by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It may be renaissance times for the Clean Fuels Development Coalition. Their long quest to upend proposed Obama-era vehicle efficiency rules that ignored the potential to improve efficiency and emissions via clear high performance fuels has
by Claire Stam (EURACTIV.com) The Brazilian Senate is considering lifting a ban on sugarcane production for ethanol fuel in the Amazon. The plan, supported by the country’s president, has sparked protests from environmentalists and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association, UNICA. The decision
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The White House plans to hold a Monday meeting to discuss possible changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Minnesota Corn Growers president Kirby Hettver says it appears EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt will present President Trump with
by Jarrett Renshaw, Chris Prentice (Reuters) Lawmakers spearheading efforts to reform U.S. biofuels regulations are considering a blanket waiver for all small refineries, according to four sources familiar with their draft legislation. The move would save some refiners a fortune but would
(Nhan Dan) After RON92 petrol was replaced by E5 bio-fuel for about three months, several enterprises said that the consumption of E5 was lower than that of RON92 and petitioned the authorities to resume the use of RON92. However, experts and
(Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy) The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) held on Monday (02/04) the first meeting of the RenovaBio Committee, a collegiate body of technical support to the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE), formed to assist
The Houston Chronicle's James Osborne reported an unnamed executive for one refining company describing the feeding frenzy for exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard biofuels obligations, "Anyone with a brain submitted an application," the executive said. "The EPA was handing out
by Jarrett Renshaw and Chris Prentice (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the request of 25 small refineries to be exempted from the nation’s biofuels laws, an agency source said on Wednesday, marking a big increase from previous years
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) A Delaware Bankruptcy judge approved a consent decree between EPA and bankrupt refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions, allowing PES to get out of much of its obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2016, 2017 and
by Amy Harder (Axios) ... Trillium proposed a resolution calling on EOG to set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. EOG complained to the SEC in late December that the proposal would micromanage the company, calling it a "rigid, time-bound" target, and asked
(Union of Concerned Scientists/Biodiesel Magazine) California can reduce carbon emissions by more than 70 million metric tons by 2030, akin to taking 15 million gasoline-powered cars off the road in one year, by adopting a higher target for its Low Carbon
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Sen. Chuck Grassley joined corn growers and ethanol producers in slamming a report Tuesday that refining giant Andeavor got a hardship waiver from the Renewable Fuel Standard for its three smallest refineries. Grassley said
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump administration escalated trade-war tensions with China on Tuesday, publishing a proposed list of 1,300 Chinese imports that it will hit with retaliatory tariffs in response to China's intellectual property practices, Pro's Adam Behsudi
by Bruce Schreiner (Arkansas Online/Associated Press) Senate leader’s bill will take it off controlled substance list -- The U.S. Senate's top leader said Monday that he wants to bring hemp production back into the mainstream by removing it from the controlled substances
by Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu (Reuters) The U.S. International Trade Commission said on Tuesday the dumping of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia harms American producers, a move that locks in place duties on the imports. The commission’s final phase determination
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Rep. Collin Peterson visited the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) plant in Benson on March 28 to reiterate his support for Minnesota’s ethanol industry. “Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company is doing some exciting work and are continuing to find new
by Debjit Chakraborty and Dhwani Pandya (Bloomberg Markets) Indian refinery to make ethanol by crushing bamboo for biofuel; India’s PM Modi wants to boost biofuel use, cut crude imports -- An oil refinery in a region in India that’s more famous for its
(Union of Concerned Scientists) Vehicle efficiency and emissions standards are a remarkably successful policy, delivering cleaner cars every year, saving drivers money at the pump, and reducing the pollution that causes climate change. A new study has found another important benefit of the
by Todd Spangler and Eric Lawrence (Detroit Free Press) ... General Motors said that, regardless of what standard is ultimately set, it remained committed to "improving fuel economy, reducing emissions and an all-electric future," including working on shared and self-driving vehicles which
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) Recent actions by EPA have effectively reduced the Renewable Fuel Standard conventional renewable volume obligation (RVO) for 2016 by more than 1 billion gallons, and the agency appears poised to take similar actions to effectively
by Timothy Cama and Miranda Green (The Hill) California officials promised Monday to put up a fight against the Trump administration’s newly announced decision to lower standards for car tailpipe emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared Monday afternoon that the Obama-era greenhouse
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., has signed into law a bill designed to encourage the increased development and use of renewable natural gas (RNG) in Washington State. According to the Northwest Gas Association (NWGA), H.B.2580 passed the legislature just hours
(Farm Europe) Despite 30 years of efforts and no less than 5 “protein plans”, the European Union still suffers from a considerable chronic deficit in plant proteins: more than 30 million tonnes of soybean crops were imported during 2016-17. This figure comes under
by David Stanway (Reuters) China met its 2020 carbon intensity target three years ahead of schedule last year, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the country’s top climate official Xie Zhenhua. China, the world’s biggest energy consumer, cut its
(Urban Air Initiative) The announcement by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the fuel economy rules rushed through in late 2016 will be revised is an encouraging first step for high octane fuels to play a much bigger role, according
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today encouraged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to strongly consider the role of high-octane fuels and higher compression ratio engines as the
by Eric Kulisch (Auto News) Move applauded by auto industry, denounced by other businesses -- EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Monday announced that aggressive light-vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions limits set under the Obama administration for model years 2022-25 are “not appropriate,” triggering
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) On April 2, 2018, the Administrator signed the Mid-term Evaluation Final Determination which finds that the model year 2022-2025 greenhouse gas standards are not appropriate in light of the record before EPA and, therefore, should be revised.
(Bio-based News/nova-Institut) First semi-commercial facilities, technical advances, but political support still unclear -- 6th Conference on Carbon Dioxides as Feedstock for Fuels, Chemistry and Polymers in Cologne, 15-16 March, showed state of the art technologies, current levels of investment as well as
(AgNewsWire) American Coalition for Ethanol celebrates 10 years of taking the message of grassroots ethanol producers, retailers, farmers and consumers to Capitol Hill. This year’s theme is Ignite a Movement. This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free
by Orrie Swayze (Argus Leader) Sen. Kent Frerichs looked to further capitalize on the genius of our incredibly successful ethanol policy taxing imported petroleum one cent/gallon at the pipeline to fund incentives to build a strong South Dakota ethanol industry. His Senate
by Cole Latimer (Sydney Morning Herald) Australia's biofuel industry has the potential to add more than 8000 jobs and $1 billion a year in revenue to the economy despite being neglected for more than a decade. Queensland University of Technology economists have outlined
by Jim Talent (Tribune News Service/Madison.com/Americans for Energy Security and Innovation) ... Biofuels are a target because they supply a full 10 percent of America’s motor fuel, and every extra gallon increases competition at the fuel pump, holding down prices
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Recent actions by EPA have effectively reduced the Renewable Fuel Standard conventional renewable volume obligation (RVO) for 2016 by more than 1 billion gallons, and the agency appears poised to take similar actions to effectively reduce the
(Biotechnology Innovation Organization) BIO is greatly concerned by the Department of Justice's and Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Settlement Agreement to resolve a dispute about the PES Holdings' obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. ... This Settlement Agreement undermines the goals of the
by Amy Mayer & Erica Hunzinger (Harvest Public Media) ... Since 1980, the amount of land being farmed or grazed in the U.S. has dropped 13 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Much of it now is covered
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) At a recent American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers meeting, General Motors executive Dan Nicholson voiced the automaker’s support in raising the minimum octane rating of the U.S. gasoline pool from 87 to 91,
(Bioenergy Australia) The massive economic, social and environmental benefits that can be delivered to Australians through the creation of a strong bioenergy industry could be lost without clear government strategies. Increased use of 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E10) in Australia could
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) President Donald Trump is seriously considering abandoning efforts to remake the nation’s biofuel laws after wading deep into an issue that divides some of his core constituencies, according to three sources familiar with the administration’s thinking. Advisers
(U.S. Department of Transportation) NHTSA is publishing in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking titled, “Civil Penalties,” which proposes to keep the penalty rate for violations of the agency’s CAFE program as they currently stand and not adjust them for
by Tv Jayan (The Hindu Business Line) Ethanol supplied by sugar producers is enough for around 4% blending, whereas India plans to blend 10% ethanol -- A trade association representing US ethanol producers said recently it wants to explore the possibility of
by Michael Hogan (Reuters) U.S. agribusiness group Archer Daniels Midland Co will suspend production at a major biodiesel plant in Germany because of increasing cheap imports of the renewable fuel into the European Union, it said on Friday. The standstill is expected to
by KSL (Biofuels Digest) ... Prior to the energy crisis, most economies were too extravagant; now, they have now overreacted and have become retrenchment-mad. It is imperative to think rationally and design progress with the right analysis and tools to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two bellwether public stocks of the advanced bioeconomy — Amyris and Renewable Energy Group — reported strong quarterly and annual results this past week, and Aemetis’ stock has been on a real tear in recent days
by James Cogan (Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd/Biofuels Digest) The CEOs of Europe’s big ethanol firms (Tereos, Cristal Union, Alco Group, Crop Energies) are under seige. They are battling imported and sometimes fake used cooking oil, not-yet-viable advanced fuels, palm oil diesel, imports from
by Adam Gustafson (Boyden Gray and Associates/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Such short-term fixes to high RIN prices ignore their underlying cause—EPA’s artificial constraints on the volume of ethanol that can be blended into the nation’s fuel supply. Basic rules of supply
by Chris Mooney and Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Royal Dutch Shell on Monday outlined a scenario in which, by 2070, we would be using far less of the company’s own product — oil — as cars become electric, a massive carbon
(25 x '25/North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) Last November, we wrote here of a major breakthrough occurring at the global climate talks in Bonn, Germany, where, for the first time, delegates approved plans to establish an agricultural work program. What
by Srijan Kanoi (Platts) China's Ministry of Commerce said Friday that they might impose an additional 15% duty, along with the existing 30% duty, on denatured ethanol imports from the US if both China and US fail to reach a trade compensation
(EU Science Hub) The JRC released two new Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for automotive diesel fuel containing 7 % biodiesel, so-called 'diesel (B7)'. These CRMs will support fuel producers and fuel testing laboratories in assuring the quality of their measurements, thus improving
(IANS /Moneylife) Raising an alarm over slow ethanol procurement for blending with the petrol, a parliamentary committee has flagged loopholes in the government's Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP). The EBP, under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims at blending ethanol with petrol,
(Algae Biomass Organization/Globe Newswire) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today applauded the introduction of the Algae Agriculture Act of 2018, a bill that would give algae cultivators and harvesters many of the same advantages as other
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... According to POET CEO Jeff Broin, there’s a deal on the table — changing almost by the hour, but a deal none the less. A deal on the table to provide year-round E15 approval for the biofuels industry
(National Biodiesel Board) Congress Reaches Another Deal to Fund the Government That Fails to Reinstate the Biodiesel Tax Credit -- Today, the U.S. Congress is expected to pass an omnibus spending bill to fund the government that did not include a reinstatement
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee are getting ready to move ahead on drafting a farm bill, ideally in April, and will seek to avoid the rancor over food assistance that has tied up
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) A special assistant to President Donald Trump on agriculture said Wednesday, "the search for a win-win continues" in the debate over how to relieve oil refiners of their obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard. Ray
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA grants rise: The agency's operational budget would remain pretty much the same, but grant programs get a boost, Alex Guillén and Annie Snider report. That means the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving funds
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The public comment period opened March 16 after publication in the Federal Register on the proposed consent decree and environmental settlement agreement lodged by the U.S. Department of Justice with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of
(Islington Council/NGV Journal) Islington Council has revealed plans for a new “green fleet” of vehicles that will use the cleanest possible technology and fuels, as it launches a borough-wide spring clean campaign this month. Fully electric and hybrid cars have been
(Jakarta Post) The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry plans to expand the use of biodiesel to 3.5 million kiloliters annually by encouraging the mining sector and state-owned railway operator KAI to use the fuel. “I just reported the plan to use biodiesel
by Dick Roche (EURACTIV) ... Investments worth billions have already been written off as a result of EU U-turns on biofuels. The half-billion Euro Vivergo plant, at one point the largest industrial project in England, is a monument to confused biofuel
Philip Blenkinsop (Reuters) The European Union has removed duties on biodiesel imports for 13 Argentine and Indonesian producers following the end of legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), an EU document shows. The bloc set anti-dumping duties on imports
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. John Shimkus have some ideas. The two have been working on a bill for well over a year to overhaul the Renewable Fuel Standard, a likely vehicle for the fixes Perdue
by Karl Plume (Reuters) U.S. agricultural exports could be at risk in any retaliation over tariffs implemented by the White House, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said on Monday. ... Perdue said that while the United States is not currently in a
(Bob Katter) KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Hon Bob Katter MP says that when it comes to national security there is only one answer; Australia must produce its own fuel. Mr Katter’s comments come in response to Parliament's National Security Committee
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The heads of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Agriculture Department are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to winnow down proposals to lower the cost of the nation’s biofuels policy to oil refiners, according to two sources
by Brandon Lewis (KTOE) Six weeks remain until Minnesota’s new B20 mandate kicks-in on May 1. House Representative Clark Johnson (D-North Mankato) says all evidence points to the state being ready to go ahead with the change. “For farmers it means a higher
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) Not all second-generation biofuels listed by the European Commission are sustainable, critics warn, urging policymakers to use the indirect land use change (ILUC) factor to “clean up” the list. The Commission’s proposed revision of the Renewable Energy Directive
by Meng Meng, Josephine Mason (Reuters) China’s top independent oil refiner is buying ethanol and two others are seeking government approval to blend the biofuel into their gasoline ahead of the country’s 2020 deadline to add it to the nation’s fuel supply,
by Kurtis Alexander (San Francisco Chronicle) A San Francisco judge who must decide whether to hold the world’s largest oil companies responsible for global warming is ordering up what many are calling the most comprehensive, and unusual, debate on climate change
(Argus Media) Mato Grosso state congressman Fabio Garcia presented a bill that would remove Brazil's 600mn liter/year (10,339 b/d) tariff exemption on imported ethanol, a move that would hurt imports from the US. The bill is seen as a response to the
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The trialogue procedure for redrafting the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) began in late February 2018. Against this backdrop, the German Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP -
(Renewables Now) Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy announced on Wednesday that President Michel Temer has signed a decree to regulate the National Biofuel Policy (RenovaBio). According to the new guidelines, the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) will be in charge of defining
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... But it’s also about whisky, as reported in the Digest in July 2017, and how Celtic Renewables puts whisky in the car and not just in the jar. It’s about Cork County’s announcement that they are
by Joshua D. Rhodes (University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute) Expanded Carbon Credit Could Spur New Coal Power Investment -- The Furthering carbon capture, Utilization, Technology, Underground storage, and Reduced Emissions (FUTURE) Act, part of the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Riding the recent wave of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) reform talks, Representative Welch (D-VT) and Senator Udall (D-NM) introduced the Growing Renewable Energy through Existing and New Environmentally Responsible Fuels Act (GREENER Fuels Act)
by Lacey Johnson (Greentech Media) The Under Secretary of Energy defends a Trump administration proposal to cut $1.3 billion in funding from the DOE’s renewable energy office. -- The Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is so
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A group of senators from U.S. corn states have asked President Donald Trump for a meeting about the nation’s biofuels law, amid expectations the administration will soon act to lower the regulation’s costs to the oil refining
by Charles Lane (Washington Post) ... Domestic crude production was not inherently “limited,” as O’Connell told Congress in 2011, it just needed a better mouse trap. Fracking was it. Entrepreneurs broke the oil-import addiction, even though the main thing they intended to
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department today (February 15, 2018) released two studies from the Co-Optimization of Engines & Fuels initiative (Co-Optima). The study, Fuel Blendstocks with the Potential to Optimize Future Gasoline Engine Performance, identifies eight representative high-octane blendstocks across
by Ben Wolfgang (Washington Times) Green organizations back ending corn ethanol mandate -- ... The intense opposition to the RFS from environmental and conservation groups comes as the White House and congressional leaders work to craft the most serious reforms the program
(Gasum/NGV Journal) The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted Gasum €7.83 million in ‘Bioeconomy and clean solutions’ key project support for increased biogas production. Developing the biogas market and the transport use of natural gas and increasing biogas production
by Jeff Brady (National Public Radio) The United States oil business is booming and the country could soon be the largest crude oil producer in the world. Despite this record-breaking production, climate change activists campaigning to move away from fossil fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Have you ever wondered why corn farmers march for the RFS, but Wall Streeters don't? Or why merchent oil refiners want the US Renewable Fuel Standard repealed but major oilcos generally support RFS reform? Why are biodiesel
by David Ignatius (The Washington Post) ... So how can the United States and its closest allies alter (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s behavior, if they’re truly serious about holding Russia to account? The answer, say several former senior CIA officials,
(Fiat/NGV Journal) Today marks the first anniversary of the trial on the Panda powered only by biomethane produced at CAP Group’s wastewater treatment plant in Bresso-Niguarda (Milan). On 14 March 2017 Elisa Boscherini (Head of FCA Institutional Relations for the EMEA
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and more than 50 member organizations are urging Congressional leaders to extend the biodiesel tax credit as soon as possible for at least 2018. In a letter to House and Senate leadership sent in advance of
John Abraham, in an article in The Guardian, notes, "Biofuels can help solve climate change, especially with a carbon tax -- We’re not yet optimizing biofuel production for both economic and environmental factors." And, "If society is willing to pay a
by John Abraham (The Guardian) Biofuels can help solve climate change, especially with a carbon tax -- We’re not yet optimizing biofuel production for both economic and environmental factors ... These are great starts but we will still need some liquid fuels and for those,
by Chris Ward (Daily Maverick) Support for diversification of the sugar industry provides a superb and immediate opportunity for the government of South Africa under its new president to create thousands of new jobs by leveraging sugarcane as a key strategic
by Doug Sombke (The Hill/South Dakota Farmers Union) As a card carrying Democrat, I resent the broad brush generalization of the Hill’s March 8 headline, "Dem Bill Would Overhaul Ethanol Mandate.” To imply to readers that the measure by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and
by Alexander Richter (Think GeoEnergy) An executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to support mining activities for critical minerals, could present a boost to lithium mining activities in the U.S. and indirectly help some geothermal projects. As reported recently, U.S. President
(Latin American Herald Tribune) A $1.6 billion investment by 2025 will allow ethanol made from sugarcane represent 25 percent of fuels used in Bolivia, President Evo Morales said on Thursday. The president was speaking at an event in the eastern city of
(The Siasat Daily) The government is prepared to pay a higher offtake price to producers of biofuel than it does for fossil fuels in a bid to boost the use of clean energy, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday. Addressing the
by Michael E. Kraft (Tribune News Service/Bradenton Herald) ... Ideally, Congress would reboot the renewable fuel mandate in a new way for today's economy, and design it as one component of a comprehensive response to climate change. For starters, Congress could slowly transition
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AdWired.com) The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy heard from representatives of the biodiesel and advanced biofuels industries Wednesday on the need for “Post Tax Reform of Recently Expired Tax Provisions” that are helping move the nation toward
(Valtra) Valtra has become the first tractor factory in the world to begin using Neste MY Renewable Diesel as the start-up fuel for all new tractors. As a result, around 700,000 litres of fossil diesel fuel will be replaced each
by Graham Noyes and Doug Durante (Low Carbon Fuels Coalition/Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) ... While not as entertaining to watch as a Godzilla film with a three-headed flying monster, the current regulatory struggle over national auto standards between the US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest reports that 72 percent of bioenergy executives are more optimistic about their organization’s prospects for growth and 68 percent about industry growth, than 12 months ago. The findings were among the highlights
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, The Digest reports that 72 percent of bioenergy executives are more optimistic about their organization’s prospects for growth and 68 percent about industry growth, than 12 months ago. The findings were among the highlights
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Ryan Beene and John Lippert (Bloomberg Politics) Pruitt warns California isn’t in driver’s seat on car rules; EPA faces April 1 deadline to decide on current requirements -- The Trump administration’s chief environmental regulator signaled a coming showdown with
(Politico's Morning Energy) With a settlement between refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions and EPA in hand and voting in the Pennsylvania special election over, some biofuels observers think the issue may fall off Trump's radar. A biofuels source told ME Tuesday they
by Tim Albrecht (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Coalition for Ethanol hosted a webinar Feb. 20 titled “Opportunities and Challenges to Increasing Ethanol Demand in 2018.” The webinar focused on ACE initiatives designed to ensure ethanol continues to grow in the
(Urban Air Initiative) The ethanol industry faces several roadblocks, in particular we hear about the RVP relief, vapor pressure for blends higher than E10. We also have the MOVES model which is the Motor Vehicle Emissions simulator that the EPA uses to
(Neste Corporation) ... In order to truly have impacts in human rights, we have started identifying potential human rights issues and put in motion a plan to manage the associated risks, particularly in our palm oil supply chain. Engagement to ensure capacity
(Biofuels International) A study from a government-owned research group is urging increased biofuel use to develop a renewable low-carbon transport sector. The report follows two years of research by Crown Research Institute Scion and looks at how New Zealand could grow and refine feedstocks
by Rick Santorum (Washington Examiner) This January, I authored a column defending President Trump and rural champions in Congress who had come under attack by refineries for their support of American-made biofuels. A Republican Pennsylvania state legislator, Rep. Bob Godshall, doubled down, attempting to
by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) ... (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) EPA chief Scott Pruitt raised the idea Monday of limiting Wall Street's ability to trade the government-issued credits for ethanol and other biofuels in an effort to aid oil refineries. ... In a meeting with reporters at the Environmental
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA will allow bankrupt refinery Philadelphia Energy Solutions to meet only a portion of its outstanding obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard as part of a settlement filed with the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware
(National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel Tax Credit Requires Reinstatement, Will Be Discussed Tomorrow in Ways and Means Committee -- Today the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and more than 50 of its member organizations sent a letter to Congressional leaders that calls for extending
by Jason Torchinsky (Japlopnik) ... See, he (GM Vice President of Global Propulsion systems Dan Nicholson) announced that he’d like to see all gas as high an octane as premium gas in a talk he gave to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. Why does
by Meghan Gordon bankr(Platts) The White House has postponed a fourth round of talks between refinery and biofuel interests about reforming the US biofuel mandate, according to a refinery source close to the negotiations. The meeting set for Thursday may have been
by Sangeetha Amarthalingam (The Edge Markets) The proposed palm biodiesel ban by the European Union (EU) parliament has bearings on negotiations on Malaysia’s plan to buy multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) from Europe. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein indicated a bilateral relationship
(International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) Tuesday 20 February 2018, Brussels, Belgium high profile speakers discussed on the latest updates on a broad range of topics: The future of bioenergy discussed by the European Commission and Member States RED II negotiations Implementation of
by David R. Baker (Seattle Times) ... Last week, the California Air Resources Board issued proposed changes that would delay some of the program’s targets, giving fuel providers more time to reach them. Instead of needing to cut the carbon intensity of
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) A study commissioned by the country's largest oil refiner explains how a waiver credit would freeze ethanol demand. Ethanol industry groups are pointing to several statements in the oil industry's own report to make the
by Amy Harder (Axios) Lots to discuss: Top oil-and-gas industry executives will meet Thursday with President Trump at the White House, according to sources familiar with the plan. Why it matters: The meeting arrives amid a rough patch in the industry's relationship with
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday she believed an electric vehicle revolution was coming and Congress is eager to make policy changes and fund research to help the automotive industry transition. "We're looking to our energy future, and
(Agri-Pulse) Oil, biofuels interests were originally set to meet Monday morning. READ MORE BIOFUELS WHITE HOUSE MEETING SCRAPPED: (Politico's Morning Energy) MONDAY WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON RFS CALLED OFF (Brownfield Ag News; includes AUDIO) Ethanol Interests Shout Opposition to RIN Price Cap (Energy.AgWired.com;
by Cassandra Sweet (GreenBiz) When it comes to addressing climate change, oil companies are all over the map. Meeting this week in Houston at CERAWeek, the world’s biggest oil and gas conference, the world’s biggest oil companies talked about oil and climate change
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The bioeconomy is a catalyst for economic development in rural America, creating new jobs and providing new markets for farmers and ranchers. Investing in the businesses and technologies that support the production of biofuels and biobased
(Renewable Fuels Association) Another White House meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 12, to continue discussions between oil refinery and biofuels interests over the price of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs, which were created under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)
by Michael McAdams (Biomass Magazine) This year is setting up to be a long year for the biofuels industry. First on the agenda is the fate of the biofuels tax extenders, including the biodiesel blenders, renewable diesel credit, second-generation and alternative fuels
by Doug Lamb and Durham McCormick (Biomass Magazine/Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas) ... While the tax code is clearly not responsible for a bulk of the current boom in RNG, the recent tax reform signed into law at the end of 2017
by Sue Retka Schill (Biomass Magazine) Seven years after the U.S. EPA published the final rule for administering the Renewable Fuel Standard, the path to getting corn kernel fiber-to-cellulosic ethanol approvals appears to be getting much shorter. Edeniq CEO Brian Thome reports
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced BiofuelsUSA) Highlighting how policy makers, investors and scientists can jointly work together to transform the global energy system, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2017 Technology Roadmap for Delivering Sustainable Bioenergy investigates a considerable strategy to increase
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The White House has made preliminary plans for a meeting on Monday between rivals in the corn and oil industries to discuss potential changes to the nation’s biofuels policy, two sources familiar with the planning told Reuters. Unlike
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On March 8, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced companion bills that aim to dismantle the Renewable Fuel Standard and sunset blending obligations for conventional, advanced, cellulosic, and biomass-based diesel fuels. The
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, more than 200 companies and trade associations today wrote House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, urging them “to reauthorize and maintain stable mandatory funding for energy title programs in the next farm bill reauthorization.” The letter,
(National Biodiesel Board) A new analysis by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) found that capping the price of conventional biofuels’ Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) will significantly harm the production of biodiesel and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There are over 2,000 biomass to fuel facilities representing 1,461 companies in 90 countries. According to subject matter expert and long-time Digesterati Lorenz Bauer, “first-generation biofuels will continue to dominate the market but will lose market
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) Any action to artificially cap Renewable Identification Number (RIN) prices in exchange for an RVP waiver allowing year-round sale of E15 would be a bad deal for rural America and the nation’s consumers, according to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... I’d start with the news from Aemetis that they are embarking now on a $158 million cellulosic ethanol plant — to be built in Riverbank, California, in partnership with LanzaTech. Cellulosic ethanol is selling for such
by Anngie Steinbarger (The Republic) I was dismayed to read the Feb. 16 letter from Mark Brown and Travis DeFries, managers at Valero, who want U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., to help oil companies gut the market for Indiana farmers by dismantling
(GreenAir Online) Taxing jet kerosene and applying a value added tax to plane tickets within Europe could raise €26.5 billion ($32bn) a year that could be used to plug an EU budget gap, reduce labour taxes and help meet climate targets,
(International Air Transport Association/Biomass Magazine) The International Air Transport Association set out an aim for 1 billion passengers to fly on flights powered by a mix of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2025. This aspiration was identified on
(The California Advanced Biofuels Alliance /Biodiesel Magazine) At the California Advanced Biofuels Conference March 1 in Sacramento, Jennifer Case, chair of California Advanced Biofuels Alliance, gave her annual address to a packed house that has evolved to include major industry players, both
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Brazil’s nationwide biodiesel mandate has increased from 8 to 10 percent on March 1, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The National Energy Policy Council approved the increase in December, one year ahead of
by Steve Roe (Des Moines Register/Little Sioux Corn Processors) ... A significant amount of these emissions are coming from our vehicles. For example, toxic aromatic compounds, which include known carcinogens like benzene, are added to gasoline to boost octane. The aromatics
by Lisa Friedman (New York Times) As the Republican Party struggles to find its footing with the next generation of voters, several conservative college groups have banded together to champion something anathema to the party: a carbon tax. The group is led by
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) A delegation of workers from U.S. oil refining companies that oppose the nation’s biofuels policy will converge on Washington on Wednesday to lobby lawmakers to find a way to lessen the regulation’s costs without hurting corn farmers
by Tryness Tembo (Zambia Daily Mail Limited) For any economy to grow, stable supply of fuel at affordable prices should be guaranteed hence for all sectors need readily -available fuel to operate effectively. For example, Zambia, which is dependent on imported crude oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) America generates very large quantities of biogas; in total, almost 10% of America’s gasoline consumption in terms of energy equivalent volumes. The largest sources of methane are landfills, followed by wastewater and then manure. It’s an
by Todd C. Frankel and Lena Mucha (photos) (The Washington Post) In Congo’s sun-scorched and dusty south, thousands of miners scour underground tunnels hunting for cobalt. Many of them work by hand. That’s why they are known as creuseurs — French
(Office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)/Ethanol Producer Magazine) U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, today (March 1, 2018) issued the following statement on EPA’s official position, restated as recently as November 2017 that, “high RIN prices do not cause significant harm to
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Feb. 21, Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy published a notice announcing that landfill gas-based fuels will be eligible to comply with the requirements of RenovaBio, the country’s new national biofuels policy that was established in December. RenovaBio
(ICM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ICM Inc., a global leading biofuels process technology provider, and The Andersons Inc., a publicly-traded company with diverse interests encompassing a variety of agribusinesses, announced today that they are partnering to own and construct Element LLC, a 70
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... So you have USDA saying ethanol demand has basically peaked. The Department of Energy is saying ethanol is really the only fuel that can provide the energy and market demands needed in the
by Rod Swoboda (Wallaces Farmer) With a White House meeting being held last week to discuss the fate of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a new study finds nearly 50,000 Iowa jobs are tied to biofuels production. Efforts by Sen. Ted Cruz of
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