quad County Corn Processors broke new ground July 1, 2014, when it became the first
(Convenience Store News) Kum & Go LC became the first retailer to offer E15 in Missouri. The blend of 15-percent ethanol and 85-percent gasoline is now available at two Springfield, Mo., locations: 5384 S. Campbell Ave. and 1505 N. National
by Robert White (Renewable Fuels Association) ... Since the passage of the RFS in 2005, the efforts of some groups like BoatUS would lead you to believe that memories like mine have all but disappeared. They want you to believe that
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Ethanol’s high octane value is important and valuable, and it’s a part of most math and money discussions I regularly have with fuel station owners. In market conditions like we’re seeing today, as ethanol’s
by Kim Larson (Grand Forks Herald) ... Let us all be reminded, that CRP was never meant to remain as a stationary acreage program. It was expected to perform just as it has, rise and fall with the free market decisions
(1380KCIM.com) Congressman Steve King has endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz for the GOP Presidential nomination, causing many to ask Iowa’s fourth-district representative about his commitment to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). ... Cruz’ plan is to phase down the RFS over
(FactCheck) ... Cruz said he bravely opposed ethanol mandates in Iowa where they are popular with corn growers, but Trump accused him of waffling on that issue. ... During the run-up to Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, Cruz publicly defended his long-standing opposition to
by David Babson (Union of Concerned Scientists) ... But recent science suggests that we don’t have a great handle on how large methane emissions really are, so we are going to need strong science to back up this commitment. Methane is a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Solazyme undergoes Focus Reassignment Surgery and re-emerges as TerraVia. Industrials to spin off, nutrition the focus now. The what, the why, and the “why now?” In California, Solazyme said that it is now focusing exclusively on
by Gavin Bade (Utility Dive) ... A key part of the climate mitigation strategy will be reducing emissions of methane — a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide — from oil and gas operations. In the statement, the two nations
by Brad Plummer (VOX) ... Note that the CAFE standards come up for a midterm review in 2017. Some automakers have been arguing that the rules should be weakened in light of recent low oil prices and shifting preferences. A recent
by Christina Maza (Christian Science Monitor) ... Now, researchers across the US are pouring resources into discovering whether it’s possible to produce sustainable biofuel through selective plant breeding and genetic modification. That technique, which has generated controversy in the food industry,
(Biofuels International) South Korea's TN Energy has entered into an agreement with Lao State Fuel to set up a joint venture (JV) to produce Power Gasoline-branded bioethanol fuel. The JV, to be called Lao K-tech, will be established later this year
by Asjylyn Loder (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) ... The excitement made it easy to ignore one big problem: It was one of the most expensive booms in history. Devon, Chesapeake, SandRidge Energy, and Continental Resources were spending almost $2 drilling for every $1
by Michael Barr (Iowa State University) When reading a recent article on “Improving fuel mileage” something caught my attention: there are many benefits of using ethanol-blended fuels that are not mentioned in the article. The 14.3 billion gallons of ethanol produced in
by Marc Heller (E&E Publishing/ClimateWire) ... In California, once home to 66 biomass plants, about 30 remain in business, dashing the hopes of orchard growers looking for places to sell downed trees and branches. "When oil is less than $30 a barrel,
by Jeff Mulhollem (Penn State) The first harvest of 34 acres of fast-growing shrub willow from a Penn State demonstration field this winter is a milestone in developing a sustainable biomass supply for renewable energy and bio-based economic development, according to
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM/Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Watertown is challenging conventional wisdom in order for biofuels like ethanol to finally realize their true potential. Conventional wisdom says our nonflex autos can only operate on 10 percent ethanol blends and, at most,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, United Airlines will be using jet biofuels produced by AltAir using Honeywell UOP technology on up to 150 flights a day out of Los Angeles, the Digest has learned. March 11. A two week,
(Institute for Energy Research) 2015 was a good year for the ethanol industry for both production and blending. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. ethanol producers increased their production 3.4 percent to 14.81 billion gallons in 2015, and
by Fiona Lambe and Marion Davis (Stockholm Environment Institute/Reuters) ... The reality, of course, is that electricity will not reach all households in the immediate future – not to mention, power is so unreliable in much of sub-Saharan Africa, and so expensive,
by Helen Mountford (New Climate Economy/Miami Herald) Letter to Editor: None of the 16 presidential debates so far have taken on climate change as a major focus. As candidates from both sides head to Florida for some of the last
(Stockholm Environment Institute) This briefing note synthesizes the latest evidence on the impacts of traditional biomass cooking and discusses options for addressing these challenges, with recommendations for policy-makers in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, 76% of the population relies
by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) Banking advisory group calls for risk disclosure and stress tests to protect against climate inaction should move to low carbon economy happen too late -- The EU’s financial watchdog has called for governments to consider
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada awarded Comet Biorefining a CA$10.9 million grant for the construction of its first-of-a-kind advanced bio-based chemicals plant. Located in Sarnia, Ontario, the plant will use proprietary conversion technology to
by Rick Edwards (Adams County Farm Bureau/Herald-Whig) Letter to Editor: A commercial airing locally, produced by Smarter Fuel Future, is out to make you believe ethanol is really bad -- bad for you, for your wallet and especially for the
by Ian Bickis (The Canadian Press/Winnipeg Free Press) Canada's biofuels industry is facing significant headwinds even as interest grows in ways to reduce carbon emissions. A combination of low oil prices, the end of a biofuels incentive program, continued competition from
by Matt McGrath (BBC) There are growing concerns that cheap imports of biodiesel from Poland could wreck the European market in biofuels. All diesel sold in the EU needs to contain a percentage of fuel made from crops such as rapeseed. But
by Fariss Samarrai (University of Virginia) As strategies for energy security, investment opportunities and energy policies prompt ever-growing production and consumption of biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel, land and water that could otherwise be used for food production increasingly are
by Cindy Zimmerman (AgWired) Visitors to the 2016 Commodity Classic had the opportunity to voice theirsupport for Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and relax their aching muscles at the same time at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) booth. It was the first
by Chris Clayton (DTN/Progressive Farmer/KTIC Radio) ... Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a farmer from Primghar, Iowa, said his take on the election is that “it’s mindboggling who is in the lead in the presidential campaign.” Nieuwenhuis supported Marco Rubio in the Iowa
by Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md. 6th) (The Hill) ... Closer to home, the Chesapeake Bay communities of Smith Island and Tangier Island could be two of the first U.S. communities displaced by the effects of climate
(Environmental Compliance News) ... Americans should not misunderstand the current state of domestic production, foreign production, international economics, and low prices, according to Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Biofuels Business Council. “Oil dependence is still a problem, and recent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Last week, we reported that potential buyers of Abengoa Bioenergy’s six first generation ethanol facilities have been looking at acquiring the assets even before the company’s announcement that they would be put up for sale. We
(Renewable Fuels Association) In an interview with POLITICO Pro Energy’s Morning Energy, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard stipulated that his organization was pivoting its strategy toward reforming the Renewable Fuel Standard rather than continuing to call for
(Union for Promoting Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) google translation) The Union for Promoting Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) feel their expectations to those established in Germany by 1 January 2015 greenhouse gas mitigation through the development of sales of biodiesel
(Industrial Biotechnology) ... My current assessment is that there exists an unlimited sense of opportunity in the biobased products and bioenergy sector. I look at the work being done at the USDA, which is extensive and has been helpful in getting
by Julie Gordon (Reuters) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau persuaded the country's 10 provinces on Thursday to accept the concept of putting a price on carbon but agreed the specific details could be worked out later. The compromise deal was unveiled
by Dan Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This article is the result of a technical trip to Germany and the UK to participate in strategic meetings and visit labs; to attend seminars, an expo, a short course and a symposium. Posted after
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Feb. 24, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on the state of the rural economy. Biofuels and bioenergy were among the topics discussed during the nearly three-hour event. When asked to characterize the
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has scheduled a public meeting of the chartered Science Advisory Board March 31-April 1. During the meeting, the SAB is expected to conduct a quality review of a draft report on the
by Patricia McDaniels (University of Tennessee) A small stand of poplar trees harvested from a University of Tennessee AgResearch Center is set to help scientists progress further down the path toward low-cost, high-quality biomass and a bioeconomy. Located on UT’s East
by Marielle Mohs (KTHV) A town hall meeting got pretty heated on Wednesday night in Maumelle. Many angry citizens voiced their concerns about a proposed ethanol storage facility that would store 4.2 million gallons of ethanol and cost about $12 million.
by Rebecca Ballhaus (The Wall Street Journal) Republican millionaire Jay Faison is pushing his party to embrace clean energy, saying conservatives don’t need to be on the defensive on climate issues. The North Carolina businessman this week launched a super PAC
by Sonja van Renssen (Energy Post) Biofuels are returning to the political agenda in Europe as EU policymakers start to shape a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport after 2020. Biofuels producers continue to argue that they are
by Luis A B Cortez, et al. (International Journal of Aerospace Engineering) The aviation industry has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions in coming decades. The strategy involves the use of sustainable biofuels, aiming to achieve benefits from environmental, social,
(OPIS) The Renewable Fuels Supply Supplement is the first publication in the OPIS Market Trends series and is now available! This supplement is designed to analyze, educate and inform the global downstream industry of the latest trends, technologies and regulatory
(Iowa State University Bioeconomy Institute) A new white paper has found that Iowa is better positioned than many domestic competitors to capitalize on the next frontier of bioprocessing in the United States. The report, titled “Biobased Chemicals: The Iowa Opportunity,” was released
by Tristan R. Brown (The Conversation) The 2016 primary race is defying conventional wisdom, with erstwhile fringe candidates competitive in the polls despite their unorthodox policy positions. The Iowa Republican Caucus provided additional material for this storyline as Senator Ted Cruz defied
(Green Alliance) A coalition of the UK’s leading environmental groups,[1] including the National Trust, WWF, RSPB and Greenpeace, are today calling for the next mayor to commit to a greener London during their term. As part of Greener London week,[2] they
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Novozymes CEO Peder Holk Nielsen has called for the EU to introduce a blending mandate for advanced biofuels by 2030 to help decarbonise the transport sector. The chief executive of the biotech specialist made the announcement
by Adam Christensen, Benjamin Hobbs (Science Direct/Applied Energy) Biofuel policy is under near constant review at both the federal and state level. For example, as part of on-going implementation of the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), the California Air
(Exchange Magazine) Visitors to the GLOBE Innovation Expo will get an up-close look at a made-in-B.C. portable biofuel refinery built inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. BioCube has successfully deployed its refinery on remote sites in The Congo, in India,
(Neste/Globe Newswire) Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable fuels, has started collaboration with spoken word artist and YouTube star Prince Ea. Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince Ea is known as a passionate environmentalist and a
by Eric Wolff (Politico) ... The oil lobby is polling its members to develop ... a new strategy on the Renewable Fuel Standard in the wake of significant policy and political shifts in the ethanol world, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO
by Donya Nasser (United Nations Foundation) In 2015, world leaders adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which provide a shared global development agenda from now until 2030. These goals build on the eight Millennium Development Goals that were adopted in 2000 and
by Robert Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Editors Note: We usually don’t write about election results, but today’s mainstream media coverage of the Super Tuesday primaries seemed to call for some analysis. In some ways it’s very similar to trying to
by John Martin (Fleet Equipment Magazine) ... The fuel tax credit for LNG was also made in energy equivalency rather than gallons since LNG occupies so little volume. The tax credit will either be calculated on a diesel—gallon equivalency or a
(Bloomberg/European Supermarket Magazine) Brazil’s economic and political crises are proving to be a boon to one of the nation’s most embattled sectors: ethanol producers. Drivers, who used to switch between ethanol and gas depending on the price gap, are now just going
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Regardless of their political party, Iowans strongly support a government program promoting ethanol — reaffirming its popularity in the nation's No. 1 ethanol-producing state, according to results of the new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. Seventy-one percent of Iowans favor the Renewable
by Earl Lane (Science Magazine) From a childhood fascination with cactus plants, to fieldwork in Brazil tracing the wild progenitor of the cassava plant, to learning the subtleties of rice cultivation from an expert farmer in the highlands of Thailand,
by Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine) Science policy wonks use the ratio of research spending to overall economic activity to judge whether a country is investing enough in innovation. For decades 3% has been the magic number, and Israel and South Korea
(Platts/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets and a division of McGraw Hill Financial, has entered into a strategic agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade
.jpg)
