(Clean Fuels Alliance America/Biodiesel Magazine) This past year, states across the country continued to prioritize low-carbon renewable fuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.Clean Fuels Alliance America worked with state soybean organizations and member organizations to enact new laws that will set a path forward for additional growth
Connecticut
(Clean Energy Fuels/Business Wire) Production of RNG begins at Del Rio Dairy, Clean Energy’s First Investment in the Negative Carbon Intensive Fuel — Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NASDAQ: CLNE), the largest provider of the cleanest fuel for the transportation market, has been awarded a contract by San Diego Metropolitan Transit
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) RNG and it’s companion product biogas have taken the project and sustainable power sectors by storm — there’s project action, fast-developing technology, M&A activity, and policy advances of the first magnitude, in the United States and all around the developed world, What’s up, who’s in
by Daniel Cusick (Politico Pro) The law fires a shot across the bow of climate change skeptics and deniers, some of whom have pressed school boards and other state and local officials to mischaracterize climate change as a phenomenon still clouded by scientific uncertainty. Connecticut has thrown the textbook at
by Deborah Lockridge (Heavy Duty Trucking) … The news this year was full of the latest ICE developments, making the internal combustion engine HDT’s 2022 Newsmaker of the Year. As Srikanth Padmanabhan, president of Cummins’ engine business, said in announcing the company’s “fuel-agnostic” engine platform, “getting to zero is not a light-switch event.
by Jordan Wolman (Politico) … At Alterra Energy, trucks drop off shredded plastic from recycling centers across the Midwest. That plastic is heated to temperatures between 800 and 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit to break it down. The end product, 200 to 300 barrels per day of synthetic crude oil, is transported
by Sarah Ferris (Politico) Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and her allies are done being polite about Democrats’ lack of leadership in the Heartland. — A vocal group of Midwestern Democrats is telling it straight: Their party has a flyover country problem. And Democrats are going to have to do a lot more
(Diesel Technology Forum) 15 Million Metric Tons of GHG reduction in California, Opportunities in Northeast — Use of low-carbon renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels are delivering significant greenhouse gas (GHG) and other emissions reductions in California, and hold expanded opportunities for reducing carbon emissions from the trucking sector in Connecticut, Massachusetts,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this presentation, Ag-Grid Energy CEO Rashi Akki took the ABLC Next 2022 stage in San Francisco to outline the company’s milestones, technology, financial estimates, policy asks, its portfolio of biogas projects, and the company’s expansion in RNG, and more. READ MORE
by Robert Zullo (Wisconsin Examiner) Across the country, states are inking agreements with neighbors or striking out on their own to pursue billions in federal funding to set up “hydrogen hubs,” clustered centers for production, storage and use of the gas that many see as a crucial piece of the puzzle
by Lisa Stiffler (Geek Wire) Lithos, a Seattle startup applying carbon capture technology in an agricultural setting, announced Thursday that it raised a $6.29 million seed funding round. Lithos provides a permanent carbon removal strategy by spreading the dust of crushed basalt rock on croplands. When the rain falls, the basalt
by Kent Pierce (WTNH) Tucked in with the regular oil tanks on New Haven’s harbor is American GreenFuels. It is the largest biodiesel refinery on the eastern seaboard, and it is a refinery that makes heating oil in a very different way. “Used cooking oil is very plentiful from New York
(Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation) In 2022 Clean Fuels Foundation hosted or supported three Congressional Tours. The first was in New York City, second in Iowa, and the third in California. Between the three tours the Foundation was able to show almost 60 Congressional staffers the complete biodiesel/renewable diesel value chain.
by Susan Dunne (Hartford Courant) Connecticut restaurants, like restaurants all over the country, are a vital link in the chain of creation of biodiesel, a green energy source, by selling their used cooking oil to biodiesel manufacturers. READ MORE
by John Bleasby (Daily Commercial News) … When projected over 10 years between 2022 and 2032, it found considerable advantages with advanced diesel technology, particularly when using renewable biofuels, as compared to an electrification strategy. The study found using low-carbon renewable bio-based diesel fuels available today would result in a three
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a $200,000 grant to the Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA) to support anaerobic digestion technology in 11 states in the Northeast, New England the Mid-Atlantic, including New Jersey and New York. NEWMOA has partnered with the Northeast Recycling
(Renewables Now) New York governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced that Maine and Rhode Island have joined a big consortium led by New York that is working on a proposal to become one of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs planned in the US. Up to USD 8 billion (EUR
(Diesel Technology Forum/Globe Newswire) A new study that evaluates several approaches to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and other emissions from medium and heavy-duty vehicles from 2022-2032 finds considerable advantages with advanced diesel technology particularly when using renewable biofuels, as compared to an electrification strategy. Medium and heavy-duty trucks operating in 10
by Currey McCullough (RFD TV) Just this morning (July 19, 2022) on a call with ag reporters, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said he and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar are sending a letter urging the EPA to increase volumes of biodiesel and renewable diesel. “Adding more homegrown fuels to the nation’s
(Connecticut Energy Marketers Association/CT Mirror) … As of July 1st, a new Connecticut state law requires all home heating oil contain a 5% biodiesel mix, which will go up to a 50/50 mix by 2035. Most home heating oil today already has a 7% biofuel mix but this new law will
(U.S. Department of Energy) Industry-led R&D Projects Will Develop Technologies for More Efficient Hydrogen Turbines and Production with CO2 Capture and Storage — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $24.9 million in funding for six research and development projects to support the advancement of clean hydrogen for electricity generation.
(360 Fuel) The White House has unveiled a new strategy and investments as part of a long-term commitment to spur smart development and adoption of sustainable, homegrown fuels across the United States (U.S.). The President declared new steps to achieve this goal by increasing fuel supply, offering new options for consumers, and
(Boeing) – Company to support the Center’s work to conduct groundbreaking research with a five-year, $10 million contribution; – Boeing joins inaugural Center supporter FedEx as well as Southwest Airlines in supporting the study of natural carbon capture — Boeing [NYSE: B.A.] today announced its support of an ambitious initiative at
by Michael Bates (NGT News) Hydrogen electrolyzer designer and manufacturer Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc.’s fully owned subsidiary, Next Hydrogen Corp., has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), along with an initial total of 40 hydrogen ecosystem partners, to develop a proposal to
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Rashi Akki, Founder & CEO of Ag-Grid Energy shared this illuminating slide guide at ABLC in DC on how they turn waste into renewable natural gas, biogas, and energy. From their current generation in megawatts to the latest dairy digester projects, operating facilities, expansion plans,
(GAC Bunker Fuels) GAC Bunker Fuels has opened a new office in Westport, Connecticut, USA, as part of its commitment to global customers seeking ways to decarbonise in American ports and beyond. The office will be manned by LNG, biofuel, LSFO and MGO experts Maurice Lara and John Lindquist, and will
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … By making it super easy to collect used cooking oil, used engine oil, and even food scraps to convert to biodiesel. In today’s Digest, we look at Connecticut-based Rucoil and their intellectual property that combines a system based on artificial intelligence, robotics, digital and automatic
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Capturing carbon while simultaneously generating power – sounds like a win-win and FuelCell Energy is working on exactly that with their fuel cell tech. From product portfolio to their next phase of growth, this is one slide guide you won’t want to miss. READ MORE
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cyamonia Bio’s tech for the production of organic ammonia based on atmospheric nitrogen fixation just might be disrupting a multi-billion dollar industry of nitrogen fertilizer production and instead contributing to more sustainable food production. How do they compare to PivotBio and Azotic Tech? Where are
by Thomas Breen (New Haven Independent) An Annex plant that turns vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel won permission to expand its industrial waterfront operations — with a plea from City Plan Commissioners to do its best to swap out asphalt with concrete when possible to minimize its impact on a warming planet. That was the
(Bioenergy Insight) A new food waste collection pilot programme has been launched in Connecticut to generate biogas and help address the state’s waste disposal problems. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the City of Meriden announced the launch of ‘Making Meriden Green’, a first-of-its-kind municipal food
by Laura Sanicola (Long Island Press/Reuters) New York will become the largest state to enact a biodiesel blending requirement for heating oil, according to legislation passed in the state on Wednesday night. Petroleum-based heating oil sold in the state beginning in July 2022 will need to be mixed with increasing amounts
by David Shepardson (Reuters) The Biden administration on Tuesday finalized a reversal of a rule issued under then-U.S. President Donald Trump that sought to pre-empt California’s vehicle emissions regulations. The Department of Transportation said it was issuing final rules rescinding the Trump action, which sought to bar the most populous state
by Charlie Uglietto (Cubby Oil & Energy/Mechanical Hub) … There are better alternatives than electrification, and the best option we have available right now, at least for homes with an existing oil boiler, is Bioheat® fuel. Bioheat is a liquid fuel oil alternative that’s 100% renewable and available right now.
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) U.S. energy companies are pressing states to speed development of low-carbon fuel markets, warning that numerous proposed projects to make renewable natural gas and other biofuels may fizzle. State programs, led by California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), reward fuel producers for decarbonizing by producing renewable fuels,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA on Dec. 3 awarded a combined $3.1 million to eight recipients under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Inventive Program. HBIIP aims to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding renewable fuels infrastructure. The HBIIP awards were announced
(Pratt & Whitney/Public Now) Pratt & Whitney today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Embraer to collaborate on studies of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Technical teams from the two companies will engage to define an integrated ground and flight test plan for 100% SAF in
(Biodiesel Magazine/National Biodiesel Board) This Thanksgiving, many biodiesel producers are prepping for the holiday surge in used cooking oil. National Biodiesel Board members — such as Newport Biodiesel in Rhode Island, New Leaf Biofuel in San Diego and American GreenFuels in Connecticut — harvest and recycle used cooking oil into biodiesel
(E&E News) The Transportation and Climate Initiative — a cap-and-trade program covering cars in three Northeastern states and the District of Columbia — was abandoned last week after Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) pulled the plug on the program. The announcement represents the latest
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Winter is coming, and renewable heating as well as power are in the seasonal conversation. For those facing big heating bills this winter from an expected shortage of fossil natural gas and propane, the remedy is clear — renewable biogas and RNG. Companies have been developing
by Rachel Frazin (The Hill) The majority of the planet’s oil, gas and coal must remain in the ground to provide just a 50 percent chance of limiting the amount the Earth has warmed to 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that
(Starwood Energy Group Global/PR Newswire) Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC (“Starwood Energy”) announced today that it has entered into an investment partnership with BerQ RNG Inc. (“BerQ”), a premier developer of renewable natural gas (“RNG”) projects in the United States and Canada. The new platform will develop and acquire RNG
(FuelCell Energy) FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) — a global leader in fuel cell technology with a purpose of utilizing its proprietary, state-of-the-art fuel cell platforms to enable a world empowered by clean energy—today announced that the Company closed on a tax equity sale-leaseback financing transaction for the 1.4 megawatt SureSource 1500™
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ag-Grid Energy is working on not letting waste go to waste. Find out how in this slide guide on their latest projects in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, where they see the RNG industry going and why, their expansion strategy, current Ag-Grid partnerships, and more.
(PriMedia) Liquid heating fuel is on track to continue reducing its carbon footprint across the Northeast U.S. In recent weeks, the state legislatures of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island passed bills that would create new biofuel blending standards for all liquid heating fuel sold in each state. The New
(ReNewsBiz) Avangrid has submitted green hydrogen project concepts on the US east and west coasts in response to the Department of Energy’s request for information (RfI). The green hydrogen project concepts are in the states of Connecticut, New York, Maine, Oregon and also on the US Gulf Coast in the south-west. The
(U.S. Department of Energy) Projects Support DOE’s Recently Announced Hydrogen Energy Earthshot to Lower Cost, Advance Breakthroughs for Clean Hydrogen Technology — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $52.5 million to fund 31 projects to advance next-generation clean hydrogen technologies and support DOE’s recently announced Hydrogen Energy Earthshot initiative to reduce
by Christine Stuart (NBC Connecticut) Transportation Climate Initiative proponents rallied outside the state Capitol Friday to encourage lawmakers to pass legislation that would create a carbon cap on transportation emissions. It will likely increase gas taxes – and that’s a point of contention. “They’ve been calling it a gas tax. It is
by Oliver Milman (The Guardian) Joe Biden’s administration, seeking deep cuts to planet-heating emissions, is facing pressure to take a previously unthinkable step: declare the end of the internal combustion engine in the US. Washington state has moved to call time on the age of gasoline and diesel cars, with the legislature
by Maxine Joselow (E&E News) In 2006, a federal judge issued a scathing ruling that would reverberate across the country. “Over the course of more than 50 years, Defendants lied, misrepresented and deceived the American public,” Judge Gladys Kessler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia wrote in a
(Transportation and Climate Initiative) On March 1, TCI state agency staff shared updates on the TCI-P, including a Draft Model Rule and proposed processes for public engagement to ensure that equity, environmental, climate, and transportation justice considerations are at the center of TCI-P development and implementation. Individuals and organizations are encouraged
(Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States) TCI-P will invest $300 million every year to modernize transportation, improve public health and combat climate change — The governors of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and the mayor of the District of Columbia announced today that theirs will be the
(Insider NJ) Groups Push For “Strong Safeguards and Guarantees for Overburdened and Underserved Communities” in 12 TCI States & DC; Need for State Leadership Seen As U.S. Formally Abandons Paris Climate Agreement. — The largest and most diverse collection ever of health, community, business, transportation, environmental and other groups have come
(BP) bp and five additional businesses from a range of industries announced they are launching an integrated advocacy campaign to encourage a group of East Coast states to enact the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional carbon pricing policy designed to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. The Coalition for a
(Houston Chronicle) Using current and past Census data, Stacker tracks the way the American farming industry has changed over the past century. Over the past century, American farming has changed dramatically. Crops with long histories like tobacco are still prevalent throughout the South, while many farmers across the country are now

This session is designed for anyone interested in learning more about trucks, construction and farm equipment use in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC. The live session will explore
by Michael Bates (NGT News) The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a first-in-the-world rule – the Advanced Clean Truck regulation – that requires truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024. By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. …
(Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison) Claims violations of state and common law regarding consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, misrepresentation, failure to warn; seeks injunctive relief, restitution, and corrective public education campaign; Minnesota joins growing list of states and local governments holding fossil-fuel industry accountable for decades-long ‘campaign of deception’
(Clean Energy Fuels/NGV Journal) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced new fuel agreements for its Redeem™ renewable natural gas, along with multiple station expansions to accommodate the continued demand for the ultra-low carbon fuel produced from organic waste, across key sectors of the transportation industry. “Despite this unprecedented challenging time that the
by Matthew Mercure (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has entered into new fuel agreements for its Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG) and has planned multiple CNG and LNG station expansions to accommodate the continued demand for natural gas fuel. “Despite this unprecedented challenging time that the country is experiencing with
(Yale/National University of Singapore College/EurekAlert!) A team of researchers from Yale-NUS College, in collaboration with scientists in Sweden, has found that bisulphate species in the exhaust stream are strongly connected to decreasing the effectiveness of exhaust remediation catalysts in diesel engines. Their findings pave the way for synthesising more sulphur-tolerant
(BioCycle Magazine) Risa Lewis, an undergraduate in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources program at the University of Connecticut, has focused her senior thesis on on-farm anaerobic digestion in the Northeastern United States. A component of Lewis’ thesis is to conduct a survey titled “Farmer Perspectives & Investment
by Parris N. Glendening (Washington Post/Smart Growth America’s Leadership Institute) When President Trump attempted to eliminate California’s more stringent fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks, local elected officials cried foul — and not just in California. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
by Bruce Comer (Ocean Park/Biofuels Digest) Biofuels Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity in North America was subdued in 2019. Only four operating biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuels plants were sold during the year. These four acquired plants were relatively small with a combined capacity of only 133 Million Gallons Per Year.
The states participating in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) have released a Draft Memorandum of Understanding to establish a regional cap and invest program to transition to a more sustainable, resilient, low carbon transportation sector. Also released were initial projections of the potential economic and public health benefits such
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As you clean up the post-holiday mess, you might find those annoying packaging peanuts all over your home or office…but three teens have developed an alternative to packing peanuts made from sunflower stem pith! And while we are talking about packaging, a German-based adhesives maker introduced
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Connecticut, local press reports that the city of Danbury is set to become the first in the state to collect FOG from its waste streams as part of a wider $100 million wastewater treatment upgrade, which it expects will allow it to process enough fats
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Modeling by Georgetown Climate Center’s Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States released Tuesday showed potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, pollution reduction, job creation and public health benefits. The anticipated program is designed around auctions of credits by member states
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) The bipartisan group of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that make up the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) today invited public input on a new draft proposal for a regional program to establish a cap on global warming pollution from transportation fuels and invest millions
(Our Transportation Future) Two-Thirds of Registered Voters Support Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Distributors Paying for Pollution; Survey Covers Seven States in Region: CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA and VA. — A new survey from MassINC Polling Group shows that 66 percent of voters in seven Eastern states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
(American GreenFuels/Biodiesel Magazine) American GreenFuels LLC announced Nov. 21 that its certified biodiesel product has achieved two Underwriters Laboratories environmental claim validations: -Recycled Content—biodiesel produced by American GreenFuels contains an average of 42 percent post-consumer recycled content; and -Byproduct Synergy—biodiesel produced by American GreenFuels contains an average of 46 percent byproduct
by Eric Wolff (Politico’s Morning Energy) A bipartisan group of a dozen northeastern and Mid-Atlantic governors are considering a plan to impose a gas tax to fund investment into mass transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and other infrastructure improvements in an effort to ween themselves from fossil fuels. Pro New
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) “Nothing has been decided yet about the treatment of biofuels” or renewable fuels in the proposed program to cap transportation emissions in 13 Northeastern US jurisdictions, according to the chair of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) Leadership and Workgroup, Kathleen Theoharides, Secretary, Massachusetts Executive
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) Jurisdictions participating in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) have made available a framework for a draft regional policy proposal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation, and are encouraging interested individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the draft framework through the TCI portal. This high-level framework
(Greasezilla/Informed Infrastructure) Greasezilla™, the most cost-effective and ecological brown grease separator available, is pleased to announce it has been selected as an integral part of a new state-of-the-art FOG-to-Biodiesel receiving station for the Danbury, Connecticut Waste Water Treatment facility. Greasezilla’s patented solution separates FOG into its basic elements, sending the water back
(New England Fuel Institute /Biodiesel Magazine) The Northeast’s heating oil industry has resolved to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal was set at the Northeast Industry Summit held during the 2019 Heating & Energizing America Trade Show at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The industry’s resolution
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) On Tuesday, July 30, more than 300 community members, transportation, environmental and social justice advocates, business and industry representatives, and state and local officials participated in the Transportation & Climate Initiative workshop on Low-Carbon Transportation Investments, Strategies, and Outcomes in Baltimore, Maryland. At the workshop
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) Thirteen states filed suit against the Trump administration Friday, arguing it was breaking the law by cutting penalties for automakers that do not meet Obama-era fuel efficiency standards. The suit, led by California’s and New York’s attorneys general, goes after a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) rule that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Opus 12 has developed a device that recycles CO₂ into cost-competitive chemicals and fuels. Their technology bolts onto any source of CO₂ emissions, and with only water and electricity as inputs, transforms that CO₂ into some of the world’s most critical chemical products. Opus 12 was
by Paulina Firozi (Washington Post) State lawmakers from Connecticut to Florida are proposing measures that some groups say could threaten how science and climate change are taught in the classroom. More than a dozen such bills have popped up this year, including from state lawmakers pushing back against broad scientific consensus that
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative ) SAJF Deployment Projects Florida, Alabama, Georgia Several developments in Alabama and Florida will enhance opportunities for the Southeast Partnership for Advance Renewables from Carinata (SPARC), a USDA Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP). The Alabama Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs (ADECA) has issued an RFP
(SkyNRG) World Energy, SkyNRG and AEG Fuels completed the delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Bombardier Business Aircraft. As a part of the OEM’s environmental leadership and commitment to industry objectives to reducing emissions, the SAF was used for a flight on a Challenger 350* jet flying from Bradley International Airport (BDL) in
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine provides a visual of prominent project development activities over the past year. READ MORE
(American GreenFuels/PRNewswire) … American GreenFuels, LLC (“American GreenFuels”) recently launched its “You Are What You Heat” campaign, which is dedicated to educate consumers about the option to heat their home with Bioheat® heating oil, utilizing certified biodiesel produced by American GreenFuels. Biodiesel is a renewable, cleaner-burning alternative to diesel fuel that
Nine States and D.C. to Design Regional Approach to Cap Greenhouse Gas Pollution from Transportation
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown University Climate Center) A coalition of nine Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia today announced their intent to design a new regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels, and invest proceeds from the
(Georgetown Climate Center) In November 2017, member jurisdictions from the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) began a public conversation inviting stakeholder input on the opportunities, challenges, and benefits of a modern, low-carbon transportation system, and what policies catalyzing these benefits might look like. Between March and August 2018, TCI hosted a series of
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) Voters in Washington state on Tuesday rejected a proposed carbon tax that would have been the first such levy in the nation. The policy would have been an effort to fight climate change by mandating that companies using or selling fossil fuels pay taxes equal to $15 per metric ton
by Kevin Zimmerman (Westfair Communications) “It’s a huge problem, both in the United States and internationally,” said REA Operations Manager Eric Metz. “And with population growth increasing, there’s going to be more Brown FOG going into the sewer systems,” which can result in overflows and blockages that can be expensive to
by David Shepardson (Reuters) California’s top air regulator urged the Trump administration on Sunday to abandon a plan to freeze fuel efficiency standards through 2026, as automakers urged state and federal regulators to reach agreement to extend nationwide rules. Mary Nichols, who chairs the state’s Air Resources Board, asked the U.S.
by Kristina Etter (Cannabis Tech) … Researchers at the University of Connecticut found the seeds from cannabis sativa, or industrial hemp, can be used to create a viable, sustainable diesel fuel. One researcher stated that most hemp farmers today probably produce enough hemp to create enough fuel to power their entire farm.
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Recently, the Georgetown Climate Center facilitated the third in a series of Transportation and Climate Initiative Listening Sessions designed to “(cast) a broader net to obtain input on strategies our states (CT, DE, DC, MD, MA, NY, RI, and VT) should consider to reduce

The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is beginning to host listening sessions, inviting input on potential policy approaches to bring about a cleaner and more resilient transportation future across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. In November, recognizing the opportunities for communities and businesses in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to benefit
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 and 16 other states suing to stop him. … …
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 and other mobile sources are on the rise nationally.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ag-Grid Energy has a vision to convert agricultural and organic waste into renewable energy, compost and support local area practices that lead us towards a sustainable environment. The company intends to finance, build, own (jointly), operate the waste to energy conversion facilities in US, and has
(National Biodiesel Board) National Biodiesel Board releases field of “Elite Eight” — March Madness kicks off next week, showcasing the very best of college basketball. In that spirit, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has released its own bracket of colleges and universities upping their game with a different kind of prowess –
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit offers for certain Connecticut Class I renewable energy sources, including anaerobic digestion, offshore wind and fuel cells. Eligible anaerobic digestion projects must have a nameplate capacity of greater than
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 at the local level, citing the importance of state-level policies
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 from Joe Jobe. As 2017 dawned with another expired biodiesel
(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 Advanced Research Projects Agency — Energy (ARPA-E) for 18 projects
by Gerald B. Silverman (Bloomberg) Motor fuel could be the next target for controlling greenhouse gas emissions in the Northeast, as seven states that have already clamped down on power plants train their sights on the transportation sector. The states are considering a new cap-and-trade program modeled after the Regional Greenhouse
(Green Car Congress) A team at the University of Connecticut Storrs reports on a two-stage catalytic fast hydropyrolysis process (CFHP) that produces a drop-in biofuel with heating value and aromaticity close to that of gasoline. Their paper is published in the journal Fuel. The two-stage CFHP followed by hydroprocessing produced nearly 18 mol%
(Union of Concerned Scientistst) Statement by Ken Kimmell, Union of Concerned Scientists — Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy to reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector. The move was endorsed today by the
(New England Power Generators Association) NEPGA letter – with the Acadia Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists – calling for a regional approach to lowering transportation emissions in a market based manner. READ MORE Excerpts from letter: We, the New England Power Generators Association and regional
(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) In the future, our homes and vehicles could be powered by fuel made from seaweed grown at large-scale offshore farms. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are working to help make that scenario a reality sooner with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research
by Paul Nazzaro (Advanced Fuel Solutions Inc./Biodiesel Magazine) As biodiesel continues to emerge as a sought-after blending component for generic distillates in the Northeast and beyond, a recent study commissioned by the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association highlighted why it’s imperative that those handling the fuel educate themselves on the proper storage,
by Charles Komanoff (Huffington Post) The Carbon Tax Center is out with a new report timed to the surging climate movement. We surveyed all 50 U.S. states (and Washington, DC) to identify the ones with the most favorable conditions for enacting a statewide carbon tax. Joining the report is a
by Stephanie Reitz (UConn Communications/Biodiesel Magazine) UConn has become one of a select few public universities in the U.S. to achieve green certification for every dining hall on campus, based on practices used at each site to promote environmental sustainability. The nonprofit Green Restaurant Association recently certified all of UConn’s
(California Air Resources Board) CARB votes to move forward with greenhouse gas reductions and zero emission programs through 2025; action sets the table for accelerating programs post-2025 — Today (March 24, 2017) California re-affirmed its commitment to clean air, protecting public health and continuing the fight against climate change when
(MoveEnergy) Penn State Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Yuan Xuan and researchers at Yale University will work together to identify clean-burning biofuels for next-generation internal combustion engines under to a $1.2 million award from the Energy Department’s Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines Initiative (Co-Optima). (Earlier post.) Co-Optima has two goals:
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) Half of U.S. states blended more than 10 percent ethanol, RFA’s president and CEO points out in his View from the Hill column — Reps. Bill Flores, R-Texas, and Peter Welch, D-Vt., introduced legislation during the last Congress that would cap ethanol blends in
by John D. Forcier (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) Most trash and recycled waste materials are being processed on a regional basis to maximize the economy of scale. There have been various attempts to gather and process organic waste materials utilizing similar methods, but the challenges are far from resolved.
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the Energy Department (DOE) announced up to $7 million for eight universities to accelerate the introduction of affordable, scalable, and sustainable high-performance fuels for use in high-efficiency, low-emission engines. Under the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Co-Optima) initiative, DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office are collaborating to maximize
(University of Connecticut) … The research team is led by professor emerita Carol Auer and supported by a grant from the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant Program, an initiative of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Auer and her research team have been gathering information about Camelina sativa, an oilseed
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) Kolmar Group AG’s U.S. unit has bought a small Connecticut biodiesel plant, the Swiss commodities trader’s first ever acquisition of an asset, in a move that may stir hopes of renewed investment for the struggling biofuel sector. Expanding beyond its trading roots, Kolmar Americas Inc, the
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology recently released results of a research project that investigated the technical feasibility, commercial viability and environmental compliance of the use of liquefied coal and biomass mixtures as a military jet fuel replacement. Overall, the
by Jeff Plungis (Bloomberg) Batteries generate power less efficiently as temperatures drop. — … The trouble is, except for Oregon, none of the states have California’s temperate weather. The batteries used by the greener cars generate electricity from chemical reactions that work less efficiently as temperatures drop. In tests conducted by the
(Center for Regulatory Solutions) … How have the RFS and federal corn consumption mandates impacted non-corn states, and the small businesses struggling to stay competitive in the global economy? According to a new study commissioned by the Center for Regulatory Solutions (CRS), a project of the Small Business and
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The heating oil market is well established along the East Coast with approximately 6.2 million homes relying on it during the winter. But progressive states in that region are looking to move towards renewable fuels and have issued mandates in New York, Connecticut, Rhode
(Science Daily/University of Arizona) Sea levels from New York to Newfoundland jumped up about four inches in 2009 and 2010 because ocean circulation changed. The unusual spike in sea level caused flooding along the northeast coast of North America and was independent of any hurricanes or winter storms. A new
by Natalie O’Neill (New York Post) Plunging oil prices mean lean times for the owners of greasy spoons no longer able to cash in on their excess fats, The Post has learned. When a barrel of crude oil was going for $100 or more, restaurants earned as much as 50 cents
by Ming Chai and Gus Kellogg (Greenleaf Biofuels/Biodiesel Magazine) As most biodiesel start-ups will find, the relatively simple academic theory of converting triglycerides into alkyl esters is not so simple in the real world. Add into the mix a continuous flow process technology and what once seemed simple is now
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bunnies, liposuction fat, Prince Charles’ leftover wine, day-old whale, the human poo bus, fire ants dipped in hexane, old beer, raging fireballs, vibrating blobs, dope, and even the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Take your pick and, yep, it’s all true, as the Digest discovers. If you’re
by Christine Buckley (University of Connecticut) Of all the various uses for Cannabis plants, add another, “green” one to the mix. Researchers at UConn have found that the fiber crop Cannabis sativa, known as industrial hemp, has properties that make it viable and even attractive as a raw material, or feedstock, for
(Tri-State Biodiesel) … The Tri-State Biodiesel project is part of a significant green investment into the Bridgeport Eco-Industrial Park that supports the creation of new “green collar” jobs. Tri-State Biodiesel expects to create an additional 25 jobs, targeted to residents of the low-income community, within the first two years of
(Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. ) Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT), a non-profit economic development organization based in East Hartford, Conn., was awarded a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) to work on Phase II of a project that will determine the feasibility of implementing an alternative fuels
By Olatomiwa Bifarin* (Advanced Biofuel USA) If the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) systematic analysis study of 2010 is anything to go by, then by the time you are done reading this article about 35 people would probably be dead just because of the simple act of cooking. It has
(GreenAirOnline) Senior students at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Prescott, Arizona are taking part in an open-source project to develop jet biofuel. The ‘CapStone’ project is also inviting the participation of students and academics from universities around the world as well as companies interested in developing renewable jet fuel.
(Tri-State/Biodiesel Magazine) New York City-based Tri-State Biodiesel and its parent company, The Sustainable Biodiesel Company, have partnered with New Jersey-based Lard-NABF LLC (LARD) to purchase and upgrade the Connecticut-based biodiesel production business, Bridgeport Biodiesel. This partnership unites one of the region’s largest cooking oil-to-biodiesel recyclers with one of few biodiesel
(Algae Industry Magazine) Rocky Hill, CT-based Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public authority responsible for growing Connecticut businesses through innovative financing and strategic assistance, has awarded a Connecticut Innovation Challenge grant of $150,000 to AgriFuels LLC of East Hartford, CT. … The goal of their project is to validate AgriFuels’ algae
by Gus Kellogg, Rahul Bobbili and Dianna Overmyer (Sustainable Planet) Greenleaf Biofuels recently began producing biodiesel fuel at its New Haven, Connecticut plant. When fully operational the facility is slated to produce up to 10 million gallons of biodiesel fuel per year. …After considerable investigation, Greenleaf Biofuels chose to construct its
(ACORE) The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) released the 2012 edition of its report, Renewable Energy in the 50 States, as an interactive, online resource. Compiling updated financial data, resource potentials, market and policy information in one easily-accessed, online format, the report is intended to be an executive summary
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) High school senior Jason Girouard from Brimfield, Massachusetts has won the Ethanol Rocks video contest sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association. Girouard was awarded $1,500. Freshman Emily Yue from Gilford, Connecticut and senior Lewis Kloster of Minneapolis, Minnesota were both awarded second-place honor and $500 a piece.
(Genuine Bio-Fuel/Biodiesel Magazine) Genuine Bio-Fuel Inc., headquartered in Indiantown, Fla., expands its operations to Lincoln Park, N.J., with the build-out of a state-of-the-art biodiesel refinery at the Lincoln Park Airport, while creating15 to 30 new jobs in the process. Genuine Bio-Fuel looks forward to branching out to New Jersey and
by Brian Dowling (Hartford Current) …Richard Parnas, a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Connecticut’s Institute of Materials Science, a few years ago started converting the school’s used cooking oil, known as yellow grease, to biodiesel. The results are tested for purity, then pumped into buses that run
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced payments for 125 advanced Biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels from a wide variety of non-food sources, including waste products. “Advanced biofuels are a key component of President Obama’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A new study released today by the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) indicates that a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states could result in doubling gasoline prices and other negative economic impacts. The study, “Analysis of the Economic Impact of a Regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Kari Williamson (Renewable Energy Focus) The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) will develop alternative liquid fuels, including biofuel, for US military applications under a US$906,000 contract from the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc (CCAT). The EERC will demonstrate gasification-based technologies for converting non-petroleum feedstocks, such as coal and biomass,
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. Coast Guard is exploring the possibility fueling some of its vessels with biodiesel. According to Rich Hansen, branch chief of the USCG’s Research and Development Center surface branch, the USCG is evaluating the use of B100 in a 49-foot Buoy Utility Stern Loading
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) Bridgeport BioDiesel LLC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its 1 MMgy biodiesel multifeedstock production facility located in Bridgeport, Conn. Originally conceived in 2008, Bridgeport BioDiesel co-owner Debbie Russo told Biodiesel Magazine the new plant is one of several tenants sited at an
by Sam Fahmy (University of Georgia) …Now, a team of University of Georgia researchers has discovered how to harness this bacterial immune system to selectively target and silence genes. The finding, published today in the early online edition of the journal Molecular Cell, reveals a powerful new tool that has
by Brad Kane (HartfordBusiness.com) Danbury alternative-power equipment maker FuelCell Energy, Inc. has inked a tentative deal with a Spanish energy provider on Monday to sell biofuel-powered generators to commercial markets in Latin America and Europe. The deal between FuelCell and Abengoa S.A. — which has $7.8 billion in annual revenues,
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) Greenleaf Biofuels LLC held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 10 MMgy biodiesel plant in New Haven, Conn., on Nov. 4. The event took place adjacent to the cleared building lot with New Haven Terminal’s waterfront petroleum terminal. …Greenleaf has been distributing biodiesel for several years,
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (September 27, 2011) announced that USDA will make payments to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states to support and ensure the production and expansion of advanced biofuels. “Renewable energy production will create tens of thousands of direct, American jobs;
by Theodore D. Matson, Katalin Barta, Alexei V. Iretskii, and Peter C. Ford (Journal of the American Chemical Society) Efficient methodologies for converting biomass solids to liquid fuels have the potential to reduce dependence on imported petroleum while easing the atmospheric carbon dioxide burden. Here, we report quantitative catalytic conversions
by Laura B. Brentner, Matthew J. Eckelman, and Julie B. Zimmerman (Environmental Science & Technology) The use of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel production is a rapidly growing industry, in the United States and globally. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is presented that compares various methods, either

(US Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Biomass Program will be conducting detailed biennial peer review meetings of its activities throughout the first half of 2011. The process will begin with platform reviews of the Program’s six technology areas between February
by Donna Goodison (Boston Herald) Greater Boston doesn’t usually rate as a Hub of agriculture but yesterday U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Medford to praise start-up Agrivida Inc. as an example of how renewable energy research could help decrease the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil.
Press Release: Advanced Biofuels USA Files Comments on Transportation and Climate Initiative: Calls for Extension of Program to Aviation, Trains, Marine/Maritime, Agriculture, Rocket Launches and Natural Gas
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA suggests an expansion of transportation emissions reduction in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) proposed Draft Model Rule (TCI-P) in public comments filed today. Currently, the proposed emission reduction program is limited to on-road fossil-derived motor gasoline and diesel fuel. Advanced Biofuels USA argues