by Dick Roche (Biofuels Digest/Pannonia Ethanol) Just as the EU institutions were shutting up shop for the long summer break the EU Commission issued its strategy to reduce transport emissions in the post 2020 period, ‘European Strategy for low Emission Mobility’.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Wisconsin, Tesoro reached an agreement for Tesoro to acquire Virent. The acquisition, the partners said, will support the scale up and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming technology for the production of low carbon bio-based fuels
by Marie-Joe Costantine (BioFuelNet) Study stating “ biofuels are worse than gasoline” is fundamentally flawed -- ... In the study, when (John) DeCicco and colleagues calculate the CO2 emissions going into the atmosphere, they consider all parts of the plant: leaves, stalks,
(The Gasconade County Republican) The Environmental Protection Agency apparently has postponed indefinitely a decision due whether or not to increase the allowable blend of ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent. More tests and studies are needed, the EPA
by Carrie Napoleon (Chicago Tribune/Post-Tribune) The Indiana Department of Transportation and Northwest Regional Planning Commission will continue to pay for E-85 fuel used by the Crown Point Police Department. Police Chief Pete Land said the department has secured another $96,000 in
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/Delaware Online) PBF Energy wants to significantly increase the amount of biofuel being stored at and shipped from its Delaware City refinery. The company plans to go from handling about 84,000 gallons of denatured ethanol per day
For Immediate Release, September 7, 2016: Frederick, Maryland -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided $16,893 to Advanced Biofuels USA, a Maryland based 501(c) 3 nonprofit educational organization, for a feasibility study of producing bio-jetfuel from energy beets grown
by James Cogan (Biofuels Digest/Pannonia Ethanol) ... Together with their smaller peers they produce about 6 million tonnes of the fuel commodity annually, with combined revenues of around 4 billion euro. The product gets blended into petrol accounting for 4% of
(Project Gaia) Ethanol fuel production represents a significant opportunity for economic and social development in the East African Community (EAC) region. Ethanol can be produced locally using a variety of feedstocks that can be selected based on unique local conditions. Farmers can grow
(GreenAir Online) The Centre for Research in Air and Space Law at McGill University in Canada has published an Occasional Paper Series on the environmental sustainability of international civil aviation. The 13 research papers address various policy, legal and technical means
(GreenAir Online) ICAO’s 36-State governing Council has released final draft text of a Resolution to be put before the UN agency’s triennial Assembly later this month on a global market-based measure (GMBM) aimed at keeping global net CO2 emissions from
by Li Jing (South China Morning Post) The cross-checking system between world’s two worst carbon polluters will be the first time Beijing has allowed another nation to review its domestic energy subsidies -- ... he peer-review mechanism between Beijing and Washington,
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Many respected laboratories, agencies, and researchers have used a lifecycle analysis to show that biofuels, particularly advanced biofuels, provide significant carbon benefits compared to gasoline. These benefits have increased in recent years, as biofuels have
(Bio Base Europe/Biomass Magazine) SuperBIO is an innovation project supported through the EU Horizon2020 funding program. The € 3.8 million ($4.24 million) project supports the development of promising industrial value chains in the bioeconomy. It therefore engages with the EU
by Irshad Ahmed (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels International) If bioenergy represents a sustainable energy future for the planet, then why must it compete with oil prices to be deemed a feasible energy alternative for the society? The answer is simple: It is because
(Quad County Corn Processors/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad recently met with staff and board members from Quad County Corn Processors and representatives from Syngenta, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Corn Growers
by James Dozier (The Gazette/Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions) Sen. Chuck Grassley has displayed a consistent record of leadership when it comes to bringing jobs and clean energy to Iowa and helping to bolster the farm economy. Two recent efforts led
by Vaidehi Shah (Eco-Business) An investigative report by green groups from around the world has uncovered the role of Korean-Indonesian conglomerate Korindo in destroying precious, untouched ecosystems in Papua province. One of Indonesia’s few remaining expanses of pristine rainforest is at imminent
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconomy. In this slide deck, we looked at DSM and its direct investments, partnerships
(airforce-technology.com) The US Air Force Research Laboratory's Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Programme Office will focus on producing biofuels for use by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The plans to home-grow biofuels follow President Barack Obama's call to address
by Jeremy Halgerson (POET/Argus Leader) The oil industry has been busy sending columns to papers around the country attacking biofuels like ethanol. Their arguments against ethanol always omit a key point: Cutting our biofuel use means more devastating impacts from oil. Growing
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg) ... Now the oil industry itself is split over the RFS, or more specifically how the EPA applies it. It’s no mystery what’s inspiring the discord: money. Refiner CVR Energy, in which billionaire investor Carl Icahn owns an 82 percent
by Lauren Tyler (Next Gen Transportation News) The Chicago Park District says its environmentally friendly biodiesel program has continued to pay off, and consequently, will showcase the program at a Fleet Education Seminar hosted by the Chicago Area Clean Cities
by Susan Olson (Genscape/Biofuels Digest) Biomass-based diesel mandates for blending in transportation fuel have increased in many nations worldwide over the last year. In several of these countries, domestic biodiesel production is underutilized and many of these same countries are
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) The ethanol industry knows that one area for the growth of the renewable fuel is through mid-level ethanol blends such as E30. The auto industry is calling for more octane and has indicated that ethanol is
by Robert C. Brown (Des Moines Register) ... The genesis of the latest headlines is frustration among certain biofuels critics that life-cycle analysis no longer supports their criticism of biofuels. The solution, of course, is to throw out life-cycle analysis
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) As expected E15 sales in Minnesota fell in June as a result of the EPA-imposed Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) season, which bars the sale of E15 from June 1 to Sept 15. ... ... the key highlight of the
by Timothy J. Rudnick (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Seldom do the puzzle pieces align so perfectly as they now have to give Minnesota motorists greater access to E15 and higher blends of Minnesota grown, renewable ethanol. Some of those puzzle pieces include
(The Trucker News Services) NATSO, the national association representing travel plazas and truck stops, has called on the Department of Transportation to work with private, exit-based businesses within the confines of the existing law that prohibits the sale of fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you were reading BBC’s coverage of the aviation biofuels space yesterday, you would have seen the provocative headline: Wood fuel plan to cut plane CO2 branded as ‘pipe dream’ Then would have looked in vain for
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico (CRE) published Monday their recently-passed fuel regulation (NOM-016-CRE-2016) in the Mexican federal register, allowing for the blending and sale of up to 5.8 percent ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply outside
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A recent report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network provides updated data on Australia’s biofuel industry, noting ethanol production is expected to reach 250 million liters (66.04 million gallons)
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) ... I can't say for sure, since I haven't done a count and compared it to a calendar, but it seems to me that the American oil industry has been ramping up its attacks
by Eddie Scott (TheVillagesSuntimes) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the second annual Roast and Ride at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. -- ... Trump promised to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and corn-based ethanol, eliminate burdensome regulations like the Waters of
Rowena Lindsay (Christian Science Monitor) A new study suggests that biofuels can mitigate only 37 percent of the CO2 released by burning the biofuel. -- That's a flawed premise, argues Daniel Schrag, a geology professor at Harvard who advises the
by Marcelo Teixeira (Reuters) Biofuel and climate experts have questioned Brazil's commitment to a plan to cut carbon emissions by raising ethanol use after the country's government this week said it planned to scrap a tax break on the biofuel. Brazil pledged
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This season, The Digest is hosting the Strategic Intent webinar series, looking at the plans, progress and future milestones of strategic stakeholders in the Advanced Bioeconmy. In this slide deck, we looked at United Airlines, which recently invested
by Alister Doyle (Reuters) Investors managing more than $13 trillion of assets urged leaders of the Group of 20 on Wednesday to ratify a global climate deal by the end of 2016 and to step up efforts to shift from
by Jonathan Male (U.S. Department of Energy) A large part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector could be uniquely filled by biofuels and bioproducts. The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), in partnership with
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Rep. Tim Walz visited Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont on Aug 24 to learn more about the plant's upcoming expansion exercise and reiterate his support for clean Minnesota-produced renewable biofuels. Walz was briefed on Al-Corn's $146 million expansion exercise
(Low Carbon Fuels Coalition) The Low Carbon Fuels Coalition (LCFC) is pleased to announce that the California State Senate and Assembly have approved a pair of ground-breaking climate bills (SB 32 and AB 197). Governor Brown has pledged to sign
by Joanna Schroeder (Energy.AgWired.com) Higher octane. The automakers want it. Many consumers want it. But how to get it? Ethanol. -- Many in the ethanol industry have begun to realize that one of the pathways forward for continued growth for
by Jodi Delapaz (Agri-Pulse) High octane fuels (HOF), specifically mid-level ethanol blends (E25-E40), could offer significant benefits for the U.S., according to a new study by the Energy Department's Oak Ridge, Argonne National laboratory (ANL) and the National Renewable Energy
by Allison Lampert and Julia Fioretti (Reuters) A new global deal on curbing aviation emissions will likely give states the right to opt out of its initial voluntary phases, according to sources familiar with the matter, in a concession to
by Lorenz Bauer and Gerald Kutney (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... In this report, we are focused on bioenergy and biofuels (and not bioproducts) that are moving from the lab to initial commercial demonstrations and that potentially solve significant barriers
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week, we conducted a webinar on Biorenewables Megatrends with NEXANT principal Ron Cascone, who gave these incisive slides on the state of commercialization in fuels, chemicals, biomaterials and nutrition. READ MORE and MORE (Singularity Hub)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Is there some fundamental reason that the automotive biofuels people haven’t shifted to butanol or iso-butanol or some other compound that would be more compatible with gasoline and the present highly evolved gasoline engines? Is
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) ... Mr. (Mark) Perry suggests (without any scientific support or a single citation) that ethanol expansion has somehow led to “destruction” of prairie in the Great Plains, but says not a word about the land
by Devin Henry (The Hill) ... Climate change, she (Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein) said during a National Press Club event on Tuesday, is an “emergency expounded by racial disparities. … We call for a joint solution that solves these two
by Brian Scheid and Herman Wang (Platts) Growing pressure for a federal probe of the opaque market underpinning the Renewable Fuel Standard could bolster efforts to dramatically reform the landmark biofuels policy. Earlier this month, billionaire investor Carl Icahn sent a heated,
by Richard Truett (Automotive News) Raising the octane in gasoline -- seen as a way to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions in today’s high-tech turbocharged, direct-injected engines -- looks like it will get some attention from the EPA. That’s the
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today, University of Michigan Energy Institute researchers, led by longtime biofuels critic Professor John DeCicco, released a study funded by the American Petroleum Institute (API) claiming biofuels do not reduce carbon emissions compared to petroleum. Below is
by Brian Jennings (American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) It’s the Holy Grail for many in the ethanol industry to increase demand for our fuel based on its octane value proposition. The American Coalition for Ethanol has been working on octane
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Given the instability in the world, there never has been a time in the history of the ethanol industry when it has been more important. Important to our national security, important to our energy
(Government-Fleet) New York City plans to test the use of renewable diesel in its fleet across at least four departments and in several hundred vehicles in 2017 to help meet Mayor Bill de Blasio's aggressive pledge to cut emissions from
By Ana Isabel Martinez (Reuters Africa) Mexico will ban the sale of gasoline oxygenated with ethanol beginning in late October in three major urban centers as part of a push to combat the worst pollution in over a decade due
by John M. Urbanchuk (PennLive/ABF Economics LLP) ... Thanks to the RFS, nearly every drop of gasoline sold now contains at least ten percent renewable fuel, like ethanol, made right here in the United States. Last year, this policy allowed drivers to
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/U.S. News and World Report) ... Indeed, it's fairly obvious that (Mark) Perry's yarn is simply intended to shift attention away from the real culprit behind destruction of prairie in the Great Plains – oil and natural
by Brooke Coleman (Bloomberg/Advanced Biofuels Business Council) ... (Carl) Icahn’s ask is pretty simple. He wants the EPA to change the rules midstream to relieve his petroleum refining assets of their obligations. ... The RFS, for its part, requires petroleum companies like Icahn’s
by Keith Matheny (Detroit Free Press) The multi-billion-dollar U.S. biofuels industry — promoted and expanded for over a decade by the federal government — may be built on a false assumption, according to a new University of Michigan study published today
by Anshu Siripurapu (Sacramento Bee) After an intense floor debate, a bill extending California’s greenhouse gas emission targets squeaked by in the Assembly on Tuesday. Senate Bill 32 was seen as a crucial step for reauthorizing the state’s cap-and-trade program. Gov. Jerry
by James Osborne (FuelFix) Now gas station owners say they, too, are losing out after the price of RINs – the credits which refineries must have to prove there is ethanol and other biofuels in the fuel supply — shot
by Kathie Obradovich (Des Moines Register) It’s hard to beat this as a summer job for a Des Moines teenager: Two weeks at the Republican and Democratic national conventions as part of an Iowa team promoting ethanol. Otto Gunderson, 16, traveled to Cleveland
by Jim Talent (The American Spectator) The case for alternative energy done right. -- ... No other policy has so effectively undermined the international oil cartel that seeks to profit from our dependence on oil. Today, ethanol and other biofuels meet about
by David Shepardson (Reuters) U.S. regulators late on Monday denied a request by major automakers to extend the comment period on a key environmental analysis to determine whether government fuel efficiency requirements are feasible through 2025. ... Automakers had asked to extend
by John Harwood (CNBC) ... JOHNSON: I do think that climate change is occurring, that it is man-caused. One of the proposals that I think is a very libertarian proposal, and I'm just open to this, is taxing carbon emission that
by Kent Harrington (Chenected) ... For example, which country should own the emissions from a Mexico City flight to New York, or a ship moving goods between Shanghai and Los Angeles? The country of departure, or arrival? Don't even try to
by Doug Durante (The Hill/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... The US Department of Energy just last week released a report that confirms the role of high octane and how it would meet automakers' needs for high efficiency, high compression engines. Among
by Mike Lorenz (Sheetz) Back in 1990, Congress limited the amount of evaporative emissions from vehicle fuel at 9 pounds per square inch (psi) Reid vapor pressure (RVP) in the Clean Air Act. While pure ethanol has a 3 psi
by Robert Walton (Utility Dive) The Obama Administration has won a significant victory for its use of a social cost metric to determine the impacts of new environmental and efficiency rules, in a unanimous circuit court decision that appeared to leave opponents with little
by Barbara Grady (Green Biz) ... Letting the fields temporarily dry has reduced the methane released from that rice field by 50 percent, compared to an adjacent field that was flooded all through the growing season, according to measurements taken by the
(Neste) Neste Renewable Diesel is now being used by the County of Sacramento, California. In moving to Neste Renewable Diesel, the County Sacramento joins California's cleanest and greenest fleets that include the City of San Francisco, City of Oakland, City
(Ship & Bunker) Chuck Red, Vice President at US-based biofuels firm Applied Research Associates (ARA), says the current cost of biofuel bunkers is misunderstood, and that competitively priced sustainable products are not only possible, they will be a reality in
by Rebecca Chillrud (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Gas stations that offer higher blends are currently few and far between, but the ACE’s “Retailer Roadmap” aims to help change the fuels landscape. The Roadmap analyzes the potential demand for higher
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Aug. 18, the U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General published a report finding the EPA’s Office of Research and Development has not complied with a statutory requirements to provide a report to Congress
by Dustin Walsh (Crain's Detroit Business) Jerry Jung, former owner of Michigan CAT and longtime environmentalist, is using his wealth to take down ethanol production. Jung, chairman of the Michigan Colleges Alliance, recently launched RethinkEthanol.com — a website calling for the
by Bob Krause (Storm Lake Times Letter to Editor) Only 35 years after the 1980s farm crisis, another storm seems to be brewing. Corn production is forecast by USDA to be up 11% from last year. This crop, possibly over
by Zia Haq (U.S. Department of Energy) Renewable biofuel alternatives can help replace conventional petroleum-based jet fuel. -- New White House reportoutlines the federal government’s plans to lower the cost of alternative jet fuels. -- Bioenergy Technologies Office supports R&D of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... There’s a separate category of RINs for advanced biofuels. These are fuels that have at least a 50% reduction in fossil fuels compared to 2005 baseline gasoline. Overall, to qualify under the RFS, you need
by Cole Rosengren (Waste Dive) Fleet Owner recently profiled the many advancements of New York's Department of Sanitation (DSNY) fleet. This includes more than 2,000 collection vehicles and a variety of other units such as mechanical brooms, salt spreaders, and snow melters. All diesel-powered vehicles
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) ... Reuters' analysis of vehicle sales and government data shows that almost a fifth of the vehicles on US roads can safely handle E-15 fuel, a gasoline with 15% ethanol content, or 50% more than the typical US
(Collective Action and Property Rights) In this blog, Farai Mutondoro, Mary Jane Ncube, Manase Chiweshe and Derick Hamunakwadi discuss the impact of land corruption, particularly on women. The blog is informed by a case study of the Chisumbanje Ethanol Project
(4-Traders) The Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs (BOE, MOEA), has promoted the research and development of green energy for decades. On 19th July, 2016, BOE commissioned Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to sign a contract with Taiwan Cement
by Zaid Jilani and Naomi LaChance (The Intercept) Two big issues dogged Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primary: the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement (TPP) and fracking. She had a long history of supporting both. Under fire from Bernie Sanders, she came out against
by Robert Wright (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) At COP21 last year, the EU committed to cutting its total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030. As part of its climate and energy plans, the EU also has
by Brian Parkin (Bloomberg) Renewable fuels may provide 50% of U.S. fleet’s power by 2020; Queensland seeks to create export-oriented green-fuel market -- The U.S. accepted Australia’s offer to supply biofuel for its Asia-Pacific fleet, advancing the Navy’s goal of getting
by Sara Wyant and Philip Brasher (Agri-Pulse) Donald Trump's campaign has set up a geographically diverse team of agricultural leaders that includes congressmen, governors, state agriculture commissioners, trade association leaders and producers of grain, livestock, poultry and fruits and vegetables. ... As
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Let me see if we got this right. Donald Trump loves the Renewable Fuel Standard --- Carl Icahn loves Donald Trump --- Therefore, Carl Icahn hates the Renewable Fuel Standard With that, welcome to the 2016 United
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Council on Environmental Quality, a division of the Executive Office of the President, has issued final guidance on considering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change in National Environmental Policy Act reviews that addresses
by Ned Bowman (Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association/Florida Politics) ... The RFS was originally intended to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but over time the National Association of Clean Air Agencies discovered that it had produced higher emissions of
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A recent column provides some insight into anti-ethanol stances by making a connection between beef prices, the cow herd expansion and restaurant profits, with rather breath-taking simplification. -- A recent column in Forbes from
by Ray Defenbaugh (Urban Air Initiative/Big River Resources/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ah, summertime ..., and the livin' is easy, as the song says. But if not for the U.S. EPA, it could have been even easier. Easier on our customers, easier on
(Environmental Protection Agency) Standards address second-largest segment of U.S. transportation in terms of emissions and energy use -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration jointly finalized standards for medium- and heavy-duty
by Sok Chan (Khmer Times) The value of Cambodia’s cassava exports to Thailand is being adversely affected by Thailand’s periodic closing of informal border checkpoints, forcing some farmers to grow alternative cash crops as prices wildly fluctuate, provincial officials told Khmer
(Bioenergy Insight) German bioenergy developer Weltec Biopower will shortly start building an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant for Colombia‘s largest egg producer. The 800kW biogas plant is to go live in early 2017. In terms of the feedstock input, the operator Incubadora
by Tracy King (Renewable Fuels Association) For the past several years, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been quietly researching the benefits of ethanol-based High Octane Fuels (HOF), such as E25, E30 and E40. Now, some of DOE’s findings are
(The Detroit News) The idea ethanol is the transportation fuel of the future never seems to fall out of fashion among certain members of Congress—including Michigan’s own Debbie Stabenow. But it’s time for this outdated obsession to end. Stabenow was among
by William Lesyna (Roanoke Times) ... Since Gen. Wesley Clark is a board member of an organization of ethanol supporters, it’s not surprising that his May 21 column described the advantages of ethanol as a fuel with no mention of its
by John Phillips (Daily Press) I am deeply concerned about the EPA's recent decision to alter the original intent of the Renewable Fuel Standard with a reduction to the renewable volume obligation not only because of the devastating effect it will
by Josh Schlossberg (The Biomass Monitor) ... The Biomass Monitor contacted representatives for the following organizations (listed alphabetically) to determine their stances on biomass power and heating, liquid biofuels for transportation, and trash incineration: 350*, Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Working Group,
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) America’s farmers are poised to harvest a record corn crop this fall and achieve the highest yield per acre in U.S. history, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates released today. Meanwhile, the U.S. ethanol
by Andrea Kent (Globe and Mail/Renewable Industries Canada) Re Zero emissions bio-fuel myth ignores environmental costs of production(July 31): Gwyn Morgan says biofuels aren’t greener than fossil fuels and affect food supplies and prices. Really? Mr. Morgan ignores the multitude of
by Mike Chisam (The Hays Daily News) A recent article in the Hays Daily News, titled “Subsidized madness,” makes erroneous claims about the Renewable Fuel Standard and ethanol. The article attacks the RFS by using the tired, false arguments that are
by Dan Sanders (Windsor Now) ... The RFS has been the driving force behind the development and production of new, cleaner and lower cost fuel options at the pump. The RFS has also been instrumental in breaking the century long monopoly
by Nicolas Loris (The Heritage Foundation/The Intelligencer) ... President George W. Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law and expanded it in 2007. The RFS, which originated with that act, mandates that refiners mix biofuels into America's gasoline supply,
(Pilot Tribune) United States Senator Joni Ernst and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will visit Quad County Corn Processors cellulosic ethanol production facility in Galva on Wednesday, August 31st at 9:15 am. Senator Ernst and Governor Branstad will tour Quad County's state-of-the-art
by Dick Roche (EurActiv) Public policy should be built on firm foundations. Objective analysis, verifiable facts and solid science are good starting points, but that was absent in biofuels policy-making, writes Dick Roche. The foundations on which Europe’s biofuel policy has
by Hillary Borrud (The Oregonian) Supporters of Oregon's controversial low-carbon fuels mandate, newly approved last year, hailed it as a chance to grow a local biofuels industry and reduce drivers' reliance on imported fuel. But six months into the program, a
by Bruce Hotchkiss (The Delmarva Farmer) A $5 million grant from the USDA is providing the financial foundation for the installation of 30 ethanol refueling stations across Maryland and Virginia. As originally conceived, the work — which has been underway in
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... With a potential omnibus spending package on the table this fall, the oil industry and some environmental groups have raised again the proposition of RFS reform. Two major claims made by RFS-reformers are that biofuels,
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Following the California cities of San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek and Carlsbad, Sacramento County is also making the fuel switch from petroleum to renewable diesel for its heavy-duty fleet vehicles. Sacramento County will use Neste Corp.’s
(Economic Times) Biodiesel Association of India (BDAI) has sought Value Added Tax (VAT) relaxation on blending of biodiesel from States for promoting green fuel Blending and energy security in the country. -- Currently VAT on biodiesel blending goes up to
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) A member of the National Corn Growers ethanol committee says the capital city of the Philippines is moving forward with its renewable fuel goals. Jerry Demmer of Clarks Grove, Minnesota traveled with the U.S. Grains
(Mankato Free Press) Why It Matters: Ethanol as a clean energy has come under criticism but the pollution caused by fossil fuels remains the reality. -- ... First, environmentalists complained we were paying farmers too much in subsidies to plant corn
(ClimateDenierRoundup/Daily Kos) ... Speaking of bullcrap, the American Petroleum Institute is also launching a new ad blitzas part of their astroturf Vote4Energy campaign, this one opposed to the Renewable Fuel Standard that requires biofuels, like those made from discarded corn
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) On Monday, Aug. 8, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) celebrated its 11th anniversary. Not on a first name basis with acronyms? It’s the law that gave us the original renewable fuel standard,
by Todd Epp (KELO) Senator Mike Rounds has been traveling all over the state during the summer break. The issues he says he's hearing most about are low commodity prices and the ag economy. He says one partial solution is expanding ethanol
(Special Secretariat for Family Agriculture and Agrarian Development/Canal Jornal da Bioenergia (Google Translation)) Family farms will gain new market in the National Program for Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB). In addition to oil supplies, already known to family farmers, the
by Jeff Barber (OpisNet.com) Shifting the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) from fuel refiners and importers to blenders would reduce competition at the rack and lead to lower renewable fuel use and higher retail prices, an
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is it just cost that bedevils industrial biotechnology in bringing fuels technologies to scale. Not just, says BETO program director Jonathan Male, who adds that a DOE “Tiger Team” indentified many other factors: What about these? Use
by Jessie Stolark (The Hill/Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... The total amount of U.S. land under production by American farmers is down-- not just over the last 50 or 100 years, but also over the last decade according to the U.S. Department of
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... Yet Trump gave an economic speech Monday in Detroit in which he touted boosting domestic oil and gas production and made no references to renewable energy. Trump cited data in his speech from
(Bio-based News) The most comprehensive study on cascading use of wood including material flows, barriers and potential measures -- Efficient and environmentally responsible biomass use is central to sustainable development and key to delivering an effective circular economy, an efficient
(SuperBIO) The project runs from 1st of June 2016 until 30th of November 2018. Applications can be submitted until 31st of July 2018. Project background and aim: SuperBIO is a Horizon2020 innovation project that aims to develop and support at least
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee-Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Recent declines in oil prices and the failure of start-up biofuel processes to meet production cost targets have increased the interest in producing value added chemicals from biomass as coproducts. The vision is that these
by Ilari Kauppila (Biofuels International) US lawmakers should recognise the potential of mid-level ethanol blends to contribute to the fight against greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from traffic, a US ethanol trade association says. Growth Energy is urging authorities to support high-octane mid-level
by Ilari Kauppila (Biofuels International) The California Congressional delegation has added its voice to the crowd urging the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase its proposed biofuel obligations for 2017. In an open letter addresses to EPA administrator Gina McCarthy, six
(NGT News) The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) says that it is now accepting applications for the Maryland Freedom Fleet Voucher (FFV) Program, which intends to provide incentives for various alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), over the 2017 fiscal year. ... As reported, eligible vehicles
by Anindya Upadhyay and Debjit Chakraborty (Bloomberg) India’s current biofuels market size is about $1 billion; India to source all raw material for biofuels domestically -- India is targeting a more than sevenfold expansion in its biofuels market over the next six
by Gilbert E. Metcalf (The Hill/Tufts University) ... Proponents of reform argue that eliminating tax preferences for producers of oil and gas would save $4 billion taxpayer dollars each year and strengthen American leadership on climate change. ... In a recent study published by
(Praj/PR Newswire) First Indian Technology Company to Partner in 2G Ethanol Projects Through Green Fund; To Facilitate 'Farmer Centric Biomass Supply Model'; To Provide Build, Operate & Maintain (BOM) Package for 2nd Generation 'Biomass to Ethanol' Projects; To Offer 2nd Generation 'Smart
by Kyle Feldscher (The Washington Examiner) The oil industry is planning to make a major advertising push in a wide swath of states against the Environmental Protection Agency's Renewable Fuel Standard in the coming weeks. Frank Macchiarola, director of the American
(CNT.org (Google translation)) Fuel is produced from used cooking oil. Goal is to reduce emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases -- From next year, the diesel sold at gas stations will contain 8% biodiesel and the goal until 2019 is
by Emmanuel Ntirenganya (AllAfrica.com) The Government has given investors from Mauritius the green light to set up a sugar processing factory in the country. The agreement will see the investors construct a factory with capacity to produce 100,000 tonnes of sugar
by Fernando Olmedo (Biodisol/Agence France Presse (Google Translation)) Twenty Latin American countries pledged Friday to continue "promoting emphasizing" the development of biofuels with support from multilateral financial institutions, during a forum on clean energy in San Salvador. "There is a belief by
by Saket Sundria, Debjit Chakraborty (Bloomberg) India says cooking oil can make 2 million tons of biodiesel; Government is trying to curb crude imports as economy grows -- The nation of 1.3 billion people can make at least 2 million tons of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month, the DOE released the first volume of its monumental two-volume update of the Billion Ton report, looking not only at the economics of biomass but also the environmental trade-offs associated with various approaches
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Earlier this year Jack Lipinski, chief executive of the Sugar Land refiner CVR Energy, flew to Washington to plead his case to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. His problem: the prices of credits required to
(Union of Concerned Scientists) In recent days, legislative leadership and Gov. Jerry Brown have been sending mixed signals on whether they will consider SB 32 (Pavley), a bill to require lowering climate pollution to 40 percent below 1990 levels by
(Ensyn) Support for clean technology innovation is vital to growing Canada’s economy and addressing climate change. With its abundance of renewable biomass, Canada has the potential to develop a strong and globally competitive bioenergy sector. The Governments of Canada and Quebec will provide
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Innovation Organization/Biofuels Digest) Members of Congress just returned to their home states and districts for the August recess to meet with constituents and campaign for the upcoming elections. You can be sure the oil producers will
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Department of Energy announced up to $11.3 million for three projects that support the development of biomass-to-hydrocarbon biofuels conversion pathways that, as the DOE remarked, “can produce variable amounts of fuels
by Lindsay Brooke (SAE International) Raising the octane level of pump gasoline in the U.S. is integral to optimizing advanced combustion engines now in development, said GM and Hondaexecutives at the 2016 CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI.
by Nathan Vander Griend (ERI Solutions, Inc./Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) mission is to protect human health and the environment. They are charged with delivering on that mission by using the best scientific information
by Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg) Republican nominee Trump backs U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard; Tactic would exploit a Clinton weakness, Rick Santorum says -- Donald Trump’s campaign swing through the Corn Belt on Friday should include a hearty endorsement of U.S. renewable
by Ryan Strickland (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Eco-Energy) It’s a big world out there and ethanol is primed to explore it—finding new markets through competitive pricing, high octane and low-carbon advantages that no other fuel on the planet today can match. The
by Leticia Phillips (UNICA/Ethanol Producer Magazine) UNICA wants to focus the discussion on the importance of advanced biofuels, like sugarcane ethanol. The RFS is one of the world’s most ambitious programs promoting biofuels and a key policy for the future of
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine) There is no such thing as a 10 percent blend wall unless petroleum marketers don't allow a choice. Independent retailers are demonstrating the blend wall can be breached. -- When the U.S. EPA held
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The things that happen in America regarding renewable fuels provides a blueprint for the world to follow. With the pride of success comes the burden of responsibility to never give in. The world is
(Growth Energy) Recently, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge, Argonne, and National Renewable Energy Laboratories released their “Summary of High Octane, Mid-Level Ethanol Blends Study.” This scientific analysis showed the numerous benefits of using high octane mid-level ethanol blends in
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