by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Food vs Fuel, biofuels causing corn planting to skyrocket, low oil prices killing off renewable fuels, the subsidy myth, the emissions myth, the “people won’t buy the fuels” myth, and the Insanity myth. ... In the world
We've Got a Methane Problem
by Fred Krupp (GreenBiz/Environmental Defense Fund) As I write this, a massive methane leak from a ruptured natural gas storage facility in California is causing, every day, as much climate damage over the next 20 years as 7 million cars on the
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
UPS to Power Fleet with Gas from Landfills
by Carla Caldwell (Atlanta Business Chronicle) Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) will supply its fleet in two states with renewable natural gas produced by landfills. UPS says its fleet in Jackson, Miss., and Memphis, will use an estimated 15
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
BETO Announces Notice of Intent (NOI) to Develop Pathways to Biofuels and Bioproducts
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Energy Department announces its intent to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels.” This FOA supports BETO’s goal of meeting its 2022
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
What About Willow? Willows Could Be Next Big Thing for Conservation, Biofuel Feedstock
by Claire Vath (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) ... "We had something like 200 trespass cows from a nearby land lease," Willow says. So, they constructed a fence. And while it kept animals out, the damage had already been wrought. "Those cows destroyed
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Business Academy® Biodiesel Essay Scholarship 2016
(AltEnergyMag.com/Biodiesel Business Academy) The program is open to any youth who may be studying in schools, college or university or in profession. The program is not limited to only those who are related to different supply chain of biofuel. --
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Lehigh Valley Biofuel Entrepreneurs Charged in $50M Federal Scam
by Kurt Bresswein (Lehigh Valley Live) The owners of a Lehigh Valley company are accused of scamming taxpayers out of about $50 million in payments, subsidies and other benefits paid out for purportedly turning cooking oil into biofuel. David Dunham, 35,
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: From Rhetoric to Reality
by Shelagh Whitley and Laurie van der Burg (New Climate Economy) The research underpinning this New Climate Economy Working Paper was a major input into the 2015 New Climate Economy report and articulates the practical steps that policymakers can take to
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Can PACE Project Drive Algal Biofuels to Marketability?
(Algae Industry Magazine) Dr. Richard Sayre, a scientist in the Bioenergy and Biome Sciences group at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the New Mexico Consortium, writes in the Santa Fe New Mexican about a new research project led by Los
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
TSCA Reform: Detailed Summary of Key Changes in Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697) as Compared with S. 697 Passed by Senate EPW in June
(Bergeson & Campbell) This analysis reviews the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697) as passed by the Senate on December 17, 2015, and compares it to the previous version of S. 697 (identified as
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
US Department of Energy Awards $13.5 Million to Enhance Sorghum for Biofuel
(Donald Danforth Plant Science Center/EurekAlert!) The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center announced that it will be part of a major collaborative research project to improve sorghum's productivity under resource-limited conditions. The research should lead to strategies to increase plant biomass
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Fiberight Announces Major Investor during Trash Group’s Meeting
by Dawn Gagnon (Bangor Daily News) Members of the group representing the trash-disposal interests of nearly 200 Maine towns were briefed Wednesday on progress made toward operating their own recycling and processing facility. Perhaps the biggest news for Municipal Review Committee
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Sunoco Ethanol Plant in Volney Receives NYS REDC Grant to Support Construction of Barley Malting Facility
(SatPRNews.com/Marketwired) $9.1 Million Project to Be Supported by $700,000 Regional Economic Development Council Grant -- The Sunoco Fulton Ethanol manufacturing facility in Volney, N.Y. has received a Central New York Regional Economic Development Grant in the amount of $700,000 as
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Experimental Algae to Grow at the Refinery
(PKN ORLEN) PKN ORLEN is starting another R&D project to explore alternative sources of next-generation biocomponents. The Company plans to open a research station at its Production Plant in Płock, where carbon dioxide and process wastewater will be used to grow
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Rapid Development of Cost Superior Bio-Based Processes: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to DMC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DMC’s technology enables reproducibility and robustness to scale; Production of a diversity of targets using a single bioprocess; HTS approaches that translate to full scale performance — and the company says, “50X improvement in speed and cost of
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Biofuels: Where are the Gallons? A Digest Special report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest and Iogen) ... The Bottom Line: Acquire better, cheaper biomass; Release matured market-ready technologies; Find markets where carbon premiums are available to products, not for a free benefit for society as a whole; Don't underpromise
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Are We There Yet? A Biofuel Refinery Update
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) As oil prices plummet, are drop-in aviation biofuel refineries ever going to be built? --- In September 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE), along with the Departments of the Navy and Agriculture, announced a
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
US Wild Bee Numbers Decline as Land Is Converted for Biofuel
by Matt McGrath (BBC News) Wild bees in the US have declined in many farming areas according to the first national effort to map their numbers. -- The study suggests that between 2008 and 2013, the numbers of wild bees
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Weighing Panama’s Biofuels Policy & Market
(Stratas Advisors) This segment is from the report, “Panama: Biofuels Policy & Market.” The full report is part of Stratas Advisors’ Global Biofuels Assessment service. Rising oil prices and dependence on imported petroleum products led Panama’s government to consider implementing a domestic
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
More Biofuel Pumps at Missouri Gas Stations
by Mindy Ward (Farm Progress) Consumers will have more biofuel,ethanol choices at the gas pump. -- Mark Cadle sees the investment in biofuel infrastructure in Missouri as a win-win-win. "The goal is to expand markets for farmers, support rural economic growth,
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
California LCFS Presents Opportunities for Ethanol Producers
By John Sens (EcoEngineers/Ethanol Producer Magazine) CARB readopts standards, and sets time lines and treatment for legacy pathways. -- In the first three quarters of 2015, California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits increased in price by 212 percent. October saw
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
USGC Ethanol Export Program Yields Results in Peru
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council’s ethanol export promotion program has seen an early success with a U.S. exporter confirming sales of 10 million gallons of U.S. ethanol to Peru—valued at more than $15 million—following a trade
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Cyanobacteria Efficient at “Harvesting” Light
(Algae Industry Magazine) Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have an ingenious system to prepare themselves for the coming daylight when it is dark by setting up a large “antenna.” This antenna helps them capture light energy in an efficient
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
FTC Report: US Ethanol Market Remains Unconcentrated
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Federal Trade Commission has issued its 2015 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration. As in prior years, the report concludes that it is “extremely unlikely that a single ethanol producer or marketer or group
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Linde Hydrogen Fueling System Surpasses One Million Fills at BMW South Carolina Plant
(Fuel Cells Works) ... "Because of the way it is produced, the hydrogen supplied to BMW is sustainable with only a small carbon footprint incurred during shipping," said Dave Read (Business Development Manager – Hydrogen Fuel Markets). "The hydrogen is a by-product of
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
St. Landry Parish Opens Expanded BioCNG Fuel F(acility
(St. Landry Parish/Biomass Magazine) St. Landry Parish has officially opened its expanded BioCNG Vehicle Fuel Facility at its sanitary landfill, which is now fueling Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. refuse vehicles collecting residential trash in St. Landry Parish. It is the only
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Brazil Pioneers the Rise of ‘Second Generation’ Biofuel
(Petro-Online.com) The roads of Brazil are flooded with over 36 million cars. With over 60% of vehicles running on ethanol based petrol, the environmental credentials of the country are impressive. Over the past few years, a number of innovative ‘second
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Got the Need for Speed? E85 Is the High-Octane Fuel for You
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) E85 ethanol has a benefit for just about everybody: Some people like the fact that the fuel often is much cheaper than regular gasoline, even with gas prices at their cheapest in years. Others
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Decarbonising Transport Must Take Centre Stage in Europe’s Efforts to Meet Historic COP21 Ambitions
(ePURE) On 12 December, 195 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and strengthen global action to fight climate change. The Paris Agreement includes an objective to limit global warming to
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodegradable Chemicals, Renewable, Abundant, Low Cost: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Rivertop Renewables
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Rivertop has developed a way to make glucaric acid, glucarates and other biodegradable chemicals from renewable resources in abundant quantity and at a low cost. These and other renewable chemicals can reduce society’s dependence on
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
In Santa’s Stocking: 3 Big Wins for Renewable Fuels, Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) $1 biodiesel tax credit extended through 2016, and much more. In Washington, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate passed legislation for retroactive reinstatement of the $1 per gallon biodiesel mixture excise tax credit from January
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Immersive Algae Education Programs Growing in Popularity
(Algae Industry Magazine) Students of algal research, including it’s various applications and business models, have increasing opportunities to get quickly up to speed in many aspects of the rapidly developing, somewhat confounding, algae industry. New educational opportunities are more and
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Budget Deal Oil-for-Renewables Trade Would Substantially Reduce Carbon Emissions
by Varun Sivaram and Michael Levi (Council on Foreign Relations) ... In this post we’re going to estimate the climate impact of the renewables tax credit extensions. We focus on 2016-2020 for three reasons: (a) it’s the period for which
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Climate Benefits of One of the Oldest Technologies Still in Use
(Diesel Technology Forum) Thanks to decades of innovation, clean diesel technology is helping to deliver significant reductions in GHG emissions and is a major feature of the U.S. climate commitment outlined in the INDC that explains how the U.S. will
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Hydrogen from Biomethane; Gasoline & Diesel from Tree Residue; Cellulosic Ethanol among New Proposed California LCFS Fuel Pathways
(Green Car Congress) California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff posted 32 new Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) fuel pathway applications for comments at the LCFS website. Among the multiple applications for different processing pathways of corn or sorghum ethanol are
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
The Countries That Produce The Most Biofuels [Infographic]
by Niall McCarthy (Forbes) In 2010, global biofuel production reached approximately 28 billion gallons. Produced when biomass is converted directly into liquid fuel, ethanol and biodiesel are the two most common forms of biofuel in use today. Who are the main
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Carson Decries Ethanol Subsidies, Rubio Focuses on Manufacturing
(RadioIowa) Republican candidate Ben Carson says he’d like to see all subsidies for the biofuels industry done away with if he wins the White House. Support for ethanol has become a flash point in the race. On Monday Governor Terry Branstad saying he
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Iowa Voters Have Given up on Ethanol; Presidential Candidates Are Following Suit
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) ... Now that fuel, corn-based ethanol, finds itself threatened with a defection that was once unthinkable: Iowa voters. The electorate here in the early voting state often defined by its vast expanses of corn has
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Protecting Public Health Through Cleaner Fuels and Lower Emissions
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing examining the health impacts of current octane sources and the need for cleaner, cost-effective octane providers. Octane is necessary for vehicle performance and increasing octane
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
University of Illinois Awarded Grant to Support Sorghum Research
(University of Illinois/Biomass Magazine) The University of Illinois has been awarded a 3-year, $5 million grant from the DOE Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy as part of its OPEN 2015 funding initiative (ARPA-E OPEN). Under Principal Investigator Andrew Leakey, Associate Professor of
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Chempolis, Avantha Partner to Offer Cellulosic Technology
(Chempolis, Ltd.) Chempolis Ltd., a Finland-based biorefining technology corporation, has entered into partnership with Avantha Group’s research wing Avantha Centre for Industrial Research & Development to offer technology to India to extract ethanol from various agricultural residues for blending with petrol. India is
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Lifting the U.S. Crude Export Ban: Impact on Oil, Biofuels, Wind & Solar & the Evolution of the U.S. Energy Landscape
(Genscape) Now in the hands of president Obama for final sign off, the budget deal that could end the 1975 oil export ban, could also extend investment and Production Tax Credits (ITC and PTC) that support wind and solar energy. The
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Stands by Biofuels’ Greenhouse Gas Benefits
(OntarioFarmer.com) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's final rules on the volume of biofuels that must be produced from 2014 to 2016 shows the agency is convinced that biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels, says Purdue University energy
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Obama Administration Announces Competition to Designate the Third and Final Round of Promise Zones
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that communities may now apply to be designated a Promise Zone under the third
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
44 Saltend Workers Face Redundancy as BP Mothball Research Plant
(Hull Daily Mail) More than 40 staff at a research facility at Saltend have been told they are facing redundancy. Kingston Research Ltd (KRL) is a joint venture between BP and Du Pont. The plant pilots the production of biobutanol – a
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Findin’ the Benjamins: Stern Brothers’ 2015 8-Slide Guide to Renewable Fuels Project Finance
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 Stern Brothers and managing director John May. They’ve been part of
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Aromatics Ascending: IFP Energies Nouvelles, Axens to Accelerate Bio-BTX via Anellotech Partnership
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New York, Anellotech, IFPEN and Axens said they have completed construction on a fully-integrated development and testing plant, “TCat-8”, for the production of bio-based paraxylene, benzene, toluene, ortho-xylene and meta-xylene (BTX), from non-food sources.
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
The Crushing Burden of Hidden Taxes on E85 Renewable Fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s historic news out now — that E85 fuel is available on a wholesale basis for less than 85 cents per gallon. The Anderson’s in Denison, Iowa are wholesaling E85 for $0.84, and Little Sioux
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
US Senate Passes TSCA Reform
by Gayle S. Putrich (Plastics News) The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would update a decades-old law regulating chemical manufacture, transportation and use, after weeks of waiting under a hold focused on unrelated legislation. Though the bill (S 697)
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Study: Bioethanol Lowers CO2 Emissions From German Traffic, Creates Added Value
(Biofuels International) Bioethanol and petrol blends lowered CO2 emissions from road traffic in Germany by around 1.2 million tonnes in the first three quarters of 2015, a new study says. According to the findings of a study in German on the
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
BETO Seeks Stakeholder Input on the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) have released a request for information (RFI) titled “Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines” (Optima).
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Petrol Station Owners Face $1 Million Fines for Mis-stating Ethanol Octane rating
by Anne Davies (Sydney Morning Herald) Service station owners are facing a double whammy over E10 ethanol petrol after the Department of Fair Trading issued warnings they faced fines up to $1 million if they did not start advertising its
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
How Renewable Ethanol Can Be Produced Sustainably
(ePURE) ... At ePURE, the association representing European ethanol producers, we believe that renewable ethanol can play an important role in decarbonising transport. Because ethanol can be blended with petrol to run in existing engines, it is one of the ways we
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
West Coast Mayors Form EV Consortium, Pledge Carbon Reductions
by Bengt Halvorson (Clean Car Reports) ... (M)ayors of four large West Coast cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland—met in Portland for a two-day summit and united to reduce carbon emissions on a regional level. The signed declaration, by the
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Australian Biofuel Use to Plummet Despite Queensland Ethanol Mandate
by Christine Forster (Platts) A decision by the Queensland government to mandate the use of ethanol in regular unleaded gasoline sold in the state may provide a small uptick in demand for the blendstock. But it will not put a
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Alcohol to Renewable Jet Fuel: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Gevo’s ATJ
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Alcohol-to-jet. Several are working on it – Byogy, for example, and Vertimass, Virent and LanzaTech. But Gevo has been working through the rigorous ASTM process for six years, which includes extensive engine testing and data
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Consumers Go ‘Green.’ Are We Leveraging This Trend Enough?
by Sebastian Søderberg (Novozymes/Biofuels Digest) ... I believe consumers are becoming increasingly aware and concerned about the damage their consumption can cause to the planet. With this awareness, comes a growing focus on products that reduce GHG emissions and maximize resource efficiency.
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
“High Confidence Level” as Alcohol-to-Jet Fuel Closes in on Historic ASTM Approval
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As ASTM technical balloting is underway and as experts sift through and request revised submissions of technical data, insiders are pointing to an early 2016 approval for Gevo’s renewable alcohol-to-jet fuel. In Washington, CAAFI Executive Director
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Cruz Out of Sync on Ethanol with Likely Republican Caucus-Goers in Iowa Poll
by John McCormick (Bloomberg Politics) The poll also shows the parochial nature—and potential for hypocrisy—surrounding federal assistance programs -- Ted Cruz's position on a requirement that's key to corn-based ethanol runs counter to the views of a solid majority of
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Modeling Climate Change and its Social Costs
by Osaretin Oghomwen Omorodion* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On November 13th, the National Academies of Science's Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education convened with its board of Environmental Change and Society to assess current trends in monitoring climate change
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Cheap Gas Spurs SUV Sales and Puts U.S. Climate Goals at Risk
by David Shepardson and Paul Lienert (Reuters) Surging demand for trucks and SUVs fueled by cheap gasoline is holding back improvements in U.S. fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, a government report due out on Wednesday is expected to show. The
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Federal Agencies Release Update on National Biogas Activities
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) In support of the Obama Administration's Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) jointly released the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap Progress Report today
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Clean Energy RNG Fuel for Ryder Trucks
(Fleets & Fuels) Ryder Trucks in California to Use ‘Redeem’ Brand Biomethane, Clean Energy to Provide Fuel Station Maintenance Services Too -- Ryder System natural gas vehicles fueling in Orange and Fontana, Calif. will use “Redeem” brand renewable natural gas from
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon Joins Calif., BC in Climate Fight with Clean Fuels Program
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) On Dec. 9 the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Commission voted unanimously to finalize the state’s clean fuels program (CFP). Oregon becomes the third jurisdiction on the West Coast—following California and British Columbia—to implement a comprehensive
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Cal DGS Requires Renewable
(Fleets & Fuels) Directive Covering Bulk Diesel Buys Issued Wednesday --- California’s Department of General Services advised state fuel buyers this week that henceforth they are to purchase renewable diesel fuel, “defined as a diesel fuel that is produced from
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
MBA & KS95 Reward Drivers to Switch to E15
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Twin Cities radio station, KS95 FM, and the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association (MBA), today rewarded customers who fueled up with E15 at Highland Service Minnoco. From 11 am to 12 pm, customers who fueled up with E15 at Highland
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) Begins Production of Cellulosic Ethanol at Stockton Facility
(Street Insider) Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) announced it is now producing cellulosic ethanol at its Stockton, CA facility using Edeniq, Inc.’s Pathway Technology. Neil Koehler, the company’s president and CEO, stated, “We are now commercially producing cellulosic ethanol using Edeniq’s
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Thoughtful Planning Is Essential To Meet The Renewable Fuel Standard
by Ghasideh Pourhashem (Forbes) ... Originally, along with energy security targets and diversifying U.S. fuel mix, the RFS was designed to lower the lifecycle GHG emissions and combustion-related smog from fossil fuel use. In recent years, as domestic energy production
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Tyner: Decision on RFS Is Statement on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Farmers' Advance) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's final rules on the volume of biofuels that must be produced from 2014 to 2016 continues the current policy thrust that biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with fossil fuels, Purdue University energy
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Port of Seattle Partners with Alaska Airlines and Boeing on Plan to Supply Sustainable Aviation Biofuel at Sea-Tac Airport
(PR NewsWire) The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines [NYSE: ALK] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] are partnering to move toward a significant environmental goal: powering all flights by all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation biofuel. Sea-Tac is the
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Production from Paddy Plants Soon
by Dilip Kumar Jha (Business Standard) Avantha Group inks pact with Finland based Chempolis to bring technology to India -- Avantha Group, promoted by $4-billion Gautam Thapar group, has entered into a partnership with Finland-based Chempolis Ltd to produce ethanol
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
India to Allow Ethanol-Only Vehicles; Response to Be Muted
by Mayank Bhardwaj (Reuters) India will soon allow automakers to manufacture vehicles that can run entirely on ethanol, but adoption is likely to be slow as the country has not been able to source the sugarcane by-product even for its
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
School Teaches Farmers to Brew Own Biodiesel
(Tennessee State University Newsroom) Farmers are known to be a pretty independent breed, and a school is teaching them to be energy independent by brewing their own biodiesel. This story from RFD-TV says Tennessee State University’s Agricultural Research and Education
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Researchers Turn Fish Waste Into A Coffee-Scented Biofuel
by Deirdre Lockwood (Chemical & Engineering News) Environment: Hydrothermal carbonization transforms seafood discards into hydrochar, a carbon-rich solid --- Before that beautiful salmon filet lands on your plate, a lot of less appetizing stuff gets stripped away: By one estimate,
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
SASB Issues Provisional Sustainability Accounting Standards for Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy Sector
(Sustainability Accounting Standards Board/PR Newswire) The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board™ (SASB)™, a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sustainability accounting standards for publicly listed companies in the U.S., today issued provisional standards for six industries in the Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy sector,
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Coal Dust and Algae Can Help Meet Future Energy Needs
by Heather Dugmore (Business Day Live) A new fuel, Coalgae, produced from a combination of waste coal dust and algae, could save SA up to 40% of its crude oil imports. Ben Zeelie and his team at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Great Green Fleet Readies to Sail in January
by Meghann Myers (Navy Times) More than six years after it was first announced, the Great Green Fleet will makes its maiden voyage in late January. The carrier strike group will deploy, fueled with a mix of biofuel and fossil fuel
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Soon, a Fuel Based on Coconut Oil for Your Car
(Times of India) As the world continues to debate climate change and curb on emissions, this engineering college has developed a coconut oil-based biofuel that that promises to be more eco-friendly by reducing emmision of carbon and sulphur. SCMS College
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Ramp up Them thar Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Berkeley Lab and ABPDU
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, established by the United States Department of Energy, is the Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit, designed to help ramp up the bioeconomy. ABPDU enables early stage advanced biofuels, biomaterials, and
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
C5 Is the New C6
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Goodbye glucose, hello xylose. The X-Factor in the advanced bioeconomy might just be a sugar that starts with an X. ... When we think about C5s — that are liberated by new technologies from the cellulosic
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Meet the New Climate Villain: Cheap Oil
by Charles Komanoff (Carbon Tax Center) ... The average price of gas sold in the U.S. over the past ten months is 25 percent below last year’s price — the steepest drop in at least 70 years. Americans are responding by
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Electric Planes Aim to Soar High for Cleaner Aviation
by Djallal Malti and Bojan Kavcic (Agence France-Presse/Industry Week) Ultra light, fast and cheap: more than a century after the Wright brothers flew the world’s first powered aircraft, a small Slovenian company now hopes to revolutionize the aviation industry with its
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Consumers Are A-OK With E15 Fuel
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) Study: The alternative fuel is becoming much more “appealing.” --- Just a few years ago, some convenience store retailers and consumers alike were hesitant to sell and purchase E15 fuel, respectively, due to misfueling
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
NREL's Min Zhang Keeps Her "Bugs" Happy, Leading to Biofuel Breakthroughs
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Senior Scientist Min Zhang has a special relationship with Zymomonas mobilis, a rod-shaped bacterium that has bioethanol-producing capabilities. Of her 80 peer-reviewed papers and 21 U.S. patents in the field of biochemistry
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
10 More Rail Stations to Get Biofuel Facility
(The Hindu) In line with the Central policy of adopting biofuel-blended diesel, the South Western Railway (SWR) is planning to extend the blending and storage facilities to 10 more stations in its jurisdiction in the next three to four months. With
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
New Heaven’s Chemical Plant in Manly, US to Start Production in January
(Chemcicals-Technology.com) India-based TSS Group's subsidiary New Heaven Chemicals is set to start production at its chemical plant at the Manly Terminal in Manly, Iowa, US, in January next year. The construction of the plant started 17 months ago and around 40
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Notice of Intent (NOI) to Issue Funding Opportunity for Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield, Phase 2
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announces its intent to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “Advancements in Algal Biomass Yield,
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Presidential Hopeful Would Eliminate Ethanol Subsidies
by James Q. Lynch (The Gazette/AgriView) Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is defending his energy plan that would terminate federal support for ethanol production, claiming that ending subsidies for all forms of energy would expand the market — and demand —
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
New Catalyst Paves Way for Bio-Based Plastics, Chemicals
by Tina Hilding (Washington State University News) Washington State University researchers have developed a catalyst that easily converts bio-based ethanol to a widely used industrial chemical, paving the way for more environmentally friendly, bio-based plastics and products. The researchers have published
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Solvents, Plasticizers, Coalescers, Emollients: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to xF Technologies
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) xF Technologies Inc. is an Albuquerque, NM based company that has developed a thermochemical process to convert biomass into an advanced oxygenate that is compatible with gasoline, diesel and heating oil. xF Technologies plans to
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
HeidelbergCement, Joule Exploring Carbon-Neutral Fuels from Cement CO2
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The quest for affordable, sustainable, point-sourced CO2 brings Joule to Germany and the cement business. Here’s the how and why. Most of the time, power plants get the attention when it comes to CO2 emissions. In
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels May Curb Carbon Dioxide Levels
by Jeannine Otto (AgriNews) “What is it that can do better than corn? We only know one plant right now, and that’s manioc — you know it as tapioca,” said Elwynn Taylor, ag meteorologist and professor of ag meteorology at Iowa
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Holds Promise, But Can We Get It Right?
by Loni Kemp (NRDC/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) The next ethanol boom is most likely to come from cellulose feedstocks, yet US policy is unprepared to ensure that harvest of annual crop residues is sustainable. That’s the conclusion of a new report recently published by
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S., Japan, Germany Among 18 Nations to Build Carbon Markets
by Mathew Carr (BloombergBusiness) Markets will help drive emission reductions under Paris deal; Rules needed to ensure markets have environmental integrity -- Eighteen nations including the U.S., Japan and Germany will work together to develop international carbon markets to help speed
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Mayor Lee Announces City’s Fleet Reaches Goal of Eliminating Use of All Petroleum Diesel
(Office of the Mayor, City and County of San Francisco) Estimated 50 Percent Emissions Reductions Will Be Achieved as Result of Ending Use of Petroleum Diesel & Replacing with Renewable Diesel Mayor Edwin M. Lee today at the West Coast Mayors
December 15, 2015 Read Full Article
B3C Fuel Solutions Awarded Two Patents for New FUEL LIFE Technology
(B3C Fuel Solutions) B3C Fuel Solutions, LLC, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly solutions for ethanol and bio-fuel related problems, was awarded two patents for its FUEL LIFE technology, including patents for fuel preservation technology (Patent no. 9,149,788) and fuel drying
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Bioproducts from Waste Streams: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to TerraVerdae BioWorks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) TerraVerdae BioWorks’ novel bioprocess converts waste-derived methanol and/or methane into bioplastics and industrial metabolites. Bioconversion through this route allows “waste” to be used as an alternative starting material to petroleum. These biomaterials are then processed and
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellufuel Turns Lumber into Renewable Biofuel
by Stephanie vanKampen (CBC News) Cellufuel, based in the former Bowater Merset paper plant, says the 'game changer' fuel is carbon neutral --- A Nova Scotia company says it's the first in the world to create biofuel completely out of
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Way We Can All Aid Climate Goals, Says Z
by Jamie Gray, Sophie Ryan (New Zealand Herald) Z Energy says committing to using biofuel is one way people can contribute to the global effort to reduce climate change outlined in the Paris Agreement. New Zealand has committed, along with 195
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
First Community-Owned MA Biodiesel Plant to Open Early 2016
(Public News Service) Sometime next month a new plant in Greenfield should start cranking out clean biodiesel fuel that is manufactured from recycled cooking oil. Co-op Power CEO Lynn Benander says the plant will take cooking oil waste from restaurants, schools
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
UTM and Cambridge University to Research Jatropha Biofuels
(Biofuels International) A team of experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the University of Cambridge in the UK are embarking to research renewable energy and to develop biofuels for use in small machines like lawnmower. The research project also attempts
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Centre’s New Emission Norms May Help Production of Biofuel Vehicles
by Richa Sharma (The New Indian Express) To check growing air pollution, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways is coming up with standards for bio-diesel run vehicles on the lines of diesel and petrol vehicles. The step is meant
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
A Metabolic Pathway in Cyanobacteria Could Yield Better Biofuels and Bioproducts from Photosynthesis
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) Scientists from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered that a metabolic pathway previously only suggested to be functional in photosynthetic organisms is actually a major pathway and can enable efficient conversion of
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Indiana Opens Applications for Blender Fuel Pump Program
(Indiana Office of Energy Development) The Indiana Office of Energy Development and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council recently announced that publicly-accessible fuel retail stations in Indiana can begin applying for a share of $1,338,400 through the Hoosier Homegrown Fuels Blender
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
USGC Team Shows Saudi Arabian Feed Producers Value of DDGS
(U.S. Grains Council) Two U.S. Grains Council members recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to participate in consultations with sophisticated grain buyers and USGC's local consultant, demonstrating the value of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as part of a nutritious
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Battles Big Oil for Market Share
by Ray Scherer (St. Joseph News-Press) Despite a recent setback, supporters of ethanol — including one St. Joseph company — pledge to renew efforts at persuading the public of the fuel’s viability for their vehicles. ... “The numbers weren’t quite as high as
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Grassley Expects Challenges to EPA's RFS Ruling
by Mike Peterson (KMALand) The Environmental Protection Agency faces congressional and legal action following its recent decision on the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2016. That's according to Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, who is among those not happy with the EPA's
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Climate Change Could Leave Chesapeake Bay Island Uninhabitable in 50 Years
by Oilver Milman (The Guardian) Effects of sea level rise hit close to home for Americans as US army corps of engineers report finds that Tangier Island is crumbling into the sea -- You don’t have to travel to a
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producers and Politics, Looking for Trouble
by William O'Keefe and Jane Van Ryan (Solutions Consulting/The Hill) ... First, air quality, then energy security, and more recently, climate change. All of these problems were exaggerated and none required an ethanol fix, or subsidy, to be precise. And
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
New Study Finds Oil & Gas Methane Emissions in the Barnett Shale Almost Twice What Official Estimates Suggest
by Steven Hamburg (Environmental Defense Fund) A new scientific study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, coordinated by EDF, reports findings from the most comprehensive examination of regional methane emissions completed to date. Focused on
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Create Your Own Biodiesel on Your Farm?
(RFD-TV) ... "This is something where they can grow it, and they can make it themselves and they can use it on the farm," says Jason de Koff, an assistant professor in agronomy and soil science at Tennessee State University.
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Kansas Ethanol: Closing of Abengoa Plant at Hugoton Shouldn't Dash Hopes for Cellulosic Ethanol
by John Montgomery (The Hutchinson News) ... Abengoa shut down the plant last month – eliminating about 50 jobs – a little more than a year after a grand opening celebration featuring high-level state and federal officials. The company also
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels to Bioeconomy Conference Speaker Summaries Published
(Biofuels Digest) In Canada, the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association released a 16-page synopsis of more than a dozen addresses at the recent Canadian Bioeconomy Summit. The synopsis team was led by Dr. Jack Saddler, ... READ MORE Download Summaries Excerpt from
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
The Paris Climate Agreement: What it Says, and What it Means
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The World Starts from Tomorrow” says UN Secretary-General -- In France, representatives from 195 nations approved the Paris Agreement on global, coordinated response framework for climate change. Acceptance of the Agreement arrived at the end
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Here’s What You Need to Know about the Porter Ranch Gas Leak
(Los Angeles Daily News) Nov. 6, 2015 - This morning at 11 a.m., SoCalGas crews and outside experts started the coiled tubing rig operation to attempt to work through an ice blockage inside the 2 7/8-inch tubing pipeline of a
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Best Chance to Save the Planet: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to the Paris Agreement
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Guiding the delegates at Paris for the recent, historic climate change agreement was a whole bunch of data on energy. One of the most intelligent offerings on that topic came from the International Energy Agency,
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
BioTork Announces Groundbreaking Alternative to Fish Oil
(BioTork) – BioTork, LLC, a Florida-based biotechnology company has created a sustainable, GMO-free, vegan omega-3 oil produced from algae. This omega-3 oil will be launched in the nutraceutical, feed and food industries worldwide as a direct replacement to fish oil. Until
December 14, 2015 Read Full Article
New Dual-Purpose Bioenergy, Forage Crop Set for Release
by Kay Ledbette (Texas A&M AgriLife) ... Russ Jessup, an AgriLife Research perennial grass breeder in College Station, said he is introducing a new biofuel-biomass feedstock that is a hybrid “similar to seedless watermelons, seedless grapes and other sterile
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Food Waste Legislation Includes AD Provisions
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Dec. 7, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, introduced the Food Recovery Act of 2015. The bill, which aims to reduce the amount of food waste in the U.S., also contains provisions related to waste-to-energy development. ... One
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Enviva Launches $5 Million Forest Conservation Fund
(Enviva/Biomass Magazine) Enviva Holdings LP, the world’s largest producer of wood pellets, recently announced it is establishing the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund, a $5 million, 10-year program designed to protect tens of thousands of acres of bottomland forests in northeast
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
DuPont, Dow Plan to Merge then Split into 3 Independent Companies
(The Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont/Biomass Magazine) DuPont and The Dow Chemical Co. have announced that their boards of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The combined company will
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Gas Prices Drop Below E-85
(KEYC) The cost for a gallon of standard gasoline has fallen beneath the price for a gallon of E–85. And while some may see this as a blow to the ethanol industry, producers of the fuel are confident this is just a
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Obama's Climate Change Hypocrisy
by Paul Alexander (Huffington Post) Some commentators have argued President Barack Obama suffers from a failure of leadership. That was evidenced once again last week when he traveled to Paris to demand the world cut greenhouse gas emissions on the
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Corn, Soybean Leaders Differ on RFS Perspectives
by Megan Johnson (Nebraska TV) Lots of agriculture groups are meeting during the time between harvest and planting to talk about things impacting their crops and industries. A topic coming up often: the renewable fuel requirement numbers recently set by the
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
How Much Corn for Ethanol? USDA Takes Cautious Approach to Corn Use in New Ethanol Mandate
by Alan Brugler (DTN The Progressive Farmer) USDA on Wednesday increased projected 2015-16 corn use for ethanol by 25 million bushels from its November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. Was this enough to reflect the additional blending required by
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
With Its First Biodiesel-Fuelled Train, Bengaluru Division to Join Green Wagon
by S Lalitha (The New Indian Express) An eco-friendly initiative will be launched at City Railway Station on Monday when the Chennai-Mysuru Shatabdi Express will be run on diesel blended with biodiesel. Hubballi railway station was the first under South Western
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Next-Generation Sugarcane Ethanol a Sweet Alternative to Gasoline
by Bill Hinchberger (Globe and Mail) As the world prepares to wean itself from fossil fuels, many eyes are turning to Brazil with its land mass nearly equal that of Canada, plentiful sunshine, history of sugarcane plantations dating to colonial
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
SDFU Delegates Vote to Take Pro-E30 Challenge
by Mikkel Pates (Agweek) The South Dakota Farmers Union celebrated its 100th annual meeting by taking another step forward in history by unanimously passing a resolution that dedicates its members to use a 30 percent ethanol blend in all of
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: 6th International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste --- November 14-17, 2016 --- Venice, Italy DEADLINE: February 29, 2016
The aim of the Venice 2016 Symposium is to focus on the advances made in the application of technologies for energy recovery from biomass and waste and to encourage discussion in these fields. The previous edition of the Symposium, held
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
We Know How To Make Farms More Sustainable, But We're Not Doing It
by Joseph Erbentraut (The Huffington Post) A new analysis finds potentially transformative agricultural research isn’t getting the level of funding it probably should. --- Two years ago, when acclaimed food journalist Michael Pollan trumpeted “the most encouraging ag research finding of recent
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Blends in Lithuania Will No Longer Enjoy Tax Exemptions
(Delfi by the Lithuania Tribune) The Lithuanian Seimas has voted to waive the duty exemptions for EU-approved biofuel mixtures sold in Lithuanian gas stations. The amendments are expected to help the state save around 66 million Euros. These EU-compliant biofuel and
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Sustainability and the Transport Sector in Lithuania
by Laurencas Raslavicius (ResearchGate) This review paper sets the stage for a look at the Lithuanian (hereinafter LT) transport sector and its transition towards sustainable mobility through the use of biofuels and implementation of the necessary policies to deliver the renewable
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Biosensor Technology Will Visualize Movement of Phosphate from Soil Fungi to Plant Roots
(Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research/EurekAlert!) DOE-funded project will track movement of phosphate in real time -- Professor Maria Harrison has received part of a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Energy to support the development of biosensors to
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
California Energy Commission Cancels Deal with Mendota Bioenergy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In California, amongst a notice awarding $5 million in grants for solar, hydrogen and other renewable energy projects from the California Energy Commission was an announcement that an order terminating an agreement with Mendota Bioenergy,
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Volvo Trucks Approves Use of Renewable Diesel Fuel for Proprietary Engines
by John Mies (Volvo Trucks -- United States) Volvo Trucks North America, after concluding truck and engine lab testing, today approved the use of renewable diesel fuel for all of its proprietary Volvo engines, offering environmental and cost-savings benefits to
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
The YXY Kings: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Avantium
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Avantium is a technology company specialized in the area of advanced catalytic research. From 2005 onwards, Avantium has developed a proprietary technology to produce Furanics building blocks from plant based sugars, under the name YXY.
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
VW Staff Began Working on Cheat in 2005 to Break into U.S. Market
by David Rising and Kerstin Sopke (The Washington Post/Associated Press) A small group of Volkswagen engineers began working as early as 2005 on emissions cheating software after they were unable to find a technical solution to U.S. emissions controls as
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
USDA Provides Loan Guarantee Conditional Commitment to Build Georgia Biofuel Plant
(US Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a conditional commitment for a $70 million loan guarantee to help build a cellulosic biorefinery in central Georgia. USDA is providing the loan guarantee conditional commitment, an important milestone in
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS: 9th Biofuels International Conference --- September 20-22, 2016 --- Ghent, Belgium DEADLINE: unclear
As biofuel producers, regulators and experts come together in Ghent to discuss the industry’s transition to advanced biofuels, where will you be? 2 great networking tours now included in your delegate ticket! With the 2 day conference focusing on the latest developments
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
CNE and Sunbird to Develop Bioethanol Facilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia
(Biofuels International) China New Energy has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Sunbird Bioenergy Africa for the development of two biorefineries, one each in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Memorandum of Undestanding (MOU) was signed at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
DOE Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop Summary Report Now Available Online
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 16, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted the Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop in Westminster, Colorado. The purpose of the workshop was to get stakeholder input about the potential role of
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Used Cooking Oil Collection and Use in Finland
by Aino Siirala* and Maija Sihvonen* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Current UCO market: In Europe, UCO (used cooking oil) collection and reuse has increased steadily during the past decade, reaching its peak in 2016. The most significant UCO producer in Europe
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
New Zealand Biofuels Roadmap Takes Off
(Scion) A Scion initiative to understand the true potential of a biofuels future for New Zealand has attracted serious players from industry, government and sector interest groups plus the research community. The project, called the New Zealand Biofuels Roadmap, sets out
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Ecofriendly Bioplastic from Inexpensive Sources of Methane: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Mango Materials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mango Materials utilizes a patent-protected process to manufacture bioplastic from inexpensive sources of methane gas. The San Francisco Bay Area-based company has proven the ability to produce the bioplastic poly-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which can be economically
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA’s Contradictory Rule Is a Gut Punch to Advanced Biofuels
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) After a painful and damaging two-year delay, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week published Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Unfortunately, the agency finalized a rule riddled with contradictions and
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Won't Compel Biofuel Market Changes: Update
(Argus Media) The Environmental Protection Agency expects sales of high-ethanol gasoline blends to climb next year but will not use federal mandates to compel retailers to offer the fuels. The distinction, laid out in a lengthy explanation of mandates finalized last
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Eric Branstad: Cruz Oil Stains
by Douglas Burns (Des Moines CityView) Governor’s son rips leading GOP presidential candidate over renewable energy -- Eric Branstad, leader of a fierce grassroots organization backing renewable-energy sources like ethanol, said last Thursday that Ted Cruz is far and away
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
DEQ Proposes Last Minute Clean Fuels Tweaks
by Taylor W. Anderson (The Bulletin) Environmental panel votes today on break for oil companies through 2018, new ethanol models -- Top environmental regulators are slated to finish rules today that include big changes for Oregon’s Clean Fuels program, three weeks
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
UMass Amherst Chemist Receives NSF Grant to Enhance ‘Grass to Gas’ Biofuel Technology
(University of Massachusetts Amherst) University of Massachusetts Amherst computational chemist Scott Auerbach has been awarded a three-year, $330,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve basic understanding and optimize the process of producing fuels such as gasoline from plant
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Xebec ‘Hybrid’ for Biogas in Malaysia
(Fleets & Fuels) Installation Combines Membrane and PSA Technologies Yielding Biomethane-Based CNG for Palm Oil Mill Vehicles --- Canada’s Xebec Adsorption has delivered its first “hybrid” biogas upgrading plant, a unit combining membrane separation and fast-cycle PSA/pressure swing adsorption technologies to produce