by Rachel Frazin (The Hill) An increasing number of states are looking to follow the precedent set by California and adopt stricter vehicle emissions standards as the Biden administration appears poised to green light those efforts. The Virginia legislature this past week passed legislation to toughen its emission rules, and similar
Nevada
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Fulcrum BioEnergy Ltd. on Feb. 16 announced plans to develop a 30 MMgy sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant at Essar Oil (UK) Ltd.’s refinery near Liverpool, England. The project could be operational as soon as 2025. The proposed facility, known as Fulcrum NorthPoint, will utilize
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a rough 2020 for aviation with COVID-19’s impact on travel. Yet, climate goals remain in place, and the pivot from petroleum to renewable fuels continues, the sky is in focus. 2021 has started off with dramatic advances. So who’s making what, where, when, how and who’s
(Essar) Essar Oil (UK) Limited (Essar) is delighted to join forces with Fulcrum BioEnergy Limited (Fulcrum) and Essar’s subsidiary company Stanlow Terminals Limited to create a new facility which will convert non-recyclable household waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use by airlines operating at UK airports. This innovative bio-refinery will
by Lily Bohlke (Public News Service – NV) Washoe County’s transit fleet is getting greener, with 17 new hybrid electric-biodiesel buses, and two new electric buses this month. The additions bring the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) bus fleet to 80% electric or hybrid-alternative fuel. David Carr, fleet and facilities manager for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Renewable diesel, all 9 billion gallons built, under construction, in planning – Take a deep dive into the latest hot renewable diesel news and a special Digest presentation that asks will all of these billions of gallons fleet get built? If not, who are the potential
by Laura Sanicola (Reuters) Following a year of grim losses amid pandemic lockdowns that dented demand for fuel as people stuck close to home, the largest U.S. independent refiners are promoting plans to boost production of renewable fuels. Renewable fuels represent a silver lining for refiners under threat of being left
by Chris Edwards (Engineering and Technology) Renewables may actually keep carbon fuels going for decades to come, but a new group of energy-rich countries will emerge. — … The question is what these new vehicles will use instead. For most European governments, the answer for most cars and light
by Tom Bryan (Biodiesel Magazine) An update on U.S. renewable diesel projects—operational, expanding, under construction and proposed—giving new purpose to aging oil refineries. The report represents a transformative volume of nearly 5.5 billion gallons of new or potential capacity. The appeal of stacking the $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credit on top
by Jeremy Martin (Union of Concerned Scientists) Clean Fuel Standards like the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) have been around for more than a decade but have not attracted the attention of more narrowly targeted policies promoting electric vehicles, biofuels, or renewable power. Recently, however, Clean Fuel Standards are enjoying something of
by John Herath (AgWeb) The headlines were head-turning: an American made supercar had punched through the 300 mph barrier on a seven-mile stretch of empty road outside of Las Vegas. While the 331 mph top speed reported by the SSC Tuatara is now in question, there is no disputing the secret sauce
by Steve Zabarnick (University of Dayton Research Institute) With increasing demand for a greater variety of sustainable alternative aviation fuels, the importance of a systematic pathway for the accurate testing, validation and approval of alternative jet fuels has never been more important. Part of this process is the FAA-sponsored “D4054 Clearinghouse”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tackling two birds with one stone is what Fulcrum is doing with its trash to treasure fuel – dealing with waste disposal AND helping airlines reduce carbon emissions. Jim Macias, President and CEO of Fulcrum, shared this illuminating presentation at ABLC Digital covering Fulcrum’s zero carbon,
(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
by Michael Bates (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a provider of clean fuel for the transportation market, has been contracted by New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to provide its Redeem renewable natural gas (RNG), a fuel derived from organic waste, to power the MTA’s 800 natural gas transit buses. “The MTA is
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) At DigestConnect this past Thursday, we talked about the latest the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, how the LCFS relates to the Renewable Fuel Standard and energy values, we compared the value stack for 5 popular transport molecules – gasoline, diesel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, and renewable
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) The State of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by Steve Csonka (CAAFI) Slide deck available here. Webinar recording available here.
by Will Thurmond (Emerging Markets) Renewable Diesel 2030 is designed to help financiers, producers, developers, distributors, consultants and analysts with a fact-filled market guide detailing medium and long-term trends and developments in the renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels sectors. This study focuses on market fundamentals, emerging market trends, long-term
(Carbon Engineering) Supersonic aircraft company, Aerion, the leader in supersonic technology and global mobility, and Carbon Engineering Ltd. (CE), a leading Direct Air Capture (DAC) company, today announced they are working together to develop solutions for carbon neutral supersonic air travel. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore
by Pamela Gregg (University of Dayton Research Institute) … ASTM International has approved the use of a synthetic oil derived from municipal waste in the manufacture of jet fuel at petroleum refineries. The co-processing of “syncrude” with petroleum at the refinery level is the second new specification for jet fuel approved
by Riley Snyder (Nevada Independent) Gov. Steve Sisolak and state environmental officials are proposing a set of regulations that would adopt California’s standards for low or zero-emission vehicles by 2024 as part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. Sisolak made the announcement on Monday that the state’s
by Jim Morrison (Washington Post) When Randy Jordan, a fifth-generation dairy farmer in central Massachusetts, looked into turning manure from his 300 cows into natural gas more than a decade ago, he just wanted to find a way to lower his increasingly painful electric bill. He knew that biodigesters, a sort
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
by Emily Holbrook (Environment and Energy Leader) This week marks the completion of the Indy High BTU plant at the Indianapolis South Side Landfill. The plant, which will be fully operational March 20, will convert landfill methane gas into approximately 8 million gallons of pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) each year, and in the process,
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine highlights industry changes as discovered during the 2020 U.S. & Canada Biodiesel Plant Map data collection efforts. … Naturally, one recurring theme that kept rearing its ugly head was the toll that the lack of the $1 per gallon federal biodiesel tax credit,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From what is an advanced biofuel to why, we take a look at the gallons, the ethanol blend wall, the residue capacity, and over 30 advanced biofuels projects from around the world to watch. In today’s Digest, a Digest 2020 Multi-Slide Guide on advanced biofuels that
The Kodak Moment: The World’s Airlines Consider Their Low-Carbon Options in an Era of Flight-Shaming
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Now, the airlines were just about the first customers to clamor for advanced biofuels. In 2006, Richard Altman of the recently-formed Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative showed up at one of the earliest advanced biofuels events, and when he laid out the intent of the
(Business Wire) Dominion Energy and Vanguard Renewables announced today a more than $200 million, nationwide strategic partnership to convert methane from U.S. dairy farms into clean, renewable natural gas (RNG) that can heat homes, power businesses and fuel vehicles. Multiple projects are under development in Georgia, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, and
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Following the first summer driving season during which the sale of E15 was allowed, there are still areas of the country where it’s not an option for consumers. But, Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs for Growth Energy, believes it’s only a matter of
by Marc S. Reisch (Chemical & Engineering News) Despite a spotty track record, companies keep trying to convert trash into energy, fuels, and chemicals — … Local press reports noted weather-related construction delays, a challenge to the plant’s environmental permits, and difficult markets for recycled materials. Those delays point to
(Air Liquide) Air Liquide’s biogas technology enables our recent $150M investment to produce and supply renewable liquid hydrogen to the western U.S. mobility markets. Today (October 8, 2019), Air Liquide joins the nation in celebrating National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, raising awareness of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies that
by Allison Lampert (Reuters/Financial Post) At the world’s biggest industry show in Las Vegas luxury jets are luring buyers with their sleek silhouettes, plush cabins – and increasingly, their use of alternative fuels. Fuel producers and jetmakers are keen to showcase novel forms of aviation fuel deemed less harmful to the
(AvFuel) Operators fueling at Avflight Salina helped further business aviation’s carbon neutrality goals by flying on Avfuel’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Flight starting fueling on Friday, October 19 and will continue through Sunday, October 20. This effort is in coordination with an industry wide initiative to meet carbon neutrality goals and part
(Gevo/Globe Newswire) Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) a leading renewable fuels and chemicals manufacturer, announced today it has supplied sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to further support carbon neutrality goals in the aviation industry. Gevo’s customer and global fuel supplier, Avfuel Corporation, has partnered with fixed-base operator, Avflight Salina at Salina Regional Airport
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) … (T)oday we explore 9 of those constellations building around Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Some of them are young protostars in the earliest stage of stellar evolution, while others are like the Earth’s sun, a main-sequence mid-size star, and a few are superstars like, well,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum Bioenergy is a pioneer in making low-carbon, low-cost, transportation fuels from one of our nation’s most abundant resources – household garbage. And transforming waste to fuel is a beautiful thing, especially when industries like aviation are committed to alternative, more sustainable fuels. … Jim Macias,

Stricter environmental policies are likely to dictate the future of traditional hydrocarbons and turn them into something more environmentally friendly. Electric vehicles have long been considered the magic bullet for any greenhouse gas reduction policy and even though EV sales have grown over the past several years, they are still a
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) The Green New Deal may be floundering in Washington. But it is alive and well in left-leaning states and cities across the country. From Maine to California, Democratic politicians have begun adopt the Green New Deal brand — a progressive movement to dramatically tackle climate change over the next decade
(UPS) Seven-Year 170 Million Gallon Equivalents Purchase from Clean Energy Fuels Corp. Will Reduce GHG Emissions by More than 1 Million Metric Tons — UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Corp.(NASDAQ: CLNE) to purchase 170 million gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas (RNG) through 2026. This is the largest
(Solutions from the Land) … The swelling momentum of state leadership pushing forward climate issues and solutions, as well as growing engagement with the challenges of climate change on Capitol Hill, shows there is a surging opportunity for stakeholders from the ag and forestry sectors, which are among the biggest industries
(ACT News) An ACT News Executive Interview with Aaron Stash, Manager, Environmental Strategy and Sustainability, United Airlines, the first airline to use biofuels in its daily operations. United Airlines remains the only US airline regularly using biofuels for the operations—which they implemented more than three years ago. As manager of environmental strategy
by Kerry Reals (Aviation Week & Space Technology) After years of talking about the potential of biofuels and conducting sporadic demonstration flights powered partially by alternatives to kerosene, experts in the field of sustainable aviation detect that the industry could be moving toward a tipping point where more meaningful volumes are
Amy Alonzo (Mason Valley News) … The partisan bill was introduced by the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO.) If it passes the bill will allow counties and municipalities with populations of less than 100,000 residents the option to levy a five-cent diesel tax. The bill excludes red diesel used for mining
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) As a new wave of large-scale biomass-based diesel projects develops, experts suggest market forces are ready to deliver the necessary fats, oils and greases. — …Many of these new biomass-based diesel projects intend to produce renewable diesel at a much larger scale than even the largest biodiesel
by Allison Lampert (Reuters) Supersonic jet developer Aerion Corp is designing its first plane to run completely on biofuels to reduce emissions, even as the company calls for new global standards for planes that can conquer the sound barrier, the company’s chief executive said on Thursday. … Aerion’s business jet AS2, with
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Legislation recently introduced in Nevada would require the state’s Public Utilities Commission to adopt regulations authorizing natural gas utilities to engage in renewable natural gas (RNG) activities. The bill, S.B. 154, would allow natural gas utilities buy and distribute biogas. The legislation would also allow these
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) … NGBS (Next Generation of Biodiesel Scientists) co-chair Jennifer Greenstein, North Carolina State University, moderated a panel of four young scientists from around the world during the recent National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego. Haixin Peng, Auburn University is from China; Shyam Paudel, Missouri University of Science
(GreenAir Online) Waste-to-fuel company Fulcrum BioEnergy has selected Gary, Indiana, as the location for its Centerpoint BioFuels Plant, which will have the capacity to produce three times the amount of renewable transportation fuels compared to its first Sierra plant in Nevada that is due to start operations in early 2020. Construction
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel Magazine provides a visual of prominent project development activities over the past year. READ MORE
(Chicago Tribune) A new plant in Gary, Ind., plans to turn hundreds of thousands of tons of trash into fuel, some of which could end up powering United Airlines’ planes. California-based Fulcrum BioEnergy on Thursday announced plans for the $600 million alternative fuel plant in Gary. Construction is not expected
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum BioEnergy has developed a “game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels including syncrude, jet fuel and diesel”. The company recently broke ground on its first commercial project in Nevada, and more about that here. Fulcrum’s innovative business
(GreenAir Online) Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced a strategic partnership to develop sustainable aviation fuels that will include a 900 million yen ($8 million) investment by the airline in waste-to-jet fuel US company Fulcrum BioEnergy. The other partners include the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 42’s goal is to contribute to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries as part of highly efficient sustainable value chains (co-)producing food/feed ingredients, chemicals, materials, fuels, power and/or heat out of sustainably sourced biomass (wood, crops, residues, etc.) as base for a global
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy Task 33 is a working group of international experts with the aim to promote the commercialization of efficient, economical and environmentally preferable thermal biomass gasification processes. Kevin Whitty gave this illuminating overview of the progress and promise of thermal gasification of biomass in the
by Lauren Colandreo (Bloomberg) … Last fall, Oregon enacted the Bovine Manure Tax Credit, which offers bovine manure producers and collectors a tax credit for each wet ton of manure collected to be used as a biofuel or to produce a biofuel. In recent weeks, the state enacted a new set of temporary
by Riley Snyder (The Nevada Independent) NV Energy is asking state regulators to levy an expensive combination of charges for an under-construction Northern Nevada biofuels plant that has applied to purchase power from an alternative electric provider. Testimony filed by a utility executive on Monday outlines a variety of suggested “impact”
by Grant Bradley (New Zealand Herald) When a brand new Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000 flies from France to Hong Kong on Wednesday it will be partly powered by biofuel. The 334-seat plane will have a 10 per cent blend of biofuel next to traditional jet fuel in its tanks which can
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In these top 20 projects, we usually say that we are using waste, but really we are converting something from a state of waste to a state of value — and that’s not just good for the project owners in question, it’s good for every stakeholder
by Brent Erickson (The Hill/Biotechnology Innovation Organization) Since 2002, the farm bill has contained an energy title, with cost-effective programs that support private investment in renewable energy, biobased manufacturing and energy efficiency. The programs are extremely successful in helping businesses create employment and economic growth opportunities in rural communities across the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum BioEnergy has developed a “game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels including syncrude, jet fuel and diesel”. The company recently broke ground on its first commercial project in Nevada, and more about that here. Fulcrum’s innovative
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Near Reno, Nevada, Fulcrum BioEnergy broke ground today for its 10 million gallon per year first commercial plant that makes jet fuel from municipal solid waste. For thousands of years we have had a love/hate relationship with waste. We love to make it, we hate
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ABLC 2018 wrapped up with the ABLC Wolfpack including James Iademarco from Strategic Avalanche, David Dodds with Dodds & Associates, Ron Cascone from NEXANT, independent consultant Paul Bryan, and Joel Stone from ConVergince. While they didn’t howl at the moon, they were voracious, vicious wolves analyzing 8 major projects with
by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) … (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that has agitated some top Republican lawmakers who have long opposed
(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 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 and the most, here. There are three drivers for that:
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) has taken stock of its busy 2017 and has set priorities for 2018. Highlights on the sustainable alternative jet fuel (SAJF) front include development of many resources available to the public on the CAAFI website. Progress on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, we’d like to share news that a new biorefinery for diesel and jet fuel has finalized $112.6 million loan, backed by a USDA loan guarantee. This is Ryze Renewables, which will construct its biorefinery in Storey County, Nevada. The new refinery is scheduled to open in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last week, DowDuPont said it was exiting the cellulosic biofuels business and you’d think that the company just burned down the warehouse with the original text of the Renewable Fuels Standard — the coverage of the announce in few cases focused on the changes in DowDuPont’s
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) … Several factors have hindered the production of the volumes originally envisioned: extracting energy from cellulose proved much more difficult than extracting it from corn starch, challenges of collecting, moving and storing significant volumes of biomass were underestimated, rock bottom gas prices, consumer
(Abengoa/Biomass Magazine) Abengoa, the international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in infrastructures, energy and water sectors, has received notice to proceed on what will be the first plant that will produce biofuels from municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States with gasification technology. Prior to this, Fulcrum
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California we received the news that Chicagoland has been selected as the site of Fulcrum BioEnergy’s second commercial-scale waste-to-fuels biorefinery. We reported last month that the long-awaited financing was completed for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated first commercial project near Reno, Nevada. … “We have not publicly said
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Ryze Renewables is developing two renewable fuels projects in the state of Nevada. These documents published are available online via the state of Nevada as public records. While researching a related Digest story, Ryze had declined to give us a patent number for a technology they
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Nevada, Ryze Renewables has two new renewable diesel projects totaling $250M now in planning for the Nevada and Las Vegas areas. … This project is bigger: equipment costs have grown from $44 million to $73 million, and capacity has expanded to 60 million gallons
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News this week arrived from Canada that Enerkem has received the lowest carbon intensity value ever issued by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines for its ethanol product under the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation. The confirmed carbon intensity is a
(University of Nevada, Reno/EurekAlert!) … Biochemist and molecular biologist John Cushman at the University of Nevada, Reno will create a gene atlas for the common ice plant that will help find ways to allow bioenergy feedstocks to better tolerate salinity and drought. Cushman’s lab is looking at the functional genomics
(GEVO) Expands on Previously Announced Partnership with Musket Corporation — Gevo, Inc.(NASDAQ:GEVO), announced today that gasoline blended with its isobutanol and marketed for use in automobiles has begun to be sold in the Houston area. This marks the first time that Gevo’s isobutanol has been specifically targeted towards on-road vehicles.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum BioEnergy has developed a “game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels including syncrude, jet fuel and diesel”. The company has successfully proven and demonstrated this process for converting MSW to fuels utilizing its proprietary, innovative,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, BP announced the creation of a strategic partnership between its BP Ventures and Air BP businesses with Fulcrum BioEnergy, a pioneer in the development and production of low-carbon jet fuel, in which BP will invest $30 million. As an equity investor, BP has
by Annie Conway (Northern Nevada Business Weekly) Fulcrum BioEnergy, a company based out of Pleasanton, Calif., has developed a process to convert household trash into biofuel. The company pioneered a technology that transforms municipal solid waste into low-carbon transportation fuels such as jet fuel and diesel. Fulcrum is in the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Wisconsin, Tesoro reached an agreement for Tesoro to acquire Virent. The acquisition, the partners said, will support the scale up and commercialization of Virent’s BioForming technology for the production of low carbon bio-based fuels and chemicals. As a result of the acquisition, Virent will
by James Stafford (OilPrice.com) … Lithium is our new fuel, but like fossil fuels, the reserves we’re currently tapping into are finite—and that’s what investors can take to the bank. … And yet, despite this skepticism, lithium demand is rising steadily and sharply, and indications that a shortage may be looming are
by Carleton English (The Street) The Colorado biofuels company announced a partnership with Musket Corp. a week after a similar collaboration with Alaska Air. — … The Colorado-based biofuels company announced that it partnered with Musket Corp., which is owned by Oklahoma-based Love’s Family of Companies, to provide its isobutanol product
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $8.8 million to boost the production of advanced biofuels and sustain jobs at renewable energy facilities in 39 states. USDA continues to lead the way in promotion of advanced biofuel production,
by Colleen Scherer (Ag Professional) … A recent University of Illinois study is using genetic markers to identify early developmental traits in Miscanthus that correlate with future yield. … On a practical level, the researchers saw strong positive correlations between biomass yield and plant basal circumference, height, and tiller (stem) number,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, United Airlines will be using jet biofuels produced by AltAir using Honeywell UOP technology on up to 150 flights a day out of Los Angeles, the Digest has learned. March 11. A two week, 14-day Los Angeles to San Francisco service will launch
by Brynne McMurray (Moapa Valley Progress) Behind the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Office in Logandale is a remarkable research project. In a unique garden spot, professors are investigating the biofuel and other properties of the prickly pear cactus. The project, by UNR professor John C. Cushman and PhD student
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three new partners in the process: Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc.: Fulcrum
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three new partners in the process: Fulcrum BioEnergy, Virent and Ensyn. Here,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Department of the Navy is now buying advanced, drop-in, cost-competitive, next gen renewable fuels. The biofuels sought can be blended in a range of 10 to 50 percent with conventional petroleum products and must meet all military fuel specification properties which make handling requirements and
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) Although the cellulosic ethanol industry has had some challenges, there is hope for the year ahead. For some Midwest farmers, cellulosic ethanol’s launch in the past two years has allowed them to put their corn crops to wider use by providing stover to companies such
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) As oil prices plummet, are drop-in aviation biofuel refineries ever going to be built? — In September 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE), along with the Departments of the Navy and Agriculture, announced a significant financial partnership to advance the construction of three biorefineries,
by Whip Villarreal (University of Nevada, Reno) College of Ag, Biotech and Natural Resources leads research project at University of Nevada, Reno — Glenn Miller is leading the effort in a project at the University of Nevada, Reno to convert roadside gumweed into biofuel, which could help contribute to fuel supplies
(U.S. Department of Energy) … The Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is working together with industry to develop and test integrated biorefineries—facilities capable of efficiently converting plant and waste material into affordable biofuels, biopower and other products. These projects are located around the country and use a variety of materials as feedstocks. One of
by Nichola Groom (Reuters) … The visitor represented Clean Line Energy Partners LLC, a Texas company established to build transmission lines for carrying wind and solar power. He had come to tell (Dave) Ulery about a planned line that would cut through the untouched woods of pine and oak trees on
(Federal Bureau of Investigation) Alex Jariv, 28, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced today in federal court to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in illegal schemes to generate and sell fraudulent biodiesel credits, marking the culmination of nearly four years of investigations
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Fulcrum BioEnergy has developed a “game-changing process for converting municipal solid waste that would otherwise be landfilled, into renewable transportation fuels including syncrude, jet fuel and diesel”. The company has successfully proven and demonstrated this process for converting MSW to fuels utilizing its proprietary, innovative,
by Sean Gallagher (School Transportation News) … While diesel continues to power the vast majority of the nation’s fleet, school districts have still responded with giant leaps forward in promoting greener technologies for bus fleets with the use of alternative fuels, such as electric, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane or biodiesel. The
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) In a July 1 Federal Register notice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented plans to control greenhouse gases (GHG) from aircraft. In August, in Washington, D.C., EPA held a hearing on its proposal. About 40 people attended, with 14 providing comments. … Nancy
(Fuels America/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Fuels America is sponsoring a full page ad Monday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, aimed at President Obama during his appearance at the National Clean Energy Summit in Nevada, where he is the keynote speaker. The ad is accompanied by a Review Journal homepage takeover, as well
by Zia Haq (US Department of Energy) It’s been one year since we at the Energy Department ramped up our efforts to develop renewable jet fuel for the military and commercial aviation industry. The Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) joined Farm to Fly 2.0—a partnership with the U.S. Department of
(US Federal Bureau of Investigation) James Jariv, 64, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced in federal court in Las Vegas today to ten years in prison for his role in illegal schemes to generate fraudulent biodiesel credits and to export biodiesel without providing biodiesel credits to the United States. Jariv
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) NextGen Climate has released the results of a survey that finds voters in key presidential swing states support transitioning to at least 50 percent clean energy by 2030. Hart Research conducted the poll in eight battleground states including: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina,
(SustainableBusiness.com) A few years ago, we were hearing a lot about airlines testing and beginning to run on biofuels (combined with petroleum). With the latest announcements, are we ready for take off? This summer, United Airlines begins flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco on 30% non-edible oils like camelina and agricultural waste and 70% jet
(Alcon Corporation) Alkcon Corporation (the “Company”), a developer of natural gas processing equipment, has entered into an exclusivity agreement and a Letter of Intent with Flogas Group (“Flogas”) of Leicestershire, England. The agreement grants Flogas the exclusive right to market and sell the Company’s proprietary methane-to-propane gas conversion technology in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … 31 Algae players, what do they make now, and how are they making out? … Here’s our company by company guide to 31 of the players on the scene — project developers and technology suppliers. … AlgaEnergy AlgaEnergy is a technology-based company specialized in the field
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … DRI is the environmental research branch of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). We are involved in evaluating environmental concerns and consequences of biomass/biofuel systems, from cradle to grave. In addition, we apply analytical capabilities to characterize bio-feedstocks, intermediates, and products. … Current activities
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $100 million in a Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers. Specifically, USDA will administer competitive grants to
(Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc.) Fixed-Price Contract Guarantees Cost, Schedule and Plant Performance — Launches Commercialization of Fulcrum BioEnergy’s Process for Converting Household Garbage into Low-Cost Renewable Jet Fuel and Diesel Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., announced today that it has awarded a $200 million fixed-price engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contract to Abengoa
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Great Scott! New molecules, new feedstocks, new technologies, and reaching scale — the best of the best. At ABLC 2015, the focus on innovation included a complete program on aviaiton — and numerous producers elsewhere on the program are producing aviation biofuels as a party
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Project of the Year, Deal of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Chemical of the Year, and Cap Raise of the Year — who are the big winners? Each year, the Digest recognizes projects, feedstocks, processing technology breakthroughs, novel or improved molecules, and bioeconomy pioneers in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oil prices continue to show incredible volatility. $106 in June, $50 today. Which biofuels ventures have the pro-formas to make money in a tough market? The Digest investigates. … Avello Bioenergy Cost: $57.50 per barrel (gasoline, diesel) Stage: Preparing for commercial demonstration Avello Bioenergy is commercializing
(Algae Industry Magazine) Green Star Products, Inc. (GSPI) has signed a contract to build a demonstration facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, to produce commercial quality algae. The Hybrid Algae Production System (HAPS) facility will be a premium showcase, 70,000 liters capacity algae pond system, located near South Las Vegas Boulevard.
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 Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Washington, the Department of Defense has awarded $210 million under the Defense Production Act to Emerald Biofuels, Fulcrum BioEnergy and Red Rock Bio towards the construction of biorefineries that produce cost-competitive, drop-in military biofuels. Under the grants, the companies will build biorefineries to produce military spec fuel
By Emily Unglesbee (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) … Biosynthetic Technologies, a synthetic oil manufacturer that uses bio-based ingredients, has produced synthetic motor oil made from Monsanto’s Vistive Gold high-oleic soybeans. The company just finished a successful test of the soybean-based motor oil in a fleet of taxis in Las Vegas. …
(BusinessWire) In August 2013, Nevada-based biodiesel producer Bently Biofuels Company expanded their used cooking oil collection program by purchasing the assets of Got Grease?, a Bay Area waste oil and grease trap pumping company. Got Grease? collected used cooking oil throughout the San Francisco peninsula, East Bay, and Marin areas
by Reliable Source (The Washinton Post) …Event: National Farmers Union rally promoting passage of a five-year farm bill and touting the renewable fuel standard. Venue: Capitol Hill’s Lower Senate Park. …What he wants: Fuel standards mandating an increased amount of biomasses in transportation fuel. … Back story: Young arrived
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In today’s Digest – visit our 5-Minute Guide to Loan Guarantees — INEOS Bio, Myriant, Sapphire Energy, Abengoa, Chemtex, Enerkem, Fiberight, Fulcrum, ZeaChem – Plus POET-DSM, Diamond Green Diesel, Coskata and Range Fuels Projects open for business INEOS Bio … Myriant … Sapphire Energy … Projects under construction Abengoa
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Just months after receiving the first cellulosic renewable identification numbers for a shipment of cellulosic ethanol to its Brazil partner Petrobras, Western Biomass Energy LLC filed for bankruptcy and is now up for sale with bidding closing May 20. Parent company Blue Sugars
by Beth Evans (Platts) Kinder Morgan expects to begin biodiesel blending at its terminals in Las Vegas and Phoenix “in the early part of the second quarter,” the company said Wednesday. Recently completed modifications at those terminals will allow for receipt, storage and blending of biodiesel, it said in a
by Mary Solecki (California Progress Report) …And I think that is what’s at the heart of the biofuels movement: doing more with less. How can we deliver our energy needs from domestic sources and still deliver the food we all need? Well, as my grandmother pinpointed so many years ago, the
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) The National Biodiesel Board celebrated its 20th anniversary in the wild west of Las Vegas, Nevada, with video and live reflections from the pioneers in the industry. Awards and Battles Awards to current industry leaders included John Maniscalco of the New York Oil Heating
(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 Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … Today, we’ll look at the bigger balance sheets to see who is investing what, and when, with whom, and why. …We’ve also focused here, for the sake of brevity, on those financing commercial scale projects. So, Exxon’s $300 million commitment into algae biofuels R&D is

JOIN US FOR THE 10th ANNUAL NATIONAL BIODIESEL CONFERENCE & EXPO! Capturing momentum at the 2013 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo The theme of this year’s conference, MOMENTUM, is aptly chosen. At 1.1 billion gallons and climbing, biodiesel has become a true force in our nation’s fuel supply. Will your business
(Phys.Org) Putting the water-use-efficient and turbo-charged photosynthesis from plants such as agave into woody biomass plants such as poplar can hedge against predicted long-term increases in temperatures and reduced precipitation. It can also provide dedicated energy crops suitable for establishment on marginal land as a source of renewable biomass. A

Don’t miss the opportunity to network with industry leaders and peers at the 18th Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC): Driving Forward, February 5-7, 2013 at the Wynn Las Vegas. Widely recognized as a “must-attend” event, the NEC provides attendees with timely information on critical regulatory, marketing and policy issues facing the
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Cleaner, more sustainable, more climate-friendly, more affordable advanced biofuels are closer to reality than many outside the industry seem to think. At least three new, advanced biofuel biorefineries are being commissioned this year, and at least four others will have shovels in the ground soon.
by Sue Retka Schill (Biomass Magazine) Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc. received a $105 million condition loan guarantee from the USDA, putting its planned 10 MMgy Sierra BioFuels Plant closer to groundbreaking. “This USDA loan guarantee provides a key piece of financing to move our Sierra BioFuels project forward,” said E. James Macias,
(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 Mike Wolterbeek (University of Nevada-Reno) An online graduate certificate in renewable energy that provides an opportunity to study the policies and practices in the diverse fields of renewable energy is being offered at the University of Nevada, Reno beginning in the spring 2012 semester. “With an emphasis on renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, Waste Management announced that it has closed an equity investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy. In connection with this investment, WM agreed to a secured loan facility that provides for WM’s funding of up to $70 million for Fulcrum’s proposed Sierra BioFuels plant upon the satisfaction
(PR NewsWire/Mazda) North American Operations (MNAO) is known for its Zoom-Zoom dynamism, which is evident in the brand’s lineup of distinct design and divine drivability, and brings to this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show a fleet of vehicles highlighting Mazda’s motorsports heritage, efficiency aspirations and daily-driver potential. …Under
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ICM Inc. and Ignite Racing Fuel are sponsoring a vehicle in a six-day treasure hunt and race-track based rally that begins Oct. 27. The two-man team is made up of race car driver Eric O’Sullivan and Steve Vander Griend, head of ICM Inc.’s research and
by Darren Goode (Politico) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton he has “serious concern” about TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Reid — in an Oct. 5 letter to Clinton first reported on by The Washington Post — weighs in on the pipeline project for the first
(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 Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The first zero-cost feedstock biofuels company comes to the public markets with its IPO. …Fulcrum becomes the 12th company to file for an IPO in the industrial biotech boom, which began with a successful listing on the NASDAQ by Codexis in 2010. …Fulcrum produces advanced
by Ross Boettcher (World-Herald/Omaha.com) A La Vista-based biofuels company Thursday proposed a $100 million project to build a biorenewable fuel refinery in Bellevue that could create at least 50 local jobs. The company, BioSyn Resources, wants to build a three-tiered refinery that initially would turn vegetable oil and animal fats
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …But a new generation of technologies is coming along fast, primarily in advanced biofuels, which is gasifying biomass at the front end along its path towards making fuels, chemicals or other biomaterials – or in some cases, using organic chemicals already in a gaseous state.
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In June, the U.S EPA issued its proposal to reduce the coming year’s cellulosic biofuels volume target for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The RFS goals set by Congress in 2007 call for increasing amounts of cellulosic biofuels, beginning with 100 million gallons in

With an exclusive focus on biomass utilization in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada, the Pacific West Biomass Conference & Trade Show is a dynamic regional offshoot of Biorefining Magazine and Biomass Power & Thermal magazine’s International Biomass Conference & Expo, the largest event of it’s kind in the world. Taking place in San Francisco,
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Researchers from the University of California Berkeley and the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered a microbe in a Nevada hot spring that enjoys eating cellulose (aka plant material) at temperatures above the boiling point of water, 109 degrees Celsius or 228 degrees Fahrenheit.

(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 Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As seven projects aim for important milestones, investors face big decisions on whether advanced biofuels companies, even after the run-up in share prices, are still undervalued. …(I)s it time to get in, hold, or lock in profits and get out. …Depends on your appetite for