(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (September 27, 2011) announced that USDA will make payments to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states to support and ensure the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. "Renewable energy production
by Bruce Johnstone (Leader-Post/Star Phoenix) Milligan Bio-Tech Inc. is proceeding with an $8-million expansion of its biodiesel plant in Foam Lake, which will increase production five-fold — making Milligan the largest biodiesel producer in western Canada by the end
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...While some in the industry doubt that a Congress so focused on debt reduction will extend VEETC and the biodiesel tax credit, Greg Jenner, a partner in Stoel Rives LLP’s tax practice, offers a unique
by Geoffrey Styles (Energy Outlook) I've been thinking about an op-ed in Tuesday's New York Times written by a former National Security Advisor and a former CIA chief. ...The op-ed was apparently timed to mark the introduction of a new group
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) But it's unclear where money will come from to install them around U.S. ...(Dave) Hicks, who’s getting a $28,000 federal grant and additional money from the state of Iowa to replace his two existing fuel
by Charles Abbott (Reuters) Legislation was being drafted in the U.S. House that would reduce the federal mandate to use fuel ethanol when corn supplies are tight. ...According to consulting firm MF Global, the legislation would reduce the ethanol mandate by
by Seth Meyer and Wyatt Thompson (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) ...Biofuel mandates are directly relevant for biofuel producers, and indirectly important to feedstock markets. Biofuel refiners sell outputs that serve fuel blenders in two ways. The biofuel can be mixed
by Steven Mufson and Carol D. Leonnig (The Washington Post) ...The Obama administration’s vaunted initiative to catalyze the U.S. clean-energy industry — under attack for betting half a billion dollars on the solar-panel manufacturer Solyndra, which closed last month — has become
by John Vidal (The Guardian) Leaked World Bank documents propose that rich countries should eliminate the $50bn a year they give in fossil fuel subsidies, in order to financially help poor countries address climate change. The documents, due to be presented to the
by Jim Greenwood (Biotechnology Industry Organization/The Hill's Congress Blog) There is widespread agreement among experts, policy makers and the public that the United States must overcome its addiction to fossil fuels to protect the environment and for reasons of
(Chron.com) A state Commerce Department official says many North Dakotans who drive so-called "flex-fuel" vehicles don't even know it. They're among the people who are the intended targets of a proposed marketing campaign to increase ethanol sales. North Dakota's Industrial Commission has approved a $200,000 grant for
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) Illinois, B11 and Vehicle Warranties ...Specifically, the state employs a sales tax exemption for biodiesel blends of B11 or higher sold by retail stations in the state, which is good through Dec. 31, 2013. Created
(25 x '25) The 25 x '25 Alliance released a report from the University of Tennessee's Bio-Based Energy Analysis Group demonstrating that millions of new jobs could be created over the next 15 years by pursuing the 25x'25 clean energy
by Marco Lagi, Yavni Bar-Yam, Karla Z. Bertrand, Yaneer Bar-Yam (Cornell University) Recent increases in basic food prices are severely impacting vulnerable populations worldwide. Proposed causes such as shortages of grain due to adverse weather, increasing meat consumption in China and India,
(GreenAirOnline) Singapore Airlines has become the latest member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) that was set up in 2008 to accelerate the development and commercialisation of lower-carbon renewable aviation fuels derived from environmentally and socially sustainable sources.
by Rob Merrick (The Northern Echo) Production at one of Europe's largest biofuel plants will soon be "up and running again" after the Government pledged to come to its rescue, an MP vowed yesterday. In May Ensus said it was temporarily
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) ...As the nation’s single biggest energy consumer, the Pentagon has many reasons to want to diversify its fuel sources. (Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus and others say the move toward alternative energy is about national security
(Fox News/Reuters) Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday that China is holding to its decades-old strategy to steal American intellectual property, in a pointed statement reflecting U.S. officials' growing impatience with Beijing. "They have made possible systematic stealing of intellectual property
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Groups representing small engine, automakers and marine manufacturers announced a formal legal challenge to regulations and labeling proposed for the use of 15% ethanol blends (E15) in older model vehicles. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and other organizations object
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe News) Deployment of innovative biofuels technologies, possible, but requires strong political commitment, say European biofuels stakeholders. The annual meeting of European biofuels stakeholders stressed that advanced biofuels technologies are now available and called for robust support to ensure
(Platts TV) Watch streaming video online for a candid conversation with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. From the Carter Center in Atlanta, the 39th president discusses the energy challenges he faced more than 30 years ago, and the outlook for
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Correction posted 9/22/11. The nonprofit educational organization, Advanced Biofuels USA, advocates for the adoption of renewable sustainable advanced biofuels as an energy security, economic development, military flexibility and climate change/pollution control solution. In addition,
by Darren Samuelsohn (Politico) With Solyndra's collapse, the GOP is promising to make green jobs politically toxic. ...Obama arrived in the White House embracing the green jobs mantra that previously existed mainly in California environmental policy and in congressional Democrats'
(Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance) As you know, Congress is in the midst of negotiations regarding FY2012 appropriations for the Farm Bill. Of particular interest to SAFER is the proposed cuts to the Farm Bill’s energy programs —
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Today Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew’s Clean Energy Program, joined by John Warner, former five-term U.S. Senator from Virginia and senior policy adviser to the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate; Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant
by Ercan Ersoy (Bloomberg) Turkey’s energy regulator will require domestically-produced additives for biofuels from 2013, in a decision aimed at lowering the country’s current account deficit and encouraging production of biofuels. At least 2 percent ethanol must be added to all gasoline
by David Shaffer (Los Angeles Times) Across the nation, biodiesel plants have been restarting or ramping up production, spurred by a revived federal tax credit and renewable energy mandates. ...At least 52 of the nation's 170 biodiesel plants were idled last
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Anti-ethanol interests have launched their latest campaign focused on ensuring the demise of ethanol subsidies with a letter sent Sept. 15 to all members of Congress urging them not to pass any last-minute extensions
by Ryan Alexander (Taxpayers for Common Sense/Seacoastonline.com) ...For 16 years, Taxpayers for Common Sense has been advocating for the elimination of federal spending that does not deliver a fair return to taxpayers. Topping our list are a menu of tax
by Matt Glynn (BuffaloNews.com) ‘Green’ consistency is needed to succeed, Noco chief says James D. Newman calls it the “green-versus-green debate” in biofuels. People want to be environmentally conscious, but they hesitate to part with more green — as in money — to
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Thirty-three projects in 22 states have been approved for blender pump grants in the latest round of funding to be dispersed through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. A total of $27 million
(European Parliament) Great efforts have been made to reduce CO2 emissions in Europe and internationally, but a number of other substances are also causing Arctic ice-melt and on Wednesday MEPs called for action against so-called non-CO2 emissions including the
(Senator Mike Crapo) Would make renewable fuels standard more "technology neutral" U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)and Tom Udall (D-NM)recently introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would help level the playing field for advanced biofuels like algae by reforming the Renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) MOU covers feedstock readiness, sustainability, data sharing, fuels certification, plus development of new alternative fuel pathways in alcohol conversion, pyrolysis and synthetic biology. Is the agreement, driven by the private sector and formalized by government, a
by James Kanter (New York Times) The European Union is overestimating the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions achieved through reliance on biofuels as a result of a “serious accounting error,” according to a draft opinion by an influential committee of
by Sarah Wild (Business Day) Biofuels Association president Andrew Makenete says SA has the technology and resources to develop its bio-economy but was stymied by a lack of regulations and government policy SA HAD the technology and resources to develop its
by Robert Rapier (Forbes) ...My Plan: Award Direct Per Gallon Subsidies for Oil Displacement Instead of offering grants and loan guarantees for cellulosic ethanol producers — and forcing blenders to pay when they can’t purchase product — simply change the system
(MarketWatch/Mission NewEnergy) Mission NewEnergy Limited , a global provider of environmentally sustainable biofuels, has announced the in-house development of an improved palm oil supply chain process called "Mission g-Palm" that maximizes green house gas savings when producing g-Palm Biodiesel. Mission has
by John C.K. Daly (OilPrice.com/Clean Techies) ...According to PetroChina’s Petrochemical Research Institute deputy chief engineer Fu Xingguo, China is looking at generating 933,000 tons annually of fuel ethanol and 165,000 tons of biodiesel. According to Fu, China is looking to
(The Southeast Agriculture & Forest Energy Resources Alliance)... The Governor’s Conference on Biofuels came on the heels of the Biofuels Initiative in May 2007, further spreading the word about new economic opportunities and providing the spark for the creation of TREEDC. It was at
by Amy Harder (National Journal) President Obama on Monday (September 12, 2011) asked Congress to end subsidies for all oil and gas companies, which could save the government more than $4 billion a year, to help pay for his jobs
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) America’s ethanol producers are on pace to produce nearly 40 million metric tons of livestock feed in 2011 – a volume greater than all the corn used on cattle feedlots all across the country.
(Agra-net.com) Carbon savings from biodiesel produced using imported palm oil are being deliberately underestimated by the EU, a researcher has claimed. Dr Gerot Pehnelt, a member of the academic advisory board to the European Forum for Sustainable Development (EFNE) - which lobbies on behalf
(The Daily News) THE government has been warned against allocating over 320,000 hectares of prime land in Rukwa Region to an American agro-firm, Agrisol Energy, which is seeking to undertake large scale commercial farming for food, livestock, and jatropha for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But a handful of companies such as Cobalt, Gevo, Terrabon, LanzaTech and ZeaChem, are shaking up the emerging aviation biofuels markets by developing renewable aviation fuels from ethanol and/or biobutanol. ...“An alcohol molecule, looking at it
(25 x '25) The renewable energy sector has been the fastest growing domestic energy sector for the past five years, yet the expansion of biomass energy solutions in America is at risk. As Congress and the White House seek
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California Energy Commission has approved the state's third-year funding plan for the commission's Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, allocating $100 million toward the expansion of various alternative fuels and vehicles throughout
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Tactically, a Green Strike Group, powered by renewable diesel-electric engines, nuclear power and aviation biofuels, is able to operate independent of fossil fuel supply line threat or disruption. In the near term, this is
by Philip Brasher (Gannett/Des Moines Register) ...The industry likely stands a better chance of protecting the annual usage mandates, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, from being weakened by livestock or environmental interests. “I don’t see that as an avenue
Monica Von Dobeneck (The Patriot-News /PennLive.c0m) Ben Wooten is doubling his workforce, quadrupling his space and increasing his production tenfold at his Keystone BioFuels in Lower Allen Twp. Not bad in a stagnant economy, he said. Wooten said government
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, President Obama said that building the the next generation of manufacturing, including advanced biofuels, is “how America can be number one again. ...His proposal also called for a national infrastructure bank capitalized with
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 9/11 put energy security front and center of the political agenda. It also inspired the development of exotic biofuels feedstocks and technologies, and expanded the field of end-use customers, investors and geographies. ...Concerns about emissions, and excitement
by Charlie Dunmore (Reuters) The European Union's top climate and energy officials have agreed to delay by up to seven years rules that would penalize individual biofuels for their indirect climate impacts, details of the dealshowed. The political compromise is designed to
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Algal Biomass Organization has voiced its opinion of the US government’s recently announced $510 million biofuels investment commitment over the next three years. Following is their statement: Late last month, three federal departments came together to
by Steve Leone (Renewable Energy World) While the price of military intervention is often measured in American lives, in this case it was the staggering amount of American dollars that most clearly made his point. In today’s dollars, keeping just
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) President Obama’s speech to Congress on the economy has given an ethanol industry trade group to pitch biofuel as a job creator. In an ad that will run tomorrow in the Politico newspaper, the
by Tom McLaughlin (TheDestinLog.com) State Rep. Matt Gaetz has proposed the repeal of the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act. If a bill he introduced in early August becomes law, gasoline distributors would no longer be required to sell fuel containing 9
by Dick Carmical (Forest Business Network) ...The technologies to make vehicle fuel from wood on a commercial scale remain unproven. The only bioenergy technologies that are proven, making wood pellets or burning wood to make electricity, in most cases,
(Nature Canada) Nature Canada is concerned that a Canadian company – Bedford Biofuels – plans plans to set up a jatropha tree plantation in Kenya's Tana Delta, an area that provides refuge for 350 bird species. ...The latest news from our
by Jayashree Bhosale & Madhvi Sally (Economic Times) Sugar mills aren't keen on selling ethanol to petroleum marketing companies this year because the byproduct fetches more money if sold to the alcohol industry. The union government launched the ethanol-blending programme last
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) ...We imagine “food vs fuel” in terms of grain shortages, but where food and fuel actually collide is on the global sugar markets. “While sugar is widely available in the west and its price
Dear Mr. Romney, I have just finished watching your press conference from Las Vegas, Nevada introducing your plan for job creation here in America and I heard your question: "Where are the Green Jobs?" You said that we are an energy rich
(Ocala.com) Editorial: Here's what's wrong with America's energy "policy." Reeling under a crippling deficit, Congress steadfastly refuses to eliminate lucrative tax breaks and subsidies for the most profitable companies in the world — the oil and gas industries. And never mind
(Telegraph Journal) Editorial: Two big concerns are shaping global research and development in the 21st century: the need for sustainable energy, and the need for sustainable food supplies. Canadians are increasingly engaged in energy research, but a recent report from the
by Brent Erickson (BIO/Biofuels Digest) As any number of economic analysts have noted, continued policy uncertainty is holding businesses back from the hiring and investment needed to get the economy moving again. The advanced biofuel industry has been trying to
by Alan Van Ormer (Prairie Business Magazine) Many industry leaders support a biofuels policy, but also believe that more things can be done to help address any deficiencies in a national policy. Hunter Roberts, State Energy Policy Director for South Dakota,
by Leon Kaye (TriplePundit.com) ...This year, the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the long-form name for the Blue Angels, wowed visitors with their pilots’ stunts at the Patuxent Naval Air Station in southern Maryland over the weekend. Only this time, the weekend
Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...Vilsack estimates that we will see commercial-scale biorefineries that were supported by the USDA begin to come online in the 2012-‘13 time frame. “When you see that, you’ll begin to create greater efficiencies,” he said. “You’ll
(Deutsche Welle) Angela Merkel's junior coalition partners, the liberal Free Democrats, have criticized the botched introduction of the E10 biofuel. The party called on the environment minister to revise its policy on green fuels. The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), Angela Merkel's
Elizabeth R. Nesbitt, Paul Thiers, Johnway Gao, Sharon Shoemaker, Manuel Garcia-Perez, Julie Carrier, Joy Doran-Peterson, John Morgan, Guangyi Wang, Pierre Christian Wensel, Shulin Chen (Journal of International Commerce and Economics) The Chinese government is vigorously promoting commercialization of renewable energy and bioproducts, given environmental issues plus food, energy, and national security concerns,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, former Queensland premier Peter Beattie issued a stark challenge to Australia on biofuels, at the opening of the Australian Alternative Fuels Summit in Brisbane. “As President Obama has said, ‘the country that leads on
(U.S. Naval Air Systems Command) The Navy’s alternative energy program expanded yesterday when a T-45 training aircraft completed a successful biofuel flight at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23
by Monika Bertzky, Valerie Kapos & Jörn P.W. Scharlemann (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) Inference from production statistics and modelling studies suggest that iLUC has occurred, is likely to increase with increasing demand for biofuels and needs to be considered when assessing the
by Stephen K. Ritter (Chemical & Engineering News) Bruce E. Dale often plays the role of devil's advocate not only against the rosy picture of biofuels painted by start-ups and trade associations but also against the gloom-and-doom message of some
by Alan Blinder (American Press) U.S. Sen. David Vitter vowed again Tuesday to push Congress to consider objectively the merits of potential alternative energy sources instead of giving preferential treatment to some. “Congress has been using exactly the wrong model,” Vitter
by Graham von Maltitz, William Stafford (Center for International Forestry Research) Sustainable biofuel production should provide opportunities for sub-Saharan African countries and their inhabitants, especially in impoverished rural areas. Biofuel feedstock production has the potential to bring job opportunities
(Farm Business) US biodiesel production reached a new monthly high of 81 million gallons in June, according to the latest EPA statistics, marking a third consecutive month of record volumes and continuing a remarkable turnaround in which biodiesel production in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The National Corn Growers Association declares War on cellulosic biofuels, calling them “non-existent”, then mysteriously removes the blog post. What gives? Ten days ago, Cathryn Wojciki, communications manager for the National Corn Growers Association, wrote a
by Daniel Looker (Agriculture.com) Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) told the American Coalition for Ethanol Wednesday that he’ll continue to work for passage of a bill that would expand ethanol’s access to markets. It won’t be easy. Harkin acknowledged growing ethanol opposition
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biorefining Magazine) ...Below are some guiding principles for consistent public policies to foster growth of the domestic biofuels industry in America. Technology Neutrality: Don’t pick a winner! The government’s track record of picking winning technologies does
by Michael McAdams (Biorefining Magazine) ...Washington’s jolting performance and the economic aftershocks have those of you on the verge of commercializing your replacement fuels questioning whether Congress and the White House can successfully provide the policy tools needed to ensure
by Ron Kotrba (Biorefining Magazine) ...I told him I’m the editor of two monthly magazines centered on renewable fuels and chemicals. He sort of scoffed, and I knew we were going to get into “the discussion.” He led into our talk
(National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials) The new research will explore what needs to be done to sustainably produce bioenergy, biofuels and biochemicals from algae in the UK. Algae have the potential to make a significant contribution towards our future
by Jerry Hagstrom (AgWeek) Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s Republican presidential candidacy and President Obama’s comments on ethanol have thrown the corn-based ethanol industry into turmoil as it struggles to convince Congress to provide assistance to build blender pumps. Texas Gov. Rick
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) An alliance of energy-related trade organizations in Canada is calling on the nation’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to act now to develop a comprehensive energy strategy. The coalition, known as the New Economy Alliance,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can synthetic biology capture and utilize CO2 to such an extent that it not only can make money – but can mitigate the carbon intensity of no-no feedstocks like coal, gas and oil, opening up
by Mario Osava (Aljazeera) Biofuels are an alternative energy source that can drive local development by generating jobs, know-how and technology. But they can also cause social damage, as locals fear in the case of industrial-scale exploitation of babassu palm
(Algae Industry Magazine) NASA scientist – the inventor, heart, and soul of the OMEGA system (Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae) – Dr. Jonathan Trent received his PhD in biological oceanography at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He went on to
by Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay (Chemical and Engineering News) Government mandates have shaped the market but not always for the best By 2050, the global population will hit between 7.5 billion and 10.5 billion. Energy demands will soar, and traditional energy supplies, such
by Ross Dolan (The Daily Republic) The nation’s agricultural economy is sound but many rural communities are not reaping the benefits, said Dallas Tonsager, undersecretary for rural development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The South Dakota native would like
(CNN Money) Among the many incentives pushing the military to use less oil, reducing the number of casualties it takes to protect vulnerable fuel convoys is one of the most important. 1 in 8 soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq in
by Russ Newman (InForum) Ethanol, made right here in our backyards, has provided an unparalleled, value-added opportunity for agriculture and America. ...It has generated good-paying jobs, spurred economic activity, and provided rural youth a reason and an opportunity to find
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA’s Aug. 17 announcement of 900 Rural Energy for America Program grants included just 21 awards for blender pumps. USDA officials promise, however, that more funding is on the way. The announcement highlighted
by Cindy (Corn Commentary) President Obama’s Midwest bus tour this week really put a spotlight on agriculture and biofuels. The POTUS visited three of the nation’s top four ethanol producing states,accounting for more than 42 percent of the country’s ethanol
Qi Wang and Zhihong Tian (Crawford School of Economics and Government, The Australian National University and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd. The paper explores China’s biofuel policy and compares biofuel development in China and the rest of the world. It is argued
by Don Davis (Duluth News Tribune) Minnesota’s senior congressman said that the plan administration officials announced this week probably will not work and threatens Minnesota’s 21 ethanol plants. “I think that is a big a problem,” said U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson,
by Joseph Morton (World Herald Bureau/Omaha.com) The ethanol industry is preparing itself for life after federal subsidies. Key tax credits that pay blenders for using the renewable fuel are set to expire at the end of 2011. At a cost to
(The Economic Times of India) US President Barack Obama today highlighted the need to develop biofuels out of things that do not involve fuel chain, arguing that increase in demand from India and China would drive up the food prices. "As
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) ...According to Greg Springer, president of Green Fuels America Inc., interest in community-scale biodiesel production is increasing all around the world. He attributes this to both high fuel prices and the specific advantages community-scale production
by National Biodiesel Board (Biodiesel Magazine) ...The new numbers, coming after Congress reinstated the biodiesel tax incentive this year, demonstrate the power that strong domestic energy policy can have in helping create jobs and economic activity. Despite the weak economy, the
(The Pew Charitable Trusts) This week, former Navy secretary and U.S. senator John W. Warner (R-Va.) is traveling with Vice Adm. Dennis V. McGinn (Ret.), vice chairman of the CNA Military Advisory Board, as part of a national tour to discuss
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...But the mischief that lawmakers are hiding behind a veil of budget concern extends far beyond the tax credit for ethanol blending. Using the appropriations process, lawmakers from the oil patch and elsewhere
by Paul Tan (Paul Tan's Automotive News) Chevron Malaysia Limited, the operator of retail brand Caltex, is seeking to expand Caltex’s footprint in Malaysia, and the company plans to draw in retailers via its revitalised Retailer Owned, Retailer Operated program,
by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan (Philippine Information Agency) The Aquino administration is eying the potential of the oil derived from coconuts or "coco-biodiesel" to reduce the country's overdependence on imported fuels, an official from the Philippine Coconut Authority said Tuesday. ...A
(25 x '25) Earlier this week (July 28, 2011), a coalition of animal agriculture, commodity crop, general farm organization and conservation leaders issued a set of guiding principles and policy planks aimed at reconciling the expansion of biofuel production with maintaining
(The Economist/Free Exchange) LAST week I noted that volatile oil prices have played an underappreciated role in recent business cycles. Over the weekend, James Hamilton published additional analysis of oil-price changes since last year, and he presents some sobering findings. Mr Hamilton
by Suzanne Goldenberg (The Guardian) As Congress reviews 30 years of corn ethanol subsidies, the global food crisis has shone a negative light on biofuel production There were times when Arlyn Schipper could almost feel heroic on his family farm in
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) During his Midwest bus tour this week, President Barack Obama is visiting three of the nation’s top four ethanol producing states, accounting for more than 42 percent of the country’s ethanol production. The president’s first audience question today
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) As a tie-in to President Obama’s current bus tour promoting his job creation plans, the White House has issued a press release promoting a three-year $510 million dollar plan to fund “drop-in” biofuel
(The White House) USDA, Department of Energy and Navy Partner to Advance Biofuels to Fuel Military and Commercial Transportation, Displace Need for Foreign Oil, and Strengthen Rural America President Obama today (August 16, 2011) announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture,
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For years, in coffee shops and grain elevators across the upper Midwest, independent thinkers have voiced their opinions on the benefits of midlevel ethanol blends. Tales of fueling the old Buick, or otherwise unapproved
Mark Muro, Jonathan Rothwell, Devashree Saha (The Brookings Institution) Growth through Innovation, Environment, Cities, Competitiveness, Jobs and the Economy The “green” or “clean” or low-carbon economy—defined as the sector of the economy that produces goods and services with an environmental benefit—remains at once a compelling aspiration and
by Aparajita Ray (Daily News and Analysis) A bio-diesel manufacturing unit with a 50-tonne daily capacity will be set up near Devanahalli in four months, Karnataka State Biofuel Development Board chairman YB Ramakrishna told DNA on the sidelines of a World
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency August 5, 2011, is releasing its draft Scientific Integrity Policy for public comment. The draft policy reflects the Obama Administration’s commitment to the ethical standards and transparency necessary for ensuring the
by John Lippert (The Washington Post/Bloomberg Markets) Cargill chief Greg Page, who runs the largest U.S. agricultural company, has a good idea whom to blame for the global surge in food prices at the end of 2010: governments. ...He said government
(US Department of Energy) ...More than 600 speakers, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees were able to listen to discussions about the ongoing challenges and achievements in the bioenergy industry. Biomass 2011 addressed key issues in important areas, such as feedstock supply, conversion pathways,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA and DOE have awarded 10 grants totaling $12.2 million to spur research into improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of growing biofuel and bioenergy crops. The USDA and DOE
by Patrick Robinson (West Seattle Herald) The documentary FREEDOM from husband and wife team of Josh and Rebecca Tickell is aptly named because in the context of the film it represents the most significant meaning of the word and gives it
by Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Thomas W. Ewing (The Daily Republic) For decades, securing our nation’s energy future has been a national priority — yet policymakers still have not reached consensus on a long-term, comprehensive platform that will ensure our
(Senator Tom Udall) U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today announced his plans to introduce bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would help level the playing field for advanced biofuels like algae by reforming the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to
by Janet Kubat Willette (AgriNews.com) Expect direct payments to take a hit in the next farm bill, Sen. Al Franken told a Farmfest audience Aug. 3. The Minnesota Democrat said the super committee of 12 Congresspeople could shape the new farm bill
by Amy Harder (National Journal) ...By year's end, the congressional “super committee” charged with reducing the federal deficit likely will topple the $6 billion in annual ethanol industry tax credits and a corresponding government tariff on imported ethanol. But another prong
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) A dozen environmental groups Tuesday told congressional leaders that lawmakers who support slashing oil industry tax breaks and other subsidies should be appointed to the deficit-cutting “supercommittee.” In a letter, the groups urged the 12-member panel to come
by Lisa Gibson (Biomass Power and Thermal) A follow-up report to the U.S. DOE’s 2005 “Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply,” commonly referred to as the Billion-Ton Study, has
(UNICA) The European Commission’s approval of certification schemes for biofuels, announced on July 19th, is an important step to add transparency to the issue and help Member States meet reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions. The measure will also benefit
by Ari Levy (Bloomberg) John Doerr, head of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers’s alternative-energy practice, said he would give the U.S. a C grade for development of green technology, which trails innovation in Internet and biotechnology. His grade would have been
by Andrew Smolski (OilPrice.com) ...(E)nergy policy is as defunct as ever and on most fronts the US is lagging far behind. ... (T)he US will need this Energy policy to spur growth, create jobs, and remain competitive going forward. Yet,
(AgriMarketing) ...Culminating years of U.S. Grains Council efforts, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has added corn gluten feed (CGF) and distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to its import feed ingredient subsidy list, creating a strong incentive for sales. It
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In India, SG Biofuels and Bharat Renewable Energy, a unit of India’s second largest oil company, Bharat Petroleum, signed a landmark commercial agreement to develop and deploy elite hybrids of Jatropha across a total 86,000
(Argus Media) Europe's biodiesel producers have commissioned an independent review of a policy document on biodiesel's indirect effects on land use change, which the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) maintains has skewed the European Commission's thinking on the subject to the
by Brian Westenhaus (OilPrice.com) According to Promode Kant from the Institute of Green Economy in India and Shuirong Wu of the Chinese Academy of Forestry some 12.8 million ha (49,421 square miles) are expected to be planted with jatropha by
(AirportBusiness.com) Today (August 9, 2011) U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) toured the cutting-edge laboratories at Targeted Growth in Seattle and announced the launch of Washington state's first large-scale program for the growth of camelina sativa, a promising non-food feedstock for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At the Biomass 2011 conference in Washington, a lively debate session provided a bumper crop of questions from the audience – too many to answer at the time. At the same time, it offers us
by Graham Warwick (Aviation Week) The U.S. aviation industry is pressing Congress to extend funding for goverment programs providing support to start up commercial-scale production of renewable biofuels. ...Work on the 2012 Farm Bill is getting under way, and witnesses at
(BusinessWire/Ethanol Across America) Paper Makes Case for Commercial Readiness of the Fuel Ethanol Across America, a grassroots education campaign of the Clean Fuels Foundation, today released a white paper detailing ethanol as a molecule and the benefits and future of cellulosic
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Ethanol supporters, on the defensive since the last Iowa caucus cycle, have decided to do some educational outreach this year to the estimated 600-plus media that will come to Iowa for the Aug. 13
by Ben Edwards (Bloomberg) ...The Plymouth, Michigan-based company is raising $500,000 to complete demonstration plants and will seek the remaining funds in the next six to nine months, Chief Science Officer Geoff Horst said in a telephone interview. The plants
(China Briefing) Following its announcement in December last year that pure biodiesel made from waste plant and animal oil is exempt from consumption tax, the Chinese government has recently clarified the actual scope of animal and plant oils subject to such
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) Months are passing but New Zealand ’s new government still won’t say whether or not it will incentivise biofuels production and new plant construction. Latest in this shoot-your-own-economy-in-the foot saga is Ecodiesel’s multi-million dollar
by John Laidler (Boston.com) A plan by Global Partners to begin shipping ethanol by rail to its Revere terminal is drawing concern in the city, where it is the focus of a nonbinding ballot question. According to Fire Chief Gene Doherty,
by Senator Al Franken (D-MN) (HometownSource.com) ...Cellulosic ethanol is happening. The first commercial-scale cellulosic plant is being built this year in Iowa. And I want Minnesota to capitalize on the energy—and economic growth—that could come from wood wastes, grasses, and
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In June, the U.S EPA issued its proposal to reduce the coming year’s cellulosic biofuels volume target for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The RFS goals set by Congress in 2007 call for increasing
by Andrew Restuccia and Ben Geman (The Hill/E2Wire) ...Some Democrats are acknowledging that their push to strip billions of dollars in oil-and-gas industry tax breaks through the debt-ceiling deal faces big hurdles. Democrats see the bipartisan special committee tasked with finding
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) Clean energy will be part of a broader jobs agenda that Senate Democrats will pursue when lawmakers return from their August recess, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday. “Clean energy jobs, they are changing
by Niluksi Koswanage (Reuters Africa) Malaysia, the word's No.2 palm oil producer, will come up with a certification scheme to ensure the tropical oil is grown without clearing forests and destroying wildlife, a newspaper reported on Monday. The Business Times quoted
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Financing of clean energy got you down? The Green Bank clears a key Senate hurdle, and Bank of America chairman Chad Holliday helps explain why that’s important Last month, amidst the brouhaha of the US debt
by Gen. Wesley K. Clark (Ret.) (The Hill) ...And yet, in his op-ed published July 26 in The Hill, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) ignores the physical, economic and national security costs of our nation’s continued dependence on foreign oil. Instead,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol “ACE and our members are disappointed that the ethanol compromise was not included in the final debt limit deal just because some in Congress
(Agriculture and Land Use Forum) Biomass & Bioenergy just published a review of biomass availability for ethanol production as that industry looks beyond corn for the biomass needed to meet the U.S.’s ambitious ethanol mandate. They estimate that agricultural and forestry
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Passage of the “Debt Extension” legislation by the US Congress will cause reductions in the fiscal year 2012 budget that is scheduled to take effect on October 1 of this year. Guidance from the
.jpg)
