What You Can Do – Advanced BioFuels USA

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 14: Sustainable Land Use: What Can We Learn from Farmers?

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) They say that Sustainability is a three-legged stool: Environmental Sustainability, Economic Sustainability and Social Sustainability. If any of these legs is missing, the stool falls over. Climate Smart Agriculture The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance is one group that has been thinking deeply about

April 14, 2021 Read Full Article

Austrian Airlines Enables Choice of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

(Austrian Airlines/Biobased Diesel Daily) Austrian Airlines passengers can now additionally select the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for their flight in the booking process. In doing so, they compensate for the CO2 emissions generated on their respective flight. The applied tool is called “Compensaid,” a development of Lufthansa Innovation

April 13, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 13: What Fuel Can My Car or Truck Use? What about My Motorcycle?

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) With so many options showing up at some gas stations, what should I choose? E85 and Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) We’ve retrofitted my 2002 Ford Focus to be able to use E85, 85% renewable ethanol. (Watch the video!) You can also buy flex fuel vehicles

April 13, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 12: Conversion Processes for Biofuel Production

by Ahmed Abdellah* (Advanced Biofuels USA)When dealing with the conversion of raw materials into biofuels and biochemicals, the first step is to break down raw materials. During this process, the raw material may go through bailing, grinding, and condensing. Then, the material which is essentially composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and

April 12, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 11: Microbial World for Renewable Fuels and Chemicals Production

by Anahita Bharadwaj* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The versatile world of microorganisms is a perfect source for the production of a variety of biobased fuels, chemicals and materials. Microorganisms have the ability to break down biomass, components of these biomass or other materials (e.g., CO2, organic acids) through the process of fermentation

April 11, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 10: Can Biofuels Become Cost Effective? Some Already Are!

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Looking to save money on gas AND decrease your carbon footprint? If your vehicle was built after 2000, have you tried E15? That’s 15% renewable fuel, half as much more than the usual E10 regular gasoline. Sometimes it’s branded “Unleaded 88” because in addition

April 10, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 9: Biomass and Carbon Sequestration

by Anahita Bharadwaj* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Biofuels and bio-based products offer an alternate source for the production of energy and useful chemicals without the need to tap into fossil carbon. The broad idea is that carbon that has been photosynthetically fixed into biomass by plants provides the opportunity for production of

April 9, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 8: The International Regime on Climate Change

by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) International Regime before the Paris Agreement — On 21st March 1994, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force with the ratification of the document by 197 countries. The main goal of this treaty was to prevent harmful human induced interference with

April 8, 2021 Read Full Article

Emissions, Mileage, New Data: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to EVs vs. ICE

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, a special look at new hard data on EVs vs IC engines — what the recent Wall Street Journal review missed! It was an exclusive to the DigestConnect last week but here’s your chance to see the full slides on emissions, fuels, octane, mileage,

April 7, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 7: Flying Green

by Gaulthier Blangez* (Advanced Biofuels USA) What are we talking about? Do you know that airlines’ activities, from passenger transportation to freight are responsible for two to three percent of anthropic emissions yearly according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report? Indeed, flying comes at a cost. But while

April 7, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Troy Bredenkamp

“They (Biden Administration) could do a lot for biofuels for a fraction of the cost of what they’re suggesting to spend on electric vehicle infrastructure. We would ask for something around $500 million per year for blender pump infrastructure.” — Renewable Fuels Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Troy

April 6, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 6: Taxing Carbon: RFS, RenovaBio and EU’s RED II

by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) First of all, carbon taxes are policy measures designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to meet further objectives in policy making. By definition, it is a tax that establishes a price on these emissions or that uses a metric based on carbon.

April 6, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series Day 5: Why Aren’t We There Yet?

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Didn’t U.S. President George W. Bush say that we should get off our addiction to oil? Haven’t all the presidents since Richard Nixon promised that we would transition away from fossil fuels? You can hear many of them make this point in this clip from

April 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 4: Biobased Products and Bioplastics

by Nathália Fernandes Pimentel* (Advanced Biofuels USA) When we think about green transitioning, the most popular images we idealize are windmills, solar panels or electric cars. But apart from energy, many products still have a large impact on carbon emissions because they are made from fossil carbon using petroleum or

April 4, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 3: Renewable Liquid Fuels: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Take yourself back to an earlier time, when we relied on horses, oxen and other renewably fueled animals for mobility and work. (They ate corn, wheat, oats and other bio-plants, didn’t they?) Now move ahead a few years. In the early days of cars and

April 3, 2021 Read Full Article

Cycling Is Ten Times More Important than Electric Cars for Reaching Net-Zero Cities

by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) Globally, only one in 50 new cars were fully electric in 2020, and one in 14 in the UK. Sounds impressive, but even if all new cars were electric now, it would still take 15-20 years to replace the world’s fossil fuel car fleet. The emission savings from replacing all those

April 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day 2021 Series Day 2: Where Do Renewable Fuels, Biofuels, and Bio- or Renewable Chemicals Come from? (Hint: Feedstocks)

by Ahmed Abdellah* What are feedstocks? Feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals include organic materials like grains, woody biomass and food waste and non-organic materials like plastics, hydrogen, carbon dioxide. Contrary to popular belief, the crops that are used for feedstocks are not necessarily placing a burden on available food sources.

April 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Earth Day Series 2021 Day 1: Why Biofuels and Biochemicals?

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) To replace imported oil and petroleum-based fossil fuels! While Windmills and solar can produce electricity they cannot power large jet airplanes. Oil is also difficult and often dangerous to extract for both people and the environment. Ethanol fuel has a lot of benefits. It

April 1, 2021 Read Full Article

Non-Renewable Carbon User Fee: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to the Disappearing Gas Tax

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Like magic, it’s the ‘disappearing’ gasoline tax on just the non-renewable portion of transportation fuel. Bob Kozak of Atlantic Biomass Conversions looks at how this can fund a renaissance in new technology for bio-based fuels, how the disappearing fee uses can reduce biomass input costs,

March 31, 2021 Read Full Article

Educating Consumers On Biofuels- A Lower Carbon Gasoline

(Urban Air Initiative) The Urban Air Initiative recently teamed up with local high school students to educate consumers on the many benefits of biofuels- including the fact that it’s a lower carbon fuel. UAI and a local chapter of the FFA Organization spent time talking to drivers as they filled up at JumpStart

March 31, 2021 Read Full Article

The Renewable Fuels Guide: Helping Fleet Operators Cut Carbon Emissions

(Zemo Partnership) The Renewable Fuels Guide has been prepared by Zemo Partnership and CENEX. We would like to thank Scania and CNG Fuels for sponsoring the production of the guide. We would also like to thank Zemo Partnerships Fuels Working Group for their valuable contribution in providing case study material.

March 30, 2021 Read Full Article

Introduction to Renewable Fuels: What, How and Why? — April 28, 2021 — ONLINE

Our Concern for the Earth Doesn’t End on April 22. Keep It Going with Us for a Special 30/30 on April 28. Advanced Biofuels USA’s executive director, Joanne Ivancic, will present, in person, “Introduction to Renewable Fuels: What, How and Why,” already available as a 30 minute recorded educational video.

March 30, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Brian Ross

“Holy moly. How on Earth are you going to get people not coming with pitchforks and tar to these siting meetings?” Brian Ross, a vice president at the St. Paul, Minn.-based Great Plains Institute upon reviewing a map representing the required renewable power growth for an “electrify everything” future. Quoted

March 26, 2021 Read Full Article

New Informational Video Explores Technical Details of TCI-P Allowance Market, Auctions, and Compliance

(Transportation and Climate Initiative) The Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) today shared a pre-recorded informational webinar exploring the logistics of the proposed Transportation & Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P), which aims to put a brake on transportation pollution and invest in healthier communities and cleaner, more equitable transportation. The webinar includes presentations

March 26, 2021 Read Full Article

Case Study of Proposal for 100% Biodiesel School Buses

by Ahmed Abdellah* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This video presentation compares the carbon footprint of school buses retrofitted with a system to enable use of 100% biodiesel with electric buses. It uses a case study of a proposal for 100% biodiesel school buses for Howard County, Maryland, public schools using the

March 25, 2021 Read Full Article

E30 Safe for Non-flex Fuel Vehicles & Cuts CO2 Emissions According to University of Nebraska Study

(South Dakota Farmers Union) If 10 percent of Nebraskans fueled up their non-flex fuel vehicles with 30 percent ethanol, CO2 emissions would decrease by 64,000 tons per year. This is according to results of a year-long University of Nebraska Study, Redefining Renewable Fuels, released February 2021. If these same Nebraskans fueled

March 22, 2021 Read Full Article

What Are You Doing for Earth Day? Join Us on Social Media around the World Starting April 1.

Starting April 1 and going through Earth Day (April 22), Advanced Biofuels USA will bring you daily suggestions to improve your carbon footprint. Along with useful information about the circular and bio-economies, our team will share their knowledge and ideas for treading more gently upon this Earth. Watch for our

March 19, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Burl Haigwood

“The problem is gasoline. Therefore, policy makers need to focus on the imperfections of gasoline – not biofuels and EVs.” — Burl Haigwood writing for the Clean Fuels Development Coalition and Biofuels Digest. READ MORE

March 18, 2021 Read Full Article

9 Ways to Establish an Ethical Framework – Part 1 of The Importance of Ethics in ESG Investing

by Cynthia Thyfault (Global BioFuture Solutions) In an exclusive Special to the Digest, Cynthia Thyfault, Global BioFuture Solutions, Founder and CEO shares a 2-Part Series on ESG Investing and the Bioeconomy. In this first part, we look at the importance of ethics in ESG investing and how to establish ethical frameworks.

March 17, 2021 Read Full Article

Fuel Industry Experts Share Expectations for 2021

by Steve Klein (C Store Decisions/Renewable Energy Group) … The transportation industry will be a key factor in reaching those goals. There are also many new policies being debated. New York is considering a low-carbon fuel standard similar to California’s. Many believe this is the year Washington State will pass a

March 16, 2021 Read Full Article

Research Shows E30 Is Safe for Long-Term Use in Non-FFVs

by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on March 8 announced that ground-breaking research conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with support from the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services clearly demonstrates that E30 is safe for long-term use in non-flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). “The research partnership between the

March 9, 2021 Read Full Article

€400 Switch to Biofuel Heating Can Ease Ireland’s Climate Woes

by Joe Dermody (Irish Examiner) Burning eco-friendly biofuel HVO instead of kerosene and other fossil fuels in domestic boilers could cost home-owners less than €400 in switching costs and help Ireland reach its 2030 Climate Action plan goals. Mark Doyle, general manager of advanced efficient boiler manufacturer Firebird, Co Cork, says

March 9, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Stephanie Kelly

“The transition to an electric vehicle fleet is expected to be a long one, making renewable fuels a growth market for refiners and others seeking out road transport options that will emit fewer greenhouse gases,” reported Reuter’s Stephaine Kelly describing discussions taking place at IHS Markit’s virtual CERAWeek. READ MORE

March 4, 2021 Read Full Article

Delta and Deloitte Commit to Reducing Carbon Emissions via Sustainable Fuel Agreement

(Delta Airlines) The agreement is part of the airline’s longstanding commitment to work with customers to reach collective goals for the greater good of our planet — Agreement represents carbon dioxide emissions reduction of approximately 1,000 metric tons and supports a future of more sustainable business travel; Deloitte professionals to

March 1, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Earthrise” by Amanda Gorman

A poem by Amanda Gorman explains the purpose of our work: … For it is the obscure, the oppressed, the poor, Who when the disaster Is declared done, Still suffer more than anyone. Climate change is the single greatest challenge of our time, … Where despite disparities We all care

February 18, 2021 Read Full Article

Advanced Biofuels USA Discusses Mission and New Educational Resources in DigestConnect Presentation

(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA’s executive director, Joanne Ivancic, described the new educational materials developed by the organization in response to the Covid-19 pandemic-influenced need for online, user-friendly resources with basic information for a wide audience. Appearing on DigestConnect, a weekly webinar hosted by Jim Lane of Biofuels Digest,

February 13, 2021 Read Full Article

New York DEC Opens Comment Period on Proposed Food Recycling Regs

by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on Jan. 27 released proposed regulations to implement the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Act, which was enacted in 2019 and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2022. The legislation altered state law to require businesses that

February 11, 2021 Read Full Article

Cleaner Driving with Cleaner Fuel Economic & Environmental Benefits of Ethanol Blends

(Metropolitan Energy Center) Poor air quality is a problem for tens of millions of Americans. And we can’t address dirty air – and the health risks that come with it – until we make transportation cleaner. One approach is already here, and it’s as simple as which nozzle you pick

February 2, 2021 Read Full Article

New Online Educational Series about Renewable Fuels—“30/30” Package Includes 30 Minute Online Presentation plus Materials for Directed Discussion about Renewable Fuels and the Circular Economy

(Advanced Biofuels USA) Need to learn or teach about renewable fuels and the circular economy? About biofuels? Find what you need in this new series of 30 minute recorded presentations that come with a package of supporting materials for 30 minute directed discussions or self-study. Produced by internationally respected nonprofit

February 2, 2021 Read Full Article

Two Biden Priorities, Climate and Inequality, Meet on Black-Owned Farms

by Hiroko Tabuchi and Nadja Popovich (New York Times) The administration has pledged to make agriculture a cornerstone of its plan to fight warming, but also to tackle a legacy of discrimination that has pushed Black farmers off the land. — … The administration has promised to make agriculture a cornerstone

February 1, 2021 Read Full Article

Press Release: Advanced Biofuels USA Launches “Just A Minute (or So) about Renewable Fuels” Series of Short Educational Videos

For Immediate Release January 29, 2021—Frederick, MD — — Curious about renewable fuels? About biofuels? This new series of short videos enables you to take just a few minutes to get a quick review of essentials about renewable fuels. By watching a 2-4 minutes (or so) video you can learn about

January 29, 2021 Read Full Article

“Just a Minute” Educational Series Presents Episode 5: Why Biofuels? Diving Deeper into the Benefits of Renewable Fuels, and Their Many Benefits to Society

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The fifth episode of “Just A Minute (or So) about Renewable Fuels” focuses on the environmental and geopolitical benefits of using renewable fuels. It is vital to look towards renewable fuels in order to reduce carbon emissions and create diversity in our energy sources.

January 29, 2021 Read Full Article

Planting Crops — and Carbon, Too

by Gabriel Popkin (Washington Post) President Biden says farmers can adopt agricultural methods that help fight climate change. Maryland farmer Trey Hill has been trying. … As the winter cover crops grow, they will feed microbes and improve the soil’s health, which Hill believes will eventually translate into higher yields of

January 22, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Geoff Cooper

“Some ethanol being produced today in Iowa reduces GHG emissions by nearly 80 percent, according to analysis by California regulators. Why wouldn’t we want to combine ethanol’s environmental benefits with those of the renewable power sector?“ —Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association in The Gazette. READ MORE

January 19, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Adam Comora

“Companies operating Class 8 trucks are quickly realizing that they don’t have to wait for new, unproven technologies and infrastructure to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save on fuel costs—our RNG does that today.” — Adam Comora, President and CEO of TruStar Energy talking about renewable natural gas

January 12, 2021 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Jacques Leslie

“Los Angeles is a natural focus for treaty organizers because of its unusually high concentration of oil infrastructure in an urban setting: The city is home to more than 800 active wells in 26 oil and gas fields.” —Jacques Leslie in a Los Angeles Times op-ed about the Fossil Fuel

January 5, 2021 Read Full Article

Ames Adds New 100% Biodiesel Powered Trucks

by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) Renewable Energy Group and Optimus Technologies recently partnered to help Ames, Iowa grow its fleet of sustainable vehicles. 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

December 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Sneak Peek of Major Climate Legislation in the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 Webinar Review

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The upcoming climate legislation of the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 will be focusing on general climate solutions, carbon pricing, and environmental justice. Senator Paul Pinsky discussed his sponsoring of the upcoming Climate Solutions Now Act (SB926), also known as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions

December 18, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Emmanuel Desplechin

“While the focus may be on the growing importance of electric vehicles, the (EU) Commission’s strategy confirms that battery EVs will represent around 11% of the EU vehicle fleet in 2030. Even a decade from now, a large majority of cars on the road will still run on liquid fuel,

December 11, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — P.J. Griekspoor

“The time is right for ethanol advocates to make sure the right message gets to the right ears. What ethanol can provide is a high-octane additive that reduces the carbon footprint of not just the fuel burned in automobiles, but at the refinery level by replacing the energy-intensive aromatics that are

December 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Engineer Aims to Have Biodiesel Plants across Australia within a Decade

by Vernon Graham (Farm Online National) A Toowoomba engineer aims to have all Australia farmers switched to biodiesel within 10 years. Johnny Wapstra has founded a start-up, Seed 2 Diesel, and hopes to have a state-of-the-art biodiesel plant somewhere between Toowoomba and Warwick ready for scaling and replication across Australia in two

December 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Is RNG a California-Only Fuel?

by Jake Drake (ACT News/Trillium) … It is true that California continues to make great strides in RNG investment and production. In just the first half of 2020, RNG made up nearly 90% of all natural gas vehicle fuel consumed in the state. Accelerated by the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard

December 3, 2020 Read Full Article

The Ham Trick Is Organized for the Fifth Time in a Row – Christmas Cooking Waste Fats Are Recycled into Neste MY Renewable Diesel

(Neste) The Ham Trick (Kinkkutemppu in Finnish), a campaign that demonstrates circular economy, will be organized for the fifth Christmas in a row. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage Finnish households to collect and recycle their ham waste fats and other Christmas cooking waste fats, from which Neste will

December 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Taps Adviser Who Ties Gasoline Price to Emissions

by Scott Waldman (E&E News) President-elect Joe Biden’s financial policy will be shaped — at least in part — by an economic adviser who believes fossil fuels are “severely underpriced” because they don’t consider the harm caused by climate change. READ MORE

December 1, 2020 Read Full Article

Arlington: Cease The Grease and Protect Your Pipes during the Holidays

(Patch Arlington, TX) By collecting and recycling this used cooking oil and grease, residents are preventing these products from clogging pipes in their home. Arlington residents can protect their home plumbing and prevent sewer backups by recycling used cooking oil at two locations this holiday season. The 2020 Holiday Grease

November 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Biofuels to Boost Clean Fuel Standard to Biden

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Some of the largest biofuels companies plan to ask Biden to impose a nationwide standard to reduce carbon emissions from transport fuels, Reuters reports, citing five sources familiar with the matter. The push reflects the industry’s “increasing concern about the future as Biden prepares measures

November 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Solutions from the Land Unveils Video Showing the Solutions Farmers Can Offer to Meet Global Challenges

(Solutions from the Land) A 20-minute video presentation in which Solutions from the Land farmer leaders offer a vision of solutions that farming operations can deliver to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by UN member nations is now available on YouTube. This presentation, Solutions from the Land: Enabling Farmers

November 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Qatar Airways Launches Passenger Carbon Offset Programme in Partnership with IATA and ClimateCare

(GreenAir Online) Qatar Airways has launched a voluntary carbon offset programme for passengers in partnership with IATA and ClimateCare. The programme has been developed through IATA’s Carbon Offset Program, which aims to bring standardisation to airline passenger offset programmes and share best practice in the structure and implementation of carbon offsetting.

November 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Under President Biden the U.S. Military Must Lead the Way on Climate Change

by Ray Mabus (Time Magazine) … When I left office in January 2017, at sea about 40% of energy came from non-fossil fuel sources. Nuclear is 17% and the rest was from a variety of biofuels. In 2011, President Obama directed the Departments of the Navy, Energy and Agriculture to come up

November 19, 2020 Read Full Article

It’s Electric

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) IT’S ELECTRIC: A coalition of utilities, electric vehicle makers and mineral producers have formed a new association to push for 100 percent electric vehicle sales by 2030, Pro’s Anthony Adragna reports this morning. The group, dubbed the Zero Emission Transportation Association, will seek policies to help the growing

November 17, 2020 Read Full Article

One Minute Video: The Use of Biofuels–Purchase Consciously

by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Created for Dickinson College’s Eco-Reps fall mission of People, Planet, Prosperity, this lively video helps people learn more about biofuels in order to consciously purchase vehicles that can reduce their carbon footprint. WATCH VIDEO *Hannah DelSordo expects her BA in International Studies and French

November 16, 2020 Read Full Article

California Official Sees State Auto Emissions Deal as ‘Template’ for Biden

by Nichola Groom, David Shepardson (Reuters) California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, who sources say could be the next federal environment chief, said on Thursday her state’s agreement with manor automakers for fuel efficiency requirements could serve as a “good template” for federal standards through 2025. The Trump administration in

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Greens’ Treasury Hunt

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Green groups are laser-focused on the Treasury secretary position under the Biden administration in hopes of securing climate change victories in the financial arena. … Environmental groups see the Treasury secretary position as a means to secure climate change victories from the Biden administration,

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Dalai Lama Joins Pope as Religious Leaders Campaigning against Climate Change

by Natasha Lasky (Our Daily Planet) In an interview with Channel 4 News and the Guardian, the Dalai Lama put out a call to action to fight climate change. He urged world leaders to take immediate action, emphasizing that the effects of global warming would disrupt billions of people’s lives, and would

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Climate 21 Project Memos

(Climate 21 Project) The Climate 21 Project taps the expertise of more than 150 experts with high-level government experience, including nine former cabinet appointees, to deliver actionable advice for a rapid-start, whole-of-government climate response coordinated by the White House and accountable to the President. The memos below contain the Climate 21 Project’s recommendations for

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany, aireg, Welcomes reisetopia as a New Member

(aireg) aireg and its members are happy to welcome reisetopia as a new member. The biggest German website for luxury travel has been advocating a stronger focus on sustainability in the travel industry for a long time. As of now, reisetopia supports the goals of aireg by providing in-depth coverage

November 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Sets Agency Transition Teams

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) — The Biden transition named members of the teams that will guide the transfer of power inside federal agencies. — World leaders piled on the congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden this week, with many pledging to work with the U.S. on tackling climate change. — A Federal Reserve

November 12, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Geoff Cooper

RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper reminds us that President Elect Joe Biden committed on the campaign trail to put an end to the Trump Administration’s EPA small refinery waivers on day one according to Brownfield Ag News. READ MORE

November 10, 2020 Read Full Article

US ELECTIONS: Results Show Deeper Divide on Energy Issues, Tough Path for Tackling Climate

by Meghan Gordon, Jasmin Melvin and Maya Weber (S&P Global Platts) Lack of ‘blue wave’ to sweep in climate agenda; Fracking faceoff amplifies rural-urban divide; Status quo embraced in governor, state house races — … “Energy remains a powerful wedge in an increasingly divided America,” said Katie Bays, managing director

November 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Manta Biofuels Launches Crowd Investment Campaign

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This week, Manta Biofuels has launched a crowd investment campaign on Republic and began reaching out to colleagues, business associates, mentors and friends, offering them a chance to invest in this growing business. Dedicated to doing their part to fight climate change, Manta Biofuels

November 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Fuels Association on the Election’s Impact on the Biofuel Sector

(RFD TV) One of the biggest issues the ag sector has been focusing on amid this election is the regulation of U.S. biofuels. Geoff Cooper, the president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, speaks with RFD-TV’s own Christina Loren on what he is focused on, what he would like

November 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Column: Markets and Consumers, Not President, Control Oil’s Future

by Brent Sohngen (Columbus Dispatch) …When Joe Biden exclaimed that he wanted to transition the American economy from oil, the opposition pounced. I must say, I was a bit surprised by the uproar over the former vice president’s comment, given that every American president since the Arab oil embargo in

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Michelle Fischbach Ousts Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s Seventh District

by Briana Bierschbach (Star Tribune) Republican Michelle Fischbach ousted DFL Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota’s Seventh District on Tuesday, ending a three-decade career in Congress and toppling Democras’ powerful chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Fischbach, a former lieutenant governor and state senator from Paynesville, benefited from President Donald Trump’s popularity

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

US Elections: Ernst Holds onto Iowa Senate Seat after Race Tests Biofuel Support

by Meghan Gordon (S&P Global Platts) Republican played key role in biofuel mandate talks; Opponent supported clean energy, denounced ‘Big Oil’; Ernst took heat for commodity prices, EPA confirmation — US Senator Joni Ernst, Republican-Iowa, held onto her seat after a tight race that tested her support of biofuel makers and knowledge of

November 4, 2020 Read Full Article

The Energy 202: The Oil Industry Thinks It Can Work with Biden, Despite Call for ‘Transition’ Away from It

by Dino Grandoni with Alexandra Ellerbeck (Washington Post) Joe Biden said he wanted a “transition” away from the oil industry. But the oil industry itself thinks it can still work with the Democratic nominee should he win the White House in today’s election. There is a lot that the American

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Energy Plan May Be More Similar to Trump Policy than Expected

by Patti Domm (CNBC) • Former Vice President Joe Biden may have greener goals for U.S. energy, but he will not end or sharply curtail oil and gas fracking, energy experts concur. • His $2 trillion plan would encourage investment in infrastructure, electric vehicles, renewable energy, efficient buildings and in

November 3, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Monte Shaw

“No matter which party is in charge of the House, Senate, or White House, we have our work cut out for us.” — Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw READ MORE

November 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Ethanol Looks beyond Trump-Biden Bluster to Biofuel Reset

by Kim Chipman and Jennifer A Dlouhy (Bloomberg Green) Presidential, Iowa Senate races put biofuel in spotlight; Renewable Fuel Standard uncertainty clouds ethanol outlook — … The winner will oversee a “reset” of the congressional mandate to blend biofuels with gasoline. This new phase of the Renewable Fuel Standard, created in 2005

November 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Sunbird to Supply Indeni with Ethanol for Fuel Blending

by Michael Kaumba (ZNBC) ZANIS-Indeni Petroleum Refinery Company Limited has engaged Sunbird Bioenergy Africa in Kawambwa to supply the first consignment of ethanol that will be used in a large-scale pilot test on the feasibility of ethanol and gasoline blending. Head of Research and Development at Indeni, Zebed Mwiche was speaking shortly

October 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Disclosing the Gap: More Companies Are Reporting Their Climate Risks

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) More companies are reporting their climate risks, corporate governance on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions and targets, according to an annual update of the Task-force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures. But just one in 15 are testing their resilience against various climate change scenarios. Countries

October 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Letters: Greenfield Would Protect Biofuels Industry

by Matt Russell (Des Moines Register) … We don’t produce fossil fuel in Iowa. However, Republicans are clear they support Big Oil. They have done almost nothing to stop the Trump administration from handing out benefits to oil companies while he has sucker-punched Iowa’s ethanol industry. The world will continue to need

October 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Column: A Clear Choice to Support Farmers

by Mike Naig (Iowa Department of Agriculture/The Rock Island Dispatch Argus) … I want to bring awareness to the recent executive order signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. In his order, Newsom plans to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This follows previous announcements of the “Green New

October 27, 2020 Read Full Article

UN-Linked Plan Charts US Course to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050

by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) The Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP), crafted by roughly 100 individuals spanning academia and think tanks, would help the U.S. reach the goals of the Paris Climate Accord and hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The research found that a transition to almost entirely clean sources

October 27, 2020 Read Full Article

New Volkswagen Golf TGI Designed to Run on Biomethane

(Bioenergy Insight) The new Volkswagen Golf TGI is equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three natural gas fuel tanks, which can utilise biomethane. The tanks are integrated into the underbody and permit a range of approximately 400 kilometres in pure natural gas mode. The engine of the ‘quasi-monovalent’ drive

October 27, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — K. Johnson

Rolling back auto emission standards was exactly the wrong way to go. … An alliance between environmentalists and farmers to switch to a clean auto fuel seems like a win-win for both parties. —K. Johnson‘s letter to Storm Lake Times READ MORE

October 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump’s Rural Edge Shrinks with Enthusiasm Fading in Key States

by Mike Dorning (Bloomberg) Surveys show Trump’s margin fading versus 2016 exit polls; Biden campaign making efforts to play for rural votes — The big margin of support among rural voters that helped Donald Trump secure victory four years ago is looking less firm in 2020 with the potential to

October 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Campaign’s Carbon Offset Plan Full of Holes

by Corbin Hiar (E&E News) Biden, who has made climate change a centerpiece of his effort to defeat President Trump, pledged last year to offset his campaign’s carbon dioxide emissions by funding programs that reduce global greenhouse gases. Yet so far the Biden campaign has offset roughly half of its emissions

October 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Alaska Airlines and Microsoft Sign Partnership to Reduce Carbon Emissions with Flights Powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Key routes

(Microsoft) Sustainable aviation fuel supplied by industry leader SkyNRG signals new approach for business travel –Microsoft Corp. employees who fly between their global headquarters in Redmond, Washington, and California on Alaska Airlines will fly more sustainably thanks to the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to cover their business travel.

October 23, 2020 Read Full Article

‘It’s a Sea Change’: How Climate Went from the Back Burner to a Central Issue in This Year’s Debates

by Brady Dennis (Washington Post) The last time there was a substantive discussion at a presidential debate about the climate was 20 years ago. And Democrat Al Gore’s predictions have pretty much come true. — … Last month, Chris Wallace of Fox News unexpectedly raised the subject during the first

October 22, 2020 Read Full Article

RFA: Oil-State Senators Ask EPA to Violate the Law, Ignore the Courts

(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association today blasted the latest attempt by oil refiners and their supporters in the Senate to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard. On Wednesday, a small group of oil-state Senators submitted a short letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler asking him to waive the 2021 RFS standards to

October 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Column: There’s a Burning Mandate for Change, Green Jobs

by George Miller (Columbus Dispatch) … From geothermal steam in Nevada to the low-carbon biofuel feedstocks harvested across Ohio, carbon savings are available through the labor and ingenuity of green energy workers in every community. We’ve seen this strategy work in California, where the clean energy industry already supports 475,000 jobs

October 21, 2020 Read Full Article

A Biden Win Could Make or Break Ethanol

(National Journal) Joe Biden is vowing to invest big in cleaner biofuels as part of his outreach to rural communities. But he’ll likely face intense pressure from climate hawks to slash corn-ethanol blending requirements. READ MORE The Energy 202: Joe Biden’s ethanol push to woo Iowa farmers sets up tension

October 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Win Could Be Net Positive for Metals and Mining, Observers Say

by Jacob Holzman and Gaurang Dholakia (S&P Global Platts) … As a result, observers have predicted that producers of battery and base metals such as lithium and nickel could benefit from a Biden victory. … The benefits to metals producers from a Biden win could stretch beyond the boundaries of

October 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave Is the First Feature Length Production from Hip Hop Caucus’ Think 100% FILMS

(Think100Climate.com) This first look into Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave was aired on Earth Day Live’s global stream on April 22nd, the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. And now we are sharing it with you! Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave is the first feature length production from Hip Hop Caucus’ Think

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump in Iowa Touts Ethanol, Farm Policy

by Erin Murphy (The Courier) Campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s work to boost the ethanol industry and help farmers in Iowa. Trump’s administration this year issued a rule that allows gas stations to sell a higher ethanol blend year-round. “They were killing ethanol,”

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden’s Energy Future

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Joe Biden put some space between his clean energy plan and that of the Green New Deal during last night’s town hall, while also pitching renewables and carbon capture. … Former Vice President Joe Biden pitched a future dependent on renewables and carbon capture,

October 16, 2020 Read Full Article

New Star-Studded Netflix Doc Suggests Regenerative Agriculture Will Solve the Climate Crisis — Exclusive

by Sophie Hirsch (Green Matters) To significantly mitigate the climate crisis, there are a lot of problems humans need to solve — and as the new Netflix documentary Kiss the Ground suggests, one of the biggest problems is right under your feet: the soil. Narrated by Woody Harrelson and featuring music from

October 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Eyes Trade Agenda to Combat Climate Change

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Joe Biden and key Democrats in Congress say they want to use the trade agenda to fight global warming if they win the White House and Senate next month, POLITICO’s Gavin Bade reports . Biden’s trade agenda calls for a global ban on fossil

October 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Applications Being Accepted for Maryland’s Clean Fuels Technical Assistance (CFTA) Program DEADLINE November 11, 2020

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has opened the Clean Fuels Technical Assistance (CFTA) Program, a new pilot, test-of-concept program which aims to provide eligible local government and municipal fleets with technical assistance as they consider alternative transportation fuel options for their on-road fleet. Through CFTA, a technical assistance contractor employed

October 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Carbon Offsetting – Salvation or Scam (Best Offsets for 2020)

by Jacob A (Call to Adventure) … Offset projects tackle emissions in a variety of ways. Some focus their climate action on carbon capture, which involves directly removing CO2 or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Trees are the most obvious examples of this. Others focus on preventing future emissions, such

October 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Would Be Good for Oil Sector, Goldman Sachs Says

by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) With his $2 trillion plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Joe Biden might seem a far from ideal president for the Texas oil and gas industry. But new analysis by Goldman Sachs says that compared with a second term of the Trump administration, a Biden presidency

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Trade, Biofuels and the Environment: Key Agriculture Issues in U.S. Election

by P.J. Huffstutter, Karl Plume and Stephanie Kelly (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump enjoys broad support among farmers, but some are unhappy about the impact of his trade and biofuel policies on crop prices and international demand for U.S. agricultural products. Democrat challenger Joe Biden has seized on the biofuel issue,

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Q&A: How Regenerative Ag Benefits Farmers in General Mills’ Key Sourcing Regions

by Nate Birt (Farm Journal Ag Web) Over the past year, a wave of global food companies have transitioned their focus from sustainable to regenerative agriculture. General Mills—maker of Cheerios cereal, Yoplait yogurt, Nature Valley granola bars and Pillsbury desserts, among its more than 100 brands—has been doing that for years.

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Heating-Oil Industry Seeks to End Reliance on — Oil!

(The New England Council /New England Diary) “The National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) has announced a plan to eliminate fossil-fuel energy reliance in the heating-oil industry by 2050. The pledge is intended to reduce emissions and ultimately turn heating oil into renewable fuel. “The announcement follows a pledge made last year by

October 13, 2020 Read Full Article

AG Talks Priorities to White House Aspirants

by Steve Kopperud (Brownfield Ag News) This was the week agriculture – organized and individual – emerged from the political closet and started laying down markers for the November 3 election. The Ag CEO Council, comprised of the heads of 21 of the nation’s largest ag groups, including the American Farm Bureau

October 9, 2020 Read Full Article

LCV Victory Fund Drops $2 Million to Hit Trump

by Eric Wolff (Politico’s Morning Energy) The League of Conservation Voters Victory Fund said Thursday it will spend $2 million in digital and cable ads attacking oil companies and President Donald Trump for exacerbating climate change. “Trump isn’t the only one who denies reality and puts people’s health and safety

October 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Trump Administration Invests Up to $100 Million to Increase American Biofuel Sales

(U.S. Department of Agriculture) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to

October 9, 2020 Read Full Article

U-Haul Purchases First Million Gallons of Renewable Propane

by Michael Bates (NGT News) U-Haul has unveiled its latest green initiative, with the purchase of its first million gallons of renewable propane, which is available to customers at U-Haul autogas facilities across Southern California. U-Haul, the largest retailer of propane in the U.S., teamed with Suburban Propane Partners, a nationwide distributor of

October 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Biden Considering Climate Lead for White House

by Eric Wolff (Politico’s Morning Energy) The Democratic nominees in considering appointing a senior adviser to oversee energy and climate policy across the government if he wins next month’s election. Ben Lefebvre and Anthony Adragna report that there’s no firm list of who might occupy such a post, but former Obama adviser John

October 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Trust Me. I’m from the Government and Here to Help

by Dave VanderGriend (ICM/Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) … But what we thought we did know was that he (President Donald Trump) was determined to remove regulations that were holding back American business. So that held some excitement and promise as to the art of the possible. As we looked

October 7, 2020 Read Full Article

The Pandemic Could End Texas’s Oil Boom—and Start Something Better: Profits from the Permian Basin Are Falling and Renewable Energy Is Surging. Here’s What That Means for the Lonestar State’s Future.

by Justin Miller (Texas Observer/Popular Science) … Thousands flocked to the region to get a piece of the boom. “You could be someone with no college degree, no high school diploma … and get out here and make $50,000 to $60,000 a year, easy,” says (Josh) Thomas, who was

October 6, 2020 Read Full Article

QUOTE OF THE WEEK — Geoff Cooper

Calling an electric vehicle a ZEV is like calling a donkey a unicorn — it sounds nice, but it simply isn’t real. Just because there aren’t any greenhouse gas emissions coming out the tailpipe of an electric vehicle doesn’t mean the vehicle and its fuel are emissions-free. The electricity that powers

October 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Sonny Perdue Fuels Ethics Scrutiny as Trump’s Rural Envoy

by Ryan McCrimmon (Politico) The agriculture secretary has kept farmers in Trump’s corner, but Democrats claim he crosses the line between public duties and political promotion. — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue offered a spirited pitch for voters to reelect President Donald Trump at an official USDA event with North Carolina food

October 5, 2020 Read Full Article

25 Years in the Bioeconomy: A Journey Still Exciting, An Adventure Still Rewarding

by Wayne Lee (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Editor’s note to readers: Lee Enterprises Consulting celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 4th — having grown from a boutique biodiesel consulting firm to the world’s largest bioeconomy consulting collective. Today, the bioeconomy is a worldwide business encompassing fuels, advanced agriculture, renewable chemicals, vegan

October 5, 2020 Read Full Article

A Plug-In Flex Fuel Hybrid for the Nation

by Timothy J. Rudnicki (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) What would it take to cut petroleum use by at least 85 percent in the near term? What vehicle powertrain can use two renewable sources of energy and on one fill provide a range greater than 450 miles? It’s the plug-in flex fuel hybrid vehicle. As

September 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Climate Crosstalk: Joe Biden Said He Didn’t Back Progressives’ Green New Deal

by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico’s Morning Energy) Joe Biden said he didn’t back progressives’ Green New Deal during the volatile debate on Tuesday amid charges from Trump that the former vice president supported an environmental plan that would cost $100 trillion, Pro’s Zack Colman reports. “I don’t support the Green New Deal,” Biden

September 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Joni Ernst Is Now in Trouble. Trump Is a Huge Part of Her Problem.

by Art Cullen (Washington Post/Storm Lake Times) One big reason Republicans are shoving a Supreme Court appointment through the Senate before the election is their rising fear of losing the upper chamber — and the White House — in November. Those fears are well-founded. Two weeks ago, one of the

September 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Neste MY Renewable Diesel Available at More than 100 Sales Points in the Netherlands

(Neste) Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel and the 3rd most sustainable company in the world*, celebrates reaching the milestone of 100 Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ sales points in the Netherlands. Neste MY Renewable Diesel, produced from 100% renewable raw materials, was launched on the Dutch market in October

September 28, 2020 Read Full Article

“Just A Minute” Short Educational Video about Retrofitting to Use E85 in Existing Vehicles

(Advanced Biofuels USA) The third in the “Just A Minute about Renewable Fuels” short educational video series in four minutes explains how to decrease the carbon footprint of existing vehicles while waiting for electric vehicles to be affordable, available, powered by renewables using fair trade batteries. It describes flex fuel

September 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Mycelium Coffins, Wine Waste Sneakers, Ingredion’s New Protein Isolates and More: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the Week of September 24th

by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) As COVID-19 deaths sadly reached the 200,000 mark in the U.S. this week, some innovators are finding more sustainable ways to deal with death in the form of mycelium coffins that help compost the body and remove toxins from the soil. On a more uplifting

September 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Heating Oil Industry Launches Plan to Shift to 100% Renewable Fuels by 2050

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “Biofuels proven as most affordable, immediate path to net-zero carbon,” says NEFI. — In Washington, representatives from the National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI) and global management consulting firm Kearney announced a plan for the heating oil industry to eliminate fossil energy use by 2050. This will

September 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Avfuel Marks First Flight Department Delivery of SAF

(Biofuels International) Avfuel Corporation demonstrated its continued commitment to driving sustainability forward with a delivery of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Atlantic Aviation. The delivery at New Castle Airport, in Delaware, US, was for one of the airport’s private flight department tenants. This marked the fuel supplier’s first such delivery