by Dale Christensen (Watertown Public Opinion) A few weeks ago, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said, “It’s all about the corn; as corn goes, so goes South Dakota’s economy…” Let’s connect the dots. If that is the case, with an abundance of corn
air quality
Back TO HOMEUrban Air Initiative Calls on EPA to Withdraw Erroneous Vehicle Emissions Model
(Urban Air Initiative) Stakeholders including the states of Kansas and Nebraska joined the Urban Air Initiative (UAI) and the Energy Future Coalition as they petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to correct the agency’s flawed models that limit the use of
February 02, 2017 Read Full Article
American Lung Association Supports Ethanol
by Mark Dorenkamp (Brownfield Ag News) The American Lung Association continues to advocate on behalf of the U.S. renewable fuels industry. Association director of communications in Minnesota Robert Moffitt says cleaner burning fuels like ethanol are proven to reduce air pollution. “Ethanol
January 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Any Tax on Biodiesel Discourages Users, Killing This Sunrise Industry
by Sandeep Chaturvedi (Biodiesel Association of India/Business Standard) Biodiesel is being promoted world over as a green fuels to mitigate harmful exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles. Biodiesel besides helping in reducing the air pollution, improves lubricity of low sulphur diesel fuels
January 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel’s Backers: Build on 2016 Momentum for 2017 and Beyond
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Led by Don O’Connor, a Vancouver-based international expert on greenhouse-gas emissions, the assembled panel detailed efforts that spanned from municipal victories to boost biodiesel use to the Paris Climate Agreement that aims to significantly reduce
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Soup-to-Nuts Review Finds CA Clean Cars Program Working
by Simon Mui (National Resources Defense Council) The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released a soup-to-nuts review of its Advanced Clean Car (ACC) program today. The 658-page report confirms that the popular program, which establishes smog-forming and carbon pollution limits for
January 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Honors Year of Achievements, Industry Growth
(National Biodiesel Board) Clean air champions, policy drivers, fleet influencers highlighted with industry awards -- The biodiesel industry saw record market growth in 2016 and this year’s National Biodiesel Board industry awards highlight champions who have had a major
January 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Walk This Way: NYC Agrees to Run D.M.E. in New Fuels Trial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... This week, a company known as Oberon Fuels running a DME technology is coming Straight Outta New York City with the idea that you can make it out of the the boutique world of
January 16, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Denies Petition Filed by Biogenic CO2 Coalition
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has denied a petition for reconsideration of its finding that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aircraft cause or contribute to air pollution that may be reasonably anticipated to endanger public health and
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Ethanol Exports Increase as More Countries Take Steps to Fight Air Pollution
(Iowa Corn) ... As the world strives to meet goals set by global climate initiatives, U.S. ethanol provides an affordable solution. Government mandates, which dictate a certain amount of ethanol to be blended with gasoline, make a big impact on
December 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Great Results from Testing UPM’s Wood-Based Diesel in Buses
(UPM) UPM has successfully tested Finnish wood-based diesel fuel both in laboratory conditions as well as in traffic. The tests clearly demonstrated that UPM’s renewable diesel, UPM BioVerno, works just like the best diesel fuels. The laboratory tests of renewable UPM
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Emails Show Collusion against Ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... This one’s about the U.S. EPA and a Freedom of Information Act request that uncovered emails providing evidence of collusion between EPA and the oil industry to make sure ethanol looks bad. Many
November 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Canadian Producers Poised for Carbon Reduction Era
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The state of the Canadian ethanol industry at year end. -- Optimism is growing among Canadian biofuel producers as the federal government is embracing carbon reduction strategies in its climate change action plan.
November 15, 2016 Read Full Article
BIOHEC-LIFE - Advanced Biodiesel in Circular Economy for Low Carbon Public Transports.
(European Commission) ... Used cooking oils (UCOs) are processed from food industry and catering waste; cheap and widely available, they are playing an increasing role in the development of advanced biofuels. However, although the legislative framework is in place,
November 08, 2016 Read Full Article
East Africa: Lack of Common Policy Delays Use of Clean Fuel in East Africa
by Kennedy Senelwa (AllAfrica) Lack of common standards for blending ethanol with petrol is limiting East Africa's ability to use biofuels in reducing the carbon emissions from fossil fuels in the transport sector. The growing demand for petroleum products among the
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Get Ready for Divided Government, Again
by Douglas L. Faulkner (The Cleantech Conservative/Biofuels Digest) ... America is divided in so many ways: by ideology, class, gender, education and race, and even by geography. There is a political and economic chasm between the coasts and the interior as
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: $1.30 in Unpaid Health & Societal Costs for Every Gallon of Gasoline Sold in US
by James Ayre (CleanTechnica) While consumer prices for gasoline in the US are currently rather low, these prices don’t account for the health and societal costs associated with gasoline use. A new study from the American Lung Association in California
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
More than 1,100 San Diego City Vehicles Run on Renewable Diesel
(Neste Corp./Biodiesel Magazine) The city of San Diego has recently started using Neste renewable diesel in its vehicle fleet consisting of service trucks, refuse packers, dump trucks, construction equipment, and street sweepers, to name a few. By switching from conventional petroleum diesel
November 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Workshop In Mexico City Offers Information, Expertise To Local Industry
(U.S. Grains Council) Mexican authorities considering how ethanol fits into their country's energy mix heard from U.S. researchers about air quality, lung health and other quality of life benefits and from Colombian and Paraguayan regulators about their successful implementation of
November 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Reduces a Variety of Harmful Emissions, New Study Finds
by Rebecca Chillrud (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) ... Traditional biofuels like ethanol can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19-48 percent compared with gasoline, while advanced or cellulosic biofuels can reduce emissions by more than 100 percent. A less-recognized benefit
November 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol: Our Once and Future Fuel
by Dean Drake (Defour Group LLC/The Hill) The recent opinion piece by Doug Durante of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition highlighting the need for high octane fuels was spot on. I agree we should not have mandated prescriptive fuels and
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
High-Octane Hopes: Biofuels Want Level Playing Field
by Todd Neeley (DTN/The Progressive Farmer) With all of the political fights about the role ethanol and other biofuels have in the transportation sector, there is common ground for the ethanol, oil and automobile industries that could bode well for
September 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Delaware City Refinery Wants Permit to Expand Operations
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/Delaware Online) PBF Energy wants to significantly increase the amount of biofuel being stored at and shipped from its Delaware City refinery. The company plans to go from handling about 84,000 gallons of denatured ethanol per day
September 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Baseline Report of Clean Cooking Fuels in the East African Community
(Project Gaia) Ethanol fuel production represents a significant opportunity for economic and social development in the East African Community (EAC) region. Ethanol can be produced locally using a variety of feedstocks that can be selected based on unique local conditions. Farmers can grow
September 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Ensuring Energy Independence Through Bio-Based Energy Systems
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) NIFA 's Bioeconomy-Bioenergy-Bioproduct portfolio facilitates the development of sustainable regional production systems for biofuels and bio-based products through research, product development and demonstration, extension, and education. By creating non-carbon based fuels, power sources, chemicals, and other products,
September 02, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA and DOT Finalize Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles
(Environmental Protection Agency) Standards address second-largest segment of U.S. transportation in terms of emissions and energy use -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration jointly finalized standards for medium- and heavy-duty
August 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Does the U.S. EPA Not Want Biofuels?
by Nathan Vander Griend (ERI Solutions, Inc./Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) mission is to protect human health and the environment. They are charged with delivering on that mission by using the best scientific information
August 05, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Releases Endangerment Finding for Aircraft, Good News for Biofuels
by Rebecca Chillrud (Energy and Environmental Study Institute) ... On July 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its endangerment finding for aircraft, indicating that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft are hazardous to public health. This finding requires the EPA
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Angling for Ethanol
by Brian Sowers (Crappie Masters TV/ODU Magazine) ... The truth is that ethanol blends are ideal for watercraft, and companies like Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC, Pleasurecraft, Tigershark, Tracker, Honda, and Yamaha all approve the use of E10 in their machines. The same
July 25, 2016 Read Full Article
A $2.7 Billion Missed Opportunity
(Diesel Technology Forum) For any level of funding, more near-zero NOx technologies may find their way on the road and at work with clean diesel than other technologies. -- The Volkswagen settlement may be the second biggest environmental settlement in
July 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Sulfur Compounded in Ethanol Regulations
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As the Tier 3 deadline approaches, it's important to understand the difference between EPA and ASTM treatments of the element. -- The U.S. EPA’s Tier 3 rules are not new—they were finalized two
July 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Greens Sue EPA to Force New NOx, SOx Standards
by Alex Guillén (Political Pro) ... The two standards were last reviewed in 2010 - meaning EPA is currently a year behind the five-year review schedule for those standards set under the Clean Air Act. The Center for Biological Diversity and the
July 08, 2016 Read Full Article
GoodFuels Marine Signs up Dutch Dredging as Second Major Dredging Customer on Sustainable Marine Biofuels
(Dutch Dredging) Dutch Dredging has kicked off its year round operation on sustainable “drop-in” marine biofuel out of the Dutch Port of Moerdijk. The Alouette, permanently stationed in the port of Moerdijk will operate on a unique marine fuel which
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
The East Is [Infra]Red: Gasification, Energy and China
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) More prosperity, less pollution for China? In the East, the search is on for more sustainable, efficient energy, and flexible gasification answers the challenge. There, Synthesis Energy Systems is leading the way. ... Hydrogen, hydrogen. hydrogen. Nothing
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
Air Pollution Linked to 6.5 Million Deaths a Year, Study Says, with the Highest Concentration in Asia
by Melissa Chan (Time Magazine) Air pollution contributes to about 6.5 million deaths each year, the International Energy Agency warned in a report released Monday, with casualties expected to drastically rise in coming decades unless the energy industry curbs emissions. The agency’s
July 05, 2016 Read Full Article
'Threat Map' Aims to Highlight the Worst of Oil and Gas Air Pollution
by Zahra Hirji (Inside Climate News) Two activist groups used government data to show 12.4 million people in the U.S. live within a half-mile of an oil and gas facility—and its pollution. -- Environmentalists have launched a new mapping tool
June 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Helping Tell Ethanol’s Real Story
by Dave VanderGriend (ICM, Inc./Urban Air Institute/Ethanol Producer Magazine) In the world of ethanol, we need to get people smarter and "coach up" the public, media and policymakers as to the real story about our product. -- ... In our world
June 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Dr. Bill Burke Talks about Muhammad Ali and the Fight for Clean Air
(Coalition for Clean Air) Like many iconic figures, Muhammad Ali touched the lives of people large and small. His bravado, charisma and sense of purpose inspired people in and out of the ring. In this video, South Coast AQMD Chairman Bill
June 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Connecting the Dots
by David VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM Inc./Urban Air Initiative) ... We’ve learned that we can reduce harmful emissions by replacing toxic compounds in gasoline with clean burning ethanol, which improves air quality and protects public health. We can do so
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Rochester Buses Commit to Clean Air with Biodiesel
(VoteWojcik) Renewable-Based Fuel is Cleaner, Costs Less Than Traditional Diesel -- On June 1st, Rochester Public Transit (RPT) switched from the 10 percent biodiesel blend required statewide to a 20 percent blend, a move that will reduce emissions from 49 transit
June 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Constantinides Calls For More Sustainable Heating
(Queens Gazette) City Council Member Costa Constantinides, joined by environmental groups and others, rallied in support of his bill INT. 642 on May 25. The legislation would ensure more sustainable energy consumption by increasing the use of biodiesel in home
June 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Point/Counterpoint: Is It Time for Greens To Reassess Their Opposition to Ethanol?
by Senator Timothy Wirth and C. Boyden Gray (Yale Environment 360) The criticism of ethanol by environmentalists is misguided and just plain wrong. In fact, thanks to improvements in farming techniques, increasing the amount of corn ethanol in U.S. gasoline
May 28, 2016 Read Full Article
CAAFI Celebrates 10th Anniversary!
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
May 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Gov. Ricketts Highlights Benefits of Biofuels During Renewable Fuels Month
(Office of Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts) Today, Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska and the importance of biofuels to the state by kicking off a unique ethanol promotion at Sapp Brothers in Omaha. The Governor previously designated
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
My Voice: The Positive Reach of Ethanol Impacts Many
by Keith Alverson (Argus Leader) As a sixth-generation corn farmer in South Dakota, and one who is deeply involved in sustainability programs in U.S. agriculture, I have learned first-hand how biofuels such as ethanol are good for our health and environment,
May 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Growth Likely for Ethanol Industry
by Terry Anderson (Lee Agri-Media/Iowa Farmer Today) Great market opportunities exist for the ethanol industry, Doug Durante said as he opened the Ethanol 2016: Emerging Issues Forum April 28. “We can help the auto industry meet their requirements,” he said. “They provide
May 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Inaction in Congress Helping Ethanol Right Now
by Chris Clayton (DTN The Progressive Farmer) ... Ethanol also remains stuck in a battle with EPA over vapor pressure with 15% ethanol over the summer months. 10% ethanol, E10, has such a waiver so it can be sold during the
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Clean Diesel Delivers Clean Air Benefits to the Mid-Atlantic Region
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... Looking toward to the future, Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum executive director Allen Schaeffer) noted in the next decade that diesel would remain the prime mover for the global economy, but that new engines would be far
May 04, 2016 Read Full Article
The U.S. Oil and Gas Boom Is Having Global Atmospheric Consequences, Scientists Suggest
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) Scientists say they have made a startling discovery about the link between domestic oil and gas development and the world’s levels of atmospheric ethane — a carbon compound that can both damage air quality and contribute
April 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Minnesotans Breathe Easy Thanks to Diesel
(Diesel Technology Forum) Minnesota can breathe a little easier with its fleet of clean diesel vehicles powered on blends of biodiesel fuel. -- In case you missed it, the Minnesota chapter of the American Lung Association (ALA) estimates that the air is
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Urban Air Initiative, Energy Future Coalition Challenge EPA Data on Ethanol’s Lifecycle Emissions
(Urban Air Initiative) Urban Air Initiative joined the Energy Future Coalition and the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition (GBC) in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize an overwhelming body of new evidence showing fuel ethanol can reduce carbon
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Endless Assault on the RFS
by Doug Durante (The Hill/ Clean Fuels Development Coalition) With regard to the recent opinion expressed by Rob Green of the National Council of Chain Restaurants, all I can say is gosh, what a better source for an objective assessment
March 15, 2016 Read Full Article
EU’s 2030 Climate and Energy Objectives Will Be Missed without Biofuels
by Peder Holk Nielsen (Novozymes/EurActiv) If Europe is serious about its climate commitments, and if Europe wants to reduce its dependence on imported oil, then we need to increase the amount of low-carbon biofuels in the energy mix, writes Peder
March 15, 2016 Read Full Article
What Are the CAFE Standards, and Why Do They Matter?
by Robin Vercruse (Fuel Freedom) ... Initially focused on reducing our nation’s petroleum use in the wake of the oil crisis of the 1970s, coupled with tailpipe emissions standards, the CAFE Standards have since become the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
UK’s Top Environmental Groups Lay Down Challenge to Next Mayor to Make London a Treener, Healthier City
(Green Alliance) A coalition of the UK’s leading environmental groups,[1] including the National Trust, WWF, RSPB and Greenpeace, are today calling for the next mayor to commit to a greener London during their term. As part of Greener London week,[2] they
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Keeps Gasoline Prices Down
by Fred Yoder (The Columbus Dispatch/Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association) When the original renewable fuel standard was passed in 2005, gasoline manufacturers were under heavy pressure to do something about the contamination of thousands of groundwater sources from using methyl
February 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Market Participants at Odds over Chinese Import Viability
by Toh Wei Zheng (Platts) There was considerable debate about the role of China as a potential export market for ethanol in the long run during the FO Licht Sugar & Ethanol conference held in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, as speakers took
February 26, 2016 Read Full Article
DSM's Welsh Talks Company's Plans to Shift Investments to China
by Monica Trauzzi (OnPoint/E&E TV) As the renewable fuel standard continues to face legal and legislative challenges, advanced biofuels companies are seeking alternative investment markets. During today's OnPoint, Hugh Welsh, president of DSM North America, discusses his company's ongoing work
February 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Swallowing the Frog
by Doug Rich (High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal) The best statement made about the current market situation for grains at the Kansas Commodity Classic came from Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Novak said if you eat a
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Taking a Bite out of Emissions in the Big Apple
by Tom Slunecka (Biodiesel Magazine/Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council) ... For those of us old enough to remember the 1970s (I thought I’d never be old enough to write that), America’s cities often fought a losing, or possibly lukewarm, battle against
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA's FY 2016 Budget Proposal Increases Support for Communities to Deliver Core Environmental and Health Protections
(Environmental Protection Agency) The Obama Administration Fiscal Year 2016 budget announced today for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lays out a strategy to ensure that all Americans benefit from the economic recovery we are seeing today. The proposed EPA
February 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Backers Say Higher Blends Would Reduce Air Toxics
by Renee Schoof (Bloomberg BNA) A group of farm-state governors and some advocates for clean energy are pressing the Environmental Protection Agency to get tougher on toxic air pollution from motor vehicles in a way that could lead to a bigger
February 02, 2016 Read Full Article
What Do the Super Bowl, UPS, the City of San Francisco and the Local Water Untility in Eugene, Oregon All Have in Common?
(Diesel Technology Forum) They are all committed to using renewable diesel fuel. Interest in renewable diesel fuel is growing quickly among public and private fleets looking to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality without sacrificing power, performance, and driving
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Air Regulator Sues California Utility over State's Historic Methane Leak
by Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) A California utility failed to protect residents from the largest methane leak in state history at its natural gas field near Los Angeles, a regional pollution watchdog said in a lawsuit filed against the company. The suit, filed
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Renewable Energy Best Way to Achieve Climate Targets under Clean Power Plan -- Unaddressed Methane Leakage From Natural Gas Sector Could Undercut Emissions Reductions
(PSE Healthy Energy) New analysis from PSE Healthy Energy and University of California at Berkeley finds that increased deployment of renewable energy is the best way to meet or even surpass Clean Power Plan targets, as recent scientific measurements of
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Growing Beyond the RFS to Drive Demand for Ethanol
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ... “The RFS helped kick start the significant volumes of ethanol production we see today, but we cannot rely on the RFS to ensure a continued market,” Durante (Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) executive
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Katter Fuels Ethanol Debate
by Andrew Marshall (Stock & Land) Maverick North Queensland MP Bob Katter wants ethanol back on the national fuel agenda to help contain Australia's rising petrol costs. He says serious commitment to renewable biofuels would also dramatically improve air quality in our
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Export Markets for ‘Liquid Corn’
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Global trade for U.S. ethanol has been trending up in the past decade, becoming an important part of the industry’s growth strategy. -- Looking at the numbers, it doesn’t take long to conclude that
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
California Gas Leak Exposes Growing Natural-Gas Risks
by Richard Martin (MIT Technology Review) As America shifts toward natural gas for energy, decaying pipelines and storage facilities are at risk of leaks and explosions. -- Since it was first detected on October 23, 2015, the natural-gas leak at
January 20, 2016 Read Full Article
This Couple Is Driving Cross-Country To Return Their Polluting Jetta To VW Headquarters
by David Tracy (Jalopnik) Upset that Volkswagen deceived them into buying a not-so-clean diesel, Marcus Moench and Elisabeth Caspari are driving from Colorado to VW’s headquarters in Virginia to return their Jetta SportWagen TDI and drop off 20,000 petitions. ... ... You see,
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Comments on DOE’s Innovative “Optima” Program
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) had a call for information on Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Optima). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments stating that the Association agrees that “co-optimization of future
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Defour Group and Transportation Fuel Consulting Post Responses to DOE Request Regarding Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines
(Defour Group/Transportation Fuels Consulting) Dean Drake of the Defour Group LLC (D4) and Gary Herwick of Transportation Fuels Consulting (TFC) have submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy's Request for Information about co-optimization of fuels and engines. Their response reflects their
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Facing U.S. Storm, VW Set for Easier Ride in Europe on Emissions Scandal
by Barbara Lewis and Kirstin Ridley (Reuters) Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is unlikely to face U.S.-style fines in Europe over its emissions scandal because of a softer regulatory regime and its home country Germany's determination to protect its car industry, EU sources and
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Mack Trucks Green-Lights Renewable Diesel Fuel for Use in Mack Engines
(Volvo) Following extensive truck and engine testing, Mack Trucks today (January 7, 2016) signed off on the use of renewable diesel fuel in all Mack® engines. Renewable diesel fuel delivers performance similar to diesel refined from petroleum, but with several additional
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
United States Files Complaint Against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations
(U.S. Department of Justice) The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
NCCETC Receives $4.5 Million Grant to Continue Air Quality Improvement Efforts
(North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center) Funding now available for transportation-related emission reduction projects -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation (N.C. DOT) is continuing to support efforts led by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) at North Carolina
December 28, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Key United States Cities’ Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies Rely on New Diesel Technology & Renewable Fuels
(Diesel Technology Forum) New York City Joins San Francisco and Oakland In Embracing New Blends Of Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Fuels -- In light of the COP21 Paris Climate Conference, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced a major initiative to reduce
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
State Should Set Goals on Use of Low-Carbon Biofuel
by Dave Eames, Ethan N. Elkind (Sacramento Bee/Kansas City Star) New federal rules issued last week will boost biofuel production nationwide; Biofuel comes from a variety of agricultural crops, algae, forest residue; California has not taken full advantage of low-carbon biofuel production We use
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Arnold Schwarzenegger Doesn’t Give a Damn if You Don’t Believe in Climate Change
by ZOË Schlanger (Newsweek) ... (Arnold) Schwarzenegger, a longtime champion of clean energy, hinged his argument on the health detriments of pollution created from burning fossil fuels. “First—do you believe it is acceptable that 7 million people die every year from pollution? That's
December 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Biobased Platform Chemicals: A Clean Credible Solution To Support Climate Action
by Marcel van Berkel (GF Biochemicals/Biofuels Digest) There is a clear and growing need for new chemical building blocks. ... For instance, fuels and additives derived from local-sourced cellulosic waste can offset concerns about first generation biofuels. With a biobased fuel that
November 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Electric Cars and the Coal that Runs Them
by Michael Birnbaum (The Washington Post) Cheap electricity, a changing climate This is part of a series exploring how the world’s hunger for cheap electricity is complicating efforts to combat climate change. --- ... But behind the green growth is
November 24, 2015 Read Full Article
Washington State Judge Rules that States Have a “Mandatory Duty” to “Preserve, Protect, and Enhance the Air Quality for the Current and Future Generations”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington state, King County Superior Court Judge Hollis R. Hill issued a groundbreaking ruling that the “scientific evidence is clear that the current rates of (emissions) reduction mandated by Washington law. . . cannot
November 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Vapor Capture System Fabricated by Greenbelt Resources Exceeds Performance Expectations
(Greenbelt Resources Corporation/Business Wire) For many in the California wine region, the 2015 crush was an interesting year due to the drought and other new wine industry developments. One of those developments is the growing concern of ethanol vapor released
November 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Impact of Real-World Driving on Emissions from UK Cars and Vans
(Committee on Climate Change) Passenger cars and vans contribute to 17% of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions, and therefore have an important role to play in meeting future CO2 targets. Despite rapid falls in the official CO2 emissions of new cars
November 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Skyfill: Where the Sky Is a Free Sewer, Are Bioeconomy Thermodynamics Extremely Flawed from the Get Go?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As the reader notes, much of the original underlying biomass is not utilized when we make a hydrocarbon fuel, or any fuel. Take the case of corn, for example, and conversion into ethanol. We start
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Participates in Clean Energy Mission to India
(US Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A team of U.S. ethanol industry representatives led by USDA Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse traveled to India last week to discuss opportunities for developing clean
November 11, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Says Volkswagen Cheated a 2nd Time on Pollution Tests
by Matthew Daly and Tom Krisher (Associated Press/Washington Post) ... The Environmental Protection Agency, along with the California Air Resources Board, said Volkswagen installed software on thousands of Audi, Porsche and VW cars with six-cylinder diesel engines that allowed them to emit
November 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Three Sustainability Tools Are Enhancing Environmental Benefits of Biofuels
by Kristen Johnson and Alicia Moulton (U.S. Department of Energy) At the Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, we’re actively working to develop the advanced biofuels industry in a way that leads to positive impacts and that demonstrates responsible stewardship of
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA's RFS Proposal Risks Ending America's Rural Renaissance
by Jonathan H Harsch (Agri-Pulse) When President George W. Bush signed the law creating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005 to support biofuels production, he explained that “Using ethanol and biodiesel will leave our air cleaner. And every time we use
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
How Could Volkswagen’s Top Engineers Not Have Known?
by DuneLawrence, Benjamin Elgin, Vernon Silver (Bloomberg Business) ... From February through April 2013, they (researchers from West Virginia University's Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions) tested three diesel cars: a Volkswagen Jetta, a Volkswagen Passat, and a BMW SUV. Besch took
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuel Offers Solution to Reduce Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Dioxide Emissions
(Borneo Post/Bernama) In the light of the current haze Malaysians are facing, a local company, Biofuel Sdn Bhd, has come out with a solution to reduce carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions. Its director, P Muguntha, said the company’s ‘Biofuel’ palm
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Aemetis Distilled Biodiesel Solves India's Unhealthy Air Quality
(CNN Money/Market Watch/Aemetis) New Delhi Has the Worst Air Pollution in the World -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company, announced that distilled biodiesel produced by its subsidiary in India reduces major causes of air pollution
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Fraud Goes on with Impunity
by David O. Berger (St. Louis Today) ... And, of course, whenever big business and big government collude, as is the case in the ethanol industry, the financial players get into the game, buying and selling ethanol credits, thus influencing the price
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Dozens of Deaths Likely from VW Pollution Dodge
by Seth Borenstein (Associated Press/Detroit News) Volkswagen’s pollution-control chicanery has not just been victimless tinkering, killing between five and 20 people in the United States annually in recent years, according to an Associated Press statistical and computer analysis. The software that the
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Emissions Testing Is Broken, and Other Lessons from the VW Scandal
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... How do you create clean vehicles that consumers want to buy? All of the automakers are currently focused on this question. The Department of Energy’s Quadrennial Technology Review calls for the co-optimization of fuels and
October 03, 2015 Read Full Article
UPM BioVerno Diesel Found to Reduce Tailpipe Emissions
(Biofuels International) Wood-based BioVerno diesel by Finland’s UPM has been found to significantly reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, the company reports. A number of engine and vehicle tests have been carried out across key research institutes, such as VTT Technical Research Centre
October 01, 2015 Read Full Article
How Many Deaths Did Volkswagen’s Deception Cause in the U.S.?
by Margo Sanger-Katz and John Schwartz (New York Times) Volkswagen’s diesel deception unleashed tons of extra pollutants in the United States, pollutants that can harm human health. So while many commentators have been quick to say that the cheating engines are not a
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
We Should Not Be Surprised about Volkswagen’s “Diesel-Gate”
by Bill Brandon (Biofuels Digest) Fooling with computers to give false readings has happened before. It is important to recognize similarities to earlier cases and EPA’s role in them. The 1998 consent decree In October 1998, the DOJ and EPA entered into a
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
NOxgate Expands: 93% of Diesel Vehicles Tested Fail to Meet Euro 6 NOx Emission Standards; Average Is 7 Times over the Limit
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... The VW crisis just keeps getting worse, with Volkswagen suspending its VW, Audi, and Porsche R&D chiefs, as Audi confirmed that 2.1 million of its vehicles were outfitted with defeat devices, and reports surfaced that the
September 29, 2015 Read Full Article
VW Scandal Raises Doubts over Clean Diesel and Lab-Based Emissions Testing
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On September 22, Volkswagen Motors (VW) admitted that it had cheated on emissions testing in Europe and the United States, by installing a piece of software known as a ‘defeat device’ in diesel cars. The Environmental
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
R Stands for Renewables, even Biofuels
by Timothy J. Rudnicki, Esq (Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The recent release of the Clean Power Plan has started to spawn community gatherings and agency presentations. Stakeholders are being called upon to help inform a regulatory process which will produce a custom
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Sustainable Marine Fuel Initiative Consortium to Launch 2-Year Testing, Certification, Scaling Effort for Drop-In Marine Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, the Sustainable Marine Fuel initiative will be launched on October 7th by Boskalis, Wärtsilä, and GoodFuels Marine and supported by Carbon War Room, Zero and both the Ports of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
September 28, 2015 Read Full Article
China Looks to Algenol’s Carbon Mitigation Technology to Reduce Rising Global CO2 Levels and Help Combat Climate Change
(Algenol) U.S.-based Algenol will partner with South China’s Fujian Zhongyuan New Energy Company, Ltd. (ZYNE) to develop projects throughout Southern China, utilizing carbon emissions to create renewable fuels. The goal is to provide solutions for China’s three biggest challenges: access
September 23, 2015 Read Full Article
West Virginia Engineer Presented VW Emissions Findings a Year Ago
by David Morgan (Automotive News/Reuters) Daniel Carder, an unassuming 45-year-old engineer with gray hair and blue jeans, appears an unlikely type to take down one of the world's most powerful companies. But he and his small research team at West Virginia
September 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Time to Cap Fossil Fuel Pollution
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Instead of setting a blend wall for ethanol, why not set a fossil fuel pollution cap, writes Mike Bryan of BBI International. -- ... I have a crazy idea. Instead of setting a blend wall
September 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Your Guide To Dieselgate: Volkswagen's Diesel Cheating Catastrophe
by Patrick George (Jalopnik) Yes, it’s a catastrophe. There’s no other way to describe the allegations from the Environmental Protection Agency that Volkswagen cheated on their emissions tests with nearly half a million TDI diesel cars. What’s at stake here?
September 21, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Says VW Running Massive Clean Air Scam via Jettas, Audis, Passats
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, EPA issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. alleging that four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars from model years 2009-2015
September 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Ethanol Not 'Racket'
by Barry Blitstein (TribLive) Letter to Editor: Regarding the editorial “The ethanol racket: More perversion” : Calling the ethanol industry a “racket” as if it were a form of organized crime is nothing short of scandalous. ... Ethanol is the cheapest and safest
September 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Retail Sales by Government Oil Marketing Companies Fuels Aemetis Growth in India
(Baystreet/AccessWire/Aemetis) Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company, today announced that biodiesel produced by its Aemetis subsidiary in India has begun to be sold at retail outlets owned by one of the three major India Government
September 10, 2015 Read Full Article
How Political Pressure Is Building to Combat Urban Air Pollution – and Creating an Opportunity for Cellulosic Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Digest speaks with Sebastian Soederberg, Novozymes’ VP for Biomass Conversion, on how the emotional issue of city smog is creating an opening for cellulosic ethanol, even with currently low oil prices. ... Let me start with air
September 09, 2015 Read Full Article
As California Sizzles: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Propel operates 43 Flex Fuel and 31 Biodiesel retail locations statewide, representing over 50,000 clean fuel transactions per month and 10,000,000 gallons of fuel sold to individual consumers annually. Between 2012 and 2014, Propel Fuels conducted
September 01, 2015 Read Full Article
You Want to Talk About Engine Problems? Take Ethanol out of Gasoline
by Kim Trinchet (Urban Air Initiative) One of the great misconceptions following ethanol is that it causes compatibility issues in certain engines. But new data shows that the opposite is true, and ethanol free gasoline blends actually increase much of
August 21, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA More Enemy than Ally to Ethanol
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) There is a long history of antagonism and sometimes outward hostility by the EPA toward ethanol, writes Mike Bryan. -- Most of us find it strange and frustrating that we are continually at loggerheads with
August 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Neste's NEXBTL Renewable Diesel Retail Availability Expands into Southern California
(Neste/Bloomberg/Globe Newswire) After a very successful debut in Northern California, Neste's NEXBTL renewable diesel is now also available to drivers in Southern California at retail stations. Propel Fuels is the first retailer in the world to sell essentially neat NEXBTL
August 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Nebraska and Iowa Governors Announce American Ethanol Pump Labeling Initiative
(Nebraska Corn Board) Governors of the nation’s top two ethanol-producing states jointly announced the launch of a statewide pump labeling initiative to promote the American Ethanol brand. Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad have announced the implementation of new
August 07, 2015 Read Full Article
“Nothing Will Happen without the Will” – Addressing Climate Change through Low-Carbon Fuels
by Jennifer Holmgren (LanzaTech/Biofuels Digest) Condensed from remarks by Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, on receiving the Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology, from the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Listen to 8-minute speech. [audio m4a="https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2015-0722-Jennifer-Holmgren-BIO-Congress.m4a"][/audio] ... Imagine how old you will be
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
USGC: Ethanol Can Improve China’s Air, Water Quality
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A U.S. Grains Council mission including U.S. environmental and public health specialists recently traveled to China to discuss how air and water quality in that country could be improved through the use of ethanol in the
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
UAI: Removing Ethanol from Gasoline Increases Toxic Emissions
(Urban Air Initiative/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Many gas stations are promoting E0, or gasoline with zero percent ethanol. It not only costs more than regular gasoline that contains 10 percent ethanol, new data shows it also burns dirtier in your engine
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
NM Lawmakers Call on Administration to Curb Natural Gas Waste Causing Methane Hot Spot Over San Juan Basin
(Office of Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)) In a letter this week to Office of Management and Budget (OPM) Director Shaun Donovan, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Luján and Michelle Lujan Grisham called for
July 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Scientist: The Ethanol Mandate Harms Air Quality, ‘Leads To Increased Mortality’
by Michael Bastasch (Daily Caller) A University of Minnesota scientist told lawmakers Thursday that mandating ethanol be blended into fuel supplies is leading to more deaths from poor air quality in the Midwest and along the East Coast. “The Renewable Fuel
July 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Steel’s Big Dog Jumps into Low Carbon Fuels: ArcelorMittal, LanzaTech, Primetals Technologies to Construct $96M Biofuel Production Facility
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) First plant will produce 14 million gallons per year by 2018; first production train online in 2017. More plants to come? Up to 150 mgy potential in Europe, ArcelorMittal says; culmination of work since 2011. In
July 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Fuel What Matters Campaign Drives Clean Transportation Choices
(North Carolina State University/NC Clean Energy Technology Center) Focus of Air Quality Education Effort are Consumer and Commuter Options -- The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) at N.C. State University has announced the start of Fuel What Matters, a
April 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Antarctic Algae under Experimentation to Produce Biofuel
by Analia Murias (FIS) A team of researchers at the Central University of Ecuador studies the use of Antarctic algae to produce biodiesel to serve as an alternative source of renewable energy to fossil fuel. Scientists working at the Faculty of Chemistry
January 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Engine-Control System Reduces Biodiesel Fuel Consumption and Emissions
Researchers from Purdue University and Cummins Inc. have developed an advanced "closed-loop control" approach for preventing diesel engines from emitting greater amounts of smog-causing nitrogen oxides when running on biodiesel fuels. Operating truck engines on a blend of biodiesel and ordinary
February 09, 2010 Read Full Article
Kansas Mine Tests Back Up Air Quality Benefits of Biodiesel
Miners have several ways of knowing whether the air they breathe hundreds of feet below ground is cleaner. Mine companies Rogers Group and Hutchinson Salt Company both have extensive testing that shows biodiesel cuts emissions in their mines. Employees have