by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A new petition has been launched today (April 11, 1012) to help encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support biofuels development. The petition is sponsored by Frontiers of Freedom, who says that advanced biofuels allow America
by Peter Byrne (The Energy Report) Believe it or not, industry experts see biofuels accounting for up to 25% of global energy consumption by 2050. With this long-term vision in mind, Mark McHugh, president and CEO of consultancy firm CenAm
by Editorial Board (The Washington Post) Will natural gas hinder the fight against global warming? ...But extracting and transporting all that natural gas, which is mostly methane, also results in fuel leaks. When methane leaks, it has a shorter-lived but much
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hybrids, plug-in electrics struggle to pass the consumer’s “compared to what” test – and how much do those tax credits cost, anyway? ...Take, for example, the trouble with hybrids. We saw a report yesterday that only one in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...How about investing in the world around you? ...What can a leader do? He or she can help you to change your fate, through simple acts of investing your own energy money in your own community,
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Four days of total immersion in advanced biofuels’ language and culture at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, 107 presentations, leaves one’s mind spinning and stomach churning. So, in the spirit of
(FarmEnergy.org) More than 100 diverse groups representing agriculture, energy, rural development and conservation called on Congress today (April 5, 2012) to renew and fund core energy programs in the Farm Bill that push forward clean, homegrown energy. These programs advance
(SustainableBusiness.com) Over the past two years, The Climate Bonds Initiative has been creating a new class of bonds that can finance a rapid transition globally to a low-carbon economy. ...Most of the bonds will be bought by institutional investors, but there are plans to
by James Stafford (OilPrice.com) Rising geopolitical tensions and high oil prices are continuing to help renewable energy find favour amongst investors and politicians. Yet how much faith should we place in renewables to make up the shortfall in fossil fuels?
by Steve Everly (Kansas City Star) Ethanol industry pushes for the state to step up from the E10 blend now offered. But automakers warn of engine damage, voided warranties. ...E10 will still be available, and selling E15 won’t be mandatory, but
(Enhanced Online News/Live Science Alley) Today (March 28, 2012), The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota released a comprehensive white paper detailing the extent and impact of the advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals industry and providing a roadmap for their continued growth
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) joined with seven other biofuel-related organizations to champion the success of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY),
by Ben Geman and Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) The Senate voted 92-4 Monday to begin an election-year floor debate over Democratic legislation to repeal oil-industry tax breaks, a plan that’s unlikely to ultimately pass but provides a platform for partisan
In a letter to Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Ranking Member John Cornyn (R-TX), the Advanced Ethanol Council voiced support for extending key cellulosic ethanol tax provisions set to expire at
by LtGen John G. Castellaw, USMC (Ret.) (25 x '25) ...In spite of claims to the contrary, increased domestic drilling and building pipelines to carry Canadian crude south will not result in energy independence or low fuel prices in either the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, the National Algae Association called on presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich to issue a retraction of statements he made at a campaign speech in Pennsylvania, branding the Speaker’s claim that he contacted the NAA to
by Lisa Depies (GateHouse News Service/Galesburg.com) Retired Gen. Wesley Clark spent 38 years in the U.S. Army protecting America. Today, Clark is working to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. Clark is co-chairman of Growth Energy, an organization that represents
by John Udovich (Small Cap Network) Among other reasons, higher oil prices since the start of the year have been helping small cap biofuel stocks like Gevo (NASDAQ: GEVO), BioFuel Energy Corp.(NASDAQ: BIOF)and Solazyme (NASDAQ: SZYM) but can higher oil prices alone sustain their rise?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Two reasons why Queensland’s election stands out. First, the election was also notable for the electoral debut of the rural, populist Katter’s Australian Party, which was formed last year – socially conservative, pro-growth, protectionist,
by Courtney Collen (KSFY.com) ...One Sioux Falls dealership says people are not spending on just any car - they're in the market for Flex-Fuel Vehicles in order to save money. Flex-Fuel Vehicles run on regular gasoline or a blend of up
by Anna Austin (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has released its 2012 Farm Bill platform, which provides suggestions to improve some federal bioenergy programs. These include the Repowering Assistance Program and the Biomass Crop Assistance
by Stu Ellis (FarmGateBlog) ...Now the bloom is off the rose. Gasoline demand is down, the blend wall is pushing ethanol demand down, and corn prices are not as strong as they once were. ...He (Bob Wisner, biofuels economist at Iowa
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Sugar prices are booming, good news for producers in Brazil, India and elsewhere, but in Brazil it has created, shall we say, a certain reluctance to maximize ethanol production. Part of the reason for high prices,
By Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) At the March 21 Bioenergy Day on Capitol Hill, discussion focused on the need for a continued Renewable Fuels Standard, reviews of the history of biofuels, assessment of current questioning of biofuels as viable
by John DeCicco (The Energy Collective) If biofuels benefit the climate, it's not when they're burned; those CO2 emissions are the same as from the fossil fuels they replace. Any potential benefit is due to the CO2 uptake when plants are grown.
by José Vitor Bomtempo (Grupo de Economia da Energia) In the previous article, we compared the BP and Shell’s strategies for biofuels. Today we present the case of Petrobras. We have to recall the reasons for the analysis. We start with a
by Andrew DeWitt (The Asia-Pacific Journal) ...The Republicans think they see their chance to throw a wrench in the works. They recently decided to open congressional hearings to try, through focusing on Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, to put a political face on
by Chris Nelder (Smart Planet) The realization that oil prices aren’t about them anymore has been slow to dawn on Americans after a century of being the world’s swing consumers. But the fact is that the world’s developing economies have
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) ... So why, you ask, is the US lagging behind Asia? In the US too, biofuels will create lots of jobs as always happens in new growth industries, and lots of new business startups
by Eric van den Heuve (Edofys) Biofuels might offer opportunities for achieving improved balance of power to the European airlines in their high competitive market. It faces high rivalry and increasing fuel costs due to rising oil prices. Moreover, from
(Business Green) Analyst firm Clean Edge reports 31 per cent increase in market for core renewables technologies during 2011 The global market for solar PV, wind energy, and biofuels grew 31 per cent during 2011 to almost $250bn (£160bn), according to
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...First, with E15 market ready in many states, the U.S. EPA ought to ensure summer Reid vapor pressure (RVP) limitations do not stand in the way of consumers having access
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...To open up the advanced biofuels session, Green Power asked the Digest to give a short overview on the state of advanced biofuels. In today’s Digest, we’d like to share the highlights from that 15-minute
by Robert Vierhout (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...In my opinion, the delay in putting a bill on the table is caused by the fact that the ILUC ‘science’ is simply not conclusive. A study by the International Food Policy Research Institute
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...In retrospect, the environmental war we have waged against petroleum, is perhaps a war that we should have avoided and instead focused on the real story of ethanol…its economic impact. Arguably, the reason ethanol
by Wayne Lee (Biorefining Magazine/Lee Enterprises Consulting) ...Since renewable fuels do not enjoy the longer-term subsidies and programs of oil, we are back asking Congress and the administration for some stability. ...First, we must understand that, oftentimes, renewable energy advances
by Nadim Chaudhry (Biofuels Digest/Greenpower Conferences) 1500 industry leaders expected to gather in Rotterdam as oil prices, aviation dominate thinking on growth, in 100-leader industry survey. As we gear up for the 2012 World Biofuels Markets event in Rotterdam, March 13-15, we asked
(Midwest Energy News) Military leaders are increasingly connecting the dots between energy, climate and national security issues. We’ve reported here before on the U.S. military’s push to go green with solar, biofuels and other renewable technologies. Across the pond, defense leaders in the United
by Leslie Brooks Suzakamo (TwinCities.com/Pioneer Press) A Colorado green fuels company wants a Minnesota ethanol law that expires at the end of the year to be extended and changed so gasoline can be blended with a new biofuel called butanol
(GreenAirOnline) A bill introduced into the US upper house by Republican Senator John Thune that would prohibit US aircraft operators from participating in the EU ETS has received backing from Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat. As the Democrats hold
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...It’s called FCP. You can’t buy it in a dime bag, and you can’t synthesize it from municipal solid waste. It’s not angel-investor dust. It costs a world. ...Doesn’t matter, you make it from one part
by Stu Ellis (FarmGateBlog) Every day supertankers full of $100 per barrel oil are docking at US ports where other supertankers full of $1 per gallon ethanol have just departed for overseas markets. While some folks have trouble understanding the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ol’ Gramps Gingrich gets feisty and forgetful on the stump, mocking Obama for reviving a Reagan Administration program for algal biofuels. Today, we look at the Gingrich Test. ...Speaker Gingrich jumped the shark this week, in
by Danny King (AutoBlogGreen) An ethanol advocacy group has got an unusual message: having 100 percent ethanol is a better way to cut gas prices and dependency on foreign oil than building the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. E100 Ethanol Group,
by Anne Marie Edwards (DomesticFuel.com) Renewable Energy Group® (REG) has a new policy advocacy website designed to centralize the company’s constituents and rally support for biodiesel policy issues. The new site design allows supporters to sign up for informational updates and alerts and
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Ethanol has been scapegoated for just about every blip in food markets in recent years, but the question of whether that is fact or fabrication was taken on during the recent 17th annual National Ethanol Conference. In keeping
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Dozens of lawmakers have sent letters to the White House calling for an increase in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2013. A bipartisan group of 60 members of Congress on both the Senate side and the House signed letters urging
by Christopher Cundy (Environmental Finance) US rules on ethanol usage will favour Brazilian cane sugar producers and could lead to a surge in imports in the coming years, according to a research note from Rabobank International. However, if Brazilian imports do
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) BIO’s industrial biotech czar says that governments should resist attempts to derail the commercialization of advanced biofuels, and not be beguiled by the Solyndra Syndrome In 2011, consumers spent a record $481 billion on gasoline ,
(Fleet News) Campaigners have accused the Treasury of ‘not doing its homework’ after analysis by the Save our Sustainable Biodiesel campaign identified a lack of demand for biodiesel certificates, calling into question the Treasury’s plans to switch incentives for used
by Charles Lane (The Washinton Post) OpEd: President Obama boasted at a United Auto Workers conference last week that General Motors was back in business, producing cutting-edge vehicles like the plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt. He even promised to buy one when his time
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In a Feb. 22 press call to discuss rising gas prices, the American Petroleum Institute’s chief economist, John Felmy, blamed crude oil prices for high prices at the pump, and said refinery closures and
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Forest Guild has released its report, “Forest Biomass Retention and Harvesting Guidelines for the Southeast,” identifying how expanding markets for forest bioenergy can enhance forests, while meeting the social and economic needs of
(Renewable Fuels Association) A coalition of national ethanol groups, along with California and Midwest farming groups, filed a brief urging the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a court-ordered injunction on the California Air Resource Board’s low-carbon fuel
by Felicity Carus (Aol Energy) Now that almost all the gasoline in the United States is blended with up to 10% ethanol, producers are looking to export markets and refiners are looking at retooling strategies to tap into the burgeoning second
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Supporters of the Open Fuel Standard Act are still working to get the bill passed into law, which would mandate increasing levels of new vehicles manufactured or sold in the U.S. be flex-fuel capable—able
by Former Sens. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) (Bipartisan Policy Center/The Hill) ...For example, both parties have helped raise fuel efficiency standards. First under President Bush in 2007, then under President Obama in 2010, America has vastly improved
by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (FocusingOnWildlife.com) A Kenyan wildlife haven threatened by the rush to grow biofuels for European companies such as IKEA, has been saved. The Dakatcha Woodland in Kenya – home to several globally threatened
(American Chemical Society) Almost 80 percent of current farmland in the U.S. would have to be devoted to raising corn for ethanol production in order to meet current biofuel production targets with existing technology, a new study has found. An
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) ...“If you took a poll of our members, and we may well do that at our Commodity Classic next week, I would say that they view the RFS as more important than the farm bill,” said National
(PR Newswire) Leaders of America's rapidly emerging advanced biofuels industry urged congressional leaders today to extend two tax provisions that are critical to the commercialization of new biofuel production technologies. In a letter addressed to the Chairs and Ranking Members
by Steve Gelsi (Market Watch) Biofuel, electric cars and natural gas-powered vehicles drew attention against a backdrop of sharply higher petroleum prices from investors gathered at the Jefferies Global Clean Technology Conference. With crude oil topping $108 a barrel and average
by Leslie Guevarra (GreenBiz.com) American consumers say they continue to strongly favor solar power, wind turbines and greener cars as energy solutions, but their overall support for clean energy concepts is eroding, Pike Research finds. The slippage is among the more striking trends seen
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Before year’s end, Congress should pass a multi-year extension of the Producer Tax Credit for cellulosic ethanol production as well as the Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic Biorefineries. These vital tax incentives
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards unveiled by the agencies, which reportedly had the support of major automakers and environmental groups, would steadily increase fuel efficiency requirements
by Katherine Tweed (GreenTechGrid) There is a short answer and a long answer. The short answer is that if you are just asking about CO2, the electric vehicle, even from the dirtiest of U.S. coal plants, is still cleaner than a
by Tom Ridge and Mary E. Peters (New York Times) Opinion: President Obama recently called the United States the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas” and asserted that it was time for our oil-dominated transportation fuel market to open the door
(American Coalition for Ethanol) The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), a national advocacy association for the U.S. ethanol industry, released this statement today following President Obama’s remarks on energy policy and gasoline prices. “We appreciate that the President talked about biofuels in his
by David Shephardson (Detroit News) Automakers asked the Obama administration Monday to make modest changes to a proposed boost in fuel efficiency standards for the 2017-2025 model years and to allow the use of some credits to meet requirements as
(EurekAlert/Michigan State University) MSU research looks for ways to improve shipping of materials for biofuels If the increased use of biomass to produce alternative fuels is to become a reality, more attention needs to be paid to logistics – how, for
(Renewable Fuels Association) Speaking before 1,200 attendees at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando today, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen will drive home the message that America’s ethanol industry is on the vanguard of leading this
by Ted Turner (CNN) ...The purpose of Keystone XL is to bring tar sands crude oil through the United States to Gulf Coast refineries. The route through the United States is actually the oil industry's second choice: Transporting the oil
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...A coalition was formed by concerned retailers and industry supporters to request that Congress extend another portion of the tax code known as the Alternative Fuel Credit and then urge legislators to modify it
by David Lazarus (Los Angeles Times) ...The United States consumes more than 20% of the world's oil every year and a similar percentage of natural gas. But we have only about 1.6% of proven oil reserves and only about 3.8%
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Liability issues surrounding the use of E15 remain a major concern for many retailers when considering offering the fuel to customers driving 2001 and newer vehicles. The U.S. EPA recently approved required health effects
by Lori Ranson (FlightGlobal) Successful commercial biofuel flights operated by US carriers in late 2011 were underpinned by an understanding that price and supply chain infrastructure remain the big hurdles to creating a viable full-scale alternative aviation fuels industry in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Ceres raised $65 million yesterday in its initial public offering of 5,000,000 shares of common stock, which priced at $13.00 per share after a day-to-day roller coaster in recent weeks, with the IPO rescheduled twice
by Kelly Madsen (Iowa State Daily) For the past decade, corn ethanol has predominated Midwest biofuel production. But with increased technology and interest, an additional ethanol — cellulosic ethanol — may also shape local farming. ...Essentially, cellulosic ethanol utilizes the corn
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Union of Concerned Scientists is applying some energy to supporting ethanol. Well, not corn ethanol, I doubt they’ve made an about face there. But they are coming out in support of cellulosic ethanol. ..."A
(Big Pond News) Australia will need a vibrant bio-fuel industry more than ever if Caltex decides to close its refineries, independent MP Bob Katter says. Caltex Australia has flagged shutting its two domestic refineries in Sydney and Brisbane, putting 800 jobs
(Futurity.org) While many people are willing to pay a premium for ethanol, the number is not enough to justify a government mandate for the corn-based fuel, according to economist Soren Anderson. Anderson, assistant professor of economics at Michigan State University, studied the demand
by Professor Chris Rhodes (OilPrice.com) The depletion of world rock phosphate reserves will restrict the amount of food that can be grown, a situation that can only be compounded by the production of biofuels, including the potential large-scale generation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Michigan, US Senator Debbie Stabenow expanded her “Grow it Here, Make it Here” initiative into a $5 billion proposal designed to dramatically expand bio-based manufacturing and job creation, funded through what she described as reductions in
by Justin Doom (Bloomberg) Novozymes A/S (NZYMB), the world’s biggest maker of enzymes for biofuels, is focusing its expansion efforts in Europe, China and Brazil and isn’t pursuing new projects in the U.S. because of the lack of political support. “The policy signals sent to
(Renewable Fuels Association/Advanced Ethanol Council) America’s advanced and cellulosic ethanol producers today reiterated their strong belief that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should not grant a retroactive waiver to the oil industry for the cellulosic requirements under the Renewable
(Caelus Green Room) After healthy growth over the past decade, the global biofuels industry is entering a new era marked by feedstock flexibility, product neutrality, and sustainability. As a near-term solution, biofuels are a proven alternative to petroleum-based fuels. Long
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and a handful of bioenergy stakeholders were given the opportunity to present the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry with their opinions on the importance of the Farm Bill’s
by David McGee (TriCities.com) ...With about 100 city residents – nearly all opposed to the plan -- looking on Tuesday, the City Council took no action on a proposal to give the 13.8-acre former Crowley Foods site to MXI of
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Last week as the National Biodiesel Conference took place in Orlando, a group of biodiesel producers and stakeholders in the Northwest U.S. came together in a joint statement to support the reinstatement of the $1
(Renewable Fuels Association/Advanced Ethanol Council) The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) today urged Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS) to include two key tax extensions for advanced and cellulosic ethanol producers. In a letter to the committee
by Dr. Chad Hellwinckel (University of Tennessee/SustainableLearning.org) ...Permaculture may soon be looked upon as a potential big solution. So as we stand today on the threshold of increasing interest in permaculture, let us take a moment to discuss the potential pitfalls
(sys-con.com/Advanced Biofuels Association) In the third episode of Biofuel STAT, released today, BP Biofuels North America PresidentSue Ellerbusch rejects recent headlines describing the industry as "pixie dust" by declaring "the technology works." "There are lots of stories because it makes good media
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Coalition for E85 is calling on members and other supporters to urge Congress to give E85 credit for being an alternative fuel. The coalition is asking members of Congress to support the inclusion of E85 in the Alternative
(Americans for Informed Democracy) Biofuels were supposed to be the solution to global climate change. We could slowly reduce our dependence on crude oil by using fuels from corn or sugar cane instead. This fuel would be renewable, because we
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biorefining Magazine) ...It has been four years since Congress passed the revised RFS2 legislation creating a 36 billion gallon mandate for conventional and advanced biofuels. For all you partisans out there, don’t forget this was
(Fox Business News) Independent refiners are destined to be in the driver's seat of the U.S. refining industry as integrated oil companies increasingly shed refining assets, according to analysts at Deloitte LLP. In a report released Wednesday, the consultancy said by the end of
(Neste Oil) Neste Oil and Raisio have worked together for a number of years on how by-products and sidestreams generated by Finnish agriculture and food manufacturing can be used as inputs for producing biofuels. The two companies held a joint
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) ...Rules aimed at curbing emissions from cars and light trucks are on hold because the White House has yet to give the Office of Management and Budget the go-ahead to review them. ...The fight over
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) He says diluting standards could hurt Midwest interests U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack warned an Iowa group Friday in Ankeny that “the Midwest could be damaged” if oil interests succeed in weakening the federal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Around the halls of the Digest, we call him Rufus, the elephant in the room. Elsewhere, RFS, or the Renewable Fuel Standard, is the accepted descriptor. Under any name, there’s been an awful lot of talk
(Renewable Energy Magazine) Recent studies commissioned by NGOs Friends of the Earth and ActionAid claim that biofuels, including ethanol, will cost EU consumers €126 billion at the petrol pump between now and 2020. ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association, considers the
(Los Angeles Times) The five so-called "super major" oil companies -- Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell, ConocoPhillips,Chevron and BP-- have just wrapped up their fourth quarter earnings reports, but not without inspiring disdain over how they made those billions in profits and over what they
by Jim Stewart (Biofuels Digest/BioEnergy Producers Association) ...In America’s quest for alternative and renewable energy, the “ball” is national security and energy independence. All other issues pale by comparison. Let’s not lose sight of a critical fact: America’s enemies are bleeding
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this two-part series, we look at the IPO market for industrial biotech stocks. ... In Part I, today, we look at the performance of the six IPOs to date in the aftermarket, the Ceres IPO
by Ken Field (Financial Post) Ethanol reduces the price of gasoline Ethanol’s chief benefit is environmental. ...Last summer, there were no smog alerts in the GTA and 5.5 million Canadians breathed easier. Ethanol was a major factor in cleaning the air
by Gary Strauss (Chicago Sun-Times) Get ready for another round of pain at the pump: gas at $4 (or higher) a gallon. After rising 19 cents a gallon in the past four weeks, regular unleaded gasoline now averages $3.48 a
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology met Feb. 7 to markup H.R. 3199, a bill introduced last fall by committee Vice Chairman Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that would require the National Academy of Sciences
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A panel of petroleum trade association representatives gathered together for the National Biodiesel Conference’s opening general session on Feb. 6. While the group consisted of five oil association representatives, several of whom are outspokenly partial
by Ilene Grossman (CSG Midwest) The benefits of using biomass residuals — the byproducts from activities such as agriculture and forestry — as an energy source are clear for the Midwest. Both plentiful and a potentially low-cost source of fuel, biomass
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Florida, the National Biodiesel Conference — biodiesel’s grandest show — opened with exuberance over 2011 results, and resolve to meet the industry’s two major issues in 2012, defense of the Renewable Fuel Standard, and
by Rich Miller, Asjylyn Loder and Jim Polson (Bloomberg) The U.S. is the closest it has been in almost 20 years to achieving energy self-sufficiency, a goal the nation has been pursuing since the 1973 Arab oil embargo triggered a recession
by Barry Amundson (Tri-State Neighbor) Gregg Carlson doesn't like to hear the negative comments about ethanol. The SDSU Extension farm precision agronomist has been telling farmers at crop expos this winter and others he talks with that producers wouldn't have the prices
(Farm Futures) Hartwig says legislation is attempt to eliminate RFS altogether. Congressman Pete Olson, R-Texas, recently introduced the Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012. The measure seeks to modify the renewable fuel standard to include ethanol and other fuels produced from
by Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol and grain producers in Canada reacted to a report by the George Morris Centre charging it misinterprets the connection between clean-burning, renewable ethanol and the livestock and meat markets. A
by Alex Morales (Reuters) European Union policies to promote the use of biofuels for transportation will cost consumers as much as 126 billion euros ($166 billion) between now and 2020, two environmental groups said. The fuels, gasoline substitutes derived from plants,
(Univerisity of Chicago/Energy Policy Institute at Chicago) By all outward appearances, former South Carolina Congressman Bob Inglis is a conservative’s conservative. ...At a lecture sponsored by the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago (EPIC), Mr. Inglis said he believed that in order
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Witnesses projected strong growth for renewable fuels use in both the power generation and transportation sectors over the next 20 years during a Senate energy committee held Jan. 31, but committee members, many of
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Looking for a middle ground where environmentalists and ethanol advocates could meet, the Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy released a paper by Julia Olmstead reflecting on the lessons learned regarding the debate over indirect
by Kent Misegades (General Aviation News) Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson has just introduced Senate Bill 2137, “An act to require retail dealers and distributors of gasoline to offer for sale or use nonethanol-blended unleaded premium grade gasoline.” When asked for his motivation,
(The Costa Rica News) ...Blame it on increased awareness of climate change or on the fact that humans have found this new appreciation for nature but biofuel production is the newest craze to hit Costa Rica! Renewable Energy Farms are by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The challenges? Well, there have been three grand ones. First, the development of economically feasible technologies. Second, the financing and construction of new capacity, including any bolt-ons, restarts or retrofits of existing capacity. Third, the
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) As a potential substitute for fossil fuels, wood energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. FAO’s programme on wood energy promotes sustainable wood energy systems as a contribution to sustainable forest management, livelihoods and food security. To this
(EurActiv) Greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels such as palm oil, soybean and rapeseed are higher than those for fossil fuels when the effects of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) are counted, according to leaked EU data seen by EurActiv. The default
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 2.4 million man-years of employment – from replacing 10 percent of gasoline consumption with ethanol made from agricultural waste? That’s the tale of the tape from the “Moving Towards a Next-generation Ethanol Economy” report. ...Based on
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) Experts say it’s counterproductive, but biorefining firms continue on with government The government is a tricky organization to work with. At least that’s what Pamela Serino, director for the quality and technical support office at the
by John Mathews (The Globalist) ...Today it is no longer evil oil companies riding roughshod over ranchers in Texas, but shale gas prospectors riding over communities' rights wherever they drill — in the Antrim shale (Michigan), the Barnett shale (Texas),
(MSN Autos) New-vehicle buyers heavily influenced by a general feeling about a brand, but specific about fuel-efficiency ratings. ...Fuel efficiency, in fact, was found to be "the most influential reason for purchasing a particular vehicle model," outpacing considerations regarding reliability and
by Mary Rosenthal (Biofuels Digest/Algal Biomass Organization) ...We need to change our approach. Below are three things the biofuels industry in general, and the algae industry in particular can do in 2012 to help accelerate our role in “filling the
by Joanne Lipman (The Daily Beast) For more than three years, President Obama has been singing the praises of electric cars. He’s repeatedly called for 1 million plug-in and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015. He’s ignored the skeptics who said
by Steve LeVine (Foreign Policy/Oil And Glory) In the new issue of Wired, Julie Eilperin writes that clean-technology investment is in the throes of going bust, at least in the United States. That includes solar, wind and biofuels. ...Citi Group analyst Edward Morse concludes
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Like oil in World War II, U.S. Army Ret. General Paul J. Kern believes that biofuels are the “ammunition” for America today. ...The main focus of the highly decorated retired army general’s address was on the
by Rudy Ruitenberg (Bloomberg Business Week) Criticism of biofuels and their impact on commodity prices by the new director general of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization is “simplistic and misinformed,” an industry lobby said. Higher energy prices are the “primary
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama voiced strong support for renewable energy and an end to oil subsidies. “We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough,” the president
Gov. Terry Branstad is quick to counterattack against any and all of Iowa’s critics and on Tuesday he included the nation’s largest business newspaper in comments to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association annual meeting in Des Moines. The governor has been
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, Gevo has received a patent on its GIFT separation unit, addressing the separation technology used to produce propanols, butanols, pentanols, and hexanols. The claims also address how ethanol plants can be retrofitted to produce
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bloomberg New Energy Finance launched its report “Moving towards a next-generation ethanol economy”. Commissioned by Novozymes, the report estimates the socioeconomic prospects of deploying advanced biofuels in eight of the highest agricultural-producing regions in the world, i.e.
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Here’s the President’s new energy policy. “This country needs an all-out, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy – a strategy that’s cleaner, cheaper, and full of new jobs”. Okay that sounds
by John Daly (OilPrice.com) ...While U.S. energy companies began fracking for gas in the late 1990s, there was a dramatic increase in 2005 after the administration of President George W. Bush exempted fracking from regulations under the U.S. Clean Water
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Retain Agricultural Land: Agricultural and forest lands are vulnerable to loss due to reduction of the dairy and pulp/paper industries and conversion to residential or commercial development. They could retain their agriculture and
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) American ethanol production is creating jobs, energizing rural economies, reducing oil imports, and helping all consumers save money at the pump emphasized the Renewable Fuels Association today in a letter to President Obama as he prepares
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill denied the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) motion to stay the decision he issued on December 29, 2011 that had halted the enforcement of the California’s Low Carbon Fuel
(National Corn Growers Association) Ongoing media coverage on corn usage tends to sensationalize trends by pitting demand from the ethanol industry against that from livestock, but Corn Board member Wesley Spurlock, a Texas farmer, has been speaking to groups across
By Douglas L. Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) What should be the priorities for federal government support for bioenergy, in an era of fiscal austerity and a broken consensus on energy policy? My goal is develop interactively with you, bioenergy thought leaders, a
by Ezra Klein, Brad Plumer (The Washington Post) ...In 2010, the world spent $409 billion on fossil-fuel subsidies to artificially lower the price of coal, gas and oil. Eliminating those subsidies would curb fuel use and lead to half the
(National Petrochemical & Refiners Association/Yahoo!) The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association, American Petroleum Institute and Western States Petroleum Associationjointly filed a petition today requesting that the Environmental Protection Agency waive the 2011 cellulosic biofuel volume mandate in its entirety, because it appears no cellulosic
by Peter A. Letvin (Biomass Power and Thermal/Energy & Environmental Research Center ) Algae holds promise as a next-generation biofuel, both for heat and electricity and especially for transportation fuels. Algae could potentially be a game changer for biofuels in the
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is rejecting the notion that greater efforts need to be made to include fossil fuels in the nation’s fuel supply. Specifically, the RFA is very critical of efforts by Texas Republican Rep.
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) In last days of the 2011 session the US Congress, with a job approval rating of 11% , cancelled the VEETC ethanol subsidy and dropped the tariff on Brazilian ethanol imports. These major events
by Gal Luft (The Washington Times) ...At current oil prices, ethanol is more costly than gasoline while the alcohol fuel methanol, primarily made from natural gas, is cheaper than gasoline on a per-mile basis. But the comparative per-mile economics of
by Mario Giampietro (Cassandra's Legacy) ...(Y)ou may find a lot of help in the recent book "The Biofuel Delusion" by Mario Giampietro and Kozo Mayumi. If you are unsure about why exactly biofuels are the disaster that they are, this book
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