by Susanne Retka Schill (Biodiesel Magazine) The quest for carbon reduction is driving interest in higher biodiesel blends, and Optimus Technologies’ Vector System is enabling diesel engines to transition. — … “What we’re seeing now is that customers want to have maximum carbon reductions, and B20 simply is not enough,”
Pennsylvania
by Celina Scott-Buechler, Julia Jeanty, Catherine Fraser, Grace Adcox, and Charlotte Scott (Data for Progress) … DAC (direct air capture) is one approach to carbon dioxide removal, in most cases relying on large fans to push air through a filter that is able to capture CO2 molecules. Once the filter
May 23, 2023
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(Pennsylvania State University/EurekAlert!) Reduce fossil fuel use and air quality will improve, right? It might not be as straightforward as it appears, according to a Penn State-led research team. They explored almost 30,000 simulated future scenarios and found that some climate mitigation efforts could lead to harmful health impacts in certain
May 23, 2023
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(ACT News) ACT Expo announced the winners of its 2023 ACT Expo Fleet Awards, highlighting innovators that are taking their sustainability journey to the next level. The ACT Expo Fleet Awards recognize fleets and individuals leading the transition to near-zero and zero-emission transportation. The winners have shown true leadership in sustainable
May 13, 2023
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(Air Products/PR Newswire) The state-of-the-art, high-capacity station will be built near Air Products’ New Net-Zero Hydrogen Energy Complex — Air Products (NYSE: APD), the world’s largest producer of hydrogen and a first-mover in energy transition projects, today announced plans to build a multi-modal hydrogen refueling station near its new net-zero hydrogen energy
April 28, 2023
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(Optimus Technologies) Optimus Technologies, a technology company that decarbonizes the largest and most challenging sectors of the transportation industry, announced today a $17.8 million Series A funding round led by Mitsui & Co. out of Tokyo, Japan. The round included participation from one of North America’s largest commercial fleets, Chevron
April 18, 2023
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by Vidya Nagalwade (Tech Explorist) Paper bags are a popular alternative to plastic bags for reducing environmental impacts. … Penn State researchers have developed a method to strengthen paper bags, especially when wet, making them a more viable alternative to plastic bags. Daniel Ciolkosz, an associate research professor of agricultural and biological
April 12, 2023
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(New Energy Blue/PR Newswire) New Energy Blue announced the hiring of bioenergy veteran Kelly Davis as Vice President, a new position. Davis will augment the company’s technical, regulatory, and operations expertise as it staffs up to build out a series of clean-tech biomass refineries, which will produce some of the lowest-carbon biobased
April 11, 2023
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(Montauk Renewables/Globe Newswire) Montauk Renewables, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTK) (the “Company”) today announced that on March 27, 2023 the Company’s Tier 2 application with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) was certified (the “Project”). The Company sought provisional certification of a Tier 2 pathway for biomethane (Bio-CNG) production at its Pico Energy
April 10, 2023
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(Office of Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA 38th)) Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide a tax credit for renewable natural gas, which can be used in heavy-duty vehicles like buses and freight trucks to immediately reduce
April 6, 2023
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) AgGrid Energy is one of our most admired biogas project developers, and is on a rapid expansion curve as many of the best biogas companies are right now. Rashi Akki gave this overview of the company’s promise and progress, milestones achieved and ahead, at ABLC
March 28, 2023
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by Thomas Catenacci , Houston Keene (Fox News) A group of House Republicans introduced legislation Wednesday that would restrict California’s ability to ban traditional gas-powered cars as part of the state’s electric vehicle push. The four Republicans, led by Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania, said the bill — the Preserving Choice in Vehicle
March 15, 2023
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The fields of bioenergy and biorenewables have seen and continue to experience unprecedented growth, as the world seeks to shift its economy to a sustainable, renewable basis. Penn State’s Center for Biorenewables works to catalyze this transformation through innovation and education relating to biorenewable food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, materials, and energy. The
March 8, 2023
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(Biodiesel Magazine) This week’s Biodiesel Magazine podcast features Jeff Yasinski, Co-Founder and CEO of D&W Alternative Energy interviewed by Anna Simet, editor of Biodiesel Magazine. LISTEN Growing use of biodiesel comes with rising threat of crime in tri-state area (PIX 11)
January 23, 2023
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(AES/PR Newswire) Project Capable of Producing over 200 Metric Tons Per Day of Green Hydrogen, Powered by Approximately 1.4 Gigawatts of Renewable Electricity — Air Products (NYSE: APD) and The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) today announced plans to invest approximately $4 billion to build, own and operate a green hydrogen production facility in Wilbarger County, Texas.
January 16, 2023
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(Freeman Business) … Fluence Analytics is a Tulane University spin-out that specializes in continuous analytics and process control solutions for the polymer and biopharmaceutical industries. Ranked by CB Insights as one of the world’s most promising advanced manufacturing startups, the company recently began developing new ways to use its propriety technologies
January 9, 2023
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(Optimus Technologies/Biobased Diesel Daily) Cook-Illinois Corp., which operates one of the largest family-owned and operated school-bus fleets, has transitioned a portion of its Illinois-based fleet to run on 100 percent biodiesel (B100). B100 is a cleaner-burning, low-carbon fuel that drastically reduces vehicles’ planet-warming greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and particulate air pollutants. It
December 20, 2022
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(Green Rock Energy/Business Wire) Production at the facility is expected to exceed one million gallons of renewable fuel per year, as Green Rock’s portfolio of waste-to-value assets grows. — Green Rock Energy Partners LLC (“Green Rock” or “the Firm”), a sustainable infrastructure focused private equity firm, acquired PSA South Hills Landfill Gas Venture
December 9, 2022
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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
December 8, 2022
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by Michael Bates (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has begun providing renewable natural gas (RNG) for the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) in Bellefonte, Pa. Clean Energy constructed the station, located at 100 Transfer Road, which will provide fuel for both CCRRA vehicles and other fleets. It is
December 8, 2022
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by Jeremy Beaman (Washington Examiner) Congressional lawmakers are drawing up legislation to cut down the near-record compliance costs associated with the Renewable Fuel Standard, which has pitted corn staters and some in the oil industry against each other for more than a decade. The bicameral effort would seek to control the volatile prices of
December 5, 2022
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(WJBF) Green Energy Biofuel is spreading the word about helping the environment. The company was recently visited by a group from the University of South Carolina. “We had some students come down, take a tour of the plant, and show them what we do here, and how we recycle food wastes, and
November 25, 2022
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by Jamie Ostroff (Nexstar Media Wire/WGN) Why are criminals stealing used cooking oil from restaurants across central Ohio and elsewhere? Sumit Majumdar, the president of Buffalo Biodiesel, said the crime has cost his company millions of dollars. “It’s ballooning. It’s wiping out a third of our business,” Majumdar said. “To put that
November 11, 2022
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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
October 27, 2022
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(Federal Aviation Administration) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued more than $16 million in grants to 14 universities across the country for research to reduce aviation emissions and noise. The university teams are members of the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), part of the FAA’s Air Transportation Center
October 13, 2022
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(Divert/Business Wire) 10-year deal worth approximately $175 million will support bp’s efforts to curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions and boost access to clean energy for its customers — Divert, Inc., an impact technology company on a mission to Protect the Value of Food™, today announced a 10-year renewable natural gas (RNG)
October 12, 2022
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by Cassie Mullen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) As prices at the pump spiked this past summer, a special E15 sales promotion by fuel retailer Sheetz offering the 15 percent ethanol blend (marketed by the company as UNLEADED 88) at $3.99 made national news—and also made a lot of drivers happy
October 6, 2022
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(North American Clean Energy) The State of West Virginia, EQT Corporation, the nation’s largest natural gas producer, Battelle and GTI Energy, both with deep expertise executing clean energy programs for the federal government, and Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), a leading West Virginia energy technology consulting firm, have collaborated to establish a Regional Clean Hydrogen
October 1, 2022
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by Laura Sanicola and Laila Kearney (Reuters) Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) plans to start receiving shipments of renewable fuel feedstocks at its Trainer, Pennsylvania, refinery as part of a strategy that could reduce its environmental liabilities by hundreds of millions of dollars, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The move
September 19, 2022
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(Le Lézard) Vision RNG, LLC (VRNG) is pleased to announce that it has broken ground for construction of the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project located on the Meridian Waste Eagle Ridge Landfill located in Bowling Green, Missouri. The project will use 1,500 cfm of Landfill Gas (LFG) and construction is
September 15, 2022
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(Agri-Pulse) This week’s Open Mic guest is House Ag Ranking Member Glenn “GT” Thompson. At last week’s Farm Progress Show, Thompson offered thoughts on crafting a 2023 farm bill including an opportunity to chair the committee if the GOP wins a majority in the November midterms. The Pennsylvania 15th district
September 12, 2022
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(Optimus Technologies) ADM conducts a 16-month field trial equipping Class 8 Mack trucks with Optimus Technologies Vector System — The Vector System is an advanced fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to reduce carbon emissions by using 100% biodiesel (B100). Already running on commercial and government fleets from
September 8, 2022
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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
September 7, 2022
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(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
August 31, 2022
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(U.S. Department of Energy) Industry and Universities Will Work to Reduce the Cost of Clean Hydrogen to Deliver Cheap Electricity; New $32 Million Funding Opportunity will Support Clean Hydrogen Technologies — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the award of $28.9 million to 15 industry- and university-led projects and
August 29, 2022
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Please join the Pittsburgh Technology Council for our new event series on Net Zero Innovation. These sessions are opportunities for PTC members to learn about and engage with leaders in environmentally sustainable technology with regard to lowering emissions. Our third Net Zero Innovation discussion will be on the topic of
August 17, 2022
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The global clean energy transition will bring enormous opportunities and benefits to our communities, workers and industry. The many varieties of clean energy will be key in helping us emerge from the triple global crises of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a crisis of energy security where we have
August 8, 2022
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(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
July 25, 2022
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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
July 20, 2022
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(Optimus Technologies) B100 Technology Arrives in California for the First Time — Optimus Technologies, Inc. is a clean energy technology company based in Pittsburgh, PA that manufactures the Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology that enables diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100). The Vector System is designed
July 19, 2022
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by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Pennsylvania will be suspending its 2 percent biodiesel fuel standard for a month, beginning June 27, “to minimize or prevent disruption of the supply of diesel fuel” in the state, according to a June 17 letter from Russell C. Redding, Pennsylvania’s secretary of agriculture, to
July 18, 2022
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(Optimus Technologies) Tim Fitzgerald, former Director of Fleet Management at DC Water shares his thoughts about the benefits of B100 in DC Water’s fleet. DC Water has been using 100% biodiesel since 2020. Currently ten vehicles are equipped with the Optimus Technologies’ Vector System. READ MORE/WATCH VIDEO
July 13, 2022
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(AutoBlog) Sheetz, a convenience store chain, has lowered the price of gas for the July 4 holiday weekend to $3.99 for a gallon of 88-octane regular. Note that Sheetz’ Unleaded 88 is a blend of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol. Sheetz says (scroll to the bottom of the FAQ page): “E15
July 1, 2022
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by Teresa Boeckel (York Daily Record) … Effective immediately, the convenience store chain is charging $3.99 a gallon for Unleaded 88 and $3.49 a gallon for E85, according to a company news release. It is a limited-time offer available through July 4. Unleaded 88 can be used in vehicles for model years
June 29, 2022
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(U.S. Biochar Initiative/EIN Presswire) “It [Biochar] is being newly embraced as a true carbon removal solution at scale.”–Microsoft — On Earth Day 2022, XPRIZE and the Musk Foundation announced the 15 milestone winners of $1,000,000 each to continue their work on atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Four (27%) of the
June 17, 2022
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On Track for Tomorrow, Today: CN’s Commitment to Sustainability Is Changing the Course of the Future
(Renewable Energy Group) … Canadian National Railway Company (CN) is a leading North American transportation logistics company, moving more than $250 billion (CAD) of goods every year. With a tri-coastal network that spans Canada from east to west, south through the Midwest and to the Gulf of Mexico, CN’s network
June 9, 2022
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(Lehigh University) … While recycling and composting have increased, the majority of the waste produced goes into landfills, the most inexpensive option. About 12 percent of MSW was converted into energy by waste-to-energy plants in 2018, according to the Energy Information Administration. “There are different ways to process trash,” says Carlos
May 31, 2022
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by Anthony Hennen (The Center Square/The Bradford Era) The biofuel industry could dramatically reduce tailpipe emissions from cars and improve air quality, but the effects of the pandemic and government subsidies for green competitors like electric vehicles makes future growth a tough road ahead. Pennsylvania has two biofuel producers, Hero Bx
May 9, 2022
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Renewable Natural Gas Opportunities Short Course will explore the technical and business opportunities for producing renewable natural gas from bio-based feedstock. Scientific principles, emerging technologies, and business models will all be addressed in this 2-day event, which will include presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a biogas digester site tour.
May 5, 2022
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(Waste Management) $825 Million Planned Investment Anticipated to Increase WM’s Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Production 600 Percent to Help Fuel Entire Natural Gas Fleet and Communities across North America — Rounding out Earth Month, WM (NYSE: WM) plans to invest $825 million in its renewable energy footprint from 2022-2025 by expanding its
May 2, 2022
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(Iowa State University) An Iowa State University research team that helped develop a demonstration-scale pyrolyzer capable of sequestering thousands of tons of carbon dioxide a year has received a prestigious milestone award from XPRIZE Carbon Removal, it was announced on Friday. The milestone prize provides $1 million to the carbon
April 26, 2022
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by Michael Verdon (Robb Report) Piasecki Aircraft Corp. is adding a fuel cell to a small, two-seat rotorcraft to create the world’s first helicopter to run on hydrogen. Piasecki Aircraft Corp. (PIAC) and edm aerotec have signed an agreement to develop the world’s first hydrogen-powered helicopter. Based in Pennsylvania, PIAC has
April 21, 2022
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by Jordan Blum (S&P Global Platts) Colonial ships directly to seven major airports; Colonial also moves products delivered to New York-area airports — The Colonial Pipeline fuel network will soon begin shipping sustainable aviation fuel for the first time, as more airlines aim to meet their greenhouse gas emissions goals. Colonial, which
April 19, 2022
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(U. S. Department of Energy) Ministerials Will Focus on Implementation Efforts to Achieve COP26 Commitments — The U.S. Department of Energy … announced Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the host city for the 2022 Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and the ministerial for Mission Innovation (MI). The announcement was made at the United Nations
April 14, 2022
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(Clean Energy Fuels Corp.) Clean Energy Fuels Corp. continues to meet the growing demand for renewable natural gas with new fueling contracts, infrastructure expansions, and biomethane production projects. “More fleets are finding renewable natural gas to be the most easy and cost-effective way to achieve significant carbon reductions,” said Chad Lindholm,
April 14, 2022
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WASTE-to-fuel is possible with many KINDS of WASTE: agricultural residues and WASTE; forest residue and WASTE; municipal SOLID WASTE, WASTE CO2 and more. SINCE 2008, students and STAFF at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania used food WASTE and agricultural WASTE like manure to make biogas for heat, cooking and POWER generation.
April 11, 2022
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(Lehigh University) Researchers discover an enhanced reaction rate when gold and palladium nanoparticles are placed on a conductive support. — A bimetallic catalysis technique using gold and palladium nanoparticles on a conductive support has been pioneered by researchers from Lehigh and Cardiff University in the U.K. The process could support
April 8, 2022
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(Optimus Technologies) Use of 100% Biodiesel Will Help Fleet Reach Net Zero Target — The City of Madison, Wisconsin will soon be seeing emissions reductions after converting 17 of their fleet vehicles to operate on 100% biodiesel, thanks to their partnership with Optimus Technologies and Renewable Energy Group (NASDAQ: REGI) (REG).
March 9, 2022
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by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) Bipartisan Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) pressed the leadership of the Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday to consider legislation, S. 2385, to end the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard. They write that the mandate was originally included
February 25, 2022
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In part 2 of the Great Plains Institute’s just published Atlas of Carbon and Hydrogen Hubs, we look at where these 14 key carbon and hydrogen hubs are in the U.S., how can they offer the capacity to help the country expand and accelerate emissions
February 15, 2022
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(Archaea Energy) Largest RNG Facility in the World Completed Approximately Two Years after Gas Rights Execution — Archaea Energy Inc. (“Archaea” or “the Company”) (NYSE: LFG), an industry-leading renewable natural gas (“RNG”) company, announced today the successful start-up of Project Assai, an RNG facility located at the Keystone Sanitary Landfill in
January 21, 2022
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by Caroline Foreback (PA Homepage) There’s been a rise in restaurant cooking oil thefts in our area. A multi-million dollar industry that thieves are taking a huge chunk out of. Tuesday night Eyewitness News heard from a business owner who feels he knows why it’s happening and where the oil is going
January 19, 2022
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by Jarrett Renshaw and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Biden administration is considering lowering the 2022 ethanol blending mandate below the proposed 15 billion gallons amid backlash from the oil refining lobby and unions arguing the shrinking U.S. ethanol industry can no longer support the target, according to two sources familiar
January 13, 2022
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(UGI Corporation) UGI Corporation (NYSE: UGI) announced today that it has entered into a 15-year agreement with California-based technology developer, Vertimass, to utilize their catalytic technology to produce renewable fuels from renewable-ethanol in the U.S. and Europe. The agreement centers on the development of production facilities using Vertimass’ catalytic technology to convert renewable ethanol into renewable-propane and
January 6, 2022
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(Waga Energy/Steuben County/North American Clean Energy) Waga Energy is joining forces with Steuben County (New York, USA) on a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) project at the county’s Bath landfill. The RNG produced will be injected in the local grid and used as a biofuel to decarbonize mobility. The Steuben County landfill will
January 4, 2022
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by Tony Harrington (GreenAir Online) New US-based short-haul carrier Connect Airlines has announced plans to become “America’s first zero-emission airline”, signing a letter of intent to retrofit up to 24 turboprop aircraft with hydrogen propulsion systems from California’s Universal Hydrogen. The airline has committed to 12 conversion kits for Dash 8-300
January 4, 2022
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(Aaron Watson Business & Investing) Colin Huwyler is the CEO of Optimus Technologies, a firm that designs and builds EPA compliant biodiesel conversion systems (“Vector Systems”) with integrated telematics to allow medium and heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on up to 100% biodiesel in temperatures to -20F. Colin founded the company
January 3, 2022
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by María Paula Rubiano A. (Grist) New Jersey joins California, Oregon, and Washington in setting ambitious goals to electrify trucks by 2035. — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection earlier this week adopted a rule to phase out diesel-powered trucks – meaning anything bigger than a delivery van – starting in
January 3, 2022
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by Jeremy Beaman (Washington Examiner) Leaders on the front lines of the oil and gas industry are pushing back against Democrats’ attempts to kick the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. They argue they will be integral to the global economy for years to come and that the industry workers’ skills cannot
January 3, 2022
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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
December 23, 2021
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(Optimus Technologies/Biobased Diesel Daily) Optimus Technologies is partnering with Falconer Electronics in Falconer, New York, to manufacture the primary wiring harness for Optimus’ flagship product, the Vector System, an advanced fuel system technology. The system can upgrade existing diesel engines into near-zero carbon emissions, 100 percent biodiesel engines. The transportation
December 14, 2021
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(Scale for ClimateTech/Globe Newswire) Unique company support fast tracks the commercialization of breakthrough technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change — Scale For ClimateTech announced today that 18 emerging startup teams are joining the fourth cohort of its program that helps companies get new hardware innovations from the prototype
December 14, 2021
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(Pittsburgh Technology Council/Pittsburgh Tech News) The Pittsburgh Technology Council celebrated the 25th annual Tech 50 Awards on Nov. 10, 2021 to honor the fastest growing and most innovative technology companies, service providers and CEOS in the Pittsburgh region. This is the Tech Council’s annual opportunity for members to connect with the
December 6, 2021
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(National Biodiesel Board) Optimus and ADM long-haul trucking collaboration led to significant insights — B100 is one step closer to being a reality for commercial fleet operations thanks to the results of a pilot program that tested the fuel in five class-8 over-the-road trucks. The pilot, which was a collaboration among
December 6, 2021
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(Green Car Congress) Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company are partnering with Renewable Energy Group (REG) to test high-level renewable fuel blends including both biodiesel and renewable diesel in support of the companies’ sustainability goals. Trials and qualifications of up to 100% bio-based diesel fuel are important steps
November 30, 2021
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by Steve Lundeberg (Oregon State University/TechXplore) Alternative-energy research at Oregon State University is charting a path toward the mass adoption of clean cars powered by direct-ethanol fuel cells. Zhenxing Feng of the OSU College of Engineering helped lead the development of a catalyst that solves three key problems long associated with
November 30, 2021
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(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
November 23, 2021
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by Jarrett Renshaw, Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. merchant oil refiners like Monroe Energy and PBF Energy Inc are playing chicken with the White House, taking moves in the biofuels credit market that could force them to close plants and fire union workers unless the Biden administration bails them out by
November 11, 2021
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by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) Pennsylvania lawmakers are calling on EPA to ease up on biofuel blending requirements to help Northeastern refiners who say they are financially struggling to keep up. The state’s House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday demanding EPA revise the Renewable Fuel Standard to provide relief
November 9, 2021
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by Nora Goldstein and Kat McCarthy (BioCycle Magazine) NRDC commissioned a survey of food waste hierarchy-related policies in 12 states across 3 regions. The publicly available reports are an invaluable resource. — The NRDC’s (Natural Resources Defense Council) Food Matters initiative partners with cities to “achieve meaningful reductions” in food waste
October 13, 2021
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(EurekAlert!/Pennsylvania State University) Controlling carbon release into the atmosphere will reduce carbon dioxide and slow global warming, but could there be unintended consequences for human health? Now, thanks to a three-year grant of about $400,000 from the National Science Foundation, researchers at Penn State will investigate potential positives and negatives of
October 1, 2021
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by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producers Magazine) The implementation of a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and expanded production and use of biogas are among the strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions discussed in the Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan 2021. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Sept. 22 released the Pennsylvania Climate
September 30, 2021
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(NH Business Review) Department of Energy awards $1.2 million to study cellulosic biofuel production — A newly awarded $1.2 million, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will help fund the research of Dartmouth engineering professor Daniel Olson, who is investigating the use of biomass to produce next-generation fuels and
September 23, 2021
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by Matthew Choi (Politico’s Morning Energy) Democratic members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation are calling on the Biden administration to alter the Renewable Identification Number credits markets to protect union jobs at independent refineries, who typically purchase the credits to meet biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. They write that current
September 20, 2021
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(National Biodiesel Board) Truck Was Part of Cooperative Pilot Program That Could Pave the Way to Widespread B100 Use in Fleets — One of the five trucks used in last year’s cooperative B100 pilot program will be on display at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The pilot, conducted by ADM,
September 1, 2021
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(Office of Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)) U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and 16 of his colleagues sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to mitigate the harm imposed on consumers and refiners by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)’s unachievable mandates. In their letter, the
August 25, 2021
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(U.S. Department of Energy) 11 University- and Industry-Led Projects will Develop Biomass Resources to Convert to Low-Carbon Fuel for Planes and Ships — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced nearly $34 million in funding for 11 projects that will support high-impact research and development to improve and produce biofuels,
August 3, 2021
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by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Energy on July 7 announced $52.5 million to fund 31 projects to advance next-generation clean hydrogen technologies. Two of the funded projects focus specifically on the production of hydrogen from biobased feedstocks. According to the DOE, the 31 selected projects support the
July 15, 2021
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(Renewables Now) Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG) plans to build a green hydrogen plant in Camden County, Georgia, investing USD 84 million (EUR 69m) in the project, the US fuel cell systems provider said today. The facility will be capable of producing 15 tonnes of liquid hydrogen a day and will be
June 11, 2021
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(Morning Ag Clips/Optimus Technologies) Star Oilco demonstrates Oregon’s 2050 80% GHG emission reduction target is achievable today by implementing 100% biodiesel advanced fuel system — Optimus Technologies announced today that Star Oilco, one of Oregon’s leading oil and fuel service providers, has achieved massive carbon emission reductions in their heavy-duty fleet operations
June 9, 2021
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by Matthew Mercure (NGT News) Ingevity Corp. has been awarded approximately $256,000 in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as part of the 2020 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program. The grant will be used to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of renewable natural gas (RNG) and Ingevity’s adsorbed natural
May 29, 2021
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by Nora Goldstein (BioCycle Magazing) Ar-Joy Farms in southeastern Pennsylvania receives produce for animal feed and source separated organics and high strength liquids for anaerobic digestion. — … The farm codigests dairy manure with various food waste streams, including source separated organics (SSO) from grocery stores. As described in a profile in BioCycle CONNECT
May 19, 2021
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(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
May 7, 2021
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SAVE THE DATE July 17, 2021 at Morgan Hills Golf Course, Harveyville Rd, Hunlock Creek and the Trumbower Farm. We will start off at the golf course for 3 information sharing sessions, the annual business meeting and lunch. Then travel a short distance to the Trumbower Farm for some field demonstrations.
April 21, 2021
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by Jan Koninckx (USA TODAY Network/Delaware Online) Every few years, leaders like Sen. Tom Carper and Sen. Chris Coons are on the receiving end of lobbying blitz by area petroleum refiners seeking to roll back the Renewable Fuel Standard. The 2005 law requires oil refiners to blend a modest, but growing
April 9, 2021
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by Elizabeth Ingram (Hydro Review) Plug Power Inc. and Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. announced plans to build a green hydrogen production plant, which would use 100% renewable energy from Brookfield Renewable’s 252-MW Holtwood hydroelectric facility. Green hydrogen from this facility will support decarbonization of the transportation and logistics industries in the
April 1, 2021
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(Renewable Energy Group/Business Wire) Fleets Immediately Reducing Carbon Emissions with 100% Biodiesel — Fleets across the nation are improving their emission reductions by implementing B100 (100% biodiesel) technology into their fleets. Renewable Energy Group (REG) (NASDAQ: REGI) fleet customers in Iowa, Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts are ramping up the use
April 1, 2021
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(Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship/Biobased Diesel Daily) On March 2, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the 2021 Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award to Sapp Bros. Inc. CEO Andrew Richard and Eric Ziph, vice president of supply and distribution, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. Sapp Bros. owns
March 10, 2021
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(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
March 1, 2021
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(UGI Corporation/BusinessWire) UGI International to hold exclusive rights to Ekobenz’ bioLPG supply, providing strong platform for growth across the European region; Partnership boosts UGI International’s sustainable fuels portfolio in Europe and supports customer´s need to reduce carbon footprint and achieve decarbonisation targets; A significant milestone in UGI International’s decarbonisation strategy
February 4, 2021
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(Office of Pennsylvania Senator Michele Brooks R-50) Crawford Advanced Materials, LLC, comprised of both Homeland Fuels Company and Crawford Renewable Energy, was awarded $2 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds to develop a biodiesel facility within the Keystone Regional Industrial Park in Crawford County, Sen. Michele Brooks announced
December 30, 2020
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(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
December 21, 2020
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(Renewable Energy Group/BusinessWire) Municipal Fleet Adds Seven Additional Heavy-Duty Trucks Running on 100% Biodiesel — The City of Ames is adding seven new all-purpose dump trucks to their fleet that have the Optimus Technologies advanced fuel system integrated into their new vehicle specification. The Optimus system enables the engines to operate
December 9, 2020
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(Office of Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09)) Bipartisan legislation will provide tax credits for the production of renewable chemicals — U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) have introduced the Renewable Chemicals Act, legislation that will create an allocated tax credit for production of qualifying renewable chemicals from biomass
December 9, 2020
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by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) In recent years, Dickinson College of Carlisle, PA, has been interested in innovative environmental practices that will improve the community and foster a hands-on learning experience for the students. In 2008, students and staff at the College Farm began experimenting with small scale biogas
December 9, 2020
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by Peter Hall (Morning Call) The owner of an Allentown biofuel company who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to fraudulently claim green energy subsidies was sentenced to prison and ordered to repay the government more than $10 million. Ralph Tommaso, 51, of Warren, New Jersey, and business partner Dave Dunham
December 8, 2020
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by Tim Schley (Penn State News) New approach to nutrient management could make money for farmers and land managers; Best management practices for reducing runoff and other nutrient losses in agriculture have been difficult to implement, according to Penn State researchers. The team is hoping that duckweed could help make
December 3, 2020
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(Biobased Diesel Daily) Researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to evaluate regional biomass supply chains with regard to their potential for supplying feedstock for domestic fuel production as well as rural economic development―a potential game changer for
November 24, 2020
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by Jamie Oberdick (Pennsylvania State University/Phys.Org) A multi-institutional research group led by two Penn State faculty members has identified, for the first time, how cellulose crystals orient themselves relative to the cell wall in plants, with potential implications for chemical and energy development. “A more detailed understanding of the structure of
November 20, 2020
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by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Created for Dickinson College’s Eco-Reps fall mission of People, Planet, Prosperity, this lively video helps people learn more about biofuels in order to consciously purchase vehicles that can reduce their carbon footprint. WATCH VIDEO *Hannah DelSordo expects her BA in International Studies and French
November 16, 2020
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(Maryland Campaign for Environmental Human Rights) The Maryland Campaign for Environmental Human Rights (MDEHR) hosted a webinar by the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic about recent state activity on environmental justice. The webinar focused on two areas: (1) recent state environmental justice laws and (2) how the courts have
November 13, 2020
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(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
November 12, 2020
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by Steve Horn (The Real News) … The little-known company has pitched its proposal to convert the site into a biofuels refinery. It is run by a man one mayor has dubbed the “Flim Flam Man,” and the company has never actually opened such a facility. SG Preston has a history of seeking
October 26, 2020
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(Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association) … Among the Carbon-negative (and climate positive) solutions, those based on photosynthesis are by far the cheapest and most scalable options now, and likely for many decades to come. Properly implemented, these solutions can also provide many other benefits, including clean water, bio-diverse landscapes, healthy soil
October 23, 2020
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by Ad Crable (Bay Journal) Will switchgrass, a tall, resilient and fast-growing native plant once familiar to pioneers, become the next cash crop for farmers in states in the Chesapeake Bay drainage? In a convergence of promising developments, a new study gives switchgrass lofty environmental grades and assures skeptics that it would
October 23, 2020
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by Nora Goldstein (BioCycle Magazine) Reinford Farms in central Pennsylvania has been a pioneer in integrating codigestion of manure and food waste on a dairy farm. — … In 2008, Reinford Farms installed a 526,000-gallon complete-mix anaerobic digester supplied by RCM (now known as Martin Construction Resources (MCR)), sized to treat
October 16, 2020
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(Bioenergy Insight) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 12 organisations and projects to receive around $3 million (€2.55 million) in funding to help reduce food loss and waste and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digestion (AD) capacity in the US. The project types chosen for
October 6, 2020
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by Justin Miller (Texas Observer/Popular Science) … Thousands flocked to the region to get a piece of the boom. “You could be someone with no college degree, no high school diploma … and get out here and make $50,000 to $60,000 a year, easy,” says (Josh) Thomas, who was
October 6, 2020
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Tom L. Richard, PhD, Penn State professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Director of PSU Institutes of Energy and the Environment shares the importance of biological processes in reaching a Carbon-negative future and what is needed to reverse our already excessive concentration of Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere. Dr. Richard
September 12, 2020
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(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
September 5, 2020
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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
September 3, 2020
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by Chris Clayton (DTN Progressive Farmer) Democratic leaders put a heavy emphasis on rural broadband and health care while criticizing the Trump administration and President Trump directly on trade, biofuels, climate change and the pandemic response. A western Pennsylvania soybean and hay farmer who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 spoke
August 20, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention featured a lengthy 11-minute take on Joe Biden’s climate and clean energy strategy that hammered home some of his big themes rather than the wonky details (which you can read here). The segment was heavy on optimism and
August 20, 2020
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by Lisa Martine Jenkins (Morning Consult) Energy Policy Tracker: Since March, U.S. has devoted more to its fossil fuel sector than any other G-20 country — At least $71.6 billion in federal funds has been allocated directly or indirectly to the U.S. fossil fuel industry since the beginning of the
August 18, 2020
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(Renewable Energy Group) The city snowplows in Ames, Iowa, have worked in all types of winter weather. Blizzards. Ice. Subzero temperatures. You name it, they’ve been out in it. In early 2020, they did something they’ve never done before: run on fully renewable fuel. Using a simple, affordable piece of technology,
July 31, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) If you missed last week’s DigestConnect webinar, have no fear, the full deck is here! From 11 pathways on who’s doing what, how and with what, 21 projects and who’s running them and where, 13 fast emerging projects and who’s converting, constructing, planning and where,
July 27, 2020
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by Maya Earls (Bloomberg Law) The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to act exempting Pennsylvania-based United Refining Co. from the Clean Air Act’s renewable fuel standards, the company says in a D.C. federal court lawsuit. The act mandates that fuel sold in the U.S. contain a certain amount of renewable fuel,
July 23, 2020
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(Penn State News) Transdisciplinary research team aims to create new value chains on U.S. farms, with emphasis on the generation of renewable natural gas, improved rural economic outcomes and protection of the environment. — A new federal grant will allow a research team led by Iowa State University, Penn State and
July 22, 2020
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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
July 21, 2020
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by Amena H. Saiyid with assistance from Sylvia Carignan and Christina Brady (Bloomberg Law) Some who normally use mass transit seek safer commute option; State, local officials watch data for air quality impact — … More cars on the roads in congested urban centers like New York City—the virus epicenter
July 1, 2020
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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. …
June 30, 2020
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by Valerie Volcovici (Insurance Journal/Reuters) The attorney general for the District of Columbia on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp, BP Plc, Chevron Corp, and Royal Dutch Shell Plc for “systematically and intentionally misleading” consumers about the role their products play in causing climate change, the latest action by a
June 26, 2020
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by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) But there is a huge transformation happening with growth in the conversion of petroleum refineries to renewable diesel. Just look at how renewable diesel went from 78MMGY in 2010 to 397MMGY in 2018 and Fuels Institute’s latest reports estimates it will grow to 3,000MMGY by
June 15, 2020
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everything’s better with biology, so here’s The Digest’s newly released Top 15 case studies of today’s hottest technology and new markets for traditional oil and gas refiners. What are our top picks? Spoiler Alert: The top 15 may include converting oil refineries to biorefineries, something to
June 10, 2020
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by Andrew Maykuth (Philadelphia Inquirer) The U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday approved a settlement allowing Philadelphia Energy Solutions to pay a small portion of the millions of dollars it owes in unpaid renewable energy obligations, clearing a major obstacle facing the bankrupt South Philadelphia refinery’s reorganization. Under the settlement with
June 4, 2020
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By Blaine Friedlander (Cornell Chronicle) A week before the Ithaca campus shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members of an engineering student group converted a university-owned diesel tractor into a clean, green farming machine. Instead of emitting the notoriously noxious black diesel smoke, the tractor now emits a much lighter
May 30, 2020
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by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) The Trump administration has offered to place a $10 million cap on Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ biofuel blending obligations, effectively slashing the bankrupt refiner’s regulatory liability by more than 70%, according to a proposed settlement between the two parties dated earlier this week. … It marks the
May 11, 2020
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by Jackie Coughenour (Daily American) … The Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab is helping educate students in Pennsylvania about agriculture, food origins and agricultural careers, through hands-on, fun, scientific experiments. … Cathy Vorisek, educator with the Mobile Ag Ed Science Lab, said, “It’s the goal of the foundation to make
April 27, 2020
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) … “We are surviving day by day,” Peterson (Chris Peterson, president of Hero BX) said. “All our people are still employed.” According to Peterson, Hero BX owner Pat Black strives to provide stability for his staff to assure them with confidence that, no matter what
April 15, 2020
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by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) “In our space, on a myopic level, we are so used to getting battered around, we’ll get through this too—but on a broader level the dynamics in which we operate will be substantially different,” said Gene Gebolys, founder and CEO of World Energy, one of the
April 7, 2020
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by Donald Shaw and David Moore (Sludge) Perkins Coie, a law firm with deep ties to the Democratic Party, is lobbying for fossil fuel clients to win exemptions from a federal program to limit greenhouse gas emissions. — … The primary focus of Perkins Coie’s fossil fuel lobbying in recent
March 26, 2020
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by Scott Richman (Renewable Fuels Association) Yesterday (February 27, 2020), a group of senators wrote a letter to President Trump regarding the January 24 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that found the EPA improperly exceeded its statutory authority in exempting three refineries from the Renewable Fuel
March 2, 2020
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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,
February 27, 2020
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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.
February 19, 2020
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Darren Soto led the introduction of a nationwide fracking ban, H.R. 5867, in the House on Wednesday. The measure is a companion to a bill, S. 3247 (116) , introduced in the Senate last month by Sens. Bernie Sanders and
February 13, 2020
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Energypath is the Mid-Atlantic’s premiere sustainable energy conference where professionals, policymakers, and academics from the sustainable energy industry connect. Energypath 2020 will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd (8:30AM – 5:00PM) at DeSales University and will focus on “Energy Source Diversity”. What will the future bring for the sources of
February 3, 2020
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U.S. Environment Agency Urged by 21 States to Toughen Vehicle Emissions Rewrite
by David Shepardson (Reuters) A group of 21 state attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and several major U.S. cities urged the Biden administration to finalize significantly stricter vehicle emissions rules than it has proposed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August called for reversing the Trump-era loosening of vehicle