(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
Pennsylvania
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
(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
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

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.
(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
(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
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
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

(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
(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,
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.
(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
(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).
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
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
(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
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
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
(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
(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
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
(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
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
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
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
(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
(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
(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
(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
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
(E&E News) The Transportation and Climate Initiative — a cap-and-trade program covering cars in three Northeastern states and the District of Columbia — was abandoned last week after Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) pulled the plug on the program. The announcement represents the latest
by 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
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
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
(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
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
(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
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
(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,
(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
(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,
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
(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
(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
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
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
(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

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.
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
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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
(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
(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
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
(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
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
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
(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
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

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
(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 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
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
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
(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,
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,
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,
(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

This session is designed for anyone interested in learning more about trucks, construction and farm equipment use in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC. The live session will explore
by 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
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. …
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
by Parris N. Glendening (Washington Post/Smart Growth America’s Leadership Institute) When President Trump attempted to eliminate California’s more stringent fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for cars and trucks, local elected officials cried foul — and not just in California. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
by Bruce Comer (Ocean Park/Biofuels Digest) Biofuels Merger and Acquisition (M&A) activity in North America was subdued in 2019. Only four operating biodiesel, ethanol and advanced biofuels plants were sold during the year. These four acquired plants were relatively small with a combined capacity of only 133 Million Gallons Per Year.
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

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
by Michael Bates (NGT News) Clean Energy Fuels Corp., a provider of natural gas fuel and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuel for transportation in the U.S. and Canada, says it delivered 143 million gallons of Redeem RNG in 2019. Redeem was the first commercially available RNG vehicle fuel, derived from capturing biogenic methane
The states participating in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) have released a Draft Memorandum of Understanding to establish a regional cap and invest program to transition to a more sustainable, resilient, low carbon transportation sector. Also released were initial projections of the potential economic and public health benefits such
by Laila Kearney (Reuters) The bankrupt Philadelphia Energy Solutions is expected to sell its fire-damaged refinery site to real estate developer Hilco Redevelopment Partners, three sources familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. … Hilco, which has $2.5 billion of assets under management and has acquired 5,000 acres in North America,
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Modeling by Georgetown Climate Center’s Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States released Tuesday showed potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, pollution reduction, job creation and public health benefits. The anticipated program is designed around auctions of credits by member states
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) The bipartisan group of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that make up the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) today invited public input on a new draft proposal for a regional program to establish a cap on global warming pollution from transportation fuels and invest millions
(Leyline Renewable Capital/Biomass Magazine) Leyline Renewable Capital announced today that it has entered into an agreement with RNG Energy Solutions to provide bridge funding for the development of two major anaerobic digestion facilities located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Linden, New Jersey. Leyline Renewable Capital works with developers like RNG Energy Solutions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Jose Cuervo’s new project to convert agave byproduct into biodegradable straws to death (corpse to compost), this week’s Top 10 Innovations are a hoot to boot. Car maker Ford is using McDonald’s coffee waste in car parts, and a New Zealand airline is using edible
(Our Transportation Future) Two-Thirds of Registered Voters Support Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Distributors Paying for Pollution; Survey Covers Seven States in Region: CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA and VA. — A new survey from MassINC Polling Group shows that 66 percent of voters in seven Eastern states (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,

2020 will cover all areas of emerging technologies in all areas of algal research, including microalgae, macroalgae, and biology, biotechnology, biomass production, cultivation, harvesting, extraction feedstock conversion into fuels, high value products and sustainability analyses. In 2020, we look forward to hearing about the new emphasis on seaweed based systems,

2020 will cover all areas of emerging technologies in all areas of algal research, including microalgae, macroalgae, and biology, biotechnology, biomass production, cultivation, harvesting, extraction feedstock conversion into fuels, high value products and sustainability analyses. In 2020, we look forward to hearing about the new emphasis on seaweed based systems,
(Heavy Duty Trucking) All of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine’s Top Green Fleets of 2019 take sustainability to the next level — through fuel economy, freight efficiency, alternative fuels, energy savings, and more. — What does it mean to be “green”? For a trucking operation, whether for-hire, private, or government, it
(Bioenergy Insight) Eight biogas projects received awards from the American Biogas Council (ABC) for their ‘outstanding performance and contribution’ to the industry. The winners were announced at the Biogas Industry Awards and Dinner during the BioCycle REFOR19 event in Wisconsin, US on 29 October. Five projects received a 2019 Project
by Eric Wolff (Politico’s Morning Energy) A bipartisan group of a dozen northeastern and Mid-Atlantic governors are considering a plan to impose a gas tax to fund investment into mass transit, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and other infrastructure improvements in an effort to ween themselves from fossil fuels. Pro New
(University of Pennsylvania/Phys.org) … Burning plants, however, is not a completely clean process; it produces emissions that vary depending on the species used, the combustion conditions, and the air pollution controls. To understand one component of these emissions, an international, multidisciplinary team led by University of Pennsylvania mineralogists used highly
by Josh Siegel & Abby Smith (Washington Examiner’s Daily on Energy) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and eight other U.S. mayors released a policy “playbook” Thursday for how cities can cut emissions from the transportation and building sectors. The mayors say if the largest 100 U.S. cities took these recommended actions, total combined emissions
(New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) Governor Cuomo Announces Winners of 76West Clean Energy Competition — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the six winning companies of the 76West Clean Energy Competition, one of the largest competitions in the country that supports growing clean energy businesses to foster economic
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) “Nothing has been decided yet about the treatment of biofuels” or renewable fuels in the proposed program to cap transportation emissions in 13 Northeastern US jurisdictions, according to the chair of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) Leadership and Workgroup, Kathleen Theoharides, Secretary, Massachusetts Executive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower,
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) Jurisdictions participating in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) have made available a framework for a draft regional policy proposal to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation, and are encouraging interested individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the draft framework through the TCI portal. This high-level framework
by Dave Blower Jr. (The News Gazette) The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) and the Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) along with 12 other Indiana farm, ethanol and biodiesel plants and allied industries wrote to Indiana’s congressional delegation expressing frustration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to compel the
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum/The Morning Call) … Even more emissions reductions could be possible through a switch to high-quality advanced renewable bio-based diesel fuels, instead of using conventional petroleum diesel fuel. Both new and existing diesel engines of all kinds can immediately lower the carbon footprint of their
by Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) President Donald Trump on Thursday discussed biofuels policy with senators from U.S. oil states, including Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who said the president was engaged on the issue that has pitted Big Oil and Big Corn against each other. The oil industry is opposed to the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)Advanced Algal Systems. Maybe you’ve heard of it but did you know that technologies are being developed as part of a DOE program to enable production of sustainable algal feedstocks that perform reliably in conversion processes to yield renewable fuel blendstocks, as well as bioproducts and
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) As the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and its Mitigation Work Group continue to look at mitigating the effects of climate change, they should look forward using a recent International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) study and others which find that biofuels are necessary to

The Meeting Abstracts Programming System (MAPS) is the online meeting programming system of the American Chemical Society, used by ACS authors, Program Chairs, and Symposium Organizers to submit, view, review, and edit abstracts for ACS National Meeting publications. Topics, reviewers, deadlines: READ MORE

ACS National Meetings are where chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. By attracting thousands of chemical professionals, the meeting provides excellent opportunities for sharing your passion for chemistry, connecting with the world’s largest scientific society, and advancing your career in this ever-changing global economy.
(Optimus Technologies) – Optimus Technologies, a biodiesel conversion system manufacturer, today announced that the Pittsburgh Technology Council has named it a Tech 50 Awards Finalist in the Manufacturing Category. The Pittsburgh Technology Council’s annual Tech 50 Awards recognize southwestern Pennsylvania’s most successful, innovative, and thought-leading technology companies, which have become
by Tal Axelrod (The Hill) The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) blasted the Trump administration on Tuesday, saying the government has put it in “one hell of a bad situation.” The trade association hammered President Trump for approving what it called 31 “unjustified” refinery waivers tied to ethanol, along with his year-plus trade war
by Jennifer A Dlouhy and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) 2021 quotas will jump to make up for oil refinery exemptions; Move could alienate Rust Belt refinery workers in Pennsylvania — President Donald Trump, seeking to tamp down political fallout in U.S. farm states essential to his re-election, has ordered federal agencies
by Catalina Jaramillo (WHYY) Philadelphia-based biofuel company S.G. Preston Co. is the first of at least two prospective buyers to publicly express interest in taking over the damaged Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery to make renewable diesel, marine diesel and jet fuel, according to Reuters. It could mean a transition from fossil
(Sustainable Energy Fund) Energypath 2019 was held at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA on Thursday, July 25th, 2019. More than 240 industry and aspiring industry professionals attended the conference to learn about the future of energy financing from nationally recognized energy industry experts. The conference was preceded by a series of
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) On Tuesday, July 30, more than 300 community members, transportation, environmental and social justice advocates, business and industry representatives, and state and local officials participated in the Transportation & Climate Initiative workshop on Low-Carbon Transportation Investments, Strategies, and Outcomes in Baltimore, Maryland. At the workshop
(Lehigh News) A team at Lehigh is the first to use a single enzyme biomineralization process to create a solar-driven water splitting catalyst that produces hydrogen with the potential to be manufactured sustainably, cheaply and abundantly. — Engineers at Lehigh University are the first to utilize a single enzyme biomineralization process
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association has invited U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler to visit an ethanol plant as a follow-up to his tour of a Pennsylvania oil refinery. Wheeler was scheduled to visit Monroe Energy’s plant in Trainer, Penn., today at the invitation of Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA),
by J.D. Prose (The Times) U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is working to repeal the ethanol mandate with California Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Restore Environmental Sustainability to Our Renewable Energy (RESTORE) Act would abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The ill-conceived RFS forces American motorists
by Chris Hubbuch (Wisconsin State Journal) … “There’s (a) civil war within the Republican Party,” said Scott Irwin, chairman of agricultural marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “It’s pitting two significant Republican constituencies of the president and neither one is now in a position to issue any kinds of
by Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times) The opposition to one of President Trump’s most consequential regulatory rollbacks — a plan to weaken pollution standards for automobiles nationwide — widened on Tuesday when 24 governors, including three Republicans, urged the president to abandon his plan. The governors’ plea adds to a chorus of criticism from an unlikely mix
(American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers) Today (July 8, 2019), AFPM launched an advertising campaign asking President Trump to keep his promise to protect U.S. refiners from unchecked ethanol mandates that threaten to kill our jobs. This campaign comes on the heels of increasing calls from the ethanol industry to eliminate small
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) The future of an exemption shielding oil refining companies from a federal mandate that they blend corn-based ethanol into the nation’s fuel supply is looking increasingly uncertain amid increasing political pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Months after the Environmental Protection Agency,
by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) will seek to permanently shut its oil refinery in the city after a massive fire caused substantial damage to the complex, the mayor confirmed on Wednesday, a day after two sources told Reuters about the plans. … Shutting the refinery, the largest and
by Sarah Buynovsky (WNEP) It was an exciting Friday morning for biology students at Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences. “I love this project, I love it. I live for seeing the students really getting involved and getting excited about getting to use the lab equipment,” said lab assistant Stephen Pyle as he
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
(U.S. Department of Energy) American small businesses got nearly a $22 million boost from the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Small businesses are receiving Phase I Release 2 grants (from each EERE office) that demonstrate technical feasibility for innovations during
(Argus Media) Higher US biofuel blending mandates cannot make up for lost export trade opportunities, according to farm groups caught in the crossfire of the country’s trade war with China. US independent refiners show little concern that the administration will blunt sharply lower exports to China by pressuring more renewable fuels

Energy Days is a two-day annual conference that brings together professionals working in all areas of energy, including members of industry, government, non-profits, and academia. The goal is to create an opportunity for a diverse range of stakeholders to collaborate. The purpose is to identify and discuss critical regional, national,
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