by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oil prices in the 60s — what does that mean for the global economy, energy markets, and alternative fuels in the short-term and long-term? As if tough financing conditions and policy instability weren’t worrying enough
by Talla Buford (The Center for Public Integrity) ... By 2018, the land (Stacey) Ryan and other holdouts have fought to keep will be consumed by an $8.1 billion ethane cracker and a multibillion-dollar gas-to-liquids facility, a massive addition to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The industry must come to grips with the disconnect between feedstock producers and companies that convert feedstocks to products. In petroleum, the oil and gas producers enjoy higher returns than the oil refiners fitting
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization) The underlying legal constructs of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) remain in working order, despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to issue a final 2014 rule and its other regulatory missteps. Over the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Butamax, KRL, Vivergo, sugarcane ethanol business not impacted by cuts; consolidation to Brazil; San Diego research center, Highland feedstock operation also up for sale. In the UK, news broke from BP headquarters that the company has
by Tim Unruh (Salina Journal) Grain sorghum could be among the keys to reducing the massive mining of water in western Kansas, once it’s deemed economically desirable. Long an ugly stepcousin in the family of Kansas staple crops, grain sorghum —
(WNAX.com) Renewable Fuels Association officials are not surprised oil industry groups are looking at suing EPA over their delay in getting out the 2015 RFS volumes. RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper doesn’t think the American Petroleum Institute or American
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new report prepared by economic research firm The Brattle Group showed that the proposed Department of Transportation rule on rail tank cars could cost the economy as much as $60 billion and projected
by Gregory T. Benz (Benz Technology International, Inc./Biofuels Digest) Conventional biofuels, whether from starch, sugar or lignocellulosic materials, tend to be low energy density products such as ethanol or butanol. These are made using catabolic (anaerobic), thermodynamically “downhill” processes. Such
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Corn ethanol production has soared to record heights this year, and with large harvests and low corn prices, that means record profits for the industry. ... ... Production has soared in large part because of
by Jeff Guo (The Washington Post) Assateague, a 37-mile-long smear off the shores of Maryland and Virginia, is the East Coast’s climate change canary. It’s one of the most vulnerable islands in America, almost certain to be one of the
by Alex Morales (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) A major threat to fossil fuel companies has suddenly moved from the fringe to center stage with a dramatic announcement by Germany’s biggest power company and an intriguing letter from the Bank of England. A
by Tom Hamburger (The Washington Post) Oil, gas and coal interests that spent millions of dollars to help elect Republicans this year are moving to take advantage of expanded GOP power in Washington and state capitals to thwart Obama administration
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) In a recent farmdoc daily article (November 12, 2014) we initiated a discussion of whether the decline in gasoline prices had been large enough to threaten the competiveness of ethanol in gasoline
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Our engineering team — numbering 30 and growing — translates biology into 100 kiloton fermentation-based chemical plants that perform. We speak both languages — biology and engineering — fluently. ... If you could snap your fingers and
(Biofuels International) Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB), an industry coalition to promote advanced biofuels, met on 4 December at the European Parliament with Members of the European Parliament, Commission representatives, and stakeholders in Brussels. LSB, which is chaired by
by Mario Parker (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) The U.S. is adding ethanol to the list of fuels it dominates in world markets. Exports of the additive derived from corn rose 31 percent this year to the highest level since 2011, meeting demand
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... CBiRC was founded in 2008 with funding from NSF, creating an Engineering Research Center focused on advanced manufacturing for sustainable biobased chemicals. The R&D program creates a multi-year, interdisciplinary, multi-institutional center that joins academia, industry
by Antoine Schellinger (South Texas Law Review/SSRN) Seven years after the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the United States is entering the heart of renewable fuels legislation that was implemented as RFS2 by the EPA. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “On the way” forever, talked up by all, deployed by some – technologies that handle high free fatty acid feedstocks like used cooking oil are coming into their hey-day, via players like REG, Novozymes, Pacific
(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels examines all current and emerging feedstocks and the advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of their end products, ranging from solid (wood energy, grass energy, and other biomass) to liquid (biodiesel from oil seed
(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Publishes 2014 Biennial Assessment and Overview of Climate Finance Flows Report. Annual public and private flows from developed to developing countries ranged from $40 to $175 billion. Dedicated multilateral climate funds -
by Scott Jamieson (Canadian Biomass Magazine) Executives from Canada's biofuels industry are looking at efficiencies and diversification as tools to ensure the sector's continued growth. That was the main message shared with a packed room at the first day of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve developed 2 proprietary biorefinery technologies producing low-cost cellulosic sugars from non-food based biomass. Our Green Power+ technology produces low-cost cellulosic sugars from the hemicelluloses. AVAP technology produces cellulosic sugars from cellulose and hemicelluloses. Our
by Sean Ellis (Capital Press) A proposed ethanol facility in Southwestern Idaho would convert barley and tubers into fuel. It's not the first ethanol facility proposed in the Treasure Valley and two others have failed to get off the ground. An
(Sustainable Aviation) Sustainable Aviation (SA), a coalition of the UK’s airlines, airports, manufacturers and air navigation service provider NATS, has launched its latest Road-Map, which considers the opportunities for sustainable aviation fuels. The Road-Map identifies the potential for a 24
(Thanh Nien News) Filling stations across Ho Chi Minh City will begin selling biofuel this week. Under a government plan that went into effect in December, the city will gradually replace 92-octane gasoline (A92) with E5--five percent of which is
by Amanda Peterka (E&E Publishing) The two new members headed to the House from Iowa are so far untested in a political office but are likely to add to the GOP voice against environmental regulations. David Young and Rod Blum rode
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Futures) Actions taken by EPA to help keep RFS alive have actually backfired and brought more attacks in defending Congress’ intent. ... Wally Tyner, Purdue University ag economist, said it’s quite ironic that EPA likely proposed lower corn-based
(Biofuels Journal) The FlexFuel Awareness Campaign completed a highly successful tour of several key locations in Maryland and Virginia last week as part of the Mid Atlantic Alternative Fuel Road Show. The tour featured exhibits and workshops providing information to fleet
by Kevin Kalhoefer and Denise Robbins (Media Matters) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay its decision about the 2014 levels for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil refiners to blend renewable fuels into the
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Following Gov. Branstad’s Emergency Proclamation Due to Diesel Shortages, IRFA Reminds Users Biodiesel Can Help Following Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s emergency proclamation to allow for more transport of diesel products, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today
by Alex Lawler, Amena Bakr and Dmitry Zhdannikov (Reuters) Saudi Arabia's oil minister told fellow OPEC members they must combat the U.S. shale oil boom, arguing against cutting crude output in order to depress prices and undermine the profitability of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 14 perspectives on policy, technologies and geographies of compelling interest in the new year -- At ABLC Next this year in San Francisco — naturally, the focus is on “what’s next” in technology, finance, deployment
by Carole Abourached* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Derrick Morgan, Vice President for the Institute for Economic Freedom & Opportunity hosted a presentation on the moral case for fossil fuels November 17, 2014 at the Heritage. According to Morgan, there should not
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Global Bioenergies achieves one-step renewable butadiene via fermentation. Who’s in the global chase for a process to make one of the world’s Big 7 industrial chemicals via a renewable process — and how did Global
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this Digest survey, we asked you to rate a representative selection of cellulosic biofuels technology providers — primarily, which technologies you feel have are the most commercial viability, either now or some time in
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Just over a year ago, billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla was bubbling with optimism about one of his latest investments: KiOR, a biofuel outfit he said would turn wood chips into hydrocarbons that could
by Alan Neuhauser (U.S. News and World Report/MSN.com) No clucking way. Turkey prices are still higher than average, the American Farm Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics found last week – but don’t blame the Environmental Protection Agency's renewable fuel standard. The
(25 x '25) Federal regulators have stumbled again in following the congressionally approved roadmap for expanding and accelerating biofuel development and use, announcing Friday they will not finalize 2014 blending requirements under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) until sometime next
by Roberto Coelho* (Advanced Biofuels USA) As discussed at the recent F.O. Licht’s conference, Sugar and Ethanol Brazil, the current status of the installed capacity in Brazil has grown enormously in recent years with the launch of 29 new power plants
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) While some have tried to pit the biofuels industry against livestock producers, the folks at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) explain their green fuel is actually helping those producers. “The livestock industry is a strong stakeholder. That’s
by Nicholas Bergin (Lincoln Journal Star) The biofuels industry is gearing up for a fight, a national industry spokesman said Monday. Doug Durante, executive director of Bethesda, Maryland-based Clean Fuels Development Coalition, predicted lawsuits over the Environmental Protection Agency’s
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) I recently attempted to rent a FFV for a work trip and had a less than satisfactory experience. ... It was renting a car to drive the 75 miles to Hugoton that left me seeing
by Emily Parkinson (Financial Review) Australia’s struggling biofuels industry has had an annus horribilis. First came the budget decision to scrap the excise-free status the sector believed would be in place until 2021. “It threw us completely,” Andrew White, chief
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... My regulatory work focuses on the RFS, LCFS, and Cap & Trade. My transactional work involves maximizing the value of environmental attributes, and developing and negotiating various agreements including joint ventures, feedstock and offtake agreements.
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) As biotech masterminds and venture capitalists scramble to hatch a new generation of environmentally friendly fuels that can help power the average gasoline-burning car, they are confronting an unexpected obstacle: the White House. Yielding to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s on the short list to succeed the embattled Nebraska Republican, and what does that mean for Advanced Biofuels? ... The Good News: Support for the Navy’s advanced biofuels program varies within the Pentagon, but it’s generally
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... But in the meantime, it appears to be an open-and-shut case that “new sugars” are the new sugar — and specifically that stevia might be the new sugar. Supporters of the idea that
(National Biodiesel Board) This holiday season, we’re giving thanks to the thousands of businesses that choose biodiesel, a sustainable, green form of American energy. Here are the top 10 ways to show your gratitude to those who support America’s advanced
by Mary Sussman (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) High school students wrestle with the sustainability challenges of making real-world decisions about biofuel agriculture while playing Fields of Fuel, an educational video game developed by WID researchers. Recently released online for use
By John Beltz Snyder (AutoBlogGreen) When sewage is treated at a wastewater treatment facility, biosolids are the byproduct. After being separated from the water, biosolids are usually sent to a landfill or incinerated. That doesn't mean that they're without value,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Currently we are evaluating the underlying technologies that are involved in the 85 million annual gallon cellulosic ethanol that will be on-stream in the US this year. We have discovered that there is equal
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) ...EPA should formally withdraw the proposed rule and issue a final rule as soon as possible, fully correcting their misinterpretation of waiver authority and methodology for setting the annual renewable fuel volumes. Setting
(GreenAirOnline) By agreeing to develop a global market-based mechanism (MBM) for international civil aviation, ICAO’s 38th Assembly has set the expectation that such a scheme will be adopted in 2016 and that it will be operational by 2020. ICAO has
(Euractiv) The French bioethanol industry is leading the campaign to raise the proportion of biofuel in Europe’s transport fuel mix to 15%, while the European Commission continues to hold the sector on a short leash. EurActiv France reports. ... Bioethanol is produced
by Deborah Sontag and Robert Gebeloff (The New York Times) North Dakota took on the oversight of a multibillion-dollar oil industry with a regulatory system built on trust, warnings and second chances. ... Blowouts represent the riskiest failure in the oil business.
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate includes a provision that would encourage carbon utilization technology. The Algae Biomass Organization has spoken out to applaud the bill, which calls for greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations that
by Anne Simet (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has never before made such a clear and emphatic endorsement of biomass, commented Biomass Power Association President Bob Cleaves on release of the agency’s updated biogenic emissions framework. At least not for the 15
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Policy uncertainty has adversely impacted the U.S. biodiesel industry, but media reports would have you believe the sector is teetering on collapse. The facts show otherwise. There have been numerous reports in the past several months
by Leticia Phillips (UNICA/Ethanol Producer Magazine) UNICA is looking forward to working with Brazil's newly re-elected President Dilma Rouseff on putting the right policies in place for the country's future, writes Leticia Phillips. Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol industry has grown along with the U.S.
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) Lately, cellulosic ethanol plant startups have basked in the bioenergy limelight. While less celebrated, anaerobic digesters are adding value to operations and seem to be trending in blueprints. When ethanol plants can provide excess sugar to
by Martin LaMonica (Xconomy) The list of advanced biofuel companies that failed to live up to their ambitions is long and discouraging. Joule Unlimited, though, appears to be making progress despite the headwinds of skeptical investors and, more recently, falling oil
by Jack Weatherly (Mississippi Business Journal) Finding a buyer for the idled KiOR biofuels plant at Columbus would be a tough sell, according to Pavel Molchanov, an equity analyst who had covered Pasadena, Texas-based KiOR Inc. until it filed
by Doug Carder (The Ottawa Herald) In Anderson County where agriculture is king — accounting for 72 percent of the county’s economy — a group is preparing to make a $12 million to $16 million investment in renewable fuels powered
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The EPA's long-awaited announcement on the RFS targets for 2014 were finally announced today. And the announcement? No decision on the 2014 RFS targets would be made in 2014. But what does this announcement mean? At first glance,
by Don Jenkins (Capitol Press) A consultant says ethanol made from Brazilian sugarcane could help Washington reduce carbon emissions. Midwest ethanol producers are lobbying Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to not adopt a low carbon fuels standard. An industry advocacy group, Growth Energy,
by Don Jenkins (Capital Press) Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest is three years into a five-year, $40 million project to produce a green alternative to petroleum fuel. ... Three years into a five-year, $40 million program, a University of Washington-led project to
by Paul Kenney (North Platte Bulletin) Recent reports from the University of Nebraska clearly document the impressive economic benefits that occur when the corn, cattle and ethanol industries are efficiently integrated. Economists describe the economic “bounce” we realize in the
by Melanie Sloan (The Hill) Late last year, without warning, the White House did a 180-degree shift on its renewable fuels policy. But until the spring of this year, no one had any idea why. In May, according to Reuters, the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. EPA announced it is delaying finalization of the long-awaited 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard Renewable Volume Obligations until 2015. The proposed 2014 rule ran into a steamroller of opposition from renewable fuel groups,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... To complement the efforts of our Sponsors and CAAFI Executive Director Steve Csonka my focus is on implementing State initiatives on the East Coast in partnership with USDA / DOE and our highly focused an
(Geneco) The UK's first ever bus powered on food waste and human poo has taken to the road today which engineers believe could provide a sustainable way of fuelling public transport - cutting emissions in polluted towns and cities. The 40-seater
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Shell VP Matthew Tipper, at ABLCNext: “We will likely begin manufacture in the southeast United States. We plan to be operational by late this decade. “We believe our best bet is woody biomass and energy
By Reuben Brewer (The Motley Fool) In July, Brazilian airline GOL became the first airline to use a new type of biofuel to power a commercial flight. The fuel in question was farnesene, which is made from sugar cane. And
(The Economic Times) Keen to ensure success of ethanol blending in petrol, the Prime Minister's Office held parleys with the ministries of food and petroleum to clear bottlenecks to ensure adequate supplies so that the programme can be extended across
by Andrew Anderson (Faegre Baker Daniels/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Although several new requirements in the FSMA may impact ethanol plants, writes Andrew Anderson of Faegre Baker Daniels, the preventative control rule is likely the one that will have the most significant
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Nov. 19, the U.S. EPA released a revised framework for assessing biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from stationary sources. According to a notice published by the EPA, the second draft of the framework
by Ann M. Thayer (Chemical and Engineering News) Scottish startup to make biobased chemicals from the leftovers of whisky production The process for making Scotch whisky uses three ingredients: water, yeast, and a grain, primarily barley. About 10% of the output is
by Logan Wroge (Twin Cities Daily Planet) ... “A token amount of renewable energy isn’t going to cut it. We need a total transition,” said Simone Childs-Walker, a member of the student group Fossil Free Minnesota. The Legislative Energy Commission
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The Energy Biosciences Institute explores the application of biology to the energy sector. ... I would change the perception that the advanced bioeconomy is somehow at odds with conservation and that it is “less green” than
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (November 18, 2014), the Feed Food Fairness Campaign, backed by members of the livestock and fast food industries, ran a one-sided advertisement in the popular Beltway publication “Politico” inaccurately blaming the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 10 hot companies, The Young Fresh Faces, the Later-Stagers, the Out-of-the-Box Thinkers - who is challenging the status quo and how and why? Here are new slides from the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference – ABLC Next
(25 x '25) As often and as vigorously as the Obama administration pronounces its support of cleaner forms of energy and efforts to curb global climate change, the failure of EPA in its rule-making process to adopt sensible policies that
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Chico, Calif.-based biodiesel equipment manufacturer Springboard Biodiesel recently introduced its GL95/MC12/BD380 trio to recover more than 99 percent of excess methanol mixed in with the glycerin that’s produced when making biodiesel. The equipment also removes and
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) According to an analysis of vehicle owners manuals for model year 2014 and 2015 cars, conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), two-thirds of new car owners’ manuals approve the use of E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent
by Nick Cunningham (OilPrice.com) Despite what appears to be a saturated oil market in 2014, oil producers around the world will struggle to meet rising demand over the next few decades. In its latest annual World Energy Outlook, the International Energy
by Stephanie Buckner (Cleveland Advocate) Splendora High School is continuing to stress the importance of career and technical courses by bringing students in on a cutting edge program and innovation in science. The multifaceted Biotechnology Program, which was funded with help
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The International Energy Agency has released its annual World Energy Outlook, revealing that fossil fuel consumption subsidies reached $550 billion in 2013. According to the IEA these subsidies are failing to help those around
(SkyNRG Nordic/Statoil) SkyNRG Nordic, the partnership between SkyNRG and Statoil Fuel & Retail Aviation, announced the supply of the first commercial quantities of sustainable bio jet fuel to Avinor’s airport Gardermoen in 2015. Lufthansa has signed up for 5% sustainable bio
by Kristy Moore (Renewable Fuels Association) It is never acceptable to sensationalize the facts to the point where they are no longer facts. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) learned this lesson when releasing its study “Corrosion of
by Art Krugler (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel production has no more or less fire hazard than an oil refinery. Plant personnel at all levels need to be vigilant and totally informed, realizing that what they do not know can lead to
by Gavin Maguire (Reuters) The final quarter of the calendar year is typically the busiest for U.S. ethanol manufacturers as the large swell in local corn supplies help to lower the cost of their chief input and propel operating margins
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... NSP is focused on several items at the moment: successful advanced biofuel RFS2 pathways for grain sorghum oil to biodiesel and sweet sorghum to ethanol, a cellulosic RFS2 pathway for biomass sorghum, and improved
(CleanTech Canada/CanadianManufacturing.com) Greasecycle Inc. has found a new deep-fry devotee in the University of British Columbia (UBC). When the school’s kitchens are busy pumping out French fries and chicken wings to warm bellies this winter, the leftover cooking oil will
by Tim Walz (D-Minn.) (AgWeek) Imagine a future where America controls its own energy destiny — a future in which we stop spending $1 billion per day on foreign oil and start investing those funds to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A Canadian farmer and hot rodder recently talked with me about altering engines for pure ethanol. If E85 were widely available, the work racers are doing in this area could be applied to street
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is pleased with a new report that shows the potential for growth in sales of 85% ethanol blends. “There’s no doubt that E85 sales will double or triple over the next decade,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... We are focussed on installing more diverse renewable energy solutions from methane digesters to biodiesel processors. Working on the idea of an energy farm where several fuels are made from similar sources and sold into
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A new analysis of real-world land use data by Iowa State University raises serious concerns about the accuracy of models used by regulatory agencies regarding “indirect land use changes” (ILUC) attributed to biofuels production. The study, conducted
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Feedstock. Now that cellulosic ethanol has reached scale, it has replaced Motherhood and Apple Pie as staple faves for industry chat. Meanwhile, Pacific Ag has been rolling up the acres, getting it done. How’s it
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biofuels now account for 1 percent of global energy use, a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development finds. “The State of the Biofuels Market: Regulatory, Trade and Development Perspectives” provides a
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily) Wholesale (CBOB) gasoline prices in the U.S. have declined by about a dollar per gallon, or one-third, since June (see Figure 1). The CBOB price last week was $2.11 per gallon, the lowest level
by Katherine Tweed (GreenTechMedia) Global subsidies for fossil fuels totaled nearly $550 billion in 2013. Countries around the globe have committed to reducing subsidies for fossil fuels, primarily oil and gas. But that commitment is not being put into practice quickly
by Natalie van Hoose (Purdue University) ... Growers can manage the potential risks linked to extreme rain events and soil degradation by using adaptive strategies such as planting cover crops, using no-till techniques, increasing the biodiversity of grasses and forage
(Ecofys) European calculation rules substantially underestimate the climate benefit of biofuels in the transport sector. Their greenhouse gas emissions should be compared with the emissions of the fossil fuels that they replace in the market. These ‘marginally’ replaced fossil fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Founded and directed DuPont’s Corporate Catalysis Center before retirement in 2005. ... We have had too many failures, not because the technology is no good but because funding firms require success too quickly. Traditionally it has taken
by Kennedy Mupeseni (Times of Zambia) An energy expert has said Government should establish a low interest-rates biofuel fund to be accessed by Zambians for various operations in biofuel value chains. Biofuel Association of Zambia (BAZ) chairperson Thomson Sinkala said Government
(World Health Organization) WHO recommendations, released today, highlight the dangers of burning fuels like unprocessed coal and kerosene in the home, and set targets for reducing emissions of health-damaging pollutants from domestic cookstoves, space heaters and fuel-based lamps. The new "WHO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Like Rocky Balboa, no matter how many punches they take, Gevo just won’t fall over. In fact, the company’s prospects have brightened considerably in recent months — is the company “gonna fly now”? How and
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) Mike McAdams discusses work on Capitol Hill, founding of the Advanced Biofuels Association and the importance of engaging in the ongoing public debate about renewable fuels. “We’re the people you hire to protect you from the
(Platts) The new 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards biodiesel mandate is expected to be far lower than the industry's production capacity, sources have told Platts. Traders and brokers polled by Platts estimated that the new 2014 standard would be anywhere from
(National Corn Growers Association) In a letter sent to President Obama this week, the National Corn Growers Association and several agricultural allies asked him to intervene with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its proposed cuts in the 2014 volume
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Regardless of the conversion technology or end product, the biomass must still be produced in an economic and environmentally sound method for the industry to be successful. I believe that the innovations we have
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Could a new wave of cellulsoic processes find the key to capturing the carbon lost by today’s technologies — and providing a drive to lower costs that busts through infrastructure barriers? Iogen has been running its
by Michael Hirtzer (Reuters Africa) Ethanol's smallest discount to gasoline in seven months could reduce demand for U.S. biofuels and make higher ethanol blends such as E85 less profitable, traders and analysts said on Friday. Ethanol's discount to gasoline shrank to
(Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) ... But mass-efficient payloads should be possible, insist researchers at the University of California, provided space explorers make use of nontraditional biological techniques. In particular, these researchers say synthetic biology should give space missions a
by Michael Kanellos (Forbes) ... But give biofuel execs credit: they learn from the past. Much of the activity centers around developing fuels and chemicals out of waste products and virtually everyone is adopting strategies to minimize the capital requirements
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA signed on to a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to adopt Volkswagen of America’s proposal for establishing the E85 weighting factor (“F factor”) for model year
(MarketWatch/Fuels Institute) There are opportunities to grow the E85 market — but only if prices remain significantly below those of regular grade gasoline and the automobile industry continues to produce flex-fuel vehicles at historic rates, according to a new report
by Piers J. Sellers (The New York Times) I’M a climate scientist and a former astronaut. Not surprisingly, I have a deep respect for well-tested theories and facts. In the climate debate, these things have a way of getting blurred
(Growth Energy) Today, Growth Energy submitted initial comments to the state of Washington on their draft report regarding the potential implementation of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Growth Energy’s comments outline how an implementation of a LCFS could potentially
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Altranex is a developer and marketer of bio-based chemicals including high-quality renewable lubricating base oil, marine fuels, and chemicals for the polymers/plastics industry. ... The industry must overcome the disappointments that has followed the bio-economy’s hyped projections.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week at ABLC Next, PwC’s Brian Carey, at the outset of the first commercial session of the conference, presented results from an incisive industry survey which looked at confidence, growth, and diversification. “The concerns?” Carey
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sapphire Energy’s new multi-market product approach Joule’s breakthrough photosynthetic efficiency Cellana – multi-products for algae, just like petroleum READ MORE
by Al Costa (Global Biobusiness) ...To this end, it becomes increasingly clear that "verticality" is a key issue. This means crops which occupy little space horizontally and as much space vertically. After all, a crop is free to be
(The Guardian) US, UK, Australia giving tax breaks to explore new reserves despite climate advice that fossil fuels should be left buried Rich countries are subsidising oil, gas and coal companies by about $88bn (£55.4bn) a year to explore for new reserves,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 5. Install corn oil in each Nebraska facility to be sold to biodiesel producers 6. Consider strategy for micro biodiesel plant installation ... 10. Continue supporting blender pumps of E15 to break the blend wall 11. Move corn ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To open ABLC Next, what we like to call the “heads of the 7 families” — or in this case, the heads of seven key trade associations for the advanced bioeconomy, joined us on stage
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Liquid Light took the #1 spot in the 2014-15 “40 Hottest Smaller Companies in the Advanced Bioeconomy” rankings, published today in The Digest, the world’s most widely-read advanced bioeconomy daily. It was the first
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable chemicals developer Genomatica took the #1 spot in the 2014-15 “30 Hottest Companies in Biobased Chemicals and Materials” rankings, published today in The Digest, the world’s most widely-read advanced bioeconomy daily. It is Genomatica’s fourth
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) LanzaTech took the #1 spot in the 2014-15“50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” rankings, published today inThe Digest, the world’s most widely-read bioeconomy daily. It was first year at the top for LanzaTech, which came in
(Algae Industry Magazine) he Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), has unveiled a new website —recyclecarbon.org — as part of its ongoing campaign to persuade the EPA to explicitly recognize Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies as approved emissions reduction strategies under
by Isabel Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, the Low Carbon Fuels Standard (LCFS) is being overhauled, and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) is requesting input during the rulemaking comment period by November 17th. Two of the issues most important
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (R)e:chemTM was born out of necessity to spearhead US policy for rapid deployment of the renewable chemical industry and resultant cross sector manufacturing growth. ... Re:chemTM’s specific priorities over the next 12 months are securing
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy participated in a market development mission with the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association to explore export opportunities for U.S. ethanol in Panama and Peru. Alex Marquis, Logistics Manager of Marquis Energy, represented Growth
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In many ways, REG is the entire industrial biotech business in a nutshell. They’re fermentation (through REG Life Sciences), and thermocatalytic (through REG Geismar and their extensive biodiesel business). They use both sugars and
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... In early 2014, (Senator James M.) Inhofe (R-OK) expressed interest in repealing the RFS, and instead focus on expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling. Inhofe wrote that the RFS should be repealed, “allow[ing] ethanol
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) In January 2006, President George W. Bush said “switchgrass” in his State of the Union Address as he enthusiastically envisioned a renewable transportation fuels future.1 Within weeks, the price of switchgrass seed soared, along
by Laís Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The final round of the Brazil election happened on October 26th, 2015, and Dilma Roussef, from the Workers Party (PT), was re-elected with 51.4% of the votes. This election was full of unexpected events
by Daniel Looker (Agriculture.com) ... Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, another ethanol group, agrees that “biofuels policy is bipartisan and always has been.” But he also looks for more pressure on ethanol in the Senate – not from new
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Gasification is the missing link between complex feedstocks and a clean synthesis gas for use in a wide variety of biofuel applications. ... Our next project is going to be developing a Zero Waste Innovation Park (ZWIP)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Here are the highlights of industry association reaction to the US Midterms, in which US voters turned sharply right and handed control of the Senate and House to the Republican Party. ... Iowa Senator-elect Joni Ernst, South Dakota
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, what has been described within the industry as “The growing movement to call out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its ethanol emissions testing procedures” picked up support today as a new study
by David Robers (Grist) ... Instead, in practice, the other perspective focuses on finding ways for poor countries to leapfrog the fossil-heavy development path taken by today’s rich countries, directly onto a more sustainable, low-carbon path. (Jamais Cascio has a
by Brad Plumer (Vox) In the run-up to the 2014 midterms, a lot of green groups were hoping that this might finally be the election when climate change became a defining issue. ... True, there were small shifts in attitude here and there.
by Glen Martin (O'Reilly Radar) Christina Agapakis explores the microbiological matrix that binds everything from pecorino to people. ... Agapakis is first and foremost a synthetic biologist and a microbiologist, but she’s not particularly happy with the way the synthetic biology narrative
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is in the midst of an overhaul of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Two of the issues most important to the low carbon fuels industry are the carbon intensity curve and cost containment
by Larry Pearce (The Hill) In 1990, Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments and directed the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce the dangerous chemical additives in gasoline. Today, 24 years later, this law has yet to be enforced
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) Probable legal challenges to proposed cuts in the 2014 U.S. biofuel mandate could focus on a two-word phrase dropped from the U.S. law establishing the renewable fuel program back in 2005: distribution capacity. Biofuel producers have argued
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