by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) A Renewable Fuels Association analysis of recently released Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that federally-regulated fleets more than doubled their usage of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) and other flex fuels between 2010 and 2016. According
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to submit a series of options for softening fuel efficiency standards to the White House for approval in the coming week, two officials briefed on the matter Tuesday said. The U.S.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Southern California the report has arrived that Verdezyne is winding down as a company, and today is the last day of operations. The low oil price environment has claimed another victim among the renewable chemical
by Mark Prado (Marin Independent Journal) There is a move afoot toward using renewable diesel for ferries, including on Golden Gate Ferry and Blue & Gold Fleet boats that dock in Marin, Bay Area transportation officials announced Thursday. Switching to renewable diesel
The Manhattan Institute looked at "zero emission vehicles" and found: Broad-based adoption of ZEVs will increase overall emissions of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and particulates, compared with the same number of new internal combustion engines. The simple fact is
(Manhattan Institute) Many claim that “zero-emissions vehicles” (ZEVs), especially battery-powered electric vehicles, should replace most, if not all, cars and trucks powered by gasoline-burning internal combustion engines. The primary rationale is to reduce air pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To effect
(SkyNRG) Starting today, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is flying to Växjö, Sweden every day and to make flights to Växjö as sustainable as possible, KLM is investing in 120,000 litres of sustainable aviation fuel per year for the new Swedish
by Mahmood Ebadian and James D. McMillan (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) ... The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was enacted in 2007 to enhance domestic production of fuels and spur economic development while reducing reliance on imports and improving the
by Tom Krisher and Ken Thomas (Associated Press/Chicago Tribune) President Donald Trump told leaders of the world's top automakers on Friday that he wants to see more cars built in the United States as his administration weighs plans to reduce gas mileage and
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) Executives from top car companies arrived at the White House on Friday amid a looming legal conflict between the Trump administration and primarily Democratic-led states over climate rules for automobiles. “We’ve made a lot of progress in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels and
By Steve Bi* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Part one of this article addressed the first two consensuses emerging from international biofuels research and business initiatives discussed in Brussels April 10-12, 2018: first, that bioenergy must be massively scaled up, according to
(U.S. Department of Justice) Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and United States Attorney Joseph H. Harrington for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jin Chul “Jacob” Cha, 41, of
by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi — the top-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives — toured a central Iowa farm early this morning. Pelosi’s visit follows her speech last (Sunday) night at a fundraiser for Polk
by Thomas Lawson (California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition/ACT News) California policy makers—at the local and state level—are increasingly under pressure to make electric vehicles the only clean transportation option for every use. That would be a mistake: it would close the
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) The Pasadena Fire Department in California has switched most of its fleet from petroleum diesel to Neste MY Renewable Diesel. The department currently operates one truck, four engines and four rescue ambulances on renewable diesel and plans
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Six trucking firms operating in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., are deploying trucks powered by Cummins Westport (CWI) near-zero ISX12N engines and fueled with Clean Energy Fuels Corp.’s Redeem renewable natural gas
(Greenbelt Resources) Greenbelt Resources Corporation GRCO, +23.29% (Greenbelt), the developer and provider of a sustainable ECOsystem model that transforms waste into bio-ethanol, today announced that CEO Darren Eng will visit China this month by special letter invitation to assist in enhancing the domestic production
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas’s Marcus Gillette discusses the organization, its goals and progress in expanding the production and use of RNG in North America. -- ... The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (‘RNG Coalition’ for
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The looming fight between the Trump administration and the state of California over climate change rules for cars will cover some familiar terrain - where the liberal state and its environmentalist allies have won
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s chief scientific in-house research agency. ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to:
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) In April, the European Commission, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), below50, the Biofuture Platform, and the ART Fuels Forum formally expressed the sense that low-carbon fuels will be required as part of capping
by Camille von Kaenel (E&E News) ... The Trump administration's efforts to weaken vehicle pollution requirements could set up a split U.S. market, concentrating fuel-efficient cars in mostly Democratic states and gas guzzlers in the red states. President Trump's plans could
(Construction Equipment) The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has announced that it will for the first time use renewable diesel, a low-emissions, 99 percent petroleum-free fuel, to power over 1,000 City government vehicles including many of its
(Cision Newswire/Air Canada) Biofuel use will reduce this flight's carbon emissions by over 10 tonnes, equivalent of taking 26 cars off the road for an entire month -- Air Canada announced its Edmonton-San Francisco flight today will operate with biofuel onboard a 146-seat Airbus
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The White House is planning a meeting next week between President Donald Trump and senior leaders of major U.S. and foreign automakers to discuss planned fuel efficiency rule changes through 2026, automakers and administration officials said on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Greenbelt Resources Corporation and Duckweed DAYS commenced their inaugural Duckweed Project to commercialize the duckweed model developed by the Andrew J. Young Foundation. Tests conducted during a pilot program indicated that protein extracted from duckweed was
by Betsy Lillian (NGT Journal) Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REG) has launched the REG Ultra Clean Diesel, what the company claims is among the lowest-emission diesel fuels on the market. The patent-pending fuel is made of a proprietary blend of renewable diesel and biodiesel.
by John O'Dell (Trucks.com) “Stay the course” is the message a panel of leading clean vehicle developers, users and regulators delivered Tuesday in the wake of the Trump Administration’s plan to roll back tough fuel economy and emissions regulations developed under
by Raphael Orlove (Jalopnik) Our emissions standards are probably the biggest booster to automotive performance in the past half century, making our cars not only more eco-friendly but more powerful, too. Trump has been trying to cut it all down, but now California
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Origin is a new kind of chemical company, focused on the future of materials science. By finding value in underutilized feedstocks like cardboard, wood waste and agricultural residues, they invent new and better materials for humanity. Origin’s
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The deal creates the largest US oil refiner (and a top-five refiner globally) at 3.1 million barrels per day of capacity — Valero is around the same size, but that includes overseas operations. ... The (Marathon Petroleum)
(National Biodiesel Board) New Fleet Survey Reveals Biodiesel is Top Alt Fuel, and Diesel Engines Still in Demand -- North America’s top fleets have spoken, and their #1 choice for greening their fleet operations is the use of biodiesel blends in their
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The Trump administration plans to argue that California does not have the authority to enforce stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars, despite the Obama administration's 2009 waiver, according to a source familiar with a forthcoming
by Agnes Walton (Vice News) The Department of Energy is trying to turn a lake in the California desert called the Salton Sea into a farm for renewable fuels — and clean its infamously polluted water in the process. The Salton Sea
(GreenAir Online) ... Canada’s Biojet Supply Chain Initiative (CBSCI) is a three-year project between 14 stakeholder organisations, including Air Canada, which are working to enable a biojet supply chain in the country, with testing the feasibility of co-mingling biojet with an airport’s
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) Ethanol has played a key role in the success of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and is poised to make even greater contributions to the state’s climate policy objectives if certain regulatory actions are
(Argus Media) Ethanol producers selling fuel in California may emerge as a beneficiary of a technology often associated with the coal industry. The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has proposed changes to the state's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) meant to spur projects
(Stanford University/Phys.Org) Although considered critical to avoiding catastrophic global warming, the feasibility of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it underground - known as negative emissions - has been in question. But researchers at Stanford and other institutions have found
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD), a public school district based in Contra Costa County, Calif., has switched some of its vehicles from operating on petroleum diesel to using Neste MY Renewable Diesel. ... Matthew Belasco, PUSD’s director of
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration is embracing a curious — and some would say dated — argument as it builds its case to weaken federal rules championed by California that require cars and SUVs to average
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Today, the California Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications advanced a pro-renewable natural gas (RNG) bill sponsored by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition). S.B.1440, introduced by State Sen. Ben Hueso, would create additional
(Clean Energy Fuels Corp./ NGV Journal) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. introduced ZERO NOW, a fueling solution that combines the world’s cleanest engine technology with the cleanest fuel at a price of $1 per gallon. Heavy duty trucks that are powered
(Biomass Magazine) BBI International and Biomass Magazine named its annual industry award winners at the 11th International Biomass Conference & Expo underway in Atlanta, Georgia. The Groundbreaker of the Year Award is designed to recognize people, companies or organizations that have helped demonstrate and advance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sierra Energy has created what is billed as “the world’s most efficient gasifier,” FastOx, developed in conjunction with UC Davis, US Army and California Energy Commission. Gasification is the missing link between complex feedstocks and a
by Benjamin Storrow (E&E News) ... Transportation emissions threaten to undercut blue states' climate goals, raising questions about their ability to lead U.S. climate efforts at a time when the federal government is rolling back environmental regulations. Emissions from cars, trucks
Join over 200 biogas and RNG experts at the 2018 conference to learn how to develop profitable biogas projects using a variety of feedstocks and project configurations. Secure finance and ensure your project’s profitability – Make the business case to secure
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Red and White Fleet, a San Francisco tour boat company, has switched its entire fleet of vessels from petroleum diesel to Neste MY Renewable Diesel. Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a low-carbon fuel produced from 100% renewable
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) The California Energy Commission (CEC) has given the green light to a facility that will turn biogas into renewable natural gas (RNG) for transportation. At a meeting on April 11, the CEC approved a $3.05 million grant
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) A coalition led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the California Air Resources board has announced plans to sue the U.S. EPA over its failure to enforce existing landfill methane regulations. The coalition announced its plans
by Mark Chediak, Ryan Beene, and John Lippert (Bloomberg) ‘Reason could prevail,’ chair of Air Resources Board says; State is considering a lawsuit to preserve its options -- California’s top air-quality regulator sees hope for a deal with the Trump administration over fuel
(Urban Air Initiative) Ethanol blends reduce toxic tailpipe emissions by up to 50%, significantly improving air quality and protecting public health according to two new studies. The separate studies were conducted by the North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the University of California Riverside(UCR).
(OPIS) On January 1, Ontario became linked with California and Quebec’s carbon allowance program, prompting uncertainty about carbon reduction programs and pricing structures in this expanded market. Download this free white paper and get an understanding of: Carbon prices in California, Quebec
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 Kai Chen, Xiongyi Huang, S. B. Jennifer Kan, Ruijie K. Zhang, Frances H. Arnold (Science Magazine) Double rings made with heme -- Cyclic organic structures with adjacent three-carbon rings—bicyclobutanes—are useful starting materials for chemical and materials synthesis owing to their extreme
(Global Green/Biomass Magazine) Non-profit, Global Green announced March 23 it will select two Southern California cities as partners to participate in a new food waste recycling program, using an Eco-Ambassador resident outreach model. The two cities will be chosen based on
(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
(Renewables Now) California-based biofuel firm Byogy Renewables Inc on Thursday said an approval by ASTM of a new specification will allow ethanol to be used as a feedstock to produce renewable jet fuel. According to the company, the new ASTM specification for
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 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 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
by Rich Piellisch (NGT News) The City of Oakland, Calif., recently floated a tender for fuel suppliers, seeking bids on both unleaded gasoline and diesel, and specifying California Air Resources Board-approved renewable diesel for the latter. Oakland switched its entire fleet of 366
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) According to BIO, the global economic value today of the biobased economy – including industrial biotechnology, renewable chemicals and polymers, biofuels, enzymes and biobased materials – is $355.28 billion. And looking at the new USDA Indicators report
(Greenbelt Resources) Greenbelt Resources Corporation (OTC: GRCO), an innovator of sustainable energy production systems, in collaboration with Biofuels & Energy, LLC (B&E), announced today the San Luis Valley Bioproducts Project, known as SLV Biopro. The project will feature Greenbelt’s waste-to-energy interconnected system (ECOsystem) designed
(Byogy Renewables/PR Newswire) California biofuel company Byogy Renewables welcomes last week's ASTM Alcohol To Jet (ATJ) ethanol based specification ballot measure approval, putting Byogy on track as a leader to produce one of the world's first "full replacement" renewable jet fuels. The ASTM
(Phys.Org/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have discovered a new enzyme that will enable microbial production of a renewable alternative to petroleum-based toluene, a widely
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
Discover the opportunities that lie on the West Coast with a greater understanding of market-based emissions reduction efforts California is considered the market leader in implementing regulatory programs that simultaneously create billions of dollars in revenue and cut carbon dioxide emissions. As
Join industry colleagues in San Francisco for the Thirty Third Annual RISI North American Conference. This is the premier forum to immerse yourself in all aspects of the forest products industry. Discover how RISI's deep industry expertise will help you
by Gavin Blade (Utility Dive) o California will need between 229,000 and 279,000 electric vehicle chargers in public locations and multi-unit dwellings by 2025 to meet Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) goals of having 5 million zero-emission vehicles on the road
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Paramount Deal: World Energy takes off with audacious $72M acquisition of AltAir and the Paramount oil refinery -- In Massachusetts, World Energy has acquired renewable jet and diesel producer AltAir Paramount, and its Paramount Petroleum refinery
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
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) The country’s growing almond habit means that there are lots of shells and hulls to put to good use. These government scientists are working hard to find the best options. ... “For every pound of almonds we produce,
The expanded two-day event will provide a more in-depth look at the opportunities renewable gas presents to achieve California’s air quality, climate protection and economic development goals. Learn how renewable methane can help California: -Achieve GHG emissions reduction objectives in SB 32,
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 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
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ... In the U.S., nearly 3 billion gallons of clean, renewable fuel replacing its petroleum counterpart. A thriving and growing diesel vehicle market. And 64,000 jobs supported by biodiesel, many the highest paying jobs in the area.
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 Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (EDI), a provider of zero-emissions hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) drivetrain solutions, has announced the completion of a California Energy Commission (CEC) program to integrate the EDI PowerDrive 6000 into a fleet 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 Bradley J. Fikes (San Diego Union Tribune) Advancing work under a collaboration established a decade ago, ExxonMobil and La Jolla’s Synthetic Genomics said they will begin outdoor growth of naturally occurring algae for biofuel. The research could lead to the technical ability
by Jessie Stolark (Enviromental and Energy Study Institute) Two recently announced major joint ventures from ethanol producers – one in the cellulosic and another in the first-generation space – are aimed at selling biofuels in California, specifically. Driven by the state’s
(Vertimass/PR Newswire) Vertimass' ethanol to renewable fuels and chemicals offers exceptional corn growth potential -- The National Corn Growers Association named Vertimass LLC as one of six awardees of the "Consider Corn Challenge: New Uses for Field Corn as Feedstock for
(Airgas/Business Wire) Airgas USA, LLC, an Air Liquide company, today announced plans to increase its presence in California with the construction of a new liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) production facility in Stockton, CA and the expansion of an air separation unit
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
(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 Adele Peters (Fast Company) The oil and gas giant says it could be making 10,000 barrels a day within a few years–a small drop in the amount of oil it produces, but a huge boost in the amount of algae-based
(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 Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) An Iowa biodiesel producer recently celebrated the re-opening of a shuttered California plant to manufacture a cleaner-burning biofuel that will help meet California’s low carbon fuel demands. Western Iowa Energy (WIE) in Wall Lake recently purchased Agron Bioenergy, a
by Kelly Shaver (Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that the company successfully built and operated an integrated demonstration unit for more than 120 days of continuous operations with 94% uptime, meeting the requirements for a federal USDA 9003 Biorefinery Assistance
(National Biodiesel Board) Celia DuBose receives National Climate Leader Award -- California skylines are greener thanks to one industry leader’s contributions. Last week at the California Advanced Biofuel Alliance annual conference the National Biodiesel Board honored that leader, Celia DuBose, with the Climate Leader
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There was high drama in Washington, DC as the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference got underway and President Trump readies to meet at the White House with a number of biofuels leaders about the RFS and bioeconomy policy
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO’s) Rewiring the Carbon Economy: Engineered Carbon Reduction Listening Day Summary Report is now online! Read this new workshop summary for an overview of advanced strategies to use carbon dioxide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week marks the 10th anniversary of the first demo flight on biofuel which was done by Virgin Atlantic. LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren shared the factoid that, since that day, more than 100,000 commercial flights have used
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) The market for California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits was unusually active Wednesday after the state's Air Resources Board proposed a path that could lower compliance goals in the near-term but raise goals in 2030. ... The board's proposed rulemaking
by Abby Smith (Bloomberg Environment) Automakers seek consistency in EPA, NHTSA programs as agencies weigh standards’ future; Environmentalists say push is meant to soften vehicle limits -- Automakers may already get what they want this spring as the Trump administration eyes lower
(Greenbelt Resources Corporation) Greenbelt Resources Corporation (OTC:GRCO) (Greenbelt) has announced Phase 1 of the “California BioEthanol Project,” a three-phased initiative that will convert Greenbelt’s Commercial Scale Testing Facility into a commercial-scale production biorefinery. Once Phase 1 is completed, the biorefinery will produce
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The US Department of Energy has a key project called Co-Optima, which aims to determine key fuel properties that enable improved engine efficiency, provide key science to enable high efficiency combustion modes, and capitalize on unique
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The biggest news along that front represents early-stage technology, but we read here that engineers at Ohio State announced that they’ve devised a process that under certain circumstances can convert coal, shale gas and biomass into electricity or syngas,
ABLC GLOBAL 2018 (Known previously as ABLC NEXT) will take place November 6-9, 2018 at the Nikko Hotel in San Francisco CA. The Digest, the US Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office and the International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy announced that
Air Quality & Climate Change: What now, California? Join the Coalition for Clean Air for one of Sacramento’s signature events. Attend this event to see and bee seen among California’s elector, regulatory and environmental leaders and join us as we toast
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Consortium for Computational Physics and Chemistry (CCPC) is a joint core research and development activity among five national laboratories that has been created to utilize unique DOE computational modeling facilities and experience in order to
by John Voelcker (Green Car Reports) It's accepted wisdom among electric-car fans and advocates that within a few years, mass-market car buyers will start snapping up battery-electric cars. First, battery prices have to come down to the point that electric vehicles aren't
by Cliff Gladstein (ACT News) For several years there have been significant efforts to capture and divert fugitive renewable gases toward the transportation sector where, as a replacement for diesel in heavy duty vehicles, the fuel can do tremendous good. This
by Scott Warfield (CERES Project Services/Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... The big game changer for financing, profitability and financial returns of anaerobic digester (AD) projects regardless of feedstock is carbon offset credits and specifically California’s low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which provides
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The particulars are the subject of a white paper from a team at Propel Fuels — Rob Elam, Will Faulkner, Chris LaPlante, Parker Chase — and available here. Un-Penalizing the Poor The topics include regressive taxes that penalize
(Clean Energy) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) announced today that sales of Redeem™, its renewable natural gas (RNG) offering and the cleanest fuel commercially available today, grew by 32% in 2017, from 60 million gallons in 2016 to 79 million gallons in 2017. The 2017 volume from Clean
(Neste/Globe Newswire) Replacing fossil fuels with Neste's renewable fuels reduced global climate emissions altogether by a staggering 8.3 million metric tons or 8.3 billion kilograms in 2017. The figure equals removal of 3 million passenger cars from the roads for a
by Lorenz Bauer (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) In 2007 the US government established a national strategy for the development of advanced biofuels made using non-edible biomass. After 10 years we are still short of achieving the targets of this plan
(NGV Journal/Energy Vision) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the sustainable energy NGO Energy Vision released two case studies of successful projects that were among the first to produce Renewable Compressed Natural Gas (R-CNG) vehicle fuel using
by Mark Chediak, Dana Hull and John Lippert (Bloomberg) Official sees ‘war’ if state’s rule-setting rights revoked; Air Resources Board planning zero-emissions bus proposal -- ... The state has special authority under the 1970 Clean Air Act to make its own pollution
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The BP Verenium Biofuels plant in Jennings, Louisiana, is being offered for sale. The 1.4 MMgy demonstration-scale facility celebrated its grand opening in 2008, and was acquired by BP Biofuels North America in mid-2010. On Jan.
by Natasha Geiling (ThinkProgress) Currently only one state in the country has an economy-wide cap on carbon. These states want to change that -- Lawmakers from nine states announced on Wednesday that they would be forming a coalition to help pass carbon pricing
(California Advanced Biofuels Alliance) On January 19th, CABA joined biofuels groups in opposing AB 1745. Here is the text of the letter: Dear Assembly Member Ting: It is after careful deliberation that the undersigned organizations respectfully express opposition to AB 1745, a bill
(Trucking Info) Fontana Truck Stop Center has an ideal location. It’s just off one interstate and near another, both of them taking traffic to and from Los Angeles. It’s also in an industrial area populated with distribution centers, manufacturers and equipment
(Trucking Info/Neste) According to a recent study by Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GMA), renewable diesel (RD) is playing an active part in ensuring that heavy-duty vehicles, including Class 8 trucks, are meeting near-zero emissions mandates in California. The study, which was
(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The RSB is delighted to announce the certification of AltAir to produce biojet fuel, renewable diesel and naphtha, a gasoline component. This industry first sees AltAir join the ranks of RSB certified operators who have applied the RSB Global Standard
North America’s carbon, emissions, and fuels markets are in a state of uncertainty under today’s policies. The current state of the California’s Cap-and-Trade and LCFS program as well as federal emission initiatives have market participants questioning the future of their
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The world’s first dedicated biofuel flight between the United States and Australia, QF96 from Los Angeles to Melbourne, has departed from LAX and arrives roughly at Digest press time. The trans-Pacific 15 hour flight will operate
by Joseph Bebon (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has announced that sales of Redeem, its renewable natural gas (RNG) vehicle fuel brand, grew by 32% in 2017, up from 60 million gallons in 2016 to 79 million gallons in 2017. According to the
The UC Davis Aviation Noise and Emissions (ANE) Symposium will focus on ground-breaking science, legislative efforts, and community interactions being undertaken by the aviation community. Find out from elected officials, airports, consultants, the FAA and community members what lessons they
by Tim Krohn (Mankato Free Press) The DieselSellerz, stars of Discovery’s “Diesel Brothers” show, were at the MN Ag Expo on Wednesday talking with fans and previewing a truck the foursome is building for the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. “People
by Tina Alvey (The Register-Herald) PPD of WV is putting together the final financial pieces of the puzzle, in hopes of breaking ground on its new biofuel plant near Sam Black Church this spring, according to company official Jason Perry. Perry spoke
(California Energy Commission) Funding Also Awarded for Biofuel, Solar, and Hydrogen Fuel Infrastructure Projects -- The California Energy Commission is helping the state’s $82 billion food industry become more energy efficient. ... Researchers will visit plants around the state to evaluate processing equipment and
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine spotlights four companies—a respected producer, a service-oriented wholesaler, a 200-year old chemical firm, and a fuel conditioning company—that enable biodiesel's role as an effective change agent. PQ Corp. ... John Votta, global business director for PQ’s silica
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Continued investment and expansion took place in the U.S. biodiesel sector throughout 2017, despite rising political uncertainty and a lapsed tax credit. Here is an overview of some of the activity, plus a special sidebar story
(Biofuels International) E-Fuel has launched its solution for people who want energy independence and to be green about it. The Silicon Valley company introduced its 100% ethanol generator, the Personal Energy System (PES), 8 January. It is intended to give customers full
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer 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-ethanol approvals appears to be getting much shorter. Edeniq CEO Brian Thome reports
by Cliff Gladstein (Gladstein, Neandross & Associates/ACT News) As one of the most populous states in the nation and a center of agricultural activity, California faces a waste disposal problem. Organic waste sent to municipal waste water treatment plants and landfills
by Wiriya Thongsomboon, Diego O. Serra, Alexandra Possling, Chris Hadjineophytou, Regine Hengge, Lynette Cegelski (Science Magazine) Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth and an important component of bacterial biofilms. Thongsomboon et al. used solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify a
(National Biodiesel Board) Argonne National Laboratory, US Dept. of Agriculture, and Purdue University affirm impressive emissions reductions -- A new study on biodiesel’s lifecycle energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission effects updates and reaffirms the long-understood benefits of using the renewable fuel.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To date, North America is the most active of all regions in terms of deploying advanced technology — whether it is cellulosic ethanol, isobutanol for fuels and chemicals, or renewable chemical plants, you see the first
by David Shepardson (Reuters) California and the Trump administration will hold a series of new talks over fuel efficiency rules as the auto industry still hopes for a deal to retain nationwide requirements. Officials from the California Air Resources Board are set
(German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR)) Three weeks of research flights from Ramstein Air Base; NASA DC-8 and DLR A320 ATRA fly together; The focus is on particle emissions of alternative fuels and their influence on cloud formation from
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On December 13th, SAE International moderated a webinar clarifying how the energy grid prepares to support a high volume of fully electric, autonomous vehicles in the coming future. In order to prepare for the rise
by Bill de Blasio (New York City Mayor/Washington Post) ... America’s largest city, 8.5 million strong, is taking decisive action on two separate fronts. We are demanding compensation from those who profit from climate change. And we plan to withdraw our
by David Shepardson (Reuters) Senior U.S. government officials held talks in recent weeks with California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) to discuss the goal of maintaining one set of national requirements for automakers, a move that will determine the fate of vehicle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Byogy has developed a catalytic platform that converts any source of ethanol, butanol, mixed alcohols, or related olefins, into full replacement, and cost competitive biofuels including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Byogy’s jet fuel is not
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tie-ins for Zymergen, Radiant Genomics, DMC, Capricorn Venture Partners, Syngenta and CHS demonstrate the firepower and scope of digital biology. Today, products made via traditional biological tools tap into easy-to-grow-in-a-lab organisms, and mostly nothin’ else. Sort of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Synvitrobio accelerates bio-discovery through cell-free systems. Synvitrobio’s Next Generation Expression platform allows for high-throughput data collection that is real and experimentally validated at speeds of simulation based approaches. A cell-free system is a mixture that contains only the
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) In mid-December, the California Public Utilities Commission established a new program that aims to reduce methane emissions from manure generated at dairies. The CPUC said the pilot program will incentivize at least five projects where dairy
(Axios) Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, will unveil a carbon tax proposal in his address to the state Tuesday, local media reported Thursday. Why it matters outside of that Washington: The debate, while unique to the Evergreen State, is also emblematic of the struggles
by Ryan Beene (Bloomberg) California would ban the sale of new cars and trucks powered by fossil fuels in 2040 under legislation introduced Wednesday in the state legislature. "We’re at an inflection point: we’ve got to address the harmful emissions that cause
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In California, researchers from the US Navy at China Lake have developed a new class of drop-in renewable diesel from biomass using acid catalyzed condensation of 2-tridecanone with a series of diols through fermentation that provide similar energy levels
(Algae Industry Magazine) ... In September, the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $22 million in grants to fund projects for marine biomass farming for production of commercial products, including feedstock for domestic transportation fuels. The funding was provided through the
by Geoff Dembicki (Vice.com) The attorney who won a $200 billion settlement from tobacco companies in the 90s has set his sights on an even bigger target. When you want to sue the largest, most powerful companies on the planet,
by Deborah Gertz Husar (Herald-Whig) ... University of Illinois agricultural economist Madhu Khanna said the low-carbon fuel standard creates incentives to switch to low-carbon advanced biofuels, but including the indirect effect makes compliance more costly and fuel more expensive for consumers. "What
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) Ongoing legal challenges to the way California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard deals with nitrogen oxide emissions from biodiesel could continue to hamper the state's efforts to meet carbon reduction goals. Earlier this week, the California Air Resources Board told
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