by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (Bergeson & Campbell) As part of the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced in September 2022 an investment of $1.2 billion in bioindustrial domestic manufacturing infrastructure
Defense Production Act
Back TO HOMEDOE Seeks Input on How Defense Production Act Could Support National Security by Strengthening Grid Reliability DEADLINE November 30, 2022
(U.S. Department of Energy) Request for Information Seeks Input on Best Uses for Defense Production Act to Bolster National Security, Boost American Manufacturing, and Lower Energy Costs -- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a Request for Information (RFI) to
October 04, 2022 Read Full Article
Bush, Sanders, Crow Introduce Energy Security and Independence Act of 2022
(Office of Congresswoman Cory Bush (D-MO-01)) Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Energy Security and Independence Act, a historic effort to strengthen America’s renewable energy supply chain through the Defense Production Act
May 02, 2022 Read Full Article
Biden to Invoke Defense Production Act for Electric Vehicle Battery Materials
by Zack Budryk (The Hill) President Biden is set to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) as early as this week to step up production of minerals used to manufacture electric vehicle batteries, a source familiar the plans confirmed to The Hill. Biden is set to
March 31, 2022 Read Full Article
Under President Biden the U.S. Military Must Lead the Way on Climate Change
by Ray Mabus (Time Magazine) ... When I left office in January 2017, at sea about 40% of energy came from non-fossil fuel sources. Nuclear is 17% and the rest was from a variety of biofuels. In 2011, President Obama directed the
November 19, 2020 Read Full Article
The Pentagon Is Quietly Moving forward on Biofuel Deals. Republicans Want to Stop It
by Travis J. Tritten (Washington Examiner) ... (Former Navy Secretary Ray) Mabus’ vision is, however, quietly moving forward under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has authorized $140 million to help build two biofuel refineries in recent months, a move that
March 13, 2018 Read Full Article
The Story of Red Rock Biofuels and the Bond Market Breakthroughs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the world of drop-in military biofuels, two major updates appeared this week. In Oregon, Red Rock Biofuels got good news on Monday when the governor approved $245 million in bonds that will allow the company’s planned
January 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Strength through Choice: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to the US Navy’s military biofuels program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To explain the Navy’s marine and aviation biofuels program, Chris Tindal gave the following presentation at ABLC 2017 — focusing on efforts to internationalize the supply. As we described it earlier, “They’re here. $2.05 per
August 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Advanced Drop-In Biofuels Production Project (ADBPP) Biofuels 2 Solicitation Number: FOA-RQKM-2017-0006
(U.S. Air Force) This Title III project is to further increase domestic advanced biofuels production capacity by establishing additional Integrated Biofuel Production Enterprise (IBPE) capabilities that represent a complete value chain including Feedstock production, Chemical conversion and processing, and Fuels
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA Results: Powering America with a More Sustainable Energy Future
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) ... The Obama Administration has pursued a carefully balanced approach, deploying technologies that improve the very best of our existing energy sources, while rigorously implementing policies that invest in the second and third generations of tomorrow’s fuels. ... In
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuel or Biofraud? The Vast Taxpayer Cost of Failed Cellulosic and Algal Biofuels
by Almuth Ernsting (Independent Science News) ... The disastrous experience with Fischer-Tropsch biofuels is just one part of a much larger failure of cellulosic and algal biofuels, on which billions of dollars of public subsidies have been spent. ... Those are just the largest
March 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Mission Incomplete
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Department of Defense has yet to purchase alternative fuels beyond testing and demonstration purposes, but intentions remain. -- In July, the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a report observing U.S. Department of Defense
November 03, 2015 Read Full Article
USDA to Invest Up to $100 Million to Boost Infrastructure for Renewable Fuel Use, Seeking to Double Number of Higher Blend Renewable Fuel Pumps
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $100 million in a Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available
May 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Bioeconomy Ventures Raise $1.262 Billion in Past 12 Months, up 3.2%
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 44 deals, 37 companies; deal count jumps 16% but deal size drops 17% Here’s the complete skinny on who got what. In Florida, The Digest reports that 12 advanced bioeconomy ventures raised $1.262 billion in
April 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Confronting and Solving “Chicken or Egg” Conundrums in Renewable Project Development
by Tim Sklar (Biofuels Digest) Looking to turn vicious project financing cycles into virtuous cycles? This case study in developing a small-scale Bio-LNG plant offers cautionary tales and a way forward. In July 2014, Biofuels Digest had published an article titled
April 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Digest’s Advanced Bioeconomy Awards for 2015
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Project of the Year, Deal of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Chemical of the Year, and Cap Raise of the Year — who are the big winners? Each year, the Digest recognizes projects, feedstocks, processing
February 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Colorado's Red Rock Biofuels Investing $200M in Jet-Fuel Project
by Wendy Culverwell (Portland Business Journal/Denver Business Journal) Red Rock Biofuels LLC, based in Fort Collins, is investing $200 million in a biofuel refinery in the rural southern Oregon community of Lakeview. ... The Red Rock project will convert up to 140,000
January 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels’ Beltway Crusader
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) Mike McAdams discusses work on Capitol Hill, founding of the Advanced Biofuels Association and the importance of engaging in the ongoing public debate about renewable fuels. “We’re the people you hire to protect you from the
November 13, 2014 Read Full Article
Technology From Honeywell's UOP To Be Used To Produce Renewable Diesel For U.S. Military
(Honeywell) Emerald Biofuels LLC to produce renewable diesel under U.S. Department of Defense program UOP LLC, a Honeywell (NYSE: HON) company, announced today that its advanced process technology will be used to produce renewable diesel for the U.S. military through the U.S. Department of
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
US Navy, DOE, USDA Award $210M for 3 Biorefineries and Mil-Spec Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Washington, the Department of Defense has awarded $210 million under the Defense Production Act to Emerald Biofuels, Fulcrum BioEnergy and Red Rock Bio towards the construction of biorefineries that produce cost-competitive, drop-in military biofuels. Under the grants, the
September 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Department of Navy Seeks 37.5M Gallons of Biofuels
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The U.S. Department of Navy is seeking at least 37 million gallons of drop-in biofuels to power its F-76 marine diesel and JP-5 shipboard jet fuel supply in the upcoming Inland/East/Gulf Coast bulk fuels solicitation released by the
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Walking a Rough Road to a World Free of Non-Renewable Sources of Energy: Memories of 2014 International Biomass Conference and Expo
By Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Imagine a world without non-renewable energy sources, where we just use sun, wind, and biomass to generate our electricity for industries and homes, and fuel for transportation. Is it a dream? I
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
US Senate Completes Mark-Up on Defense Budget, Supports Continuation of Advanced Biofuels Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, following mark-up, is reported to not include any attempts to undermine the Defense Production Act’s Advanced Drop-In Biofuels Production Project, which protects the military’s ability
May 27, 2014 Read Full Article
Navy Gets Ready for Two Large Pathways to Alternative Fuel
(Biofuels International) The Navy plans to create two new acquisition vehicles this year to ensure it has a consistent supply of advanced biofuels. As an indication of their development, the service says the biofuels will not be any more expensive
April 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Navy Plans Action This Year on Two Large Pathways to Alternative Fuel
by Jared Serbu (Federal News Radio) The Navy says it will create two new acquisition vehicles this year to ensure it has a stable supply of advanced biofuels. The service says the high-tech liquid fuels won't cost it any more than the
April 24, 2014 Read Full Article
Benjamins for Biofuels in the 2015 Obama Budget: The Digest’s 7-Minute Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Vitally interested in President Obama’s proposed 2015 budget and the 411 on grants, incentives, tax credits, loan guarantees and R&D support — but haven’t got the time to read all 1653 glorious pages? Try the
March 06, 2014 Read Full Article
USDA and US Navy Explain the Ins and Outs of the Farm-to-Fleet Program at Industry Day: Presentations Available
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) At the US Department of Agriculture headquarters building in Washington, DC, on January 30, representatives of the USDA and Navy provided an overview of the newly announced Farm-to-Fleet program which will provide a format
February 19, 2014 Read Full Article
US Secretaries of Defense, Agriculture and Energy Push for Cost-Competitive, Drop-In Advanced Military Biofuels Program
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Agriculture, and Secretary of Energy delivered four co-signed letters to the heads of key House and Senate committees and subcommittees, in support of the Navy’s efforts to
January 06, 2014 Read Full Article
Agriculture, Navy Secretaries Promote U.S. Military Energy Independence with 'Farm-to-Fleet'
(US Department of Agriculture) Program blends homegrown biofuels with conventional fuels, propelling ships, jets and jobs Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today announced the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Navy's joint "Farm-to-Fleet" venture will
December 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Green Water: Can the U.S. Navy Win the Eco-Arms Race?
by Ray Mabus (Foreign Policy) With domestic oil production up, imports declining, and new oil and gas reserves being discovered, some question whether energy remains, or ever was, a security challenge and military vulnerability for the United States. The rise
August 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Commercial Aviation Biofuels: Translating Green Ambitions into Green Miles
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How to get from available field to affordable fuel in 14 steps. The MASBI report is out, and that’s good. ... Last week, the Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative, led by United Airlines, Boeing, Honeywell’s UOP, the
July 05, 2013 Read Full Article
The Battle of the Beltway: DoD Awards $16M towards Parity-Cost, Drop-In, Non-Food Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) DoD goes forward, after internal wrangle, with advanced biofuels program via $16M phase 1 investment. With industry cost share, project totals $33M: aims for sub-$4, drop-in military biofuels. In Washington, the DoD will award three contracts totaling
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Fighting Rising Tide of Skepticism
by Sandra I. Erwin (National Defense Magazine) ...Although the Pentagon consumes just 1.5 percent of the nation’s fuel, biofuel investors and green-energy advocates have looked upon the military as a catalyst for a massive expansion of alternative fuel production in the
May 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Senate Rejects Amendment Gutting Military Biofuels Program by 40-59 Vote
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) An amendment to a $984 billion Senate government funding bill that would have stripped funds from the Defense Department's drop-in biofuels program failed by a 40-59 vote on Wednesday. Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) amendment aimed
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at World Biofuels Markets 2013
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Neste Oil confirmed that they are using 65% virgin oils, primarily palm oil, and 35% waste residues, but that they are seeking to increase that percent of waste supplied, Neste’s P for Renewable Fuels, Kaisa
March 13, 2013 Read Full Article
“Biofuels Have the Momentum”: US Senate Votes 54-41 to Clear Navy’s Path to Affordable, Advanced Biofuels Capacity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Senate voted 54-41 in favor of an amendment offered by Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina to repeal section 2823 of the annual Defense appropriations bill. Sec. 2823 of the FY13 NDAA
November 30, 2012 Read Full Article
Extend Wind Production Tax Credit and Preserve Military Biofuels Program
by Paul Clarke (The Hill E2Wire/Truman National Security Project) ...To free us from the whims of distant countries, America must invest in renewable technologies and take advantage of our energy resources here at home. Our dependence on oil from unstable and
November 29, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Fight Flares Before Possible Defense Debate
by Geof Koss (Roll Call) More than one-third of the Senate is calling for removal of provisions in the defense authorization bill that would limit military efforts to develop alternative fuels. In a Nov. 16 letter to Senate leaders, 38 senators
November 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Report: Military Biofuels Programs Poised to Drive Major Economic, Job Growth
(Environmental Entrepreneurs) Plans in Congress to kill military biofuels programs could also derail $10 billion+ in economic activity; creation of more than 14,000 jobs, study finds The military’s plans to expand its use of biofuels in planes, ships and other vehicles would
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Air Force Picks Honeywell Unit for Biofuels
by Joe Cogliano (Dayton Business Journal) A division of Honeywell International Inc. is being tapped by the U.S. Air Force to expand the domestic supply of biofuels. On Thursday, the Defense Department announced Des Plaines, Ill.-based UOP LLC was awarded a $17.3 million contract
September 24, 2012 Read Full Article
The U.S. Military's Great Green Gamble Spurs Biofuel Startups
by Todd Woody (Forbes Magazine) ...Funded with $85 million from Bill Gates and other investors – plus $104 million in government cash and loan guarantees – the world’s only commercial outdoor algal biorefinery went online this summer and will eventually expand to
September 12, 2012 Read Full Article
Insiders: GOP Won’t Stop Pentagon’s Green-Energy Push
by Olga Belogolova (National Journal) Republicans in both the House and Senate this year have proposed cutting funds for alternative-energy programs in the defense authorization bill. But these efforts won’t gain much traction, National Journal’s Energy & Environment Insiders say. More than
July 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Can Biofuels Really Make a Nation Safer?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...“It didn’t take long to figure out,” he (Dan Nolan, a retired US Army Colonel and CEO of Sabot 6) recalled, “how many casualties we were taking in Iraq and Afghanistan via logistical convoys, and
July 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Senators Gird for Fight over U.S. Navy's 'Green Fleet'
by Roberta Rampton and Susan Cornwell (Reuters) U.S. senators who support the Pentagon's push to expand its use of biofuels said they have a plan to answer critics who argue the fuel is far too expensive to help develop at a
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Push in Congress to Ban Biofuels in Military Has Big Long-Term Costs
by Norman Seip (Christian Science Monitor) The US armed services is working hard to wean itself off of fossil fuels and foreign oil. Yet some in Congress, for short-term savings, want to ban them from purchasing biofuels. Cutting investments in
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
The Navy’s Green Strike Group Sails on Biofuels Blend: Will It Sail Again?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the Pacific-based forces of Can-Do battle the Washington-based forces of Shouldn’t-Try, we look at the 6 Big Myths of Military Biofuels In Hawaii, the US Navy demonstrated its Green Strike Group as part of the 2012 Rim
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
The Obama Plan for Cost-Competitive, Military Biofuels: The 10-Minute Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The Obama Administration has laid out an integrated strategy for commercializing advanced biofuels, with a focus in this phase on military advanced biofuels at cost-competitive prices with conventional fuels. The vehicle is a joint program between
July 03, 2012 Read Full Article
Wait’ll Next Year: Advanced Biofuels and the Military
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...In Washington, heartbreak came early in the season when the Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to nix the purchase of aviation biofuels, should they cost more than conventional fossil fuels, even at the small
May 29, 2012 Read Full Article
US Warplanes Can Fly Faster, Carry Additional Weapons Load Using Advanced Fuels and Biofuels: New Data
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New tests conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have revealed that US warplanes are capable of flying faster and carry more payload on missions, when flying with synthetic fuels, including biofuels, compared to conventional military
May 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Increasing Our National Security with New Technology
by Retired Lt. Gen. John Castellaw, USMC, American Security Project (The Hill/Congress Blog) The United States military is the single largest purchaser of petroleum fuel in the world, burning through about 325,000 barrels of fuel per day. Almost all of
May 07, 2012 Read Full Article
Groups Call On U.S. Senate to Authorize Funding for Military Biofuel
(Advanced Biofuels Association) Energy security is a vital part of national security; we can improve energy security with advanced biofuel production in the U.S. The Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Advanced BioFuel Association, the Algal Biomass Organization, Airlines for America, and the
April 26, 2012 Read Full Article
IN FOCUS: Pricing and Supply Key to Unlocking Large-Scale US Biofuel Use
by Lori Ranson (FlightGlobal) Successful commercial biofuel flights operated by US carriers in late 2011 were underpinned by an understanding that price and supply chain infrastructure remain the big hurdles to creating a viable full-scale alternative aviation fuels industry in
February 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Analysis: U.S. Government a Tenuous Beachhead for Biofuel Firms
(CNBC/Reuters) The U.S. military has emerged as a key ally for fledgling producers of non-food-based biofuels, who find themselves threatened by looming budget cuts and growing political hostility to renewable energy funding. A U.S. Navy plan to cut its fossil fuel
November 21, 2011 Read Full Article
USDA, Departments of Energy and Navy Seek Input from Industry to Advance Biofuels for Military and Commercial Transportation
(US Department of Agriculture) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today announced the next step in the creation of a public-private partnership to develop drop-in advanced biofuels. The Secretaries