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(Wallaces Farmer) Environmental Defense Fund and National Corn Growers Association will engage in continuous improvements for water quality while strengthening yields — The Environmental Defense Fund and the National Corn Growers Association have partnered to improve environmental outcomes while optimizing productivity and profitability. “Many practices that increase soil health and water quality
What You Can Do
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) Voters in Washington state on Tuesday rejected a proposed carbon tax that would have been the first such levy in the nation. The policy would have been an effort to fight climate change by mandating that companies using or selling fossil fuels pay taxes equal to $15 per metric ton
November 7, 2018
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by Hassan Lali (BBC) A Kenyan teacher Richard Awra uses water hyacinths in a new biofuel to combat both problems of energy poverty and plant over-growth. The Kenya Marine institute estimates has covered about 10,360 hectares of Lake Victoria. Richard hopes to continue to supply this cheap alternative so families can
November 5, 2018
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German-Language STEM Workshops at University of Rhode Island for High School Students–CO2 Experiment
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) For scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, Germany offers a broad range of opportunities when it comes to higher education and professional development. The University of Rhode Island’s (URI) German International Engineering Program (GIEP), together with the Goethe-Institut Boston and the American Association of Teachers
November 5, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) … Ballparks throughout the country are recycling used cooking oil into clean burning biodiesel. This advanced biofuel reduces carbon emissions by 80 percent, helping the crowds breathe easier. “When I order food at a ballpark I can see all the grease in the concession stand,” said National Biodiesel
November 2, 2018
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by Humeyra Pamuk and P.J. Huffstutter (Reuters) … Some of the nation’s 3.2 million farmers and ranchers, traditionally staunch Republicans, are wavering in this election because of the trade dispute with China, the main buyer of U.S. soybeans and pork, interviews with nearly two dozen farmers showed. Those interviews and a survey
November 2, 2018
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by Nithin Coca (Sustainable Brands) Next month’s election could potentially be historic for Washington State, where voters will have the choice of enacting the first-in-the-nation carbon fee — a concrete measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Measure 1631 has the support of several prominent Washington-based businesses including REI,
October 29, 2018
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by Jeremy Fugleberg (Sioux Falls Argus Leader) Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will visit South Dakota on Thursday morning. An initial schedule from the Department of Agriculture indicates Perdue will visit several locations in the Sioux Falls area. He will: Tour the Poet ethanol plant in Chancellor and hold a roundtable
October 24, 2018
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(WNAX) This week, the Environmental Protection Agency published its rule making agenda for 2019 and in it said they’’ll start the rulemaking process for year-round use of E15 in February of next year. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says they wanted to see the rulemaking start sooner than
October 22, 2018
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by Doug Durante and Doug Sombke (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/South Dakota Farmers Union/Biofuels Digest) … However, we may have a unique and perhaps unprecedented opportunity for a do-over with the proposed fuel economy rule. While we take no position on exactly what the mileage standards should be, whatever they are we can
October 11, 2018
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by Chris Clayton and Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Leading into President Donald Trump’s trip to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Tuesday, a senior White House official said Tuesday that the president has directed the Environmental Protection Agency to create a new rule allowing year-round sales of 15% ethanol blends. Monte
October 9, 2018
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In analyzing the future of fueling air transportation in the wake of the Lanza Tech-fueled Virgin Air Florida-to-Gatwick flight, Biofuels Digest‘s Jim Lane suggested that we “bring consumer pressure to bear by distinguishing between sustainable flights and non-sustainable flights, the same way we distinguish between organic and non-organic foods, fair trade
October 5, 2018
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by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) President Donald Trump on Monday hinted at a possible upcoming trip to Iowa to announce “something very important” while touting a new U.S. trade deal with Canada and Mexico. The comments came as Trump thanked Sen. Joni Ernst during a Rose Garden news conference announcing the $1.2 trillion
October 3, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … What this country — and every country — needs is a bigger vision so that the friends of energy security are not divided by their differences on technology or feedstock but are united toward a common purpose that provides opportunity — and sustainable energy —
October 2, 2018
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by Steve Scauzillo (San Gabriel Valley Tribune/The Sun) … But in about 190 stations in California, there exists an alternative: One lone, usually green-colored nozzle delivering E-85, an alcohol blend accepted in 1.3 million “flexible-fuel” vehicles on California roads today. At 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, E85 fuel packs
October 1, 2018
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As Cassidy Walter of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association points out in a recent Gazette op-ed, “In fact, not only has Big Oil enjoyed federal tax subsidies for the past 100 years, the federal government actually mandates all vehicle fuel be petroleum-based except for what is allowed by the RFS.
October 1, 2018
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by Mike Lewis (Pearson Fuels/Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Sept. 21, California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed AB 558, a California bill authored by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva that was designed to better leverage California’s fleet of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). The measure would have required the California Air Resources Board to recommend non-fiscal policies to
September 29, 2018
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by Jarrett Renshaw (Reuters) The White House is considering imposing restrictions on trading of biofuel credits, hoping to discourage speculation and reduce costs for oil refiners to comply with U.S. biofuels policy, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. … The move would be part of a widely anticipated deal to
September 29, 2018
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by Marianne Lavelle and Dan Gearino (Inside Climate News) Governors have the power to set the agenda on renewable energy or throw up roadblocks to its progress. It’s become an issue in several races this year. — Some of the most consequential elections for climate policy this fall could be the 36 governor’s
September 28, 2018
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In recent Renewable Fuels Association testimony, Kelly Davis noted, “It was apparent that the previous administration disregarded comments from RFA and many other stakeholders—including the automakers—that encouraged EPA to evaluate engines and fuels as integrated systems when assessing the efficacy of model year 2022-2025 fuel economy and GHG standards. Indeed,
September 26, 2018
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(University of Rhode Island Extension) In response to a growing need for student experiential learning opportunities in energy, URI Cooperative Extension created the Energy Fellows Program in 2008 to enhance the undergraduate and graduate student learning experience. To date, the program has seen over 100 students complete program requirements, with over
September 25, 2018
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by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) … The Tennessee Green Fleets Certification Program, developed by Middle-West and East Tennessee Clean Fuels, uses performance-based metrics to analyze fleets’ vehicle and fuel-use data and compare new actions they have taken to what their footprint would have looked like without those actions. The program encompasses
September 25, 2018
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by Chad Moyer (KTIC Radio) Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has been recognized as a 2018 High Octane Champion by Renewable Fuels Nebraska, the trade association for Nebraska’s ethanol industry. The award was developed by the RFN membership as a way to recognize public policy leaders that strongly support Nebraska’s $5 billion
September 24, 2018
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by Bob Bowman (Clinton Herald) The ethanol industry is critical to the Midwest, supporting thousands of jobs and adding billions of dollars to our economy. It also drives corn demand at a time when Iowa farm family income is at the lowest level in over a decade. However, the sale of
September 20, 2018
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(Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy) Preview a clip from Green Careers for a Changing Climate, a new documentary from Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy that introduces students to Green STEM Careers as a solution to climate change. Funding for this project was provided by: General Mills, Target, Xcel Energy Foundation,
September 20, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) Rowan University and Missouri University of Science and Technology students chosen as co-chairs — Shyam Paudel’s interest in energy comes from deep in his childhood, growing up in the mountains of Western Nepal. Children commonly studied by the light of kerosene lamps. “One summer, my father bought two solar
September 20, 2018
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In a Time Magazine article, Justin Worland reminds us that “For many farmers, Trump appears to have sided with the oil industry, which they believe exerts undue influence on ethanol policy. It’s an argument that Trump himself once used when campaigning against Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the GOP primary.
September 17, 2018
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by Scott Henry (Des Moines Register) … A study from Environmental Defense Fund and managerial accounting firm K·Coe Isom AgKnowledge finds that conservation can boost farm profitability. The analysis includes detailed financial case studies of three Midwestern corn, soy and wheat farmers — including my fourth-generation farm — as well as a
September 14, 2018
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by Francine McKenna (Market Watch) The Climate Risk Disclosure Act directs the SEC to issue rules that require every public company to disclose more on climate change exposure — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is spearheading an effort by Democratic senators to bring a bill that would require public companies to disclose more
September 14, 2018
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by V. Ragananthini (Sun Daily) Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said the ministry will assist FGV Holdings Bhd in attracting investors to develop the downstream palm oil segment and in turn look to it for help with getting small palm oil growers obtain Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification. Kok said at
September 5, 2018
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by Nick Sobczyk (E&E News) Democrats have long billed themselves as the party of climate science, and if they take back the House in November, they want to put global warming back on the congressional calendar. “It’s the 800-pound gorilla,” said Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), co-chairman of the Safe Climate Caucus.
September 3, 2018
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by Jeff Rice (Journal-Advocate) … Motorists shop almost exclusively according to price, except when the price goes down, and labor under a plethora of misconceptions about additives, octane and ethanol. That can lead to some unwise decisions at the pump. Numerous studies that show most Americans shop according to price, especially
August 31, 2018
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(Sierra Club Maryland Chapter) Leading environmental, scientific, community, business and labor organizations working to advance clean transportation in Mid-Atlantic and Northeast States assembled today in Largo, Maryland for a meeting organized by Maryland Departments Of Environment, Transportation And Energy (MDE), University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and Georgetown Climate Center.
August 28, 2018
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by Helena Bottemiller Evich, Catherine Boudreau and Liz Crampton (Politico) The Trump administration on Monday detailed how it will dole out $6.3 billion in aid to assist farmers stung by retaliatory tariffs — and it’s already sparking backlash from some sectors where industry leaders say growers won’t get their fair share.
August 28, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Switzerland comes word of a technology for methanol synthesis plants which capture CO2 from the environment to create renewable methanol fuel. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s appropriately named Silent-Power. The company produces both industrial and modular plants and is working to bring
August 28, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy)EPA will no longer hold public hearings in Washington, D.C., Detroit and Los Angeles on the administration’s proposed freeze of Obama-era fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, Bloomberg Environment reports. Instead the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will hold two public
August 23, 2018
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(GreenAir Online) Swedish airport operator Swedaviahas claimed its operations at Visby Airport have become entirely fossil-free. Swedavia is aiming to have all 10 of its airports fossil-free by 2020 at the latest, with Visby achieving the objective two years ahead of the deadline. Carbon emissions have decreased from around 300 tonnes to
August 17, 2018
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“The good news is there is an opportunity in 2018 and 2020 for progressives to reconnect with rural voters in a meaningful way. It starts with more listening and far less political rhetoric. It will require an embrace of change rather than support for the status quo, which includes meaningful
August 16, 2018
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by Patty Judge (Des Moines Register/Focus on Rural America) … Many of the political elites on the coasts have argued that progressives should simply write off the rural Midwest because it is too white, too old and too conservative to ever support a progressive national candidate. In 2017 Focus on Rural
August 16, 2018
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(City of Vancouver) Emissions reduction target will be reached early thanks to contract with Suncor — “This shift in fuel, in conjunction with the ways we are optimizing and electrifying our fleet, proves that we are walking the talk and finding innovative ways to respond to climate change and its devastating impacts.”
August 15, 2018
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(U.S. Department of Energy) Purpose of Meeting: To develop advice and guidance that promotes research and development leading to the production of biobased fuels and biobased products. Tentative Agenda: Agenda will include the following: Update on USDA Biomass R&D Activities Update on DOE Biomass R&D Activities Presentations from national laboratories and federal agencies
August 14, 2018
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by Rod Boshart (Sioux City Journal) Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell called out Gov. Kim Reynolds Saturday for not taking a more-aggressive public stance on behalf of Iowa farmers and rural interests being hurt by President Trump’s trade war with China rather than “towing the party line” in the trade dispute.
August 13, 2018
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by Andy Banker (KPLR11) Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill spent the primary election day visiting biofuel plants in Missouri. “Happy Primary Day,” McCaskill said while getting off her campaign bus to tour MidAmerica Biofuels in Mexico, Missouri. It was her last stop before heading to Columbia to thank supporters for their help
August 8, 2018
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(Crossroads Today/Hawaiian Diving Adventures) Hawaiian Diving Adventures is Proud to Offer the Only “Green” Diving Experience in Oahu — The founders of Hawaiian Diving Adventures, a company that offers scuba diving on Oahu, are pleased to announce the debut of their custom built dive boat the runs on locally sourced, 100 percent
August 8, 2018
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A crude oil refinery in North Dakota is working on repurposing to make renewable diesel instead of petroleum fuel. Destin Singleton, an Andeavor spokeswoman explained that the proposal builds on a pilot project at the refinery that processes vegetable oil and Bakken crude to create a 5 percent renewable diesel blend.
August 7, 2018
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(WCAX) Both houses of Congress have passed their respective versions of the Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation that affects farmers around the country. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, will try to come together to pass one version of the bill. Farm bill negotiations
August 7, 2018
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by Chuck Abbott (Fern’s Ag Insider) One-in-seven farmers who voted for President Trump in 2016 would not vote for him today, according to a poll released on Monday. The escalating trade war was the leading cause of erosion for Trump among a staunchly Republican group. But a majority still back him:
(Virginia Regulatory Town Hall/ Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy) … The Plan is intended to provide a strategic vision for the energy policy of the Commonwealth over the next 10 years. It is being developed in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title 67 of the Code of Virginia. Per the
August 2, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This is the first of a two-part series in which we look at strategic shifts in global commodity prices and policies that could dramatically impact the outlook for biofuels, In this part, we look at grain markets and the emerging US-China trade war. As most know
by Bethany Jensen (Ignite Utah State University) With the increase of global climate change effects, many local bodies of fresh water are experiencing dangerous toxic algae blooms. These are detrimental to water recreation, to agriculture, and to the natural ecosystem. They are potentially harmful to humans. Bethany has chosen a project
July 23, 2018
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by Theodore Koumelis (Travel Daily News) 76% of the respondents were ready to pay more for a flight ticket, or alternatively, pay an additional charge, if the money is used for reducing environmental impacts. — According to a study, almost all Finns (94 %) want to reduce the emissions of air travel, and
July 22, 2018
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University of Illinois professor Stephen Long, explaining the need for home-grown biofuels said, “(P)eople of my age have seen these past (oil) disruptions. You know we’ve probably three major ones since the ’70s really in our oil supplies. You know they are vulnerable, that and we know that they won’t last
July 22, 2018
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by Hal Bernton (Seattle Times) Proponents of a Washington carbon-fee initiative showed up at the Secretary of State’s office in Olympia with more than 370,000 signatures to put their measure on the November ballot. The signatures tally for Initiative 1631 — backed by a broad coalition that includes environmental, labor, tribal
July 11, 2018
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(Growth Energy) Growth Energy announced today that American drivers have logged 5 billion miles on E15. The latest milestone was reached in the midst of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restrictions on the sale E15 fuel across most of the country. During summer months consumers only have access to E15 in Reformulated
July 11, 2018
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(International Trade Administration/Federal Register) Pursuant to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Department of Commerce announces the renewal of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (the Committee). The Committee shall advise the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the
(The Vista Press) Imagine an alternative diesel fuel that reduces carbon emission levels, improves air quality, and performs as well as and costs less than current fuel. If you’re thinking this sounds too good to be true, you’d be wrong. Renewable diesel not only exists, but it can now be found in Vista
July 10, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bottom line, if you’re in the business of financing a renewable fuels project with a loan guarantee in the mix, you’re probably talking with some combination of New Energy Risk, Stern Brothers, Faegre Baker Daniels partner John Kirkwood or Kilpatrick Townsend partner Mark Riedy. They’ve been part
July 9, 2018
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by Helena Taveres Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, D.C., the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee has appointed several new volunteers from industry, academia, nonprofits, and local government to the TAC which advises the federal government about its bioenergy R&D programs. These are the first appointments to the TAC by the current
July 2, 2018
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by Mark Hand (ThinkProgress) Democratic nominee Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has one of the most ambitious climate plans. — An impressive list of anti-fossil fuel and pro-climate action candidates won party primaries on Tuesday night, indicating that environmental issues could receive greater attention in this fall’s general elections, especially as lawmakers devise plans to
June 29, 2018
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by Robinson Meyer (The Atlantic) A new justice will likely weaken the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. — … With Kennedy gone, a more conservative Supreme Court could overhaul key aspects of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, legal scholars
June 29, 2018
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by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Recently, the Georgetown Climate Center facilitated the third in a series of Transportation and Climate Initiative Listening Sessions designed to “(cast) a broader net to obtain input on strategies our states (CT, DE, DC, MD, MA, NY, RI, and VT) should consider to reduce
by Patrick Springer (West Fargo Pioneer) … “It’s not a protest against President Trump,” said Pam Musland, marketing and communication supervisor for the North Dakota Farmers Union. “Our hope is to grab some media attention with all the media in town” to cover Trump’s appearance. … Those at what’s billed the
June 27, 2018
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“The sooner we can get moving on new technologies like SAJF (Sustainable Alternative Jetfuel), the sooner we can move off carbon offsetting,” explained Ed Bolen, President of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) as quoted in a recent GreenAir Online article. READ MORE
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) New polling shows that voters across three Midwestern states are disappointed with Trump administration decisions they view as broken promises of support for local agriculture and renewable fuels industries. In a survey of voters in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota, respondents overwhelmingly say they support federal policies to
June 18, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) President Donald Trump will campaign with GOP Rep. Kevin Cramer next week — a trip that could extinguish any lingering tensions between the White House and the Senate hopeful, after the president has treated Cramer’s opponent Sen. Heidi Heitkamp with seeming warmth. Trump’s planned
June 18, 2018
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by Alexander C. Kaufman (Huffington Post) The Democratic National Committee voted over the weekend to ban donations from fossil fuel companies, HuffPost has learned. The resolution ― proposed by Christine Pelosi, a party activist and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s daughter ― bars the organization from accepting contributions from corporate
June 13, 2018
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by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is expected to travel to Kansas this morning, where he’ll stop by East Kansas Agri-Energy’s ethanol plant in Garnett. The trip comes a week after the White House quashed the release of a plan to change the Renewable Fuels Standard amid
June 12, 2018
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(SCIAD Newswire/Open Cell) Open Cell has joined forces with regeneration specialist, U+I, and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and SynbiCITE to launch a biolab to offer affordable spaces at the Old Laundry Yard in Shepherd’s Bush Market. A first for London, phase one will provide 20 low cost, start-up studios in shipping
June 12, 2018
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by Matt Carr (The Hill/New Energy America) If I asked you the most important state for renewable energy, what comes to mind? Is it California? … Let me make the case for a state that may not have immediately come to mind as a renewable energy leader — Iowa. Since passing its
June 8, 2018
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Jenna Bloxom, in a recent Biofuels Digest thought piece on the need “to drastically alter the public’s understanding and attitudes about biofuels,” pointed to Standing Rock as, “among many things, a prime and missed opportunity for the biofuels industry to send a charismatic voice to the media frontlines to remind an
June 8, 2018
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by Jenna Bloxom (Colorado State University/Biofuels Digest) … Now is the critical juncture for a unified bioeconomy to re-assert biofuels as a political powerhouse and compelling policy agenda that defies partisan, geographical, and generational divisions. … (T)his industry must take the initiative to drastically alter the public’s understanding and attitudes about biofuels
June 8, 2018
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A recent Biofuels Digest article noted that Michael Tamor, a Henry Ford Technical Fellow at Ford, at a recent DOE Bioeconomy event in Washington observed that at least double our current electrical power capacity will be required to be able to charge all battery electrical vehicles. Also the recycling of
June 8, 2018
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(U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture/Federal Register) … U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting nomination for candidates to fill vacancies on the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee (Committee). … Deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations is June 30, 2018. … The Biomass Research and Development Act
June 7, 2018
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by Alan Bjerga and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) EPA chief seen as betraying Trump’s promises on biofuels; Trade tensions put demand for agricultural goods at risk — Even as Donald Trump tweets his support for U.S. agriculture, farmer loyalty for the president looks like it’s starting to waver over moves that may undermine corn-based ethanol and
June 5, 2018
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by Dave VanderGriend (Urban Air Initiative/ICM/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Urban Air Initiative President Dave VanderGriend says increasing the availability of ethanol blender pumps and higher blends will keep ethanol in the Midwest, pumping millions of dollars into the economy. — … The problem lies in the fact that Iowa consumes 1.4 billion gallons
June 4, 2018
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by Katina Hazimihalis (Dumpsters.com) In the U.S., burning gasoline for transportation is responsible for 30 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions. How can we lower that impact when we still need a way to get around? Find realistic alternatives to fossil fuels. Some are more widely used than others, but each option on our
May 31, 2018
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by John Tsitrian (Rapid City Journal) … And forgetting about soybeans for a minute, there’s the matter of Trump administration policy on the ethanol mandate, aka the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a major matter for corn producers. Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has been “chipping away” at RFS,
May 23, 2018
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by Leyla Battista* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Consortium for Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership and Education (CABLE) grant was established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prepare the next generation of leaders and integrate them into the emerging bioeconomy. The grant was split between nineteen partnering universities across the country.
(Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network) The Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network is a group of volunteers (based in in the African continent and , also Asia, USA and Europe)- linked across the world via an online platform to share findings and seek advice for their practical projects – that have a
May 18, 2018
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by Hank Daniszewski (The London Free Press) A London entrepreneur has set up a demonstration site for commercial cooking equipment fuelled by ethanol — Motorists rounding the Glanworth curve on Wellington Road at night are likely puzzled about a brightly lit establishment called Fire Waters that popped up recently. No. it’s not some
May 18, 2018
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Trump in a pickle: support his beleaguered EPA Administrator over oil refinery bailouts, or rally his Midwestern farm-state base? — In Washington, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa tweeted: “I’ve supported Pruitt but if he pushes changes to RFS that permanently cut ethanol by billions of gallons he
May 16, 2018
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The Manhattan Institute looked at “zero emission vehicles” and found: Broad-based adoption of ZEVs will increase overall emissions of sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and particulates, compared with the same number of new internal combustion engines. The simple fact is that, because of stringent emissions standards and low-sulfur gasoline, new
by Katie Rock (Des Moines Register/Center for Rural Affairs) Iowa’s future as a leader in renewable energy is on the ballot in 2018. As legislators head home and campaigns gear up for important primary elections, voters should call attention to key policy changes our state will face for our energy future.
May 14, 2018
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In their letter to the EPA, a group of midwestern biofuels groups noted, “Both the volume and expeditious manner in which your EPA has granted demand-destroying RFS exemptions is unparalleled in the history of the EPA and the RFS program. If the same urgency could be brought to bear on pathway approvals,
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA is seeking nominations for its Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee, which is designed to provide the Clean Air Advisory Committee with independent advice, counsel and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of programs related to mobile source air pollution and its control.
April 25, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) The next generation of science thought leaders are gearing up to lead America’s energy efforts. And biodiesel, our nation’s only commercially available advanced biofuel, is front and center. Managed by the National Biodiesel Board, the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel is a free student professional organization to help foster collaboration,
April 18, 2018
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(4-Traders) Congressman King Pledges Continued Biofuel Support to Iowa Renewable Fuels Association — Congressman Steve King, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after meeting today with members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. During their meeting, Congressman King re-affirmed his strong support for biofuels, telling participants that
April 18, 2018
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Speaking of resilience, Biofuels Digest’s Jim Lane described the danger in putting all our eggs into the electric vehicle basket, “Exchanging dependence on one set of scarce materials for another — petroleum for battery metals — that’s a solution only until the next cartel forms.” READ MORE
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) The flex-fuel movement really began with the 1994 Ford Taurus, whose on-board computer told the engine how to distinguish between gasoline and higher ethanol blends. Pretty cool, right? … But FFVs have come a long way, baby. We sorted through the Renewable Fuel Association’s helpful brochure listing the
The Houston Chronicle’s James Osborne reported an unnamed executive for one refining company describing the feeding frenzy for exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard biofuels obligations, “Anyone with a brain submitted an application,” the executive said. “The EPA was handing out those exemptions like trick or treat candy.” READ MORE/MORE
April 5, 2018
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(KLM) Arcadis is KLM’s latest biofuel partner — Design and consultancy organisation Arcadis to join KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Programme (CBP). The group’s entry will allow KLM to further invest in sustainable biofuel. Arcadis will purchase sustainable biofuel for all its business flights. Earlier this year, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) joined
April 4, 2018
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John Abraham, in an article in The Guardian, notes, “Biofuels can help solve climate change, especially with a carbon tax — We’re not yet optimizing biofuel production for both economic and environmental factors.” And, “If society is willing to pay a small pollution charge like a carbon tax, it supports the producers
March 15, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) … In the U.S., nearly 3 billion gallons of clean, renewable fuel replacing its petroleum counterpart. A thriving and growing diesel vehicle market. And 64,000 jobs supported by biodiesel, many the highest paying jobs in the area. Diesel, who invented the engine that bears his name,
March 15, 2018
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Join Climate Generation for a day at the capitol! This is a chance for youth to experience first-hand how to participate in government and policy. Meet with Governor Dayton and our MN Senators and Representatives to talk about why you care about climate change and social justice. Join together with youth
March 15, 2018
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by David R. Baker (Seattle Times) … Last week, the California Air Resources Board issued proposed changes that would delay some of the program’s targets, giving fuel providers more time to reach them. Instead of needing to cut the carbon intensity of their fuels 10 percent by 2020, the companies would need
March 12, 2018
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(National Biodiesel Board) National Biodiesel Board releases field of “Elite Eight” — March Madness kicks off next week, showcasing the very best of college basketball. In that spirit, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has released its own bracket of colleges and universities upping their game with a different kind of prowess –
March 8, 2018
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by Emma Nobel (ABC Central Victoria News) Environmental microbiologist and science champion Marianne Haines hopes her work converting bacteria into biofuel will lead to more sustainable outcomes, and more women studying science at the postgraduate level. Growing up in regional Victoria, the former boot camp leader was inspired to make a career
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Colorado, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is seeking respondents to a survey to better understand the next generation biofuel industry as a whole and its contributions to the local and national economy. The survey is being conducted by Yimin Zhang (NREL) and Marshall Goldberg (MRG & Associates), a
March 8, 2018
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by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Leyla Battista, a senior biosystems engineering student at Auburn University, took advantage of an extraordinary opportunity to attend and speak at the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference (ABLC) Friday in Washington, DC. This annual gathering of hundreds of international leaders, C-level business executives and federal
by Ben Guarino and Laurie McGinley (The Washington Post) … “I absolutely feel that science is under attack,” (Joseph) Kopser said. “It’s the opposite of when John F. Kennedy said he wanted to get us to the moon in less than 10 years. The way Trump is going, in 10 years, he’ll
As reported in a National Public Radio article, Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) about the 2018 mid-term elections: “He recently warned Houston-area Republicans, ‘The left is going to show up. They will crawl over broken glass in November to vote.’” READ MORE / MORE Texas Primary: Democratic Votes Surge, But Republicans
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA joined 14 other exhibitors at the University of Maryland College Park recently to bring education about biofuels to students, faculty and businesses interested in sustainability and engaged in renewable energy and efficiency. As part of the fourth annual “Council on Women
February 26, 2018
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In his article suggesting scrapping Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards in favor of a Clean Air Act life cycle analysis-based methodology for CO2 transportation emission reduction, Bob Kozak advised, “(I)f anyone asks what will be the economic incentive for a revised, more effective CO2 GHG reduction plan that uses renewable
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … The particulars are the subject of a white paper from a team at Propel Fuels — Rob Elam, Will Faulkner, Chris LaPlante, Parker Chase — and available here. Un-Penalizing the Poor The topics include regressive taxes that penalize the poor, non-inclusion of the disadvantaged, and hand-outs
(GreenAir Online) Air Traffic Control the Netherlands has joined KLM’s Corporate Biofuel Programme, enabling it to compensate for the CO2 from staff business flights through the purchase of sustainable biofuels. “Our employees travel regularly outside the Netherlands to meet with our international partners. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands is delighted to be
February 5, 2018
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The biofuels-related portion of the 2018 election campaign season is off to a quick start with Jeff Broin, founder and CEO of POET, making a case for including the expansion of ethanol markets via year-round consumer choice of E15 across the country. And, with promises to make this an issue in
February 2, 2018
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(The Fence Post/Hagstrom Report) Jeff Broin, founder and CEO of POET, the South Dakota company that builds and manages ethanol plants, brought his view that the government needs to authorize the sale of E15 blend year-round to a State of the Union summit chaired by Vice President Mike Pence at the
February 2, 2018
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by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) France’s approval of conversion kit allowing petrol cars to use fuel containing up to 85 percent of ethanol will boost demand for mostly crop-based ethanol next year, French ethanol producers said on Tuesday. Consumption of ethanol, mainly made from sugar beet or grains, should rise by
January 31, 2018
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(Biofuels International) E-Fuel has launched its solution for people who want energy independence and to be green about it. The Silicon Valley company introduced its 100% ethanol generator, the Personal Energy System (PES), 8 January. It is intended to give customers full independence from the public power grid. With the smallest
January 24, 2018
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In an Ethanol Producer Magazine article, Urban Air Initiative’s David Hallberg explains how, with proper adherence to Clean Air Act regulations, ethanol can substitute for carcinogens in our fuel. “(I)t is increasingly clear that gasoline exhaust is the primary carrier of the most lethal aromatics that lead to ground-level ozone
January 24, 2018
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by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Attack on federal biofuels mandate provides chance to appeal to base — … But for the junior senator, facing re-election this year as Democrats show new swagger in the age of Trump, ethanol provides the chance to appeal to his tea party base by bucking the Washington bureaucracy
January 3, 2018
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In a special to the Biofuels Digest, South Dakota Farmers Union president, Doug Sombke, pointed out that “Section 202(l) provision (of the Clean Air Act) requires EPA to regulate and reduce toxics in gasoline to the “greatest degree achievable”. In a review of air toxics in 2007 the agency acknowledged that other
January 3, 2018
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(Propel) New study outlines how to make America’s most important low carbon policy more equitable. — According to new research, low carbon liquid fuels must play a more significant role to meet California’s 2020 and 2030 carbon reduction goals under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Data from Propel Fuels and ICF
December 11, 2017
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(Neste) The Ham Trick campaign, a demonstration of circular economy in action, and EduCycle, a learning game that makes use ofaugmented reality, won awards in two prestigious marketing and communications competitions yesterday. The Ham Trick (Kinkkutemppu in Finnish) won gold at the 2017 European Excellence Awards (EEA) awards in Hamburg, for the best communications initiative
December 8, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Below50 is an initiative that brings businesses together with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) to promote the best-of-breed of sustainable fuels has launched in South America. The companies and organizations driving the
December 8, 2017
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(Hoosier Ag Today) Cary Sifferath, Senior Director of Global Programs with the U.S. Feed Grains Council, reminds us that U.S. ethanol is the cheapest source of octane in the world and that the U.S. even sells ethanol to Saudi Arabia that they use to blend with low octane gasoline. READ
December 5, 2017
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“If our gasoline composition is right then ethanol can work,” said Alfonso Martinez, undersecretary of protection of the environment and natural resources in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in a phone interview with S&P Global Platts. “We have nothing against ethanol, we just want to get pollution down,” he added. (Mexico currently
November 28, 2017
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Renewable Fuels Association’s Bob Dinneen explained the implications of RFA’s latest review of vehicle warranties: “The oil company explanation for their failure to invest in infrastructure allowing E15 has been there isn’t sufficient demand for E15 because it isn’t warrantied. Well, that narrative has been misleading for years, but now
November 15, 2017
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by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) Nearly 90 percent of new 2018 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to the results of an annual analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). That is up
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Explaining the value for high school students of a visit to a working biorefinery, Morris Area High School teacher Dylan Viss said, “Allowing my students to go on this tour enabled them to see and experience real-life, practical applications of the science and chemical processes highlighted in
November 6, 2017
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Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner co-authored a Biofuels Digest article with some ideas that show the benefits bioenergy could bring to Africa: “Africans should strive for sustainable fuels from native feedstocks in a modern infrastructure and thriving economy … Renewable diesel would fit right into existing fuel systems without the need
October 23, 2017
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(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Sixteen students from Wabasso High School toured Highwater Ethanol today to learn more about home-grown renewable energy production. During the tour, the students learned about the various processes in ethanol production at Highwater Ethanol, which produces 59.5 million gallons a year. “We regularly host high school students at
October 16, 2017
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by Neil Yeoh (Forbes) … Under-resourced and living in makeshift tepees on the off-grid Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp in Mahwah, New Jersey, the Ramapough Lenape Tribe has been doing their best to stand against the construction of the Pipeline. … In mid-August BoxPower, a renewable energy startup, responded delivering one of
October 13, 2017
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Peter Erickson, Adrian Down, Michael Lazarus & Doug Koplow, in a Nature Energy article, find that at recent oil prices of US$50 per barrel, tax preferences and other subsidies push nearly half of new, yet-to-be-developed oil investments into profitability, potentially increasing US oil production by 17 billion barrels over the
October 12, 2017
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(Quick Fuel Technology/Holley) As a renewable energy source championed by environmentalists, racers often think of E85 as a wimpy fuel that has no place in a drag car. However, many bracket racers have shattered that perception by taking advantage of E85’s incredible 110-plus octane rating and dirt cheap pricing. E85 represents
October 12, 2017
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by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) More than 40 Catholic institutions will make largest ever faith-based divestment, on the anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi — The sum involved has not been disclosed but the volume of divesting groups is four times higher than a previous church record, and adds to a
October 9, 2017
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In responding to a Biofuels Digest article, Union of Concerned Scientists’ Jeremy Martin urges cooperation: “Cutting oil use and transportation emissions is a big job and a major opportunity for both renewable fuels, renewable electricity and electric vehicles. The hostility of EPA Administrator Pruitt and his friends in the oil
October 9, 2017
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Biofuels Digest’s Jim Lane analyzes the cost and emissions profile for electric vehicles compared to “gasoline-powered” ones. The findings? On price, the lowest-cost option is a Cruze running on E85 conventional ethanol — which also reduces emissions compared to a Prius running on E10 fuel. And, the lowest emissions come from
October 3, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Electrics are improving on emissions and cost, but not enough to make driving an electric car the smart choice for consumers looking to save time and reduce environmental impacts. According to a new analysis, biofuels still reign. If you’re driving an electric car, you’re driving the
October 3, 2017
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors: From KTIC RADIO. According to the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Blue Heron is the only fuel station in Gothenburg with flex fuel pumps offering a variety of cleaner-burning ethanol blends with flex fuel pumps that dispense E10, E15, E30, E40 and E85. … In addition to state and federal
by Peter Wilcox (Passage Maker) Having the opportunity to imagine and oversee the building of my own ideal Inside Passage vessel has been exquisitely educational—initiating a chain of engaging design, building, voyaging, and teaching adventures. … Taking a break from sailing up north, we decided to buy an interim boat
September 11, 2017
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by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four simple questions and such a variety of response as you might expect from the unusual collection of engineers, biologists, marketeers, customers, financiers, policy leaders, advanced R&D specialists, mathematicians, advocates and watchful critics that make up the advanced bioeconomy. Where were you on July 27, 2007?
August 24, 2017
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(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) EPA will hold a public hearing on September 6, 2017 in Washington DC to hear public testimony on the Reconsideration of the Midterm Evaluation Final Determination. EPA signed a Federal Register notice announcing the hearing on Friday, August 18, 2017, and we expect this notice to
August 21, 2017
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In a 25 x ’25 blog post, Reg Modlin, former director of regulatory affairs at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and senior advisor to the Ag-Auto-Ethanol Work Group, noted, “Until then (2050), and for decades after, liquid fuel will be used in transportation throughout the world. And what automakers and policy
August 17, 2017
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by Jessica Williams (The Times News) ‘The biodiesel that they’re using now is hyperlocal. That’s a very important word. Aramark, Biscuitville, Lowes Foods — you can see it in their marketing. They want to bring everything back to the local economy. It’s a trend that I do not see going
August 11, 2017
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In commenting to Biofuels International about the UK government’s decision to ban new petroleum and diesel cars by 2040, Devin Walker, chief technical officer of Renovare Fuels based in London noted that in some circumstances the manufacture of electric cars themselves can actually produce even more harmful emissions which need
August 3, 2017
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Ramanan Krishnamoorti (University of Houston/Houston Chronicle), commenting on what is needed for a transition to electric vehicles: “Without big jumps in energy efficiency and conservation, an all electric fleet will require doubling existing base load electricity generation in the United States. That’s more complicated than it might seem. Nuclear appears
July 24, 2017
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by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will officially open a public comment period on Friday on the latest renewable volume obligations for the Renewable Fuel Standard, with the comment period slated to end on Aug. 31, http://bit.ly/…. The agency announced on July 5 proposed RVOs
July 21, 2017
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Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) commenting on US Department of Energy funding for bioenergy research centers, “However, one caveat. The funding here is for just one year of these BRCs. The Trump budget slashes energy research and these centers will have to compete with all the piggies at the trough in
July 19, 2017
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Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer), commenting on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s calls for ethanol-free gasoline (E0): A gallon of 91-octane gasoline with no ethanol will contain aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene. These are toxic chemicals coming out of the tailpipe just so the petroleum refiners can
July 7, 2017
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Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest), explaining how international efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation that focus on cheap offsets accomplish exactly the opposite: “We do need change. Right now, we’re leasing public land at absurdly low rates so that consumers don’t pay high fuel prices. Now we want airlines
June 22, 2017
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NIFA Listens – Stakeholder Guidance on Agriculture Priorities DEADLINE: November 30, 2018
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking stakeholder feedback to inform the research, extension and education priorities of NIFA. In short, NIFA is the extramural funding agency within USDA. NIFA are attempting to ensure that they reach a broad spectrum of organizations involved in food and agricultural