by Raphael Orlove (Jalopnik)  Our emissions standards are probably the biggest booster to automotive performance in the past half century, making our cars not only more eco-friendly but more powerful, too. Trump has been trying to cut it …

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine)  A coalition led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the California Air Resources board has announced plans to sue the U.S. EPA over its failure to enforce existing landfill methane …

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)  Ag-Grid Energy has a vision to convert agricultural and organic waste into renewable energy, compost and support local area practices that lead us towards a sustainable environment. The company intends to …

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  On March 8, Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., introduced companion bills that aim to dismantle the Renewable Fuel Standard and sunset blending obligations for conventional, advanced, …

(Vermont Law School)  SHAPE ENERGY POLICY–Learn how to use the law to shape policies that encourage energy efficiency, advance renewable energy, and promote energy security and justice.
The legal system will critically affect how humanity meets the …

by Natasha Geiling (ThinkProgress)  Currently only one state in the country has an economy-wide cap on carbon. These states want to change that  —  Lawmakers from nine states announced on Wednesday that they would be forming a coalition …

by Pete Kolbenschlag (Post Independent/Citizen Telegram)   …  Rep. Welch from Vermont is leading an effort to rethink ethanol, and to lead Congress to fix this broken policy. Colorado’s congressional delegation should join in this effort before more …

(WCAX) The cold and snowy weather has the state’s network of snowmobile trails is buzzing, but riders say ethanol continues to damage their engines.
…
(Congressman Peter) Welch (D-VT) is promising to continue efforts to eliminate ethanol from …

by Gerald B. Silverman (Bloomberg)  Motor fuel could be the next target for controlling greenhouse gas emissions in the Northeast, as seven states that have already clamped down on power plants train their sights on the …

by Tamara Scully  (Country Folks)  The next big thing in alternative energy may be pretty small. Algae, which are aquatic, single-celled organisms, produce oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide. Nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients which can degrade …

(Union of Concerned Scientistst)  Statement by Ken Kimmell, Union of Concerned Scientists  —  Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy …

(New England Power Generators Association)  NEPGA letter – with the Acadia Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists – calling for a regional approach to lowering transportation emissions in a market …

(Motor Week)  … Black bear biodiesel takes waste cooking oil from area restaurants and resorts, and recycles it into biodiesel. In 2016, they collected 100,000 gallons of used oil.
Renewable biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by …

by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association)  Half of U.S. states blended more than 10 percent ethanol, RFA’s president and CEO points out in his View from the Hill column —  Reps. Bill Flores, R-Texas, and …

by John D. Forcier (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest)  Most trash and recycled waste materials are being processed on a regional basis to maximize the economy of scale. There have been various attempts to gather …

(Vermont Business Magazine) … Welch (Representative Peter Welch (D-VT))  will reintroduce the bipartisan Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Reform Act, which will reform the corn ethanol mandate while continuing to promote advanced biofuels, as well as …

(Center for American Progress)  Carbon taxes and emissions trading systems, once considered political moonshots in the battle to combat carbon emissions, have found purchase in Canada, Mexico, and parts of the United States, raising the …

by Karen Batra (Biotech Now)  As the House Committee on Appropriations marks up the FY2017 agriculture spending bill, the Committee is considering $3 million for consumer education and outreach to “promote understanding and acceptance of” biotechnology, …

(Vermont Public Service Board/Biomass Magazine) The Vermont Public Service Board recently authorized the construction and operation of a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility on a farm in Salisbury, Vermont. The project will use primarily manure, corn …

(University of Vermont)  A new era of clean BioEnergy solutions is beginning to emerge now. Clean sustainable Bioenergy such as Bio-Electricity and Biogas production from Dairy manure and Food Waste streams is becoming a well-known …

by Peter Vail and Dallas Burtraw (Resources for the Future)  As the political likelihood of passing comprehensive national climate policy has remained low, many states have taken up the mantle. This devolution of climate policy has been …

(VTDigger.org)  Vermont Law School research commissioned by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund will help reach biodiesel goals of Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan  —  A new report, On-Farm Biodiesel Production in Vermont: Legal and Regulatory Overview, …

(White Mountain Biodiesel) NBB member White Mountain Biodiesel, LLC announced today that it has begun the expansion of its plant in North Haverhill, NH. The expansion, which will occur over the next two years, will …

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)  Food vs Fuel, biofuels causing corn planting to skyrocket, low oil prices killing off renewable fuels, the subsidy myth, the emissions myth, the “people won’t buy the fuels” myth, and …

by Jeff Plungis (Bloomberg)  Batteries generate power less efficiently as temperatures drop.  —  … The trouble is, except for Oregon, none of the states have California’s temperate weather. The batteries used by the greener cars generate electricity …

by Brooke Coleman (Advanced Biofuels Business Council/Times Argus)  In “Ethanol is a bad deal for Vt.” (online Nov. 21), a group called the American Council for Capital Formation argues that ethanol is a bad deal for …

by Eric Blaisdell (Rutland Herald)   Black Bear Biodiesel recently ended its first season selling environmentally friendly fuel on a high note, thanks to the transgressions of a German automaker, and it could open back up …

by David Banks ( American Council for Capital Formation/Times Argus)  Not a single gallon of fuel ethanol is produced in Vermont, and almost none of the corn harvested in the state is used for commercial …

(Fuels America/Ethanol Producer Magazine)  Fuels America is announcing a significant television campaign today calling out Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL) for signing on to a Congressional letter that was authored by oil industry lobbyists. The first phase …

by Devin Henry (The Hill)  A group opposing the federal ethanol mandate has extended its advertising campaign against the rule into several corn-growing states.  The American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), a D.C.-based free market …

(Center for Regulatory Solutions)  …   How have the RFS and federal corn consumption mandates impacted non-corn states, and the small businesses struggling to stay competitive in the global economy? According to a new study …

by Shannon Young (MassLive)  A Washington D.C.-based group launched a television ad campaign in Boston this week that takes aim at the federal corn ethanol mandates and calls on congressional lawmakers to end them.
The 30-second …

UVM’s Bioenergy Professional Certificate provides alternative approaches to traditional energy sources in Biofuels, including:

Liquid Biofuels (seed-based biodiesel; bioethanol; algae-biofuels)
Solid Biofuels (wood and grass energy)
Biogas (farm-based energy)

This Certificate Program offers college graduates, farmers, teachers,and entrepreneurs technical exposure to Biofuels science and …

Registration open for FALL 2015 
1. ONLINE: Bioenergy Professional Certificate via Continuing and Distance Education
2. ON CAMPUS::UVM campus and throughout Vermont. See info below:
Register for Varibale Academic Credit: (2 to 4  College Credits for NR 285 …

by Rachel Carter  (Daily Yonder)  After learning to make biofuel to use on his own farm, John Williamson has expanded his business to help others create their own energy. For Williamson, there’s a diversified income …

by Eric Blaisdell (Times Argus)  After two years of legal battles and obstacles, Black Bear Biodiesel will be open for business Saturday. … Once the ground thawed this spring, he said pumps were installed. Local woodworker …

Semesters::Fall
Location::UVM campus and throughout Vermont
Register for Varibale Academic Credit: (0 to 4  College Credits for NR 285 – J- 95467  OR TRC 295 – A – 95426
Advanced special topics in natural resource planning beyond the …

by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post originally posted December 2013; includes 2015 updates)  A divestment movement is marching across U.S. college campuses, borrowing tactics from the 1980s anti-apartheid campaign and using them against oil, gas …

(vtdigger.org/TH Malloy and Sons)  Jim Malloy, of Plainfield, Vermont, is being recognized for his contributions to reducing the use of petroleum fuel in the transportation sector. His business, TH Malloy and Sons in Newport, Rhode …

By Osaretin Omorodion* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Falling oil prices is a popular topic amongst conversations spawning all over the U.S.  Many base their opinions on the relief that this price drop has given their wallets. …

(Elsevier)  Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels examines all current and emerging feedstocks and the advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of their end products, ranging from solid (wood energy, grass energy, and other biomass) to …

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … To complement the efforts of our Sponsors and CAAFI Executive Director Steve Csonka my focus is on implementing State initiatives on the East Coast in partnership with USDA / DOE …

(Green Mountain Power)  GMP collaborates on Innovative Farm-to-Energy Biodiesel Test
Beautiful fields of sunflowers growing in Newbury and Shaftsbury will have an unusual future: the flowers’ seeds will be converted to biodiesel and livestock feed.  The …

by Kathryn Flagg (Seven Days Vermont) … While Vallee’s Red Store sits vacant, Black Bear Biodiesel is gearing up to open its doors — and pump its first gallons of recycled vegetable oil — later this …

(Vermont Bioenergy Initiative)  A new report evaluating grass biomass energy as a potential heating fuel has been released. Grass Energy in Vermont and the Northeast summarizes current research on the agronomy and usage potential of grass as …

(Vermont Technical College)  Vermont Business Leader Urges State to Keep Momentum on Energy Goals
Vermont Tech announced today that David Blittersdorf, well-known renewable energy entrepreneur and president and Chief Executive Officer of Williston-based AllEarth Renewables, has …

by Julian Hattem (The Hill RegWatch)  Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) took to Washington’s streets on Thursday to push for the reform of a government biofuel program. … On Thursday, he posted a picture of himself on Twitter …

The mission of this program is to provide hands-on instruction in all possible bioenergy areas outlined below, support generation of related skilled workforce and stimulate bioenergy production :
* LIQUID BIOFUELS (transportation fuels; home-heating oil; biodiesel …

(Office of Representative Jim Costa (D-CA 16th))  Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Peter Welch (D-VT) released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the RFS Reform Act in …

by Rachel Carter  (The Examiner)  …State Line Biofuels operates a 120,000 gallon/year (300 gallon per batch capacity) biodiesel production facility, providing biofuel and livestock meal for on-farm use. The production capacity of State Line Biofuels can additionally serve …

by John Herrick (VTDigger.org)  Waste from dairy farms and beer breweries could provide the necessary ingredients to grow algae-based biofuels, leaders of a project designed to research this technology said on Tuesday.
Matt Cota, executive director …

SUBJECT: Biomass to Biofuels course: 4 credits Fall 2013 starting August 26th
Biomass to Biofuels course, 2013 Fall Semester, University of Vermont
– a complete Bio Renewable Energy Program
4 Credits, August 26, 2013 to December 4, 2013 …

(25 x ’25)  A series of short videos covering five years of Vermont Bioenergy Initiative projects and the farms and people involved are now up and available to watch on YouTube.
The initiative is a project …

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  The ethanol industry reacted swiftly to the so-called RFS Reform Act, legislation introduced April 10 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which they said would gut the renewable fuel …

(Vermont Bioenergy)  Vermont researchers and entrepreneurs demonstrate their innovations in algae to biofuel R&D in the Northeast  WATCH VIDEO

(BusinessWire) Radio Lifeline, a non-profit based in the US, announces the launch of the Black Earth Project, a new initiative designed to help farmers mitigate the growing effects of climate change. Radio Lifeline’s partner in this project is re:char, a …

(EconMatters/Business Insider)  … But it looks like what may be good for the environment, is actually bad news for the government.
You see, for each gallon of gasoline or diesel we gas up in our cars, …

4 Credits, January 25, 2013 to April 26, 2013 (Fridays & Saturdays 1:00PM – 4:30PM; some Saturdays field trips might start AM; no classes during the regular breaks/holidays, plus 2 weeks self-study for the course …

(ACORE)  The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) released the 2012 edition of its report, Renewable Energy in the 50 States, as an interactive, online resource. Compiling updated financial data, resource potentials, market and policy …

(Bourne’s Energy)  Bourne’s Energy announces the grand opening of their local biofuel blending facility that produces cleaner and greener fuel for vehicles and home heating.
Bourne’s Energy is thrilled to announce a new milestone in Vermont’s green energy history …

(Pennsylvania State University)  The Northeast could help lead the way to a renewable-energy-based economy by utilizing marginal and abandoned land to grow energy crops such as perennial grasses and fast-growing woody plants.
That’s the goal of …

(US Department of Agriculture)  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced payments for 125 advanced Biofuel producers across the country to support the production and expansion of advanced biofuels from a wide variety of non-food sources, …

by Jim Kinney (Gazette)   A company that runs recycling centers all over the country has researchers in UMass’ biofuels program thinking trash can to gas can.
ReCommunity Recycling has committed $635,000 to the Institute for Massachusetts …

by Bill McKibben   (Los Angeles Times)  The last industry in need of a public handout is the fossil-fuel companies. The use of subsidies should follow some basic, rational guidelines.
…The Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies Act …

by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com)  A new study released today by the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) indicates that a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states could result in doubling gasoline prices and other negative …

by Kelly Madsen (IowaStateDaily.com)  The Iowa State University-led Cenusa Bioenergy project works to develop a biofuel with both a Midwestern and environmental focus.
Through a five-year, $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National …

by Mat McDermott  (TreeHugger)  We just learned, based on IEA calculations, if all fossil fuel subsidies were eliminated it would result in greenhouse gas emission cuts deep enough to get us halfway to preventing dangerous climate change. Indeed, …

(Iowa State University)  Now, an Iowa State University-based study over the next five years will examine whether a single, coordinated production system can address all of these concerns while making profits for producers.
A multi-state, interdisciplinary …

(University of Vermont)  Depleting fossil fuel reserves and adverse affects of fluctuating oil prices have renewed interest in alternative and sustainable sources of energy. The University of Vermont is actively involved in this area through …

by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine)  The biodiesel and oilheat industries have a long-standing history working alongside each other respectively serving the home heating needs of their customers, particularly in the Northeast, and delivering clean-burning Bioheat …

by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine)  The market for biodiesel-blended heating oil is growing swiftly as oilheat dealers look for ways to green their offerings and supply a product that offers comparable economic benefits to natural …

Roger Rainville is ahead of the curve when it comes to reducing costs on his farm near Alburgh, Vermont.
…Rainville first got interested in oilseed production when University of Vermont Extension approached him about growing  canola …

by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA)  Whoever thought of inviting “degree and non-degree seeking students, farmers, budding entrepreneurs, teachers (interested in developing curriculum, or projects at school or college levels) and others” to a university …

(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine)  Vermont continues the momentum for clean air policies in the North East by passing a requirement for renewable, cleaner-burning biodiesel to be used in home heating oil throughout the state.
…The broad-based …

Dates: September 2 to October 8, 2011
Days/Time: Fridays & Saturdays 1:00PM – 4:30PM; 2 of the Saturday field trips from 8:30am to 1:30
Location: UVM campus & throughout Vermont
Lead Instructor: Lead Instructor Anju Dahiya
Register for Academic Credit: …

(VermontBiz.com)  Saint Michael’s College biologist Dr Mark Lubkowitz and his students join a team of researchers from the University of Missouri, University of Florida, Purdue University and the University Nebraska-Lincoln, on a five-year project to …

Course Description: Depleting fossil fuel reserves and adverse affects of fluctuating oil prices have renewed interest in alternative and sustainable sources of energy. The University of Vermont is actively involved in this area through research …

(USDA) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced new investments in 33 states to support the production and usage of advanced biofuels. Vilsack highlighted these projects as ways the Obama Administration is working to reduce the …