by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Refiners may be forced to exceed 10 percent ethanol in their fuels next year in order to meet congressionally mandated renewable-fuel standards, according the Environmental Protection Agency. ... In his testimony today, Grundler (Christopher Grundler, director of
EFSA Unable to Conclude Syngenta GM Corn Application
(Pesticide and Chemical Policy) The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says it has been unable to reach a conclusion on GM corn application by Syngenta due to "insufficient data," Agra Europe reports EFSA said Syngenta "failed to provide key information to allow a
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
A Slimy Marine Organism Fit for Biofuel and Salmon Feed
(The Research Council of Norway) ...The yellowish, slimy growth that many of us have come across on ropes that have lain in seawater is the marine organism known as tunicates. Tunicates are basically living filter tubes that suck bacteria and other
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
The Next Fleet of Automobiles Powered By… Termites?
(Wall Street Daily) ...Meet the gribble. Essentially, gribbles are the termites of the sea. That is, they’re marine pests that feed exclusively on wood. As you can imagine, that doesn’t make them very popular with the seafarers of the world. But thanks
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Turkish Airlines to Study Biodiesel Options with Solena Fuels
(Business Times/Reuters) Turkish Airlines has signed a letter of intent with US company Solena Fuels Corporation to evaluate alternatives on production of biodiesel in Turkey. READ MORE
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
World Cooking Oil Production Seen Exceeding Demand by Oil World
by Rudy Ruitenberg (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) Production of vegetable oils and fats will probably exceed demand in 2013-14 on rising output of sunflower-seed oil and soybean oil combined with “sluggish” biodiesel demand, Oil World forecast. ...Unchanged biodiesel mandates in the European Union and
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Government of Canada Encourages Innovative Biofuel Production in Sarnia
(Digital Journal/FedDev Ontario) Woodland Biofuels Inc. is receiving a contribution to operate a plant that will produce low-cost biofuel from waste. Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton, announced the funding today on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
ENOGEN® Corn to Present ‘American Ethanol 200’ NASCAR Truck Race at Iowa Speedway
(Syngenta/Iowa Speedway) Officials at Iowa Speedway announced today (June 24, 2013) that Syngenta and its Enogen brand seed corn will be the presenting sponsor for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the Newton track on Saturday, July 13. Now
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
RIN Amounts Indicate Positive Trend for Biodiesel
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures for Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) shows in 2.5 billion 2012 RINs across the biodiesel (D4), advanced (D5), and renewable (D6) categories. Of this total, just over 2 billion D6 RINs were
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama Unveils Climate Change Plan; “Less Coal, for Sure”; International, Executive Actions Highlighted
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...LCFS = Low Carbon Fuel Standard Less Coal, For Sure What’s up? What’s the 6-point plan – what does it mean for you, and for biofuels? ...The problems, as the President sees them, are two-fold. First
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Increased Enzyme Binding to Substrate Is Not Necessary for More Efficient Cellulose Hydrolysis
by Dahai Gao, Shishir P. S. Chundawat, Anurag Sethi, Venkatesh Balana, S. Gnanakaran, and Bruce E. Dale (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) Substrate binding is typically one of the rate-limiting steps preceding enzyme catalytic action during homogeneous reactions. However,
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Rise in Alternative Fuels Prompts Launch of Training Network
(AltEnergyMag.com) Some of the nation's top alternative fuel experts have joined forces to form the Alternative Fuel Training Network, launched this month on the new website AFVtraining.net. Thanks to a surge in the rise of alternative fuels, the federal government predicts
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Australian PM Falls in Leadership Tilt; Climate Change Minister, Treasurer Also Resign
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has resigned, following the defeat of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a leadership ballot for the Federal Labor Party. ... Labor MPs had grown unhappy with the Labor
June 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Solazyme Roquette: Le Break-Up en La Boulangerie
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Solazyme and Roquette dissolve their nutritionals JV; Solazyme to accelerate under its own flag; stock plunges. What’s up? Who said “sorry?” on the way out the door? It was a terse announcement that crossed the wire
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
If Sunset Lifts, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program Could Bring Heavy Investments
by Spencer Richley (Clean Energy Fuels/Sustainable Business Oregon) Time is running out for the Oregon Legislature to lift the sunset on the Clean Fuels Program, a practical program that would greatly benefit Oregon consumers’ pocketbooks by boosting development of less-expensive
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Propelling Alternative Fuels Forward
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) ...Retailer Propel Fuels Inc. believes in the future of alternative fuels and is devoted to being a better steward to the earth -- something it says its E85 and biodiesel offerings can provide. The company offers both fuels at
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S. FTC Said to Open Probe of Oil Price-Fixing After EU
by Sara Forden (Bloomberg) The U.S. Federal Trade Commission opened a formal investigation into how prices of crude oil and petroleum-derived products are set, mirroring a European Union inquiry, two people familiar with the matter said. The investigation, now in a
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
ACORE Releases New Study Highlighting Key Strategies to Scale-Up U.S. Renewable Energy Investment
(ACORE) A new study was released today by the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF), and Climate Policy Initiative at the Renewable Energy Finance Forum-Wall Street where hundreds of leaders from the renewable energy industry
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuel Project in Kenya Ignites Land, Environmental Disputes
by Robyn Dixon (Los Angeles Times) Foreign firms seeking land in Africa for biofuel crops run into opposition from communities and environmental activists despite promising jobs and development. With its leaf-thatched mud huts, bad roads, chronic unemployment, crushing poverty and vast
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
National Biodiesel Board Issues Statement on Obama Climate Proposal
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ...As this plan makes clear, a key part of the equation in addressing climate change is breaking our dependence on fossil fuels. Biodiesel can help do that in a practical, cost-effective way. Used in today's clean,
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Conversation with Racing Legend Bobby Rahal at Detroit Grand Prix
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) While attending the Detroit Grand Prix races earlier this month, we had the opportunity to spend some time with racing legend Bobby Rahal. Bobby is the 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, a three-time IndyCar series
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
DINEEN: Natural Gas Is Not Renewable
by Bob Dinneen (Bay Area Citizen/Renewable Fuels Association) Natural gas is not renewable, nor is it the future of ethanol. But let’s start at the beginning. Congressman Pete Olson recently penned an op-ed to Houston Community Newspapers claiming the Renewable Fuels
June 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Court Nixes Appeal over Added Ethanol in Gasoline
(Associated Press) The Supreme Court has rejected challenges to Environmental Protection Agency decisions allowing an increase in ethanol content in gasoline. READ MORE and MORE (The Washington Post) and MORE (Renewable Fuels Association) and MORE (The Hill E2Wire) and MORE (Wisconsin State
June 24, 2013 Read Full Article
BP Not in Step with Industry on Renewable Fuel Regulations
by Mark Drajem (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) As Congress considers scaling back or abolishing U.S. rules that mandate the use of renewable fuels, it has the full-throated support of the petroleum industry — with one major exception. BP, one of the world’s
June 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama to Announce Tuesday He Will Regulate Existing Power Plants as Part of Climate Strategy
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) ... In Saturday’s statement, Obama emphasized the economic opportunities that could come from tackling carbon emissions. “We’ll need scientists to design new fuels, and farmers to grow them,” he said. “We’ll need engineers to devise new
June 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol: Scale-Up and Commercialization - Part 2
by David Glass (D Glass Associates) In the final breakout session of the BIO World Congress on June 19, there was a second panel on scale-up and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. As with the session on the conference’s first day,
June 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Freedom of Choice: E20 Ethanol Blends Take the Value Crown from Gasoline, E10
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Freedom of choice, it turns out, drives better value for drivers. The Digest goes in-depth to look at real-world data — and the power of free markets in fossil and alternative fuels. ...So it shouldn’t be
June 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Technip Awarded FEED Contract for a New Biomass-to-Liquid Plant in Finland
Technip was awarded by Forest BtL Oy a contract, worth approximately €5 million, for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) of a new second generation biomass-to-liquid* (BTL) plant to be built on Ajos island, Finland. This plant will produce approximately
June 20, 2013 Read Full Article
BIO World Congress Cellulosic Ethanol Panel: The Latest on Commercialization Progress
by David Glass (D Glass Associates) One of the morning sessions at the Tenth Annual BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology put four of the companies in the forefront of commercial development of cellulosic ethanol on the same panel. Although
June 18, 2013 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS 11 th International Conference on Biofuels: Fuels of the Future 2014 January 20-21 Berlin, Germany DEADLINE June 21
The German BioEnergy Association (BBE) and the Union for the Promotion of Oilseeds and Protein Plants (UFOP) cordially invite paper proposals for the 11th International Conference on Biofuels "Fuels of the Future 2014", which will be held during 21 -
June 15, 2013 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PAPERS 2013 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotech and Bioenergy December 8-11, 2013 San Diego, CA DEADLINE July 31
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) invites leaders from the biotechnology, chemical and agricultural industries to submit proposals and abstracts for panels, individual papers and posters for the 2013 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy. This unique conference will be
June 15, 2013 Read Full Article
REQUEST FOR SPEAKERS Energy, Utility and Environment Conference February 3-5, 2014 Phoenix, AZ DEADLIINE June 30, 2013
What is EUEC? EUEC 2014 is the 17th annual energy, utility and environment conference EUEC has been held annually in Arizona since 1995. EUEC is the USA’s largest, longest-running, professional networking and educational event of its kind. Over 2,000 delegates network at 8 lunches, receptions and
June 15, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA Accepting Applications for Advanced Biofuel, REAP Programs
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On June 11 the USDA Rural Business Cooperative Service has published a notice of contract proposals in the Federal Register, announcing the availability of $98.6 million for payments under the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program.
June 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Urges Introspection on Climate Change at Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum in Washington, D.C
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Robert E. Kozak, Advanced Biofuels USA founder and board member began his remarks at the Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum in Washington, D.C June 12, with the unpleasant reminder of the
June 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Biomass for Energy and Transportation Fuels: An EU Perspective
by Aino Siirala (Advanced Biofuels USA) The 21st European Biomass conference and Exhibition was held in Copenhagen on June 3-7, 2013, gathering almost 2000 attendees. Denmark, one of the world’s leading countries in the green energy sector, was an optimal location
June 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Announces Plans to Exhibit and Speak at Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO and Forum June 12
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA, an internationally respected nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels as an energy security, economic development, military flexibility and climate change/pollution control solution announced
June 11, 2013 Read Full Article
United Planes to Fly on Advanced Biofuel
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (SF Gate) United Airlines on Tuesday announced it has committed to buy at least 15 million gallons of cleaner-burning renewable jet fuel from a Los Angeles-based refinery, marking a potentially major breakthrough in the commercial aviation industry’s
June 07, 2013 Read Full Article
We Came in Peace: The Renewable Fuel Standard and the Spirit of Innovation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The EPREINC scenario---One chart was prepared by the Energy Policy Research Foundation for its Congressional testimony on the Renewable Fuel Standard yesterday. ... EPRINC’s scenario foresees a big shortfall between the production of renewable fuels and the
June 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Busting Big Oil Myths on the RFS and Ethanol, Part III: ILUC and Greenhouse Gases
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Energy Collective) ...Incredibly, the American Petroleum Institute’s anti-RFS “training center” (yes, Big Oil has a “training center” apparently intended to spawn an army of certified RFS haters) has the audacity to claim, “If you
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Clariant Demonstrates Sunliquid Process with Stover, Bagasse
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Not quite a year after opening a demonstration facility, Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company Clariant AG announced that it has expanded the feedstocks successfully converted to cellulosic ethanol beyond wheat straw to include corn stover
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol Fuel?
(WiseGEEK) In an effort to find a viable alternative to foreign oil, many politicians and environmental groups have been heavily promoting the advantages of ethanol fuel. Ethanol is a primarily plant-based fuel which can be produced from such sources as sugar
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Letter to the Editor — Dinneen: E15 is Well-Tested
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) I’m writing in response to the guest opinion piece that ran on May 18 by Stephen Buck. It was addressed to Congresswoman Bustos and entitled “Stop Using E15 Fuel Until Further Study is Performed.” I can assure
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA to Issue Ethanol Use Targets This Summer
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) The Environmental Protection Agency plans to announce targets for U.S. ethanol use in 2013 and 2014 this summer, an EPA official told lawmakers on Wednesday, even as critics of the program warned of a brewing fuel
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Association Disputes Study on Climate Change Impacts on Corn Production
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association has spoken out to criticize a study published by Rice University and the University of California-Davis that claims climate change will increase irrigation costs for corn while reducing yields. In
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Busting Big Oil Myths on the RFS and Ethanol, Part II: Food Prices
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Energy Collective) ...Big Oil’s PR machine regurgitates these myths via conference calls with reporters, meetings with editorial boards, sham studies, paid advertising, social media and many other channels. Their goal, of course, is to
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Criticizes Content of House RFS Hearing
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On June 5, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements held a hearing on the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). The hearing, titled “Up Against
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Review of RFS Pathway Petitions (Comments on Illinois Study)
by David Glass (DGlassAssociates) A new study was published last week by two researchers at the University of Illinois Energy Biosciences Institute, James S.N. McCubbins and A. Bryan Endres, regarding the length of time the Environmental Protection Agency is taking to review petitions
June 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Can Advanced Biofuels Help Revitalize IndyCar?
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) The car racing carnival came to Detroit this past weekend. The venue was Belle Isle, once a beautiful island park in the Detroit River that served as a verdant escape for the residents of
June 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Mazda Wins Again with SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel: Is It Renewable?
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) NASCAR's sportscar racing division, GrandAm, and Green Racing aren’t words that you see together. For one thing, GrandAm competitors race on all-petroleum race fuel. Yet, GrandAm and the American Le Mans Series, the series which
June 04, 2013 Read Full Article
DOE Publishes Agenda for Biomass 2013: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy
(US Department of Energy) On July 31–August 1, 2013, the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Advanced Biofuels USA will co-host the Office's sixth annual conference, Biomass 2013: How the Advanced Bioindustry is Reshaping American Energy, at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. This
May 31, 2013 Read Full Article
50 Billion Reasons to Support Ethanol
by Maxx Chastko (Motley Fool) ... It doesn't have to be so complicated. Controversy aside, there is one calculation that can bring everyone together to support ethanol. The calculation is so simple that you can do it on the back of
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Farm Waste May Demand Return of Biofuels
by Javier E. David (CNBC) Imagine a world where leftover corn, wheat and wood chips could power your car. That's the aim of cellulosic ethanol, a budding sector of the renewable fuel industry that finds itself struggling to reassert itself in a
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Expanding Trade Opportunities in South Korea and Japan
by Kelly Davis (Renewable Fuels Association) As part of the RFA’s commitment to increasing ethanol export markets, I recently had the unique opportunity to join the U.S. Grains Council on a trade mission to South Korea and Japan. We visited
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
High Oil Prices Help Oil Production, But Not Biofuels
by Kevin Bullis (MIT Technology Review) An International Energy Agency report says investments in oil technology will lead to a worldwide supply boom. High oil prices were supposed to make biofuels and other oil alternatives more competitive. If only oil would
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
New Farm Policy Possible Because of Ethanol
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) ... At the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch issues forum on Monday, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen said the dramatic changes in farm programs expected are actually being made possible by the increased
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Continue to Progress: The U.S. and Europe Are Making Strides to Advance Biofuels Technology.
by Seán Ottewell (Chemical Processing) Biotechnology efforts in the United States and Europe are on the rise. For instance, Algenol Biofuels, Ft. Myers, Fl., developer of direct-to-ethanol technology for the production of advanced third-generation biofuels, has surpassed one of its own important
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
AP IMPACT: Cars Made in Brazil Are Deadly
by Bradley Brooks (Associated Press) The cars roll endlessly off the local assembly lines of the industry's biggest automakers, more than 10,000 a day, into the eager hands of Brazil's new middle class. The shiny new Fords, Fiats, and Chevrolets
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Comparison between Different Types of Renewable Diesel
by StellavBezergianni and AthanasiosvDimitriadis (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews/Science Direct) Renewable fuels, as an alternative fuel, can be produced from different biomass types such as vegetable oils of various origins, waste cooking oils and fats. The most common biofuel is
May 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Plenty of Sunshine and Creativity at 25th Annual Supermileage Challenge
(Minnesota Cornerstone) ...Nearly 500 students from 50 schools built more than 80 cars and competed in the 25thannual Supermileage Challenge, which has long been sponsored in part by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association. Supermileage Challenge is a great opportunity to promote
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Nova Scotia Biodiesel Project Plans 100 Percent Export to Germany
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biofuel Weiss Inc. is developing a 7 MMgy continuous flow multifeedstock biodiesel production facility in Atlantic Canada, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. According to Ian Weiss, CEO of Weiss Biofuel, the process technology “is a modern
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
The Brussels Biofuels Debate, Part III: MEP Vidal-Quadras Scraps ‘Deficient’ ILUC Factors From Commission’s Proposal
(The Oil Palm) Spanish MEP and Draftsman for the influential Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), Alejo Vidal-Quadras, has dismissed the European Commission’s proposal to introduce Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) factors as part of therevision of the Renewable Energy
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Can Electrofuels and Electrosugars Save the Day?
Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Is the ultimate industrial fuel system going to be based on electricity, waste CO2 and brackish water – to return society to the days of energy abundance? It will take a mighty production microorganism, but R&D
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Letter to the Editor - Dinneen to Big Oil: Focus on the Facts
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) In an interview published on May 22, Charles Drevna, President of the American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers, disparaged the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and claimed it negatively effects consumers. He couldn’t be more wrong, and left
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Proposed Rule Defines Corn Fiber Ethanol, Butanol as Advanced
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new proposed rulemaking from the U.S. EPA includes several possible modifications to the renewable fuel standard program, including categorizing as advanced biofuels ethanol produced from corn fiber and butanol that meets the 50
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Busting Big Oil Myths on the Renewable Fuel Standard: Part I
by Geoff Cooper (The Energy Collective/Renewable Fuels Association) Anyone with even a casual interest in energy policy knows that a full frontal assault has been launched against the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Big Oil has gone on the offensive, using
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
SAFER Southern Bioeconomy Case Study Series: Biofuels Center of North Carolina
(Southeast Agriculture & Forest Energy Resources Alliance) “We’re the nation’s only comprehensive biofuels agency, and I say that more out of surprise than for the purpose of touting North Carolina,” said Steven Burke, President and CEO of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, drawing attention to opportunities in the
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Maize Growers Form International Alliance
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council, along with the National Corn Growers Association, MAIZAR, representing Argentina producers and the maize supply chain and ABRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) have signed a memorandum of understanding to form
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Scientists Develop 'Green' Pretreatment of Miscanthus for Biofuel
(University of Illinois/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Two University of Illinois scientists have developed an environmentally friendly and more economical way of pretreating miscanthus in the biofuel production process. "We pretreat the biomass with switchable butadiene sulfone in the presence of water to break
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels: Where We Should Be
by Fred Cannon (The Hill's Congress Blog/KiOR) More than one-third of the world’s total energy usage relies on liquid fuels – primarily from fossil fuels. In the first quarter of 2013 consumption outpaced production, and the consumption trajectory is only
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Backers Propose E15 Tax Breaks
by Tim Landis (State Journal-Register) Ethanol supporters in Illinois want to trade a 20 percent sales tax break on E10 fuel sales in Illinois for a 10 percent break on E15, arguing it would mean jobs, cleaner air and more
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
DDGS Intake Reduces Methane Output of Dairy Cows
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Every once in a while, I read something that really catches my attention. A study that found that distillers grains can help reduce methane output and increase milk production in dairy cows definitely falls
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol a Target of Big Oil
by Paul Kenney (KAAPA Ethanol/Kearney Hub) Opinion: ...Ethanol blends are becoming a staple at pumps across the nation, and ethanol accounts for more than 10 percent of the country’s motor fuel supply. It’s a higher-octane alternative to gasoline and costs less. In
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Helps Reduce High Gas Prices of Summer Months
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As drivers head out for trips over Memorial Day weekend, increasing attention is being focused on gasoline prices. In the meantime, ethanol industry advocates are pointing to the power of ethanol, which helps Americans
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Improving While Oil Gets Worse
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The House and Energy Commerce Committee has released its third white paper on the Renewable Fuel Standard, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impacts.” Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Brian Jennings, responded with written
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
EU Confirms Unannounced Inspections in Oil and Biofuels Sectors
(European Commission/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The European Commission can confirm that on May 14, 2013, commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several companies active in and providing services to the crude oil, refined oil products and biofuels
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
ePURE Suspects Circumvention of Import Duty on Ethanol Imports
(ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association, has asked the European Commission to investigate if EU customs legislation is properly applied in Finland. Evidence from several sources indicates that ethanol blended with gasoline coming from the US and
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Enerkem Starts Drop-In Renewable Fuels R&D
(Enerkem/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Enerkem Inc. announced the launch of a new research project with the government of Canada. The objective of the project is to develop new catalytic processes for the conversion of waste into drop-in biofuels that are fully
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Western Biomass up for Sale; Blue Sugars Files Bankruptcy
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Just months after receiving the first cellulosic renewable identification numbers for a shipment of cellulosic ethanol to its Brazil partner Petrobras, Western Biomass Energy LLC filed for bankruptcy and is now up for
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Aims to Open RFS to Natural Gas-Based Ethanol
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Reps. Pete Olson, R-Texas, and Jim Costa, D-Calif., have introduced legislation that would allow ethanol produced from domestic natural gas to meet the volume requirements of the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The bill, titled
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Support Growing for Veto of Ethanol Bill
(News Press) A bio-energy company on the Treasure Coast has joined Fort Myers-based Algenol Inc. in calling for Gov. Rick Scott to veto a measure that would repeal the state law requiring most gasoline sold in the state to include
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Scania Offers Bus Solutions Tailored to Any Type of Traffic Demand
(Scania) Scania also provides highly attractive solutions to bus transport developed in close cooperation with the operators. Rising welfare inevitably brings about an increased need for transportation of goods as well as passengers. Curbing the constant increase in CO2 emissions from
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Zambia: Govt Resorts to Ethanol Fuel
by Judith Namutowe (AllAfrica.com) Government has said it will start importing ethanol from Zimbabwe with a view to lowering the high fuel prices in Zambia. And Government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zimbabwe-based firm, Green Fuel in
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuels Americas Successfully Concludes Biodiesel Research Trials, Moves Towards Production
(Alternative Fuels Americas/PR NewsWire) Alternative Fuels Americas, Inc. (AFAI) announced today (May 22, 2013) that it has successfully completed research trials targeting Jatropha trees as a feedstock source for profitably produced, sustainable biodiesel, and is moving to establish above ground
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Iowa Takes Aggressive Step to Tear Down Big Oil’s Bogus Blend Wall
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Passage of Retailer “Bill of Rights” Shows Commitment to Local Retailers and Consumer Fuel Choice The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today applauded the Iowa Legislature’s passage of H.F. 640 as a big step in supporting fuel choice
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Going Green: Nation Equipped to Grow Serious Amounts of Pond Scum for Fuel
by Tom Rickey (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) A new analysis shows that the nation's land and water resources could likely support the growth of enough algae to produce up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel a year in the
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels Come of Age
by Dan Seif (Mother Earth News/Rocky Mountain Institute) Advanced, non-food biofuels are gaining momentum in 2013 as several new plants have gathered the capital and momentum for large-scale production. ... Despite sparse media coverage, significant volumes of non-food biofuels have been produced
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Exxon Refocusing Algae Biofuels Program After $100 Million Spend
by Andrew Herndon (Bloomberg) Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), which has invested more than $100 million to develop algae-derived biofuels, is refocusing its research with Synthetic Genomics Inc. after almost four years of work failed to produce economically viable results. ...Exxon and
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Shanghai Sees Biofuel Gold in Recycled Cooking Oil
(Economic Times/India Times) China's commercial hub Shanghai plans to turn recycled cooking oil, some of it seized by authorities, into an environmental asset by converting it into fuel for vehicles, state media said Monday. The country has been rocked by a series
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Absolute Energy Launches Direct E85 Distribution to Retailers at $1.93 per Gallon
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Iowa, Absolute Energy, a 115 million gallon per year ethanol plant near the Iowa-Minnesota border, is now offering E85, a fuel blend containing 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, directly to retailers and
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
The Battle of the Beltway: DoD Awards $16M towards Parity-Cost, Drop-In, Non-Food Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DoD goes forward, after internal wrangle, with advanced biofuels program via $16M phase 1 investment. With industry cost share, project totals $33M: aims for sub-$4, drop-in military biofuels. In Washington, the DoD will award three contracts totaling
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
CBO Report: The Pros and Cons of Carbon Tax
by Ryan Tracy (The Wall Street Journal) Instituting a carbon tax could help reduce the deficit and “produce incremental benefits” for the environment, but could also raise the cost of many goods and services, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in a report Wednesday. The
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Corn-Based Ethanol: A Win for Public Health and the Economy
by William C. Holmberg (Physicians for Social Responsibility) Asthma, $16 billion. Premature births, $26 billion. All cancers, $227 billion. Autism, $126 billion. Heart disease, $272 billion. Obesity, incl. Type 2 diabetes, $190 billion. These are government estimates of the annual
May 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Investors Interested in Fossil Fuel-Free Portfolios
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) According to a recent survey conducted by SRI, 65 percent of retail investors and 53 percent of institutional investors are currently expressing interest in fossil fuel-free portfolios in reaction to climate change. More than 2,000 SRI
May 24, 2013 Read Full Article
EPA Announces Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: RFS Pathways II and Technical Amendments to the RFS2 Standards
(Environmental Protection Agency) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a proposed rulemaking for modifications to the Renewable Fuel Standard program, E15 misfueling mitigation regulations, ultra low sulfur diesel survey requirements as well as other technical amendments. Elements of this Notice EPA is
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
The Renewable Chemical Industry Must Speak with One Voice
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) ...Renewable chemicals offer cost-competitiveness with petrochemicals or new properties and features that add value to innovative consumer products. In that way, they’ve captured some market share and created demand. But many renewable chemical
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Doing it in the Dark: Fuel from Thin Air, and beyond Light
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Beyond biomass, beyond fossil fuels, beyond light itself. And now, the direct production of drop-in biofuel blendstocks. All available from a microbial “cow”. This week in California, a research team from Shota Atsumi’s lab at the
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy and Economic Growth: Interview with Mark Thoma
by James Stafford (OilPrice.com) ... Mark Thoma is a macroeconomist and time-series econometrician at the University of Oregon. His research focuses on how monetary policy affects the economy, and he has also worked on political business cycle models. Mark is
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Special Issue -- Biomass Futures: Estimating the Sustainable Biomass Role for Meeting the 2020 Targets and Beyond
(Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining) The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) has set a general binding target for the European Union to derive 20% of its final energy and 10% of its transport fuels from renewable sources by 2020. It is expected
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Cost of Biofuels No Longer Sky High
by Peter Hannam (The Age) Whether it's the use of organisms first found in the guts of rabbits in New Zealand or converting the mountains of rubbish disposed of by Londoners, airlines around the world are hunting for ways to power
May 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Fighting Rising Tide of Skepticism
by Sandra I. Erwin (National Defense Magazine) ...Although the Pentagon consumes just 1.5 percent of the nation’s fuel, biofuel investors and green-energy advocates have looked upon the military as a catalyst for a massive expansion of alternative fuel production in the
May 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Dr. Ernest Moniz Sworn in as 13th Secretary of Energy
(Department of Energy) Dr. Ernest Moniz was sworn in as the nation’s 13th Secretary of Energy by Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman in a ceremony this morning (May 21, 2013) for the Department’s employees, kicking off a busy first day that
May 22, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA Announces Payments to Advanced Ethanol Producers
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA has announced $14 million payments to advanced biofuel 162 producers in 38 states under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels. The program awards payments to eligible producers based on the amount of
May 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama's Environment, Energy Team Nears Completion with Votes
by Valerie Volcovici (Reuters) President Barack Obama's energy and environment team took two steps forward on Thursday after the U.S. Senate confirmed Ernest Moniz as energy secretary and a committee cleared Gina McCarthy to get a full Senate vote to lead
May 20, 2013 Read Full Article
How Farm Waste May Make Biofuels Matter Again
by Javier E. David (CNBC) Imagine a world where leftover corn, wheat and wood chips can be used to power your car. That's the aim of cellulosic ethanol, a budding sector of the renewable fuel industry that finds itself struggling to reassert
May 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Sugar for Food, Fuel and Power: The ISO Datagro Sugar & Ethanol Conference in New York City
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) What used to be known as “The New York Sugar Conference” has become “The ISO and Datagro Sugar & Ethanol Conference” with a record-setting number of attendees (350 from 25 countries) demonstrating the growing
May 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Community Level Production and Utilization of Jatropha Feedstock in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe
by Enos Shumba, et al (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) The bio-fuel debate has largely focused on large feedstock plantations that produce products for the export market. It has not acknowledged and seriously considered the existence of considerable small scale
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
New Advance in Biofuel Production
by Lynn Yarris(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) Joint BioEnergy Institute Researchers Develop Enzyme-free Ionic Liquid Pre-treatment Advanced biofuels – liquid fuels synthesized from the sugars in cellulosic biomass – offer a clean, green and renewable alternative to gasoline, diesel and jet fuels.
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Study Shows Benefits from Integration of Sweet Sorghum Juice in Corn Mash for Ethanol Production
(United Sorghum Checkoff Program) The Sorghum Checkoff in collaboration with the NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (formerly the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center) is pleased to announce a successful bench-scale evaluation of sweet sorghum juice sugars with corn mash for
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Clean Mobility Stations Selling Locally-Sourced Biofuels on West Coast
by Michelle Macaluso (Fox News) ...Propel Fuels is launching its Clean Mobility Centers in Fresno. The stations will offer both E85 and biodiesels ranging from B5 to B99 that will be locally-sourced from producers in Central California. ...Any flex fuel vehicle
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
FAPC Algae Project Ranks No. 1 for OCAST Funding
(Algae Industry Magazine) An algae research proposal from Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) was ranked No. 1 of 28 plant-related research projects, resulting in $100,000 in funding from the Oklahoma Center for
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Edeniq DOE-Supported Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Surpasses 1,000 Continuous Operational Hours
(Edeniq/Yahoo! News) Visalia Plant Milestone Signifies Greater Commercial Viability for Cellulosic Ethanol and Sugars Edeniq, a biomaterials and sustainable fuels company, today announced the company's first demonstration plant, located at its Visalia, CA headquarters, has completed a successful "performance test" that
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Algae: Times and Needs Have Changed.
by Barry Cohen (National Algae Association/PR Log) The DoE has spent $2.5 billion on algae research but to date nothing has been commercialized. Why? Because their mission is to develop technologies. It's not their problem or concern what happens to them
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Mighty Algae Could Lead to Biofuels Breakthrough
by Adam Wilmoth (News OK) OSU researcher Gerald Schoenknecht and his team recently completed genome sequencing for an algae that thrives inside active volcanoes. The researchers hope to use their findings to help make tough algae for use in manufacturing
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Enerkem Starts "Drop-In" Renewable Fuels R&D Project
(Enerkem/PR NewsWire) Enerkem Inc. (www.enerkem.com), a waste-to-biofuels and renewable chemicals company, announces the launch of a new research project with the Government of Canada. The objective of the project is to develop new catalytic processes for the conversion of waste into
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Out of the Shell: Oil Giant’s Big Biofuels Ambitions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In an exclusive Digest interview, Shell’s VP for Alternative Energy, Matthew Tipper, reveals the company’s thinking about RFS2, their increasing re-focus on North America and the EU. Plus, Shell’s ambition to “build, own and operate”
May 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Investing in Sustainable Palm Oil Production Ex-ante Impact Assessment of Investments in a Palm Oil Mill in Palembang, Indonesia
by Yuca Waarts, Kor Zwart (LEI Wageningen UR) Recycling palm oil mill effluent, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and improving smallholder livelihoods are three important topics in debates on sustainable palm oil production. In Indonesia, Zebra Special Products BV has invested in various
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Scientists Alarmed by Rapid Spread of Brown Streak Disease in Cassava
(EurekAlert!) World's cassava experts to wage war against cassava viruses; introduction into Nigeria, the largest cassava producer in the world, could result in drastic food shortages in this part of Africa Cassava experts are reporting new outbreaks and the increased spread
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Major Montreal Meet-Up on Aviation Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, around 200 delegates from 44 countries are meeting in Montréal today, in a meet-up organized by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), to explore: the commercialization of aviation biofuels ... READ MORE
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Feds Launch Project to Convert Oilsands Emissions to Biofuels
by Heather Loney (Global News) The federal government is teaming up with two Canadian companies in a pilot project that would use algae to convert greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands into biofuels. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canadian
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Short Takes: Farm Bill Update
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, BIO begins the week with applause for Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and other members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for including mandatory funding for Energy Title programs and eligibility
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Dynamic Fuels' Renewable Diesel Refinery to Restart in July
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) During a call to discuss its first quarter financial results, Syntroleum Corp. announced that Dynamic Fuels LLC’s renewable diesel plant in Geismar, La., is expected to resume operations in July. The facility was idled in
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Setting the Record Straight: Gevo and Butamax
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biofuels’s Montagues and Capulets were at it again last week — with a flurry of press releases about court decisions and commercial timelines regarding their respective isbutanol technologies. At the heart of it — a dispute
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
The Greening of BASF: #1 Chemco Commits to Biobased BDO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) World’s #1 chemical company to produce renewable Butanediol using Genomatica’s process. The Digest has a one-on-one with Genomatica CEO Christophe Schilling to explore the deal in-depth. In Germany, BASF announced that it plans to begin production
May 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Will Sustainability Become the Feared Equalizer?
by Tom Kadala (Research Pays) ... (T)here is yet another force at play, one that is far more complex than society is prepared to confront today and which will surely cause the price of oil and similar fossil fuels to
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Algal Biofuel Technology in the State of Qatar
by Matthew Landau (Aquatic Biosystems) In 2010, Qatar University initiated an algal biofuel project funded by Qatar Airways, and Qatar Science and Technology Park with a 3-year budget of USD 12 million. Completion of the first phase of the project, led
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Eccotopia to Sign Joint Venture Agreement
(SB Wire/Eccotopia) Julian Moses, president of Symphony Trade and Investment 57 (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eccotopia Ltd.,http://www.eccotopia.com/, has announced that Eccotopia and Pacific Tree West are in the process of signing a joint venture agreement for the
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
High Compression Ratios and Ethanol Blends Combine to Make a Super-efficient Car
by RP Siegel (Industry Market Trends Green & Clean Journal/ThomasNet.com) Four years ago, American LeMans kicked off its first green racing season. The program, which requires teams to use alternative fuels such as ethanol blends (E10 or E85), clean diesel, or isobutanol
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Fuels Standard Review Drubs Oil Industry Report: Top 10 Quotes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Oil refiners have been waging a well-funded war on California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which requires oil companies to reduce the carbon pollution from gasoline and diesel by 10 percent by 2020. Centerpiece in their strategy
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Advanced Alternative and Renewable Diesel Fuels: Detailed Characterization of Physical and Chemical Properties
(The Coordinating Research Council, Inc) This report documents and compares the results of detailed analyses of the physical and chemical properties of ten advanced alternative and renewable diesel fuels and four commercial ultra low sulfur diesels (ULSDs). A key objective
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
KiOR Shipping Cellulosic Biofuels; Releases Q1 Results
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...“Building on the first gallons of cellulosic diesel we shipped in March, we continue to make progress with operations at our Columbus facility,” said KiOR CEO Fred Cannon. “The on-stream percentage of our core technology
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
BioAmber Completes IPO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Raises $80M at $10 per share; becomes first new industrial biotech company to complete IPO in more than a year. What went right and how? Is the IPO window re-opening? ... First and foremost, there’s the modesty
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
The Possible Consequences of Expanding Biofuels: Cleaner Energy, Warmer Climate?
by Vicki Ekstrom (Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change/Renewable Energy World) ...Their study, recently released in Geophysical Research Letters, found that land-use changes caused by a major ramp-up in biofuel crops — enough to meet about 10 percent
May 10, 2013 Read Full Article
New Database Tracks Energy Legislation
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) has launched an Advanced Energy Legislation (AEL) Tracker, a database tracking energy-related state legislation pending in all 50 states. Types of energy include solar, wind, biofuels, natural gas and
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Public Invited to Bon Secour Farm for Rare Glimpse into the Potentially Sweet Future of Alternative Fuels
by Jeff Dute (AL.com) Corporate America does not often invite the public into the research and development process of products that could potentially revolutionize how their vehicles are fueled, how plastics are made and even how their food is sweetened. But
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Automakers Warn New Ethanol Mandate Could Damage Vehicles
by William La Jeunesse (Fox News) ..."We just feel that it is not safe for the consumer. It's not safe for their engines," said Charles Drevna, executive president of American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. ... "Look, this is pretty simple," said (Bob) Dinneen
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
G8 under Pressure to Rethink Biofuel Mandates
(EurActiv) Leaders of the EU and their partners in the G8 nations are under mounting pressure to reconsider their support for biofuel targets amid concern that plant oil production competes with food output in poor countries. Britain, which chairs the G8 this
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
DfT: 66% of Biofuels Supplied in the UK Are Sustainable
(E2B) According to the Department of Transport, between 15 April 2012 and 14 January 2013, 965 million litres of renewable fuel were supplied, of which 66 per cent have so proven to be sustainable. 18 per cent of sustainable renewable fuel
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Norfolk Southern Asks for Ethanol Offloading Increase
by Rachel Leonard (WestEndAlexandriaPatch) City Manager Rashad Young is criticizing a request from Norfolk Southern for a permit to increase the number of rail cars containing ethanol that can be offloaded at its Alexandria facility. In a letter to the director of the
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Two Thumbs Up for Solazyme: AkzoNobel Deal, New Technology for Structured Oils
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The sector’s perennial hottest company strikes again — with “potentially disruptive” new technology to change the positioning and performance of triglyceride oils. In California, Solazyme and AkzoNobel announced an agreement targeting the development of advanced tailored
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Up to $9 Million Available from EPA for 2013 Diesel Emission Reduction Grants
(US Environmental Protection Agency) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of up to $9 million through the National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program (DERA) for Fiscal Year 2013 for new projects to reduce emissions from the
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
California Energy Commission Adopts $100M Investment Plan for 2013-2014 for Green Vehicles and Fuels
(Green Car Congress) The California Energy Commission unanimously adopted the 2013-2014 Investment Plan Update to support the development and use of green vehicles and alternative fuels. The update sets funding priorities for the approximately $100 million in annual state funds under the
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Gevo Provides Update of Luverne Operations
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Gevo Inc. provided updated information on it Luverne, Minn., plant and patent dispute with Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC as part of its recent first quarter 2013 financial announcement. During a call to discuss the first
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama Choice to Head EPA Vows to Work Closer with Ag Community
Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) President Obama’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, vowed to take a more active role in working with the agriculture community. During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama Biofuel Budget Spills Few Details, Still Attacked by House GOP
by Tim McDonnell (Mother Jones) ... In mid-March, in a speech at Illinois' Argonne National Lab, Obama pitched an Energy Security Trust, which would collect $2 billion in additional revenues by 2020 from oil and gas companies that drill on federal
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
The Energy Information Administration Publishes Data on E85-Capable Vehicles
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration has published updated data on alternative fuels and vehicles through 2011. The analysis addresses several alternative transportation fuels, including E85, hydrogen, electricity, natural gas and propane. According to the EIA,
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
International Energy Agency Publishes Global Update of Advanced, Cellulosic Projects
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task 39 group recently published a report that outlines progress on more than 100 advanced biofuel projects under development worldwide. The report, titled “Status of Advanced Biofuels Demonstration Facilities
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Student Finds Better Ethanol Option
by Fritz Bush (The Journal) A Sibley East High School sophomore earned a spot at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ESEF) in Phoenix next month for his research on the use of anaerobic fermentation on pre-treated biomass to
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Johns Hopkins Algae Students Test Wastewater Capabilities
(Algae Industry Magazine) A Johns Hopkins University student team is working with a starter grant of $15,000 from the EPA to see if algae can consume nutrients from wastewater and produce clean bio-fuels and fish food. The team is showcasing their
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Cost-Saving Measure to Upgrade Ethanol to Butanol — a Better Alternative to Gasoline
(American Chemical Society) Scientists today reported a discovery that could speed an emerging effort to replace ethanol in gasoline with a substantially better fuel additive called butanol, which some experts regard as “the gasoline of the future.” Their report on
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Ammonia from Biomass: SynGest, BioNitrogen, Agrebon
(NH3 Fuel Association) Renewable ammonia producer SynGest is now featured on the Fueling Growth website, which aims to show “How clean fuel companies are fueling economic growth in California and beyond.” Fueling Growth is a project of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). SynGest uses a process to convert biomass to nitrogen fertilizer,