by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Castro (Alain Castro, CEO of Irvine, California-based Ener-Core) means he believes Ener-Core’s patented Power Oxidizer, which turns low-value industrial waste gases into base-load, on-site power, is poised to change the way industries manage
California
Back TO HOMEFlint Hills Resources Licenses Edeniq’s Pathway Technology
(Edeniq) Edeniq’s Pathway Technology produces cellulosic ethanol, enhances yield, and increases oil recovery -- Edeniq, Inc., a biorefining and cellulosic technology company, today announced that it has signed an agreement with Flint Hills Resources, a leading U.S. ethanol producer, to
February 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Cool Planet Raises $9m to Commercialize Co2 Sequestering Biocarbon Soil Input
by Louisa Burwood-Taylor (AgFunder News) Cool Planet, the biocarbon and biofuel producer, has raised $9 million in extra funding to commercialize its soil amendment product CoolTerra, which just earned a USDA Certified Biobased Product Label. ... But the majority of funding until
February 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Will Renewable Biofuel Help "Redeem" Clean Energy Fuels?
(The Motley Fuel) ... Can the company's renewable natural gas, which it sells under the brand name Redeem, continue to drive growth even in the current environment? I think it can, but there's more to like than just Redeem. Let's talk
February 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Clean Energy Redeem: UPS in Texas
(Fleets & Fuels) Sales of the Renewable Natural Gas More than Doubled in 2015 -- Clean Energy Fuels said today that its sales of Redeem brand biomethane, aka renewable natural gas, more than doubled last year to 50 million gallons, from
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Drop-In Renewable Fuels, Competitive with $30 Oil: The Digest’s 20-Slide Guide to the Correia Process
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany and Portugal, a new drop-in biofuels process has emerged which is cost compettive with $30 oil, according to the inventors. The process breaks even with crude oil, on an 10-year amortized basis for
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
A New, Renewable, Drop-In, Waste-Based Fuel Emerges, Competitive with $30 Oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Out of the EU comes a biogasoline blendstock made from waste residues in a novel process that promises to radically slash the cost of bioconversion. The Digest reports. In Germany and Portugal, a new drop-in biofuels
February 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Short on Sustainable Hydrogen? Here Comes New Water-Splitting Tech to Save the Day
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You may not know it, but you are short on hydrogen. Right now. We live in a hydrogen-starved world, and it’s expensive to make. And most of what we make is unsustainable, produced from fossil sources.
February 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Half The Oil: The Digest’s 8-Slide Guide to the UCS Plan to Reduce Petroleum Use
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Union of Concerned Scientists has released a major report, “Half the Oil”, outlining steps required to achieve a 50% reduction in petroleum use in the US Pacific Coast States by 2030. The
February 09, 2016 Read Full Article
West Coast States Could Cut Petroleum Consumption in Half by 2030
(Union of Concerned Scientists) Analysis Finds Extending and Expanding Current Clean Transportation Policies Would Significantly Reduce Oil Use -- California, Oregon and Washington could cut their petroleum use by half in the next 15 years through policies that encourage greater transportation
February 09, 2016 Read Full Article
L.A. County Files Criminal Charges over Porter Ranch Gas Leak
by Paige St. John and Alice Walton (Los Angeles Times) Southern California Gas Co. on Tuesday was charged with failing to immediately notify state authorities about the natural gas leak in Aliso Canyon. L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey filed four misdemeanor
February 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Sandia Launches Algae Testing Facility
(Algae Industry Magazine) The new algae raceway testing facility, opening February 4 at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, California, paves a direct path between laboratory research and solving the demand for clean energy, according to lab researchers. “The success of moving
February 07, 2016 Read Full Article
The Scythe Swings at Solazyme: 50+ laid off, following expansion of Solazyme Bunge JV
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Solazyme reports: “As part of Solazyme, Inc.’s continuing strategy to focus its operations on targeted, higher-value product categories, on January 29, 2016, Solazyme undertook another step in streamlining operations. This step included a reduction in
February 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Think Crude's Cheap? Biodiesel's Going for Free in Some Places
by Laura Blewitt and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) ... Biodiesel’s become so cheap in the U.S. that some refiners are being paid to use it. Midwest refiners are paying as little as 64.5 cents a gallon for the fuel after factoring in a $1-a-gallon
February 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Ensyn Nabs Chevron Exec as New CEO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jeffrey Jacobs, who served as Vice President of Chevron Technology Ventures until his recent retirement from Chevron, was appointed CEO of Ensyn Corporation and elected to its Board of Directors. Jacobs was also appointed as
January 29, 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
Failed Biodiesel Facility Casting Doubt on Longview Oil Refinery
by Marissa Luck (The Daily News Online) Environmental groups are raising more concerns about the background of people proposing a $1.25 billion oil refinery and a propane terminal at the Port of Longview. Columbia Riverkeeper recently released state and federal documents detailing
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
From First-Gen to Advanced: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Olden Days, Golden Days, and Golden Gripes
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... So, how fast did petroleum expand production, in comparison to low-carbon renewable fuels? ... One thing is clear, renewable fuels are moving fast, by comparison. From 1866 through 1899 (a year when negative attention on the
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Honors Climate Champions, Career Long-Achievements
(National Biodiesel Board) Climate benefits, reducing emissions common vein throughout industry awards -- Biodiesel has many benefits, but its ability to reduce emissions was a main theme of this year’s National Biodiesel Board industry awards. Landmark climate efforts, heavy duty
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
West Coast Market Focus Proves Successful for Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) In part because of the success demonstrated in California with its low carbon fuel standard (LCFS), both Oregon and British Columbia have also adopted low carbon transportation policies, and they are setting precedent for the rest
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
California Launches New Fuel Policies in 2016
by Graham Noyes (Biodiesel Magazine/ Keyes, Fox & Wiedman LLP) California will be the biodiesel market to watch in 2016 as the state implements a diverse portfolio of policies that will directly impact the industry. The state’s landmark greenhouse gas
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
CRISPR-Cas9 Tool Expedites Production of Biofuel Precursors and Specialty Polymers in Living Systems
by Sarah Nightingale (Phys.Org) A team led by a researcher at the University of California, Riverside has adapted the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system for use in a yeast strain that can produce useful lipids and polymers. The development will lead to
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil, REG Tie-Up to Take Cellulosic Biodiesel to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two giants hook up to bring cellulosic biodiesel to scale. A new source of biodiesel feedstock, and a new source of renewable fuels. In Iowa, ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group have agreed to jointly study the
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Betting on Biogas Growth in 2016
by Amanda Bilek (Biomass Magazine/Great Plains Institute) ... In the summer of 2014, the USDA released the Biogas Opportunities Roadmap. The release of this roadmap marked the first time that federal agencies made a public commitment to coordinate biogas activities and
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Trestle Energy Wins Approval for Innovative, Low Carbon Biofuel Pathway from California Air Resources Board
(Trestle Energy/PR Newswire) Trestle Energy LLC – a California company working with ethanol and power producers across the Midwest – announced that California's Air Resources Board officially approved its groundbreaking ethanol production process under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae Foundation Collaborates with SFCC on DOE Grant
(Algae Industry Magazine) he Algae Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about algae, its biology, ecology, cultivation and commercial potential, has been awarded a three-year grant from the Department of Energy to develop a college degree in
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Neste Biofuel to Fuel Super Bowl Fan Village, Fan Charter Buses
(Neste/Biomass Magazine) Neste will deliver renewable diesel to San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee for the electricity production at the Super Bowl City fan village, reducing the fuel carbon footprint by 50 percent. The Host Committee's Fan
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Biofuel: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to United Airlines
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) AltAir Fuels will begin regularly scheduled deliveries of sustainable biojet fuel to United, at LAX in 2016. AltAir’s Paramount, California-based refinery converts sustainable feedstocks, like non-edible natural oils and agricultural wastes, into low-carbon, renewable jet
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Hydrogen From Tri-Generation Fuel Cells Included Under California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
(Globe Newswire/FuelCell Energy) Distributed renewable hydrogen solution receives contingent approval for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credit Market to sell or trade credits; Using stationary fuel cells to convert biogas from wastewater treatment into renewable hydrogen, power, and heat (tri-generation), offsetting
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Power to the Poop: One Colorado City Is Using Human Waste to Run Its Vehicles
Melanie Sevcenko (The Guardian) Renewable natural gas is a growing industry for fuel, electricity and heat, but advocates says it’s a largely untapped market in the US -- No matter how you spin it, the business of raw sewage isn’t
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Tesoro Makes Its Move on Renewable Biocrude
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Texas, Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Bullish on Biocrude: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Tesoro’s Biocrude Strategy and Partners
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Tesoro has unveiled its plan to foster the development of biocrude made from renewable biomass, which can be co-processed in its existing refineries, along with traditional crude oil. And the company has identified three new
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Launch of the Great Green Fleet
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) $2.05 per gallon for drop-in, non-food advanced biofuels blends. Who would have thought it possible a few years ago. Well, the Navy for one. Their remarkable vision results in Carrier Strike Group 3 operating in a
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
US Energy Secretary Expresses Support for Biofuels at DC Auto Show
by Robert E. Kozak and Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) This year, for a change, in the introduction to his remarks at the Washington, DC Auto Show, US Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz pointed out the importance of alternative fuels
January 21, 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
University of Georgia Scientists Using $5 Million Grant to Combat Invasive Weed Johnsongrass
by James Hataway (University of Georgia) A team of researchers led by faculty at the University of Georgia have received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to find new ways of combating Johnsongrass, one of the most
January 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Invisible Disaster of Aliso Canyon Leak May Give Methane Rules Momentum
by Eric Wolff (Politico Morning Energy) The massive methane spill at the Aliso Canyon storage field has pumped out at least 77,500 metric tons of gas since Oct. 23, and it will be months before the spill can be closed.
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
One-Stop Shop for Biofuels
by Lynn Yarris (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) ... Led by Seema Singh and Blake Simmons, JBEI researchers have developed a “high-gravity” one-pot process for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass that gives unprecedented yields while minimizing water use and waste disposal. The
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Opportunities Abroad
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Several U.S. producers, including Genuine Bio-Fuel, Hero BX and the now-defunct Promethean Biofuels, in addition to Miami-based biodiesel exporter and hopeful technology provider Lagosur, sketch out overviews of international developments. ... “Taxation, regulation, cost of production, market
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Switchgrass Key to Future Plant Hardiness?
(Agri-View/Renewable Energy World) The relationship between a prairie grass such as switchgrass and naturally occurring microbes may help shed light on growing hardier plants for livestock and humans. Understanding how microbes promote prairie grasses to grow in nutrient-deficient, marginal soils
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
CARB Releases FAQ on New LCFS Regulations in Advance of Deadline
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... CARB has said that those meeting the January deadline will be guaranteed a carbon intensity (CI) rating this year. Ethanol pathways will be processed in the first batch, scheduled to be completed by the
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Pushmi-Pullyu: How Do Carbon Prices and Fuel Mandates Work Together in Breaking through a Fossil Fuel Monopoly? Or, Do They?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sometimes, the set-up of the transition from fossil fuels is as pretty and impractical as Dr. Doolittle’s Pushmi-Pullyu. The Digest investigates. -- ... For example, a renewable fuel does not qualify under the Renewable Fuel Standard
January 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Consumer Rebate: Legislation Puts Price on Carbon
by Barbara Vergetis Lundin (SmartGridNews.com) ... "... My Consumers REBATE Act takes the revenue generated from pricing carbon over time and puts it in the hands of consumers to empower individuals to become more efficient in their energy choices," said McNerney
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
California Sugarcane Ethanol Pathway Certified by CARB
(California Ethanol & Power LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) California Ethanol & Power LLC (CE+P) recently announced the certification of the carbon intensity (CI) pathway for its anticipated sugarcane and sweet sorghum ethanol by the California’s Air Resources Board. CE+P’s sugarcane ethanol will
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Algae Industry Magazine's 2015 International Readers’ Poll — Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
(Algae Industry Magazine) In any industry, a few incredible people make an enormous impact. The algae industry is fortunate to honor Algae Ambassadors that are great scientists and industry leaders. They are also superb educators for our next generation of
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Bacteria Attack Lignin with Enzymatic Tag Team
(Rice University/Science Daily) Research shows how nature handles lignin -- New research shows how bacterial enzymes team up to attack lignin. The findings could lead to more efficient processes for creating biofuels from wood, grass and agricultural waste, say scientists. The molecules
January 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Navy to Launch Great Green Fleet with 77 Million Gallon Buy of Cost-Competitive, Non-Food Advanced Biofuels Blends
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) They’re here. $2.05 per gallon, at-scale, domestically produced advanced renewable fuels — utilizing non-food feedstocks and based on next-generation technology. The Navy’s 7-year quest to diversify its fuel supply without paying more or changing its
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
Aemetis Shares Jump 52% in One Day
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, investors were pleasantly shocked when shares in Aemetis traded up 52% last Thursday. What exactly is happening? In a release, Aemetis credited five factors for the jump: January 1, 2016: California LCFS re-adopted as of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
LA's Gas Leak Is a Global Disaster
by Maddie Stone (GizMoDo) One of the worst environmental disasters of the decade is currently underway in a quiet community 25 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Putrid, methane-rich natural gas has been spewing into the air at an estimated rate of
January 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Striving for Clean, Infection-Free Ethanol Production
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Two producers share stories of how they keep bacteria in check. -- In the ethanol industry, having a reputation as a clean plant goes far beyond clean floors and all-around tidiness. Clean means
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Behind the Renewable Energy Curtain in California
by James L. Stewart (Biofuels Digest/California’s BioEnergy Producers Association/Technikon Renewable Energy Solutions) ... With the most aggressive series of carbon emissions reduction benchmarks ever enacted by any government in North America, one would expect a concerted, cooperative effort by state government to meet
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Solazyme Chops Roquette (again) in the Great Algae Flour Fight
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... a judgment for Solazyme and against Roquette, confirming an earlier arbitration award we covered last February in The Great Algae Robbery, here. ... Just before Christmas, Robinson (Judge Sue Robinson, Federal District Judge for the District
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Move From Lab to Frying Pan
by Amy Harder (Wall Street Journal/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Solazyme Inc., a company founded 12 years ago to make car and truck fuel from algae, is vigorously pushing a new product. But this time, it is fuel for the body: cooking oil, based
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
These Customers Love E85, for Very Different Reasons
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) Becka Burke was in no hurry. Even though two of her carrot-topped children, ages 2 and 4, scrambled about inside her giant GMC Yukon XL, Burke not only filled up her tank, she stepped
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Capitalizing on Ethanol’s Strengths
by Brian Jenning (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) Each fall the American Coalition for Ethanol brings members together to identify the goals we’ll pursue for the coming year. We did a series of listening sessions between harvest and football
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Re-Thinking the Carbon Reduction Value of Corn Ethanol Fuel
by Ron Alverson (Ethanol Across America) It has been seven years since Argonne National Labs (ANL), as part of the Energy Security and Independence Act requirements, first determined the Life Cycle Carbon Intensity of mid-west corn ethanol fuel. ANL, using
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
The 7 Flying Reindeer: Renewable Fuel Myths that Continue to Defy Gravity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Food vs Fuel, biofuels causing corn planting to skyrocket, low oil prices killing off renewable fuels, the subsidy myth, the emissions myth, the “people won’t buy the fuels” myth, and the Insanity myth. ... In the world
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
We've Got a Methane Problem
by Fred Krupp (GreenBiz/Environmental Defense Fund) As I write this, a massive methane leak from a ruptured natural gas storage facility in California is causing, every day, as much climate damage over the next 20 years as 7 million cars on the
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Are We There Yet? A Biofuel Refinery Update
by Tom Ewing (Renewable Energy World) As oil prices plummet, are drop-in aviation biofuel refineries ever going to be built? --- In September 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE), along with the Departments of the Navy and Agriculture, announced a
December 22, 2015 Read Full Article
California LCFS Presents Opportunities for Ethanol Producers
By John Sens (EcoEngineers/Ethanol Producer Magazine) CARB readopts standards, and sets time lines and treatment for legacy pathways. -- In the first three quarters of 2015, California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits increased in price by 212 percent. October saw
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Got the Need for Speed? E85 Is the High-Octane Fuel for You
by Landon Hall (Fuel Freedom Foundation) E85 ethanol has a benefit for just about everybody: Some people like the fact that the fuel often is much cheaper than regular gasoline, even with gas prices at their cheapest in years. Others
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Immersive Algae Education Programs Growing in Popularity
(Algae Industry Magazine) Students of algal research, including it’s various applications and business models, have increasing opportunities to get quickly up to speed in many aspects of the rapidly developing, somewhat confounding, algae industry. New educational opportunities are more and
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Climate Benefits of One of the Oldest Technologies Still in Use
(Diesel Technology Forum) Thanks to decades of innovation, clean diesel technology is helping to deliver significant reductions in GHG emissions and is a major feature of the U.S. climate commitment outlined in the INDC that explains how the U.S. will
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Hydrogen from Biomethane; Gasoline & Diesel from Tree Residue; Cellulosic Ethanol among New Proposed California LCFS Fuel Pathways
(Green Car Congress) California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff posted 32 new Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) fuel pathway applications for comments at the LCFS website. Among the multiple applications for different processing pathways of corn or sorghum ethanol are
December 18, 2015 Read Full Article
West Coast Mayors Form EV Consortium, Pledge Carbon Reductions
by Bengt Halvorson (Clean Car Reports) ... (M)ayors of four large West Coast cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland—met in Portland for a two-day summit and united to reduce carbon emissions on a regional level. The signed declaration, by the
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Cheap Gas Spurs SUV Sales and Puts U.S. Climate Goals at Risk
by David Shepardson and Paul Lienert (Reuters) Surging demand for trucks and SUVs fueled by cheap gasoline is holding back improvements in U.S. fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions, a government report due out on Wednesday is expected to show. The
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Clean Energy RNG Fuel for Ryder Trucks
(Fleets & Fuels) Ryder Trucks in California to Use ‘Redeem’ Brand Biomethane, Clean Energy to Provide Fuel Station Maintenance Services Too -- Ryder System natural gas vehicles fueling in Orange and Fontana, Calif. will use “Redeem” brand renewable natural gas from
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon Joins Calif., BC in Climate Fight with Clean Fuels Program
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) On Dec. 9 the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Commission voted unanimously to finalize the state’s clean fuels program (CFP). Oregon becomes the third jurisdiction on the West Coast—following California and British Columbia—to implement a comprehensive
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Cal DGS Requires Renewable
(Fleets & Fuels) Directive Covering Bulk Diesel Buys Issued Wednesday --- California’s Department of General Services advised state fuel buyers this week that henceforth they are to purchase renewable diesel fuel, “defined as a diesel fuel that is produced from
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Pacific Ethanol (PEIX) Begins Production of Cellulosic Ethanol at Stockton Facility
(Street Insider) Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX) announced it is now producing cellulosic ethanol at its Stockton, CA facility using Edeniq, Inc.’s Pathway Technology. Neil Koehler, the company’s president and CEO, stated, “We are now commercially producing cellulosic ethanol using Edeniq’s
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Great Green Fleet Readies to Sail in January
by Meghann Myers (Navy Times) More than six years after it was first announced, the Great Green Fleet will makes its maiden voyage in late January. The carrier strike group will deploy, fueled with a mix of biofuel and fossil fuel
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Ramp up Them thar Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Berkeley Lab and ABPDU
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, established by the United States Department of Energy, is the Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit, designed to help ramp up the bioeconomy. ABPDU enables early stage advanced biofuels, biomaterials, and
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
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
California Energy Commission Cancels Deal with Mendota Bioenergy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In California, amongst a notice awarding $5 million in grants for solar, hydrogen and other renewable energy projects from the California Energy Commission was an announcement that an order terminating an agreement with Mendota Bioenergy,
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Volvo Trucks Approves Use of Renewable Diesel Fuel for Proprietary Engines
by John Mies (Volvo Trucks -- United States) Volvo Trucks North America, after concluding truck and engine lab testing, today approved the use of renewable diesel fuel for all of its proprietary Volvo engines, offering environmental and cost-savings benefits to
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
Ecofriendly Bioplastic from Inexpensive Sources of Methane: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Mango Materials
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mango Materials utilizes a patent-protected process to manufacture bioplastic from inexpensive sources of methane gas. The San Francisco Bay Area-based company has proven the ability to produce the bioplastic poly-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA), which can be economically
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
DEQ Proposes Last Minute Clean Fuels Tweaks
by Taylor W. Anderson (The Bulletin) Environmental panel votes today on break for oil companies through 2018, new ethanol models -- Top environmental regulators are slated to finish rules today that include big changes for Oregon’s Clean Fuels program, three weeks
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Algae Could Be the Greatest—and Trickiest—Fuel Source of All
by Bryan Lufkin (Gizmodo) From powering airplanes to replacing nuclear energy, algae has been touted as a green energy miracle. So if our waterways are already filled with the stuff, why isn’t it filling the world’s skies with biofueled planes?
December 09, 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
Great News on DCA and We Don’t Mean Shorter Lines at Reagan National
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) You can have a transformative world or materials at affordable prices — but if you want both, you might well be seeing dicarboxylic acids somewhere in the mix. That’s why JBEI’s latest and greatest is worth
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Alternative Fuel Industry Could See Boost from COP21 Commitments
by Joseph Bebon (Next-Gen Transportation News) ... “Renewable natural gas, which provides even greater GHG emissions reductions, is gaining traction in some areas of the country like California,” he (Matthew Godlewski, president of NGVAmerica) notes. “And federal standards here in the
December 08, 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
Electric Cars Can’t Take the Cold
by Jeff Plungis (Bloomberg) Batteries generate power less efficiently as temperatures drop. --- ... The trouble is, except for Oregon, none of the states have California’s temperate weather. The batteries used by the greener cars generate electricity from chemical reactions that work
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Projects Receive DOE ARPA-E Grants
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has announced that the U.S. DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has awarded $125 million to 41 energy technology projects, four of which involve bioenergy or biomass. ... Projects relevant to the bioenergy
December 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Greenbelt Resources Announces: POM Wonderful Extends Feedstock Testing Contract
(Greenbelt Resources/Business Wire) POM Wonderful®, the largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice in the United States, has extended its feedstock testing contract with Greenbelt Resources Corporation(OTC: GRCO), an award winning provider of sustainable energy production systems.
December 04, 2015 Read Full Article
How California Can Boost Biofuel Production to Cut Pollution and Help the Economy
(University of California Los Angeles) UCLA–UC Berkeley report finds that the state hasn’t taken full advantage of agricultural resources -- California has not taken full advantage of opportunities to increase its in-state production of biofuel, despite state policies that encourage
December 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodico's Innovative 20 MMgy Biodiesel Plant Opens in California
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel producer and technology developer Biodico has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 4 for its 20 MMgy biodiesel production facility in Five Points, California. The facility, called Biodico Westside, is designed as a multifeedstock plant that
December 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Three New Technologies to Make Energy Cleaner, More Efficient
by Frances White (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Three technologies — a computational tool to improve power grid planning, a process to create biofuel from kelp and a hybrid device that makes hydrogen and stores energy — are being developed by
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Misleading about Ethanol
by Brooke Coleman (Advanced Biofuels Business Council/Times Argus) In “Ethanol is a bad deal for Vt.” (online Nov. 21), a group called the American Council for Capital Formation argues that ethanol is a bad deal for Vermonters economically and environmentally. The allegations
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Columbia Journalism Dean Fires Back At ExxonMobil: Allegations ‘Unsupported By Evidence’
by Jordan Chariton (The Wrap) Steve Coll disputes oil company’s allegations that postgraduate students’ story misled regarding Exxon ignoring risks of climate change Columbia University Journalism school’s Dean of Students Steve Coll fired back on Tuesday at Exxon Mobil’s allegations that
December 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Precourt Institute and TomKat Center Award $2.1 Million for Energy Research
by Mark Shwartz (Stanford University) The Precourt Institute for Energy and the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy at Stanford have awarded 12 faculty seed grants totaling $2.1 million for groundbreaking research on clean energy. Launched in 2010, the seed-grant program funds faculty research
November 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Ensyn Receives Key Regulatory Approval for Its Renewable Gasoline
(Ensyn/Biomass Magazine) Robert Graham, chairman of Ensyn Corp., is pleased to announce that Ensyn has been granted a key regulatory approval from the U.S. EPA for its renewable gasoline product, RFGasoline. This approval, pursuant to Title 40 CFR Part 79
November 27, 2015 Read Full Article
A Time to Take Stock: Advanced Biofuels as a Solution
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) A time for taking stock and giving thanks; for appreciating the value of creating a truly sustainable renewable energy future. A recent press release, Vapor Capture System Fabricated by Greenbelt Resources Exceeds Performance Expectations, caught my
November 25, 2015 Read Full Article
In Search of Renewable Butadiene: Genomatica, Braskem Hit Key Milestone
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Butadiene is beginning to emerge from the Braskem Genomatica collaboration. But could it be that the real significance lies not in progress with butadiene, but in Big Data itself, the harnessing of complex mathematics to make products
November 24, 2015 Read Full Article
World’s First Biofuel Facility to Operate Entirely on Renewable Heat and Power to Go Online
Biodico/Business Wire) Biodico, a sustainable biofuel and bioenergy company, today announced its Biodico Westside Facility, the world’s first biofuel production facility that operates entirely on renewable heat and power generated on-site, will go online the first week of December. The facility
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
Pelosi to Obama: Boost U.S. Biofuels Program ahead of Paris Talks
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and three other lawmakers are pressing President Barack Obama not to back-peddle on the country's biofuels program just days ahead of global climate change talks in Paris. The Democratic Representatives -
November 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Propel Fuels Reports Strong Consumer Adoption of Renewable Diesel as Retail Sales Rise 300 Percent in Southern California
(Propel Fuels/PR Newswire) Drivers Choose Superior Performance, Better Value and Cleaner Emissions of Diesel HPR -- Propel Fuels launched Diesel HPR (High Performance Renewable) across Southern California in August 2015, and consumer adoption of the fuel has risen 300 percent compared
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
University OF Illinois Research: Study Shows How Crop Prices and Climate Variables Affect Yield and Acreage
(University of Illinois/AgriMarketing) When corn prices increase farmers reap higher yields by making changes. According to a recent University of Illinois study, about one-third of the yield increase derives from more intensive management practices and two-thirds from cropping additional acreage.
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Simple Fuel, Simple Engine, Simple Infrastructure: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Oberon Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Oberon Fuels is facilitating the growth of the DME transportation industry by converting biogas and other hydrocarbon rich waste streams to higher valued commodities such as DME. Using its proprietary small-scale process, Oberon makes DME
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Federal Ethanol Mandate Imposes $42 Billion Fuel Tax on California
(Center for Regulatory Solutions) San Francisco billionaire Tom Steyer and other national political figures have sold out California’s economy by supporting the federal government’s corn ethanol mandate. The mandate has already imposed $13.1 billion in higher fuel costs on Golden
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
VIASPACE Reports Progress On Giant King® Grass Animal Feed
(VIASPACE/PRNewswire) VIASPACE Inc. (OTC: VSPC) has been working intensively on growing Giant King®Grass (GKG) in California at the VIASPACE nursery, the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center, and with our partner Almaden Energy Group, LLC (AEG) for
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
The Ministry of All the Talents: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to the Joint BioEnergy Institute
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) JBEI’s mission is to convert biomass to biofuels. The goal is to provide the nation with clean, renewable transportation fuels identical to gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Inside JBEI’s Emeryville laboratories, researchers are using the latest
November 13, 2015 Read Full Article
ORNL Team Discovers Mechanism behind Direct Ethanol-to-Hydrocarbon Conversion; Implications for Energy Efficiency and Cost of Upgrading
(Green Car Congress) Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have discovered that the reactions underlying the transformation of ethanol into higher-grade hydrocarbons unfolds in a different manner than previously thought. The research, supported by DOE’s BioEnergy Technologies Office (BETO), has
November 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Better Biofuels Ahead: The Road to Low-Carbon Fuels
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Biofuels produced from switchgrass and post-harvest corn waste could significantly reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, according to an analysis by EWG and University of California biofuels experts. EWG’s analysis found that the life
November 03, 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
Vertimass, DOE Validate Benchmarks, Process Design for High-Yield Alcohol-to-Fuels Technology
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Vertimass completed its DOE technology validation that verifies the benchmark performance, initial process design and preliminary cost information for a new award of $2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology
November 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Solazyme Expanding: The Digest’s Updated 2015 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world’s three existing sources – petroleum, plants and animal fats. Initially, Solazyme is focused on commercializing its products into
November 02, 2015 Read Full Article
DuPont Celebrates the Opening of the World’s Largest Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
(DuPont/PR Web) DuPont celebrated the opening of its cellulosic biofuel facility in Nevada, Iowa, with a ceremony including Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad and many other dignitaries. This biorefinery is the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant, with the capacity to produce
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
What to Consider Before Making the Decision to Offer Biodiesel
by Jon Scharingson (Renewable Energy Group, Inc./Convenience Store Decisions) Whether or not to sell biodiesel can be a significant decision for a convenience store owner. Convenience store owners need to determine what will work best for their operation and how they
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
New BETO Fact Sheets Profile the Emerging Bioeconomy by State
(U.S. Department of Energy) How is funding from BETO a part of the emerging bioeconomy in some states? Find out with our new state fact sheets. For select states, these fact sheets give information about efforts to develop the advanced
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Waste to Wisdom Project Shows Biomass Energy Potential
(Humboldt State University/Biomass Magazine) A potential revolution is unfolding on out-of-the-way logging roads. Foresters and researchers are innovating unique ways to make use of forest residues—low quality trees, tree tops, limbs, and chunks that formerly would have been left in
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Analysis Shows Greenhouse Gas Emissions Similar for Shale, Crude Oil
by Tona Kunz (Argonne National Laboratory) The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory this week released a pair of studies on the efficiency of shale oil production excavation. The reports show that shale oil production generates greenhouse gas emissions
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Soapbox: Obama’s EPA Needs to More Aggressively Support Biodiesel
by Lisa Mortenson (Community Fuels/Sacramento Bee) California took a major step forward in the fight against climate change recently by adopting an aggressive new low carbon fuel standard that will sharply reduce carbon pollution from our state’s famously car-crazy culture. It’s
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Merger Mania: The Digest Looks at Rampant Biofuels Consolidation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Virginia, Green Plains Inc. announced this week that it had acquired an ethanol production facility in Hopewell, Virginia, located approximately 20 miles south of Richmond, from Future Fuels LLP. It’s a sign of continuing
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
ICM Aims for Strong Legacy
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) For two decades, ICM has adapted with the changing times, bringing technology solutions to the ethanol industry. -- In 1995, ICM Inc. got its start with the purchase of the engineering, manufacturing and marketing
October 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Carbon Offset Trading – Managing Risk in a Time of Regulatory Uncertainty
by Joshua Belcher and David McCullough (Sutherland Asbill & Brennan/Biofuels Digest) Over the past decade, the market for carbon offsets has waxed and waned with the likelihood of a mandatory greenhouse gas reduction program being passed into law. Carbon offsets
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Views from Napa Valley: A Peak at California’s Low Carbon Fuels Program
by Michele Rubino (Biofuels Digest) ... AB 32 is now implemented covering the entire economy in California. Markets for carbon allowances and offsets are established and in full swing. The law is unmistakably driving change and investment in the private sector,
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
No Rich White Guy Left Behind: The Selling of Electric Cars as Zero Emission Vehicles
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Electric cars and their $1600 cost per ton for CO2 reduction. And, yep, you’re paying for it. Electric cars have environmental benefits, no doubt about it, and anyone who drives one is making a contribution to
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Seeking Better Biofuels
by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute transform biomass into energy-rich fuel molecules -- .. JBEI researchers are zeroing in on concepts that others have decided are too difficult or would take too
October 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Marginal Soil Can Make for Good Biofuel Crops
(Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) Switchgrass, a perennial native to the tallgrass prairie, is one of the most promising bioenergy crops in the United States, with potential to provide high-yield biomass on marginal soils unsuitable for traditional agricultural crops. New research by
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodico Presents Results of Five-Year Biofuel Study to Navy, Energy Commission and Governor’s Office
(Business Wire/Biodico) Biodico, a sustainable biofuel and bioenergy company, today announced that the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center presented the results of a five-year joint research and development project with Biodico to Assistant Secretary of the
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
Big Electric Shocks Big Oil: California’s New Emissions Law Enlists Utilities to Help Wean Drivers off Gasoline.
by Mark Hertsgaard (Bloomberg Businessweek) When California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 350 on Oct. 7, it looked like a huge win for the oil industry. The original version of the bill included a mandate to cut the state’s petroleum
October 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Six Students Win Young Algae Researcher Awards at ABS
(Algae Biomass Organization) Six student scientists were presented with the fourth annual Young Algae Researcher Awards earlier this month for their contributions to fields of algae biology and engineering at the 2015 Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO). More than
October 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Governor's Signature on Tax Bill to Boost California Biodiesel
(The California Biodiesel Alliance/Biodiesel Magazine) On Oct. 4 California Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1032 into law, correcting a tax problem and clearing the way for a significant increase in the volumes of biodiesel blended in the state. The bill,
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Letter: Biodiesel Targets Should Be Tougher
by Parks Wells (Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council/KNOX News) ... The environmental benefits of biodiesel have been repeatedly proven by impartial experts. Just last month, after seven years of peer-reviewed research, the state of California determined that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Another Bay Area City is Switching to Renewable Diesel
(NGT News) The City of Oakland, Calif., says it is in the process of converting its entire municipal fleet from petroleum diesel to renewable diesel. Oakland operates 250 diesel-powered vehicles, including street sweepers, dump trucks, tractors, construction equipment and mowers. Earlier
October 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Open-Pond Algae at Scale: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to Sapphire Energy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Sapphire is a venture capital backed company founded in 2007 for the purpose of growing and processing micro-algae into products that serve very large and diverse markets where the unique attributes of algae provide valuable
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Renewable Diesel for Oakland and Oregon
by Rich Piellisch (Fleets & Fuels) Fleets Continue to Switch to 100% Drop-In Replacement Product -- Fleets including the City of Oakland, Calif. and the Eugene Water & Electric Board in Oregon report switching their diesel vehicles to renewable diesel. Both are
October 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Making Biofuel: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
by Jeff Lasky (KGTV 10 News) Small businesses across the country are making profits off biofuels. 10News Reporter Jeff Lasky takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour at one in Escondido. WATCH VIDEO
October 07, 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
A Secret Password for Advanced Biofuels at Scale? Forget “Open Sesame”, Try “Velocys Inside”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Four new technologies approach scaled operations, all with one element in common – Velocys technology on the back-end. Why Velocys, why now? The Digest investigates. In Oklahoma, Southeast Oregon, Eastern Ohio, and a site near London
October 05, 2015 Read Full Article
Greater Biodiesel Adoption Would Lower Costs
by Tom Steever (Brownfield Ag News) The cost of biodiesel would be lower if more of the U.S. production capacity was put to use. National Biodiesel Board Sustainability Director Don Scott tells Brownfield the country could be producing three billion gallons
October 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Propel Brings High Performance Renewable Diesel to Hayward, CA
(Propel) Diesel HPR provides superior performance and improved local air quality as Propel provides simple tools to track personal emission reductions, check price and find locations. HAYWARD, Calif. (October 1, 2015) – Propel Fuels, California’s largest retailer of low-carbon fuels, is
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Why DuPont Supports Oregon's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (OPINION)
by Jan Koninckx (OregonLive/DuPont) As an American company operating since 1802, DuPont has been part of the ongoing movement to create science-powered solutions that make life better for people and the planet we share. Today, we are particularly excited to be
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Judge Dismisses Challenge to Oregon Climate Change Program
by Jonathan J. Cooper (Associated Press/MMC News) A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by oil companies challenging an Oregon carbon-reduction mandate. U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken said Oregon’s low-carbon fuel standard does not violate federal law or
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
San Francisco Seeks Renewable Diesel
(Fleets and Fuels) It’s Mostly for Muni as City Seeks Nearly 22 Million Gallons -- The City and County of San Francisco is taking bids for approximately 21.1 million gallons of renewable diesel for the three-year period starting this November 1. Most of
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
CARB Re-Adopts State’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California Air Resources Board has re-adopted a Low Carbon Fuel Standard requiring a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020. “Unlike the EPA, California's Air Resources Board has consistently
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
OCTA Wants RNG for All of Its Buses
(Fleets and Fuels) Demand for Three Years at Four Locations Is About 20 Million DGEs -- Southern California’s Orange County Transportation Authority wants to switch to renewable natural gas to power its existing fleet of more than 340 compressed natural
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Aemetis Harvesting Biomass Sorghum in California
(Aemetis/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Aemetis Inc., an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company, announced the harvesting of 12- to 15- foot tall biomass sorghum grown in Central California that was produced using proprietary Nexsteppe seed genetics. Biomass Sorghum is a feedstock
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Amyris and Solazyme at Risk of Taint from Volkswagen NOx Scandal, Says Website; Solazyme Says “Heck No!”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, TheTruthAboutCars reported that Amyris and Solazyme risk being painted with the same tainted brush as Volkswagen due to the fact that both companies collaborated with the company to test emissions of their fuels. It
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Rutgers Report Assesses New Jersey Bioenergy Potential
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) A recent Rutgers University assessment on bioenergy potential in New Jersey found that the state producers over 7 million dry tons of biomass annually, over 4 million of which could be recovered and used to
September 30, 2015 Read Full Article
UNL Leads $13.5 Million Research to Enhance Sorghum for Biofuel
by Gillian Klucas (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) ... The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will lead a $13.5 million, multi-institutional research effort to improve sorghum as a sustainable source for biofuel production. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, this five-year grant takes a comprehensive