by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sometimes, the set-up of the transition from fossil fuels is as pretty and impractical as Dr. Doolittle’s Pushmi-Pullyu. The Digest investigates. -- ... For example, a renewable fuel does not qualify under the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Charles Lane (Washington Post) In August 2010, I proposed this wager to a fellow journalist: President Obama’s declared goal was to get 1 million plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars on the road in the United States by 2015. I
by Barbara Vergetis Lundin (SmartGridNews.com) ... "... My Consumers REBATE Act takes the revenue generated from pricing carbon over time and puts it in the hands of consumers to empower individuals to become more efficient in their energy choices," said McNerney
(America’s Renewable Future/Ethanol Producer Magazine) America’s Renewable Future recently released its final candidate report card. The report card places each presidential contender into a good or bad category based on their support for the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). ARF
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In mid-December, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is seeking the democratic presidential nomination, introduced legislation that aims to enact long-term extensions of several clean energy tax credits that benefit the bioenergy and biofuel sectors. The
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen has spoken out to reject (American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack) Gerard’s claims. “I’m not sure what reality Jack is living in, but it is
by Devin Henry (The Hill) Donald Trump is an unabashed backer of federal support for ethanol, a popular issue in Iowa that could provide the GOP front-runner with an effective closing argument against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) ahead of the Feb.
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Second-generation biofuel crops like the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Illinois
(Eco-Business/Future Market Insights) Algaculture, the farming of algae for fuel, is gaining traction globally as governments and private players look to leverage on the potential of algae as a biofuel. Concerns about depleting oil resources and the environmental impact of
(Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The Coalition announced today that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will become chairman and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will become vice chairman of Governors’ Biofuels Coalition this year. “For more than 20 years, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has worked
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What is the Purpose of the Feasibility Study? How can I know if my project is feasible? What should I look for in choosing a feasibility study consultant? What does a successful proforma look like when oil
by Mark Warner (Warner Advisors LLC) ... In this case, we are substituting engineers and business developers, then focusing on the differences in how they view biotechnology commercialization and the resulting impact on their ability to successfully scale-up technology as a team.
by Barbara Lewis and Kirstin Ridley (Reuters) Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is unlikely to face U.S.-style fines in Europe over its emissions scandal because of a softer regulatory regime and its home country Germany's determination to protect its car industry, EU sources and
(Environmental Defense Fund) A first-of-its-kind report by Environmental Defense Fund shows that leading oil and gas companies are putting themselves and their investors at financial and reputational risk by failing to adequately disclose meaningful information on emissions of methane. The report,
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Jan 8 Seven biofuel and agriculture groups have asked a U.S. court to a review the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016, according to a court filing on Friday, kicking off a widely-expected
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Beginning the new year with a few days steeped in agriculture proved a great winter tonic, raising optimism that the seemingly ordinary people tromping through the York County Fair buildings at the Keystone Farm
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Ed note: Here are some initial notes from Bob Kozak, covering green racing developments at the Daytona International Speedway's Roar before the Rolex 24. Sounds like we are racing backwards instead of forwards. To
by Steve Wilhelm (Denver Business Journal) Alaska Airlines says it will will partner with Gevo Inc., a leading maker of plant-based jet fuel, as the Seattle-based airline progresses from previous demonstration flights using Gevo's aviation biofuel to commercial flight sometime
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of the Navy is now buying advanced, drop-in, cost-competitive, next gen renewable fuels. The biofuels sought can be blended in a range of 10 to 50 percent with conventional petroleum products and must meet
by David Weigel (The Washington Post) (Wednesday, January 6, 2016) 11:45 a.m. ... "Because of this EPA wall, the market is currently dominated by low-level ethanol blends, such as 'E10' (10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline)," Cruz writes. "That has prevented
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They’re here. $2.05 per gallon, at-scale, domestically produced advanced renewable fuels — utilizing non-food feedstocks and based on next-generation technology. The Navy’s 7-year quest to diversify its fuel supply without paying more or changing its
(Purdue University) Nancy Ho, founder and president of Green Tech America Inc. and a research professor emerita in Purdue University's School of Chemical Engineering, will receive the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama. The award, announced Dec. 22,
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... “Most investors are from South Dakota by far,” he reported, but the project did attract investors from Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. “Generally, from areas where they understand the ethanol investment,” he
(U.S. Department of Justice) The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of
by Robert Moffitt (American Lung Association in Minnesota/Post Bulletin) A Dec. 14 letter to the editor described Rochester's "community responsibility to become energy sustainable." A key component to achieving this goal is increasing the use of clean-burning transportation fuels in the
by Scott Irwin (FarmDocDaily) This is a presentation summary from the 2015 Illinois Farm Economics Summit (IFES) which occurred December 14-18, 2015. A complete collection of presentations including PowerPoint Slides (PPT) and printable summaries (PDF) are available here. The EPA released
(Farm Futures) America's Renewable Future released its final U.S. Presidential candidate report card last week, declaring "good" and "bad" category candidates based on support for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Iowa-based ARF says it will publicize the report card so 50,000
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) Alternative energy companies typically prosper when oil prices are high, but it’s not all doom and gloom when the cost of crude nosedives. ... So what does all this mean for the wood pellet and other bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Group released its end of year newsletter, which included a comprehensive country profile for biofuels activity in Germany, authored by Franziska Müller-Langer (DBFZ and Nicolaus Dahmen (KIT). The overview includes Background
(Associated Press/Frederick News Post) The Garrett County Commissioners are considering a Deep Creek Lake watershed management plan that would restrict drilling for natural gas in the resort area. ... The plan was drafted in 2014. It would prohibit wellheads on 41,000
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, investors were pleasantly shocked when shares in Aemetis traded up 52% last Thursday. What exactly is happening? In a release, Aemetis credited five factors for the jump: January 1, 2016: California LCFS re-adopted as of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we reach the end of 2015? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and peer into tomorrowland. As the sunset of 2015 gives way
by Karolin Schaps and Ron Bousso (Reuters) With crude prices at 11-year lows, the world's biggest oil and gas producers are facing their longest period of investment cuts in decades, but are expected to borrow more to preserve the dividends demanded
by Laura Barron-Lopez (The Huffington Post) He even wants to bar fossil fuel lobbyists from working in the White House. -- Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled a forceful climate change plan Monday that sets its sights on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this year’s World Oil Outlook, OPEC writes: The prospects for first generation biofuels are constrained by factors such as land use changes, excessive water usage, and the impact on food production and prices from
(P&S Market Research/PRNewswire) The global biorefinery market was valued at $432.4 billion in 2014, and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 14.0% during 2015 - 2020. The factors driving the growth of the global market include government
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Federal Trade Commission has announced final amendments regarding ethanol blends above E10 to its fuel rating rule, which determines the fuel rating that appears on pump labels and how octane levels are calculated.
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) What if the nearly $6 trillion spent on wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had been spent to generate economic activity for the ethanol industry, asks Mike Bryan. -- ... Estimates are that by the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In a time of rising gasoline demand and targets for higher engine efficiencies, the world could use more octane. What about ethanol, and what about iso-octane itself? The Digest looks at the economics and the supplies. Over
by David Ripplinger (North Dakota State University) The domestic level of biodiesel use is mandated to increase to 2 billion gallons a year by 2017, double the minimum amount required by the original law. How much biodiesel is that? Domestic biodiesel
(Business Standard) The Centre is willing to offer one million litres of bio-diesel a day to the Delhi government to combat the rising menace of pollution, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Besides, the Centre will
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) EPA needs to stop micromanaging the RFS—allow the program to work as intended—and the record-setting ethanol industry will continue to perform for American consumers, writes Bob Dinneeen. -- ... The high came
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bipartisan congressional approval of recent legislation restoring tax credits for retail fuel station owners who buy equipment to offer alternative fuels could further increase availability of E85 and profitability for retailers, says American Coalition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Q. How have the US elections and the regulatory situation in the US impacted development of biofuels for other countries, particularly Latin America? ... Not much impact from the 2014 US elections, so far —
by Bill Rooney (Biofuels Digest/Texas A&M) Sorghum has been identified by the US Department of Energy as an energy crop of interest. Owing to its high biomass yield, drought tolerance, established production systems, carbon life cycle, genetic resources and potential for further improvement and available hybrids. Texas A&M”s
by James L. Stewart (Biofuels Digest/California’s BioEnergy Producers Association/Technikon Renewable Energy Solutions) ... With the most aggressive series of carbon emissions reduction benchmarks ever enacted by any government in North America, one would expect a concerted, cooperative effort by state government to meet
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Q. We’ve heard a lot about carbon capture, but what about carbon capture and conversion (to a more soluble, transportable and storable form), for example conversion to bicarbonate? A. To date, all ventures in the carbon
by Michael Holman (Lux Research) In 2015, Lux Research analysts profiled 1,189 companies across 20 different emerging technologies. As the year end approaches, we polled the analyst team to select the top 10 companies we covered in 2015 that are
(Argus) Imported biodiesel's share of the US on-road diesel pool is set to double in 2016 as suppliers in Argentina and elsewhere boost volumes after the US government issued clearer rules for blending tax credits and volumes. The recent devaluation of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... a judgment for Solazyme and against Roquette, confirming an earlier arbitration award we covered last February in The Great Algae Robbery, here. ... Just before Christmas, Robinson (Judge Sue Robinson, Federal District Judge for the District
by Amy Harder (Wall Street Journal/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Solazyme Inc., a company founded 12 years ago to make car and truck fuel from algae, is vigorously pushing a new product. But this time, it is fuel for the body: cooking oil, based
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) Becka Burke was in no hurry. Even though two of her carrot-topped children, ages 2 and 4, scrambled about inside her giant GMC Yukon XL, Burke not only filled up her tank, she stepped
by Anmar Frangoul (CNBC.com) Recent advances in technology mean the idea of creating fuel from sources as diverse as coffee and whisky is no longer science fiction. Another potential source gaining traction is algae. According to the U.S. Department of Energy
by Megan Cassella (Reuters) A majority of U.S. Republicans who had heard of the international climate deal in Paris said they support working with other countries to curb global warming and were willing to take steps to do so, according
by Brian Jenning (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) Each fall the American Coalition for Ethanol brings members together to identify the goals we’ll pursue for the coming year. We did a series of listening sessions between harvest and football
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, an analysis of 2016 model year warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association shows that auto manufacturers explicitly approve E15 (15 percent ethanol 85 percent gasoline) use in more than 70
by Sam Nejame (Promotum/Biofuels Digest) ... At the same time investors saw the rapid expansion in infrastructure that was the ethanol biofuels rollout. At the pump consumers faced $100+ per barrel oil and nearly $4 gasoline. The DOE was dealing with national
by Ron Alverson (Ethanol Across America) It has been seven years since Argonne National Labs (ANL), as part of the Energy Security and Independence Act requirements, first determined the Life Cycle Carbon Intensity of mid-west corn ethanol fuel. ANL, using
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Food vs Fuel, biofuels causing corn planting to skyrocket, low oil prices killing off renewable fuels, the subsidy myth, the emissions myth, the “people won’t buy the fuels” myth, and the Insanity myth. ... In the world
by Fred Krupp (GreenBiz/Environmental Defense Fund) As I write this, a massive methane leak from a ruptured natural gas storage facility in California is causing, every day, as much climate damage over the next 20 years as 7 million cars on the
by Carla Caldwell (Atlanta Business Chronicle) Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) will supply its fleet in two states with renewable natural gas produced by landfills. UPS says its fleet in Jackson, Miss., and Memphis, will use an estimated 15
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department announces its intent to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels.” This FOA supports BETO’s goal of meeting its 2022
by Shelagh Whitley and Laurie van der Burg (New Climate Economy) The research underpinning this New Climate Economy Working Paper was a major input into the 2015 New Climate Economy report and articulates the practical steps that policymakers can take to
(Bergeson & Campbell) This analysis reviews the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697) as passed by the Senate on December 17, 2015, and compares it to the previous version of S. 697 (identified as
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest and Iogen) ... The Bottom Line: Acquire better, cheaper biomass; Release matured market-ready technologies; Find markets where carbon premiums are available to products, not for a free benefit for society as a whole; Don't underpromise
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) As oil prices plummet, are drop-in aviation biofuel refineries ever going to be built? --- In September 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE), along with the Departments of the Navy and Agriculture, announced a
by Matt McGrath (BBC News) Wild bees in the US have declined in many farming areas according to the first national effort to map their numbers. -- The study suggests that between 2008 and 2013, the numbers of wild bees
(Stratas Advisors) This segment is from the report, “Panama: Biofuels Policy & Market.” The full report is part of Stratas Advisors’ Global Biofuels Assessment service. Rising oil prices and dependence on imported petroleum products led Panama’s government to consider implementing a domestic
by Mindy Ward (Farm Progress) Consumers will have more biofuel,ethanol choices at the gas pump. -- Mark Cadle sees the investment in biofuel infrastructure in Missouri as a win-win-win. "The goal is to expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth,
By John Sens (EcoEngineers/Ethanol Producer Magazine) CARB readopts standards, and sets time lines and treatment for legacy pathways. -- In the first three quarters of 2015, California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits increased in price by 212 percent. October saw
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council’s ethanol export promotion program has seen an early success with a U.S. exporter confirming sales of 10 million gallons of U.S. ethanol to Peru—valued at more than $15 million—following a trade
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) E85 ethanol has a benefit for just about everybody: Some people like the fact that the fuel often is much cheaper than regular gasoline, even with gas prices at their cheapest in years. Others
(ePURE) On 12 December, 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthen global action to fight climate change. The Paris Agreement includes an objective to limit global warming to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) $1 biodiesel tax credit extended through 2016, and much more. In Washington, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate passed legislation for retroactive reinstatement of the $1 per gallon biodiesel mixture excise tax credit from January
by Varun Sivaram and Michael Levi (Council on Foreign Relations) ... In this post we’re going to estimate the climate impact of the renewables tax credit extensions. We focus on 2016-2020 for three reasons: (a) it’s the period for which
(Diesel Technology Forum) Thanks to decades of innovation, clean diesel technology is helping to deliver significant reductions in GHG emissions and is a major feature of the U.S. climate commitment outlined in the INDC that explains how the U.S. will
(RadioIowa) Republican candidate Ben Carson says he’d like to see all subsidies for the biofuels industry done away with if he wins the White House. Support for ethanol has become a flash point in the race. On Monday Governor Terry Branstad saying he
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) ... Now that fuel, corn-based ethanol, finds itself threatened with a defection that was once unthinkable: Iowa voters. The electorate here in the early voting state often defined by its vast expanses of corn has
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining the health impacts of current octane sources and the need for cleaner, cost-effective octane providers. Octane is necessary for vehicle performance and increasing octane
(OntarioFarmer.com) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's final rules on the volume of biofuels that must be produced from 2014 to 2016 shows the agency is convinced that biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels, says Purdue University energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s historic news out now — that E85 fuel is available on a wholesale basis for less than 85 cents per gallon. The Anderson’s in Denison, Iowa are wholesaling E85 for $0.84, and Little Sioux
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) have released a request for information (RFI) titled “Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines” (Optima).
by Anne Davies (Sydney Morning Herald) Service station owners are facing a double whammy over E10 ethanol petrol after the Department of Fair Trading issued warnings they faced fines up to $1 million if they did not start advertising its
(ePURE) ... At ePURE, the association representing European ethanol producers, we believe that renewable ethanol can play an important role in decarbonising transport. Because ethanol can be blended with petrol to run in existing engines, it is one of the ways we
by Bengt Halvorson (Clean Car Reports) ... (M)ayors of four large West Coast cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland—met in Portland for a two-day summit and united to reduce carbon emissions on a regional level. The signed declaration, by the
by Christine Forster (Platts) A decision by the Queensland government to mandate the use of ethanol in regular unleaded gasoline sold in the state may provide a small uptick in demand for the blendstock. But it will not put a
by Sebastian Søderberg (Novozymes/Biofuels Digest) ... I believe consumers are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the damage their consumption can cause to the planet. With this awareness, comes a growing focus on products that reduce GHG emissions and maximize resource efficiency.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As ASTM technical balloting is underway and as experts sift through and request revised submissions of technical data, insiders are pointing to an early 2016 approval for Gevo’s renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel. In Washington, CAAFI Executive Director
by John McCormick (Bloomberg Politics) The poll also shows the parochial nature—and potential for hypocrisy—surrounding federal assistance programs -- Ted Cruz's position on a requirement that's key to corn-based ethanol runs counter to the views of a solid majority of
by Osaretin Oghomwen Omorodion* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On November 13th, the National Academies of Science's Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education convened with its board of Environmental Change and Society to assess current trends in monitoring climate change
by David Shepardson and Paul Lienert (Reuters) Surging demand for trucks and SUVs fueled by cheap gasoline is holding back improvements in U.S. fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, a government report due out on Wednesday is expected to show. The
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) On Dec. 9 the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Commission voted unanimously to finalize the state’s clean fuels program (CFP). Oregon becomes the third jurisdiction on the West Coast—following California and British Columbia—to implement a comprehensive
(Fleets & Fuels) Directive Covering Bulk Diesel Buys Issued Wednesday --- California’s Department of General Services advised state fuel buyers this week that henceforth they are to purchase renewable diesel fuel, “defined as a diesel fuel that is produced from
by Ghasideh Pourhashem (Forbes) ... Originally, along with energy security targets and diversifying U.S. fuel mix, the RFS was designed to lower the lifecycle GHG emissions and combustion-related smog from fossil fuel use. In recent years, as domestic energy production
(Farmers' Advance) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's final rules on the volume of biofuels that must be produced from 2014 to 2016 continues the current policy thrust that biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels, Purdue University energy
(PR NewsWire) The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines [NYSE: ALK] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] are partnering to move toward a significant environmental goal: powering all flights by all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation biofuel. Sea-Tac is the
by Mayank Bhardwaj (Reuters) India will soon allow automakers to manufacture vehicles that can run entirely on ethanol, but adoption is likely to be slow as the country has not been able to source the sugarcane by-product even for its
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Goodbye glucose, hello xylose. The X-Factor in the advanced bioeconomy might just be a sugar that starts with an X. ... When we think about C5s — that are liberated by new technologies from the cellulosic
by Charles Komanoff (Carbon Tax Center) ... The average price of gas sold in the U.S. over the past ten months is 25 percent below last year’s price — the steepest drop in at least 70 years. Americans are responding by
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) Study: The alternative fuel is becoming much more “appealing.” --- Just a few years ago, some convenience store retailers and consumers alike were hesitant to sell and purchase E15 fuel, respectively, due to misfueling
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Senior Scientist Min Zhang has a special relationship with Zymomonas mobilis, a rod-shaped bacterium that has bioethanol-producing capabilities. Of her 80 peer-reviewed papers and 21 U.S. patents in the field of biochemistry
by James Q. Lynch (The Gazette/AgriView) Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is defending his energy plan that would terminate federal support for ethanol production, claiming that ending subsidies for all forms of energy would expand the market — and demand —
by Jeannine Otto (AgriNews) “What is it that can do better than corn? We only know one plant right now, and that’s manioc — you know it as tapioca,” said Elwynn Taylor, ag meteorologist and professor of ag meteorology at Iowa
by Loni Kemp (NRDC/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The next ethanol boom is most likely to come from cellulose feedstocks, yet US policy is unprepared to ensure that harvest of annual crop residues is sustainable. That’s the conclusion of a new report recently published by
(Office of the Mayor, City and County of San Francisco) Estimated 50 Percent Emissions Reductions Will Be Achieved as Result of Ending Use of Petroleum Diesel & Replacing with Renewable Diesel Mayor Edwin M. Lee today at the West Coast Mayors
by Jamie Gray, Sophie Ryan (New Zealand Herald) Z Energy says committing to using biofuel is one way people can contribute to the global effort to reduce climate change outlined in the Paris Agreement. New Zealand has committed, along with 195
by Ray Scherer (St. Joseph News-Press) Despite a recent setback, supporters of ethanol — including one St. Joseph company — pledge to renew efforts at persuading the public of the fuel’s viability for their vehicles. ... “The numbers weren’t quite as high as
by Mike Peterson (KMALand) The Environmental Protection Agency faces congressional and legal action following its recent decision on the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2016. That's according to Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, who is among those not happy with the EPA's
by William O'Keefe and Jane Van Ryan (Solutions Consulting/The Hill) ... First, air quality, then energy security, and more recently, climate change. All of these problems were exaggerated and none required an ethanol fix, or subsidy, to be precise. And
by John Montgomery (The Hutchinson News) ... Abengoa shut down the plant last month – eliminating about 50 jobs – a little more than a year after a grand opening celebration featuring high-level state and federal officials. The company also
(Biofuels Digest) In Canada, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association released a 16-page synopsis of more than a dozen addresses at the recent Canadian Bioeconomy Summit. The synopsis team was led by Dr. Jack Saddler, ... READ MORE Download Summaries Excerpt from
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The World Starts from Tomorrow” says UN Secretary-General -- In France, representatives from 195 nations approved the Paris Agreement on global, coordinated response framework for climate change. Acceptance of the Agreement arrived at the end
(Los Angeles Daily News) Nov. 6, 2015 - This morning at 11 a.m., SoCalGas crews and outside experts started the coiled tubing rig operation to attempt to work through an ice blockage inside the 2 7/8-inch tubing pipeline of a
by Kay Ledbette (Texas A&M AgriLife) ... Russ Jessup, an AgriLife Research perennial grass breeder in College Station, said he is introducing a new biofuel-biomass feedstock that is a hybrid “similar to seedless watermelons, seedless grapes and other sterile
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 7, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, introduced the Food Recovery Act of 2015. The bill, which aims to reduce the amount of food waste in the U.S., also contains provisions related to waste-to-energy development. ... One
(KEYC) The cost for a gallon of standard gasoline has fallen beneath the price for a gallon of E–85. And while some may see this as a blow to the ethanol industry, producers of the fuel are confident this is just a
by Paul Alexander (Huffington Post) Some commentators have argued President Barack Obama suffers from a failure of leadership. That was evidenced once again last week when he traveled to Paris to demand the world cut greenhouse gas emissions on the
by Megan Johnson (Nebraska TV) Lots of agriculture groups are meeting during the time between harvest and planting to talk about things impacting their crops and industries. A topic coming up often: the renewable fuel requirement numbers recently set by the
by Alan Brugler (DTN The Progressive Farmer) USDA on Wednesday increased projected 2015-16 corn use for ethanol by 25 million bushels from its November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. Was this enough to reflect the additional blending required by
by S Lalitha (The New Indian Express) An eco-friendly initiative will be launched at City Railway Station on Monday when the Chennai-Mysuru Shatabdi Express will be run on diesel blended with biodiesel. Hubballi railway station was the first under South Western
by Bill Hinchberger (Globe and Mail) As the world prepares to wean itself from fossil fuels, many eyes are turning to Brazil with its land mass nearly equal that of Canada, plentiful sunshine, history of sugarcane plantations dating to colonial
by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) The South Dakota Farmers Union celebrated its 100th annual meeting by taking another step forward in history by unanimously passing a resolution that dedicates its members to use a 30 percent ethanol blend in all of
by Joseph Erbentraut (The Huffington Post) A new analysis finds potentially transformative agricultural research isn’t getting the level of funding it probably should. --- Two years ago, when acclaimed food journalist Michael Pollan trumpeted “the most encouraging ag research finding of recent
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 16, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted the Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop in Westminster, Colorado. The purpose of the workshop was to get stakeholder input about the potential role of
(Scion) A Scion initiative to understand the true potential of a biofuels future for New Zealand has attracted serious players from industry, government and sector interest groups plus the research community. The project, called the New Zealand Biofuels Roadmap, sets out
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) After a painful and damaging two-year delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week published Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, the agency finalized a rule riddled with contradictions and
(Argus Media) The Environmental Protection Agency expects sales of high-ethanol gasoline blends to climb next year but will not use federal mandates to compel retailers to offer the fuels. The distinction, laid out in a lengthy explanation of mandates finalized last
by Douglas Burns (Des Moines CityView) Governor’s son rips leading GOP presidential candidate over renewable energy -- Eric Branstad, leader of a fierce grassroots organization backing renewable-energy sources like ethanol, said last Thursday that Ted Cruz is far and away
by Taylor W. Anderson (The Bulletin) Environmental panel votes today on break for oil companies through 2018, new ethanol models -- Top environmental regulators are slated to finish rules today that include big changes for Oregon’s Clean Fuels program, three weeks
(Fleets & Fuels) Installation Combines Membrane and PSA Technologies Yielding Biomethane-Based CNG for Palm Oil Mill Vehicles --- Canada’s Xebec Adsorption has delivered its first “hybrid” biogas upgrading plant, a unit combining membrane separation and fast-cycle PSA/pressure swing adsorption technologies to produce
by Robert E. Kozak* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Here at Advanced Biofuels USA we’ve been banging the drum for E30 for a number of years. Equal fuel mileage, better performance, you know the facts. Well, all that time we never had a
by Bryan Lufkin (Gizmodo) From powering airplanes to replacing nuclear energy, algae has been touted as a green energy miracle. So if our waterways are already filled with the stuff, why isn’t it filling the world’s skies with biofueled planes?
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In a letter submitted Dec. 8 to the U.S. EPA, the Renewable Fuels Association urged the agency to take immediate administrative action to eliminate an arcane regulatory barrier that is impeding growth in the use
(Diesel Technology Forum) New York City Joins San Francisco and Oakland In Embracing New Blends Of Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Fuels -- In light of the COP21 Paris Climate Conference, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced a major initiative to reduce
(Business in Vancouver) With world’s focus on Paris, energy minister challenges other provinces to follow B.C.’s lead --- ... Alberta’s NDP government has pledged to introduce a $30 per tonne carbon tax, phase out coal power and cap oilsands emissions. But there’s
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance/Ethanol Producer Magazine) At the World Climate Summit under way in Paris, France, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance in cooperation with (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally renowned energy and environmental consulting firm, released a new report “Green
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The release of the U.S. EPA’s final rulemaking for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) was a shock to the RINs market—the renewable identification numbers used by obligated parties to demonstrate compliance. Biodiesel, D4
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Since retrofitting a 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 to a FlexFuel vehicle in mid-November, we have substituted use of home-grown renewable fuel for 63% of a barrel of fossil fuel oil. It was a bit of
by Gary Truitt (1010WCSI) ... Yet, the biggest indication that the President’s comments were flimflam came from within his own administration. Within hours of Mr. Obama’s remarks in Paris, the EPA announced the final rule on the blend levels of ethanol
by Douglas Burns (Daily Times Herald) Republican presidential candidate tours Coon Rapids POET plant --- ... America’s Renewable Future, a highly visible advocate at presidential campaign events in Iowa, scored Fiorina, a Republican, as “needs work” on the Renewable Fuel Standard,
by Rep. Krisit Noem (Argus Leader) ... Today, about one-third of the petroleum used in the United States is imported from foreign countries, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Most of this petroleum is refined into gas or diesel. Especially
(ScandAsia.com) Scania Malaysia (Scania) and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia or Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM) are to collaborate in exploring viable commercial opportunities for biofuels from municipal waste in Malaysia; in line with the National Biomass Strategy 2020 (NBS 2020). ... Scania and AIM
by Aoife White, Stephanie Bodoni, Peter Levring, Gaspard Sebag (Bloomberg) Royal Dutch Shell Plc, BP Plc and Statoil ASA no longer face an European Union investigation into potential manipulation of fuel benchmarks, the regulator indicated on Monday. Days after dropping a high-profile probe into
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Patiently, assuredly, one cluster at a time, Canada has amassed a potent armory of renewable fuel and biobased technologies, people and clusters of activity. Where’s it going? The Digest looks at a whole slew of
by Joseph Bebon (Next-Gen Transportation News) ... “Renewable natural gas, which provides even greater GHG emissions reductions, is gaining traction in some areas of the country like California,” he (Matthew Godlewski, president of NGVAmerica) notes. “And federal standards here in the
by Dave Eames, Ethan N. Elkind (Sacramento Bee/Kansas City Star) New federal rules issued last week will boost biofuel production nationwide; Biofuel comes from a variety of agricultural crops, algae, forest residue; California has not taken full advantage of low-carbon biofuel production We use
by Justin Ford (Las Vegas Sun) ... The U.S. military has long since decided climate change is a “threat multiplier.” Increasing global temperatures mean more dangerous situations around the world — stressing already-fragile states with resource shortages and mass migrations, for
by Jen Schwartz (Outside Online) Ending dependence on fossil fuels will require the movement to get better at one thing: compromise --- ... The problem? Many of those same environmentalists protest solar and wind projects because of the land they’d
by Rob Nikolewski (Kansas Watchdog.org) ... “I think we have to see how this thing plays out. In the short run, of course, it’s a devastating blow,” said Neal Gillespie, Stevens County Economic Developmentdirector. “In the long run, I think there’s a
by Andy Balaskovitz (MiBiz) ... “Any reduction in the statutory amount is a roadblock to biofuels like ethanol,” said Jim Zook, executive director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association. “By failing to set (blend) levels at the statutory amount, it appears the
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