by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) The House Energy and Commerce Committee said it will investigate the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency in combating fraud in the renewable-fuels program. The EPA discovered that fuel credits, which can be traded, are being fraudulently
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,
(NewEurope Online) More Lithuanian logging waste could make way for usage in biofuels production. The ‘national forestry sector development programme’ submitted recently to the government of Lithuanian by the ministry of environment proposed for maximising the use of logging waste
by Jim Lane/Dr. Susan Pond (Biofuels Digest/Dow Sustainability Program at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre) In Australia, the inaugural Sustainable Maritime Fuels Forum was held this week as part of the Pacific 2012 International Maritime Exposition in
(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
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of funds for Fiscal Year 2012 for two key programs to encourage the use of renewable biomass and production of advanced biofuels. About $25 million will be made
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
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Will federal programs critical to the development of sustainable bioenergy and the bioeconomy be renewed in the next Farm Bill? The authorization for current programs will expire at the end of 2012. The Senate Agriculture
(UPI) The Ministry of Production and the National Association of African Palm Growers, analyzes based biodiesel plant. The raw material would be palm oil. Andes news agency said the authorities' intention is to strengthen energy sovereignty. Ecuador ranks first palm sales in America,
(The Bioenergy Site) Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) spoke at an American Chemical Society briefing, saying that biofuels production was essential for the future of the US economy. "This was a great starting point as a concrete forum to look at how
(International Institute for Sustainable Development) Currently, the German government plans to achieve the EU's renewable transport target mainly through the use of mandatory blending targets applied to the mineral oil industry for the use of biofuels. This study highlights that
(International Institute for Sustainable Development) The U.K. government is currently considering what policies will ensure it meets the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED) commitment of using 10 per cent by energy of renewable transport fuels by 2020. Current U.K.
by Sean Nicholls (Sydney Morning Herald) THE NSW ethanol mandate will be ''appropriately enforced'', the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has assured Australia's biggest ethanol producer, Manildra, after the company reacted to his decision to dump a ban on regular unleaded fuel
by Amy Westervelt (Forbes) ...Time and again top military leaders have spoken out against our dependence on oil as a matter of national security. The thing you need to remember about the military, though, is that it’s comprised more of doers
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,
by Anna Austin (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) A recently released study authored by nine scientists from multiple organizations and universities, including the U.S. Forest Service, may be poised to clear up some confusion. With no motive other than to
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California State Assembly is expected to vote soon on a watered-down version of a bill initially proposed last year, targeting corn ethanol production for elimination from a state subsidy program. AB 523
Michael Richardson (Canberra Times) Don't laugh! The United States military is dead serious about being able to fly its combat and cargo planes on jet fuel derived from algae and plants, and to power many of its warships on biodiesel
by Kate Rice (TravelPulse) ... The Farm to Fly partnership was established in July 2010 to advance a comprehensive and sustainable aviation biofuels rural-development plan. As the lead agency responsible for feedstock development and production systems, USDA joined with A4A
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
(NCTechNews) ...In order to comply with and support these directives, Fort Bragg partnered with the Defense Energy Supply Center and the Army Petroleum Center to construct the Green Biofuel Superstation to serve its flex-fuel fleet and other military-owned equipment. 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
by Mary Ellen Klas (Miami Herald) Legislators revive the debate over renewable energy in Florida with a Senate bill that promises tax credits for companies and homeowners. ...The bill, SB 7202, would allow for large companies, such as large as Walmart
(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
(GreenAirOnline) Although aviation is a key driver of growth, without tackling its global and local environmental impact, the industry will not be able to realise its economic potential, says the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The regulatory body has opened
(US Environmental Protection Agency) he U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) to release its lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis of palm oil used as a feedstock to produce biodiesel and renewable diesel under the Renewable
by Mat McDermott (TreeHugger) We just learned, based on IEA calculations, if all fossil fuel subsidies were eliminated it would result in greenhouse gas emission cuts deep enough to get us halfway to preventing dangerous climate change. Indeed, cutting fossil fuel subsidies has
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),
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
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has approved a conditional commitment in the amount of $232.5 million to ZeaChem Boardman Biorefinery, LLC (ZBB) through the Biorefinery Assistance Program. ZBB will operate a 25 million
by Gus Trompiz (Reuters) French state support for crop-based biofuels has brought benefits for farming but also hidden costs for motorists who have ended up having to consume more fuel and pay higher prices, the government's auditor said on Tuesday. With
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 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
by Jessica Testa (Cronkite News) Anticipating a day when Arizona becomes a leader in producing algae for biofuel, a Tucson lawmaker is pushing to have algae farms and related facilities defined — and taxed — like any corn field
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 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 Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) California’s low carbon fuel standard is a hot topic at this week’s California Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Conference in San Francisco. During a panel titled “California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard and its Implications for Biodiesel
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
by Rudy Ruitenberg (Sydney Morning Herald) The US policy to produce ethanol biofuel from corn is raising prices for the grain across the world, said Jose Graziano da Silva, the new director-general of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation. ''FAO
by Michael Hogan (Reuters) Govt advisors warn against biofuel feedstock imports * Importing foods for biofuels could endanger supplies * Biofuels industry says claims reckless Germany should not increase imports of food to produce biofuels, because this could threaten the supply of food in
by Cody Winchester (Argus Leader) Lack of federal money causes ethanol giant to shift priorities Ethanol giant Poet has scuttled plans for a $4 billion pipeline that would have carried Midwestern ethanol to the East Coast, citing lack of government support. 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 Lisa Gibson (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine) When the American Council on Renewable Energy’s Biomass Definition Subcommittee pitched its unified biomass definition to members of Congress in early November, the consensus was clear: no one could remember ever seeing
(PR NewsWire/Organic Tree Fruit Growers Alliance) At a recent legislative hearing in Olympia, the Washington StateHorticultural Association and its lobbyist Jim Halstrom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVO8tJc7zI) publicly opposed legislation (House Bill 2192) that would provide a relatively small amount of new water to allow apple and tree
(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 Brian Jennings (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) ... The new CAFE standards apply to light-duty vehicles beginning in model year 2017, requiring a nationwide average of 54.5 miles per gallon by model year 2025. While the automakers agreed to
by Robert Vierhout (Ethanol Producer Magazine) One would think that a relatively easy way for governments to promote biofuels would be to tax biofuels less than fossil fuels—avoid lengthy debates on mandates and simply change the taxation structure in such
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The intent of Congress when it wrote the renewable fuel standard was to grow an American fuels industry that would help us break free from this addiction and its dire consequences. In
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Power plants were found to be the largest stationary source of direct emissions, producing a combined total of more than 2,300 million metric tons of CO2e from 1,555 facilities in 2010. Petroleum refineries were
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) ...During a press conference at AFBF (American Farm Bureau Federation) on Monday, (Agriculture Secretary Tom) Vilsack said he believes it is important to keep the RFS2 in place for multiple reasons. “One, it provides consumer choice. We
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Brooke Coleman, executive director of the Advanced Ethanol Council, turned attention to free market principles and market access, after the New York Timesran astory on cellulosic biofuels mandates, titled “A Fine for Not Using a Biofuel
(Chicago Tribune) ...Congress and the federal agencies responsible for managing the biofuel industry need to stop trying to artificially create a market for a high-tech product that may never exist on a commercial scale. ...At current market prices, ethanol doesn't need
by Bob Dineen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The scientific community has better data, improved modeling tools, and a better appreciation of the uncertainty and complexity involved in ILUC analysis. But, above all, they have the benefit of some
by Richard G. Steiner (Los Angeles Times) OpEd: Not two years after the Deepwater Horizon debacle, the U.S. is proceeding with plans to expand oil drilling instead of pushing alternatives. ...And after making only modest reforms, many of which were cosmetic (e.g.
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ...In recent weeks, many headlines have trumpeted the argument that gas prices will be higher as a result of expiration of the VEETC. As is often the case, a quick review of the facts
(Cool Planet BioFuels/MarketWatch) Cool Planet BioFuels announced today it has received approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to begin fleet-testing its negative carbon gasoline. Cool Planet BioFuel's technology converts low-grade biomass -- such as grass and woodchips --
by Victoria Bryan (Reuters) German carrier Lufthansa is ending the trial use of a biofuel mix for its planes because it has used up stocks of certified biofuel and no other reliable supplies are available. The trial, which ran on flights between
(Platts) Polish transport fuel producers can decrease their biofuel-blending requirements by 15% if they buy supplies from approved producers, according to a government source, citing a blending provision effective January 1. In order to take advantage of the provision, transport fuel
by Don Siefkes (E100 Ethanol Group/Biofuels Digest) To The Editors of the Wall Street Journal: Cellulosic ethanol has been a debacle, but not for the reasons stated in your editorial “The Cellulosic Ethanol Debacle” of December 13. Cellulosic ethanol has not
(US Environmental Protection Agency) EPA is issuing a direct final rule identifying additional fuel pathways that EPA has determined meet the biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel or cellulosic biofuel lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements specified in Clean Air Act section
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) On Jan. 5, the U.S. EPA issued a direct final rule regarding RFS2 pathways for four new biofuel feedstocks, including camelina oil, energy cane, giant reed and napiergrass. While the energy cane, giant reed, and
by Gary Truitt (Hoosier Ag Today) Jay Berry, with Central Indiana Ethanol in Marion, says many stations do not have the equipment to handle higher ethanol blends. He told HAT there are no regulations that cover ethanol compliance, “We had
by Heather Thornstensen (AgriNews) While they had a leader from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at their recent annual convention, the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association brought together a panel to discuss whether the ethanol and cattle industries can co-exist. ..."As I
by Mark Steil (Minnesota Public Radio) A couple of key federal subsidies for the renewable fuel industry are about to end, cutting billions of dollars tax credits for the ethanol and biodiesel industries. Congress could renew the tax credits when it
by Robert Pear (New York Times) ...“We are in a fairly prosperous period for agriculture,” said Dean C. Taylor, a former president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “Agriculture has not been as much of a touchstone for presidential candidates this
by General Wesley Clark (U.S. Army, Retired) ...But without those 13 billion gallons of ethanol, motorists in the U.S. are all part of a captive market that is controlled by Big Oil. The alternative to ethanol is gasoline, nearly
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ZeaChem launches its 250,000 gallon per year core process. How could this possibly matter, in the context of a 500 million gallon cellulosic biofuels target for 2012, that was waived down to 10 million? As
by Doug Sombke (Rapid CityJournal/South Dakota Farmers Union) ...What the ethanol industry needs now is investment in improved infrastructure to get ethanol closer to being equal in the marketplace with regular gasoline. For decades, big oil companies have enjoyed billions of
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News)The federal ethanol blenders’ tax credit for grain-based ethanol expired without protest from the ethanol industry at the end of 2011. But the head of the Renewable Fuels Association—Bob Dinneen—says the industry will work to ensure
(ELMIA/World Bioenergy) Something is wrong in the world of energy subsidies. According to statistics gathered by the International Energy Agency (IEA) the worldwide subsidies to fossil fuel consumption in 2009 amounted to no less than 300 billion USD, while at
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/BIO) ...To be clear, the bioeconomy is the total economic activity from all sectors of the biotechnology industry – pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture and industrial biotechnology. With biotechnology we can help, heal, fuel and feed the
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) In Australia, it’s Back to Petroleum for the ethanol producers, blenders and users of New South Wales if BP gets its way. ...Rather than go back to selling the ethanol blends its customers want, BP
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...10. Advanced biofuels capacity surges to 1 billion gallons, globally. We see 570 million gallons in capacity from Neste Oil alone; 137 Mgy from Diamond Green, 75 Mgy from Dynamic Fuels, 62 Mgy from KiOR,
(IFP Energies Nouvelles) The numerous research programmes looking at new-generation biofuels that were initiated over the last ten years are now starting to bear fruit. Although no plants are producing and marketing biofuels yet, the large-scale, industrial feasibility of second-generation biofuel production at
by Nathanael Green (Energy Now/Natural Resources Defense Council) ...Our dependence on oil hurts our economy, helps our adversaries and puts our security at risk. Each day we send over $1 billion overseas for oil, often to hostile nations like Iran,
(Global Bioenergy Partnership) In November 2011 the GBEP Steering Committee endorsed the report The Global Bioenergy Partnership Sustainability Indicators for Bioenergy. It was developed by GBEP Partners and Observers through the GBEP Task Force on Sustainability that had been working since
(Iowans Fueled with Pride) The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today announced the release of the Iowans Fueled with Pride coalition 2012 Iowa Caucus Voter Guide. The guide outlines the positions of presidential candidates campaigning actively in Iowa on four
by Jim Lane and Todd Guerrero (Biofuels Digest/Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.) Us federal judge rules that California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard interferes with the “maintenance of a national economic union unfettered by state-imposed limitations on interstate commerce.” Today, we look
(Farm Futures) Failure to renew the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit will create a new world for the industry. ...What many consumers don't realize is that the tax credit didn't go to ethanol plants, it went directly to oil companies as
(WRAL) Lack of action by state lawmakers and Congress is expected to raise gas prices in North Carolina by more than 8 cents a gallon, starting Sunday. Half of the increase comes from the state. North Carolina's gas tax is linked
(Orlando Sentinel) Editorial: ...This month a state House panel approved a bill to repeal the 2008 state law that requires most gasoline sold in Florida to include up to 10 percent ethanol. Sponsor Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Fort Walton
by Ron Kortrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Last week the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality concluded that air quality is simply not a reason for concern regarding biodiesel volumes associated with federally required use. The federal renewable fuel standard (RFS2) calls for
by Tina Casey (CleanTechnica) The U.S. Army is developing high tech steam engines that can run on biofuels, and not just for show. The steam engines, manufactured by Florida-based Cyclone Power Technologies, Inc, will be used in combat vehicles including the Arbrams M1
by Scott Larson (The Star Phoenix) A new market for canola growers is opening up in Europe, says a representative for Control Union, a Netherland-based company that certifies supply chains for products entering Europe. While Canadian canola has been shut
(European Commission) Committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050, the EU is exploring the challenges of decarbonisation. In March this year the EU published its low-carbon roadmap covering all sections of the economy. It is
by Alex Philippidis (Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) President Barack Obama’s administration has begun reviewing suggestions for a National Bioeconomy Blueprint detailing measures by which the Obama administration intends to apply biological research innovations toward national challenges that include health, food,
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (December 14, 2011) announced loans and grants for agricultural producers and rural small businesses across the country to implement renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in their operations. The funding is
by Jeanne Roberts (Energy Boom) On Wednesday, December 14, representatives from the nation’s biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products industries provided written testimony to a U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee aimed at insuring the smooth continuation of various biofuel tax incentives due
by Paul Stenquist (New York Times) The U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, a Washington-based advocacy group whose members include Bosch, Honeywell and BorgWarner, all major automotive suppliers, released a white paper on Monday to make the case for technology-neutral policy-making
by Naval Sea Systems Command (Navy.mil) The Navy successfully concluded its final alternative fuel demonstration for the year today with the Dec. 7-9 operational tests of the 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in a landing craft
by David Goldberg (Transportation for America) ...To fill gaps in service, Opportunity Link two years ago led the creation of North Central Montana Transit. NCMT is miraculous for a number of reasons. First, it offers fixed-route service. Many rural transit services are “on
by Ann Marie Edwards (DomesticFuel.com) South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard says $950,000 in grants will be made available through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to help pay for the installation of blender pumps and associated infrastructure at retail gas stations across
by Charles Abbott and Reese Ewing (Drovers Cattle Network) A U.S. ethanol tax credit costing roughly $6 billion a year will expire on Dec. 31, with the U.S. industry declaring itself ready to stand on its own and Brazil hoping for
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California Air Resources Board has completed the first required formal review of the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, a regulatory program that requires stakeholders to reduce the carbon intensity (CI) of fuels sold
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) Europe’s highest court ruled Wednesday that the European Union has the legal right to force foreign airlines to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions, a decision that could boost ticket prices but also encourage
Presentations delivered by the various panel members are available on the CAAFI Expo website. READ MORE Business Team RIN Compliance and D-Code Pathway Definitions (PDF) - Luce Business Team Panel Discussion Elements of Alternative Fuels - Business Case Analysis (PDF)- John Rau Biofuels Financing
by Neil Winton (Detroit News) Investment bank Morgan Stanley came up with a nasty surprise for Nissan-Renault and other cheer-leaders for battery powered cars when it cut its electric vehicle sales forecast by nearly 50 per cent for 2025. Europe’s economic
by James Konstantin Galvez (The Manila Times) The Department of Agriculture (DA) is in talks with San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. (SCBI) for the construction of a bioethanol processing plant in Negros Occidental to push the development of sweet sorghum in
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...Between 2006 and 2011, the price of sugar, while having numerous peaks and valleys, has risen from about 18 cents per pound to as high as 29 cents per pound. Given the fact that
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The industry believed it had the scientific backing to support the use of higher ethanol blends in all vehicles and said allowing higher blends into the market would create jobs, lessen dependence on foreign
byJames C. Greenwood and Robert Johnson (The Hill Congress Blog/BIO/National Farmers' Union) Maintaining agricultural productivity in America is indispensable to our economic security, so a safety net for farmers is very important. But abundant affordable clean energy and a healthy
by Robert Pore (The Independent) ...Nebraska's ethanol industry could be adversely impacted if Congress doesn't extend key tax incentives, especially those for cellulosic ethanol, a Nebraska Ethanol Board official said. The incentives that the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) and other groups
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) There’s a hot new craze called the “Ethanol Shuffle” that’s sweeping seaports from Sao Paulo to Los Angeles. No, it’s not a new dance, this shuffle is all about the “confounded realignment of the
(The Wall Street Journal) Review & Outlook: Years before the Obama Administration dumped $70 billion into solar and wind energy and battery operated cars, and long before anyone heard of Solyndra, President Bush launched his own version of a green
by Carli Lourens (Bloomberg) South Africa’s proposed mandatory blending of biofuels with gasoline and diesel may signal the start of a biofuels industry and boost sorghum output sixfold, an economist at the farmers’ body Grain SA said. ...South Africa could introduce mandatory
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) ...In the letter, the group pointed out the need for programs like the 9003 Biorefinery Loan Guarantee Program offered through USDA. “Loan guarantees are the most cost-effective way to develop new jobs and create these
by Mike McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biorefining Magazine) As I write to you, I am witnessing history at 40,000 feet above the U.S., a rare privilege, as one of the first commercial passengers on board the Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle
by Luke Geiver (Biorefining Magazine) ...Spending four days in Minneapolis amidst the largest and most impressive gathering of algae experts in academia, private business and government institutions, would convince anyone that in the algae industry today there is a whole
by Joelle Brink (Biofuels Digest Asia) This week, while the world’s biofuel producers were busy ramping up production towards the 54.1 billion gallon global capacity predicted by 2015, the people who regulate biofuels and make biofuel policy were mired in
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Brazilian and U.S. ethanol interests are challenging each other over ethanol trade policy. The U.S./Brazil Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote a joint letter to Congress last week asking that the U.S. secondary tariff on imported
(US Department of Energy) As part of President Obama’s commitment to helping U.S businesses create jobs and strengthen their competitiveness by speeding up the transfer of federal research and development from the laboratory to the marketplace, U.S. Deputy Secretary of
(25 x '25) Amid the political clamor surrounding congressional efforts to cut federal spending over the next decade and reduce the nation’s deficit, the ethanol industry has conceded that a seven-year subsidy benefiting the sector will end Dec. 31. ...Elsewhere, Congress
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute)A number of new scientific studies have been released examining whether and how forests, forest management practices, forest products, and bioenergy from forests either contribute to or help mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration and emissions.
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Good biofuel feedstocks are highly productive, have low input requirements and are widely adaptable. Unfortunately, those same traits are also common with invasive species. Language addressing invasive species is included in the Biomass Crop Assistance
by Robert Vierhout (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ePURE) In various circles, the current thinking on indirect land use change (ILUC) is very much driven by negative perceptions. In the EU, the concern is that biofuel policy is counterproductive to what policymakers want
(Platts) UAE Oil Minister Mohammed Bin Dhaen al-Hamli said Monday that the days of easy oil were coming to an end and the UAE and fellow oil producers are having to resort to enhanced oil recovery and development of complex
(The Bioenergy Site) Starting February 1, 2012, a Sustainability Decision from the Swedish Energy Agency is required for biofuels in order to be eligible for tax incentives or to count for mandatory national renewable energy targets in Sweden. Sweden was one
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A coalition of livestock and poultry lobby groups submitted a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee leaders on Dec. 7, requesting a hearing to evaluate the economic impact of the renewable
by Bret Korsgaard (SeekingAlpha) …Companies like Solazyme (SZYM), KiOR (KIOR), GEVO (GEVO), Amyris (AMRS) and Codexis (CDXS) were generally met with favorable terms in the public markets. The Street seemed to acknowledge that for a time, such public enterprises could
by Carol D. Leonnig and Joe Stephens (The WashingtonPost) The Obama administration has poured roughly $5 billion in taxpayer funds into the electric-car industry, offering incentives to manufacturers, their suppliers and even car buyers who might want to go green. But analysts say
by Garry Niemeyer (National Corn Growers Association) Back in August, the Green Scissors Project identified ways the federal government could shave $380 billion from the federal budget over five years. But their $380 billion in proposed cuts included a major
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) Programs the Obama administration has been pushing to promote next-generation biofuels are likely to have little funding in the next farm bill, according to the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Collin
by Louise Downing (Bloomberg) Governments need to make it “very clear” that jet fuel made from sources such as inedible plants and organic waste aren’t taxed like regular fuel, said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. A push by governments
by Henry A. Stephens (TCPalm.com) The nation's first waste-derived bio-ethanol plant won initial approval Tuesday to avoid paying almost $956,000 in county property taxes during its first 10 years of operation. In a series of 14-0 votes, the county Economic Development
by Ann Marie Edwards (DomesticFuel.com) The Renewable Fuels Association(RFA) has sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee leadership refuting statements that were made in a Nov. 30th letter sent to the committee by ethanol critics. According to RFA, the
by Mary Rosenthal (Algal Biomass Organization) ...There are four key takeaways from these meetings that I think are critical for our industry as we close out 2011 and plan for 2012. 1. Support for renewable energy overall, and biofuels in particular,
(Congressman Charles Rangel (D- NY 15) Congressman Charles Rangel on December 2, 2011, introduced legislation to extend "other duty or charge" (ODC), a key component of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), that provides duty-free treatment to ethanol imports
(Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association/PR NewsWire) In response to the introduction of H.R. 3552, legislation sponsored by four members of the U.S. House of Representatives to extend the import tax on foreign ethanol, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) issued the
by Sue Roesler (Farm & Ranch Guide) Cole Gustafson, department chair of the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University, said while there’s more concerns about corn ethanol at the Congressional level with the “food
by John Daly (OilPrice.com) Biofuel sources currently under development include algae, jatropha and camelina. Of the three, camelina is increasingly emerging as the frontrunner in attracting initial investment worldwide, as global demand for aviation fuel for passenger flights is now
(NACS Online) Refiners are starting to warn marketers to prepare for the end of the 4.5 cts/gal ethanol tax credit, which is set to expire at month's end, absent last-minute action by Congress. Chevron notified its jobbers on Dec. 1 that
(The Boston Globe) Editorial: ...But Solyndra’s subsequent failure isn’t a sign that the administration has gone too far; rather, it’s a sign that Congress, which tolerates all manner of explicit and implicit subsidies for fossil fuels and corn ethanol, hasn’t
by Rick Westhead (The Star) ...Indian industrialist Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi has his eye on this lush scenery, too, but he sees something much different: the potential for large-scale commercial farming. Karuturi, from the South Indian city of Bangalore, envisions the fields
by Bruce V. Bigelow (Xconomy) ...Jason Pyle: ...So soon, we will see the U.S. military as the leading customer for crude oil replacements. As pressure rises on the commercial airline industry (which uses most of the jet fuels in the
by Martin LaMonica (CNET News) Even though it's supposed to be a time of federal fiscal austerity, Bill Gates says its time to double down on energy research. The software industry icon and philanthropist on Friday published an editorial in Science calling
(Solazyme) Dynamic Fuels, LLC, a joint venture between Tyson Foods, Inc. and Syntroleum Corporation, has been awarded a contract to supply the U.S. Navy with 450,000 gallons of renewable fuels. Solazyme, Inc., a renewable oil and bioproducts company, will help
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...But to make affordable jet fuel, say at a $4.00 cost per gallon to the airline, you really need to get feedstock at under 30 cents per pound, or less than $600 per ton. Otherwise,
(US Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced a new pilot program of insurance for camelina beginning with the 2012 crop year. Camelina is an oilseed crop with the potential to create
by Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Washington Post) OpEd: More energy from the sun hits Earth in one hour than all the energy consumed on our planet in an entire year. In those terms, it is absurd that our federal government spends tens
by John Terrett (AlJazeera) Some US airlines have begun testing enviromentally friendly fuel. And while the efforts may help the environment, unlike in the European Union, the US government does not force airliners to go green. The ecological benefits would be
(Environment and Energy Study Institute) A steadily rising tax on the carbon content of fossil fuels would be a powerful, market-based approach to addressing one of the greatest crises of our time – global climate change. It could also help
by Bryan Sims (Biorefining Magazine) In a continued effort to test and validate advanced biofuel utilization in both air and sea crafts, the U.S. Navy successfully concluded its final demonstration of the year Dec. 7-9 with operational testing of a
by Kris Bevill and Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The challenges for cellulosic ethanol developers are daunting, but the executives representing those firms see the opportunities far outweighing the challenges and are quite optimistic for the year ahead. Indeed, all
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