by Joshua S Hill (Clean Technica) Leading economists have concluded that in an effort to meet the world’s agreed-upon climate goals in the most cost-effective way possible while still fostering growth, countries must set a strong carbon price, with an
energy policy
Back TO HOMEThe Energy 202: Trump Administration Has New Energy Buzzword
by Dino Grandoni (The Washington Post) In the Trump administration, “energy dominance” has replaced “energy independence” as the go-to phrase for describing the federal government’s broad energy goals -- in President Trump’s case, to promote as much oil, gas and coal
May 26, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA Bioenergy Programs Gutted in 2018 Trump Budget: The Digest’s 7-Minute Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Rural Business Service to shut down; BCAP, REAP, loan guarantees gone; food stamps, crop insurance slashed. Want to understand what USDA is targeting, cutting, growing or eliminating — but don’t have the time to wade through
May 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump’s Proposed Budget Includes Cuts to EPA, DOE and USDA
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) President Donald Trump has released his proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2018, which includes $3.6 trillion in cuts. According to the White House, the reductions are the most proposed by any president. The proposal
May 24, 2017 Read Full Article
RELEASE: Taxpayers on the Hook for Billions in Subsidies for Fossil Fuels on Public Lands
(Oil Change International) Study finds $7 billion per year in direct subsidies and tens of billions in liabilities -- The U.S. government is providing extensive support for fossil fuel production on public lands and waters offshore, through a combination of
May 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Renewables Nuked; Nukes Renewed: Bioenergy Slashed 69% as US DOE Budget Gets Detail; The Digest’s 7-Minute Guide to the DOE Budget
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Department of Energy submitted a request for a $1.433B cut, or 69.3 percent to the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy annual budget, and targeted a $168.4M cut in the budget for
May 24, 2017 Read Full Article
ADBA Comments on Election Manifestos
by Chris Noyce (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association) Following the launch of the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative manifestos, ADBA has commented on the energy, climate change and environmental policies outlined by the major parties. Conservative Manifesto Commenting on the Conservative Party’s
May 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Is the Labour Party Manifesto an Opportunity for Biofuels and Bioenergy?
by Daryl Worthington (Bioenergy Insight/Biofuels International) The UK Labour Party has published its manifesto for the forthcoming General Election, placing significant emphasis on renewable and sustainable energy sources. Three principles guide the party’s energy policy: security of the energy supply; affordable
May 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Industry Groups Voice Support for California Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Lauren Tyler (NGT News) As state policymakers consider climate change laws, 155 businesses and industry groups sent a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to express their support of
May 17, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Biofuels Policy: What Is the Impact on Rural Development?
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EurActiv) EU farmers are “very concerned” about the impact of the European Commission’s change of heart on biofuels, claiming the EU’s restrictive policy is putting thousands of rural jobs at risk. Yet, the EU executive defended its proposed
May 08, 2017 Read Full Article
It’s Time for States to Save the Planet: State-Level Carbon Taxes Offer a Path to the Ultimate Climate Solution.
by Charles Komanoff (Huffington Post) The Carbon Tax Center is out with a new report timed to the surging climate movement. We surveyed all 50 U.S. states (and Washington, DC) to identify the ones with the most favorable conditions for
May 08, 2017 Read Full Article
OPINION: Reflections on the Marches for Science and Climate
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) 200,000 people joined the People's Climate March in Washington, DC on April 29, 2017; with another 100,000 at sister marches around the country. 40,000 Marched for Science on Earth Day in the rain in
May 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Big Equipment and Politics at the International Biomass Conference and Expo
by Doug Root* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Shredders, chippers, conveying systems, balers, and pellet mills were the highlights of the International Biomass Conference and Expo held recently in Minneapolis. The big equipment is aimed at the big sources of biomass feedstocks
May 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Growth Energy, RFA, USGC Submit Comments in Response to Paper on Clean Fuel Standard
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in submitting comments in response to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Discussion Paper on a Federal Clean Fuel Standard (CFS). Representatives of the three
May 05, 2017 Read Full Article
As Trump Reverses Climate Actions, California Considers a Bold New Step
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) ... Now, a new proposal, announced Monday, would replace California’s current cap and trade carbon pricing program, its flagship effort to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, with an updated — and,
May 04, 2017 Read Full Article
The Commission's Proposal on the Revision of the Renewable Energies Directive (RED II): Impacts on Bio-Based Materials and CO 2 Use
(Bio-Based News (Google Translation)) The nova Institute has analyzed the Commission's new RED II proposal and presented the most important results in one paper. CO 2 -based fuels are on the up, but the uneven treatment of the bio-based materials remains.
May 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Puts Critic of Renewable Energy in Charge of Renewable Energy Office
by Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis (The Washington Post) President Trump has appointed Daniel Simmons, a conservative scholar who sharply questioned the value of promoting renewable energy sources and curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, to oversee the Energy Department’s Office of
May 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Vulnerable Nations Call on G20 to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies by 2020
(Climate Change News) Ministers from countries on the front line of climate change have urged rich nations to stop pouring money into the coal, oil and gas industries. The world’s 49 most climate vulnerable countries have called on the G20
May 01, 2017 Read Full Article
RED II Dominates Agenda at EU Biofuels Seminar
by Daryl Worthington (Biofuels International) ... Ruta Baltause, a policy officer at the European Commission, delivered the EU perspective, explaining the reasoning behind proposed comprehensive revisions of the RED which include gradual phase out of conventional crop-based biofuels, but also stressing that
April 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Laying a Road Map for States, Liberal Senators Introduce Bill to End U.S. Fossil Fuel Use by 2050
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation Thursday that calls on the U.S. to transition off fossil fuels by 2050, hoping to spur action on the state
April 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Center for Climate Strategies Builds Economic Transition Modeling Capacity in Cameroon
(Center for Climate Strategies) As a part of the Africa Low Emissions Development Strategies (ALEDS) project, the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) is supporting local self-determination and global integration by providing training, capacity building, and technical assistance to the government
April 20, 2017 Read Full Article
A Global BioFuture: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Developing Biobased Projects around the World
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We’ve been covering market access, and technology development, but what about accessing markets in emerging economies and around the world where feedstock is abundant, policymakers are motivated, but other risks and constraints apply that can be
April 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Here Comes BioChina: Amyris, Others Bypass the 4 Myths of Business in the Middle Kingdom
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From California arrives the very interesting news that Amyris has entered into an agreement with Blue California whereby its affiliates will provide access to its fermentation manufacturing in China and provide the necessary capital to
April 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Oregon Senate Backs Woody Biomass as 'Green Energy'
(KTVZ.com) Bill sponsored by Sens. Tim Knopp, Ted Ferrioli -- Oregon Senate Republicans say adding woody biomass as a recognized source of green energy technologies will help reduce carbon emissions and create jobs in rural Oregon. The proposal, Senate Bill
April 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Government Mind Games are Driving Investors Away from Biofuel & Other Bio-Based Projects
by Colin Ley (AgFunder News) The closer you get to the commercialization of a development, the harder it becomes to raise capital, and recent government activities around the world are not making life easier for innovators, speakers at the World
April 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Guest View: Corn Is for Food, Not Fuel
by Stanford L. Levin (The Southern) ... If corn were used for food instead of for ethanol, two beneficial things would happen. First, we would create more high-paying jobs in the oil and gas industry as demand increased and output
April 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Perry: Trump Committed to Making Renewables Competitive with Fossil Fuels
by John Siciliano (Washington Examiner) Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Monday that the Trump administration supports making wind and solar energy more competitive with coal and fossil fuels, while simultaneously urging the world to embrace more natural gas exports and
April 11, 2017 Read Full Article
New Life Infused into Proposed Danish Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
(Ethanol Producer Magazine) Prospects for a cellulosic ethanol plant to be built as part of the Maabjerg Energy Center in Denmark have achieved a breakthrough, according Jorgen Udby, chairman. London-based investment firm Pioneer Point Partners has confirmed in a letter
April 11, 2017 Read Full Article
REDII - Taking a Look at the Impact Assessment
(ePURE) With its revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) the European Commission wants to phase out all conventional biofuels in the EU. But in making its proposal the Commission has ignored many of its own guidelines for Impact Assessments, including
April 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Addressing Biomass Energy 'Alternative Facts'
by William Strauss (FutureMetrics/Biomass Magazine) ... The recently released paper by the Chatham House is a study that contains many inaccurate statements about the use of wood for energy. Those statements are presented as facts, or as uncontested conclusions. This article
April 05, 2017 Read Full Article
South African Bio-energy Atlas Launched to Support Bio-Energy Development
by Keith Campbell (Cramer Media/Engineering News) The South Africa Bio-energy Atlas, launched in Pretoria on Friday, will allow the country to identify opportunities for sustainable bio-energy and be able to achieve much more in terms of developing a 'green' economy.
April 05, 2017 Read Full Article
The Potential of Biofuels in China
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) This IEA Bioenergy Task 39 report looks at the potential of biofuels in China. Although climate change and energy security are of concern to China, it is not clear which of these drivers has been the primary motivator for
March 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Five Things You Need to Know about the ‘Food vs Fuel’ Debate
by Emmanuel Desplechin (Politico/ePURE) The European Commission wants to phase out the use of crop-based biofuels in Europe, even though biofuels like renewable ethanol are currently the main driver of EU transport decarbonization. They also deliver significant greenhouse gas savings
March 28, 2017 Read Full Article
GRFA Calls on G20 Leaders to Increase Action on Climate Change in Light of New Report
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) Bliss Baker, the President of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), called on G20 leaders to build on the historic international cooperation achieved in 2016 with the ratification of the first binding climate agreement, the Paris Accord
March 27, 2017 Read Full Article
The Zero-Emission Planet: IRENA Says “Affordable, Achieveable”.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Eliminating Energy-Related Carbon Emissions Possible, New IRENA Study Finds Since the election of Donald Trump as US President, we’ve heard a great deal less about “reductions in greenhouse gas emissions” from friends of the advanced bioeconomy,
March 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Eliminating Energy-Related Carbon Emissions Possible, IRENA Study Finds
(Zawaya) ... The report also describes how the energy sector transition needs to go beyond the power sector into all end-use sectors. Renewables need to account for the majority of power generation in 2050, based on continued rapid growth especially
March 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Veterans Encourage President to Include Ethanol, RFS in Energy Plan
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) More than 120 military veterans working and investing in the ethanol industry sent a letter to President Trump last week, urging him to include a prominent role for ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard
March 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Big Bird, You’re Fired! And All of You Enviros, too! Trump Thumps, Dumps in New Budget
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Good-bye ARPA-E, DOE, Loan Guarantee program, Energy Star, OPIC, USTDA, NEA, and the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. Even Big Bird gets the guillotine. In Washington, the White House released its budget requests for 2018,
March 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Government of Canada Invests $43 Million in Clean Technology Innovation
(Government of Canada/CNW) Investments support Canadian-based technologies and create opportunities for businesses to grow and contribute to clean economic growth. -- Technology and the innovation it helps promote are key to the future of Canada's economy. This is why the
March 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Academics and IEA Slam ‘Misleading’ Chatham House Bioenergy Report
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) More than 125 academics have joined the International Energy Agency Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme (IEA Bioenergy) slamming Chatham House’s recent report on bioenergy, calling it ‘misleading. The group of academics from across the world and the IEA
March 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Germany’s Environment Minister Says ‘Excessive’ Use of Land for Bioenergy Crops Was a ‘Mistake’
(Bioenergy Insight) There has been excessive use of land for bioenergy crops in Germany which has led to a loss of species, according to the German environment minister Barbara Hendricks. Hendricks, speaking to the magazine Mehrwert, included energy as part of
March 07, 2017 Read Full Article
ARPA-E 2017: Optimism Turns to Tension as Sector Prepares to Protect Energy R&D Funding
by Krysti Shallenberger (Utility Dive) ... At stake is funding for the Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy, more commonly known as ARPA-E. Created in 2007 as a technology incubator under the purview of the Department of Energy, ARPA-E’s mission is to drive innovation
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Biofuels Industry Faces Shutdown Due to Government Crop Cap
(FG Insight) Vivergo Fuels, which converts 1.1m tonnes of feed-grade wheat a year into bioethanol, has said it could face closure if the Government ploughs on with plans to restrict crop-based biofuels in petrol. The UK must ensure 10 per cent
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at ABLC 2017 – Day 2
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ABLC guests heard Governor Paul LePage from Maine invite all of us to his beautiful Northern state that has many existing and promising biomass projects and even backyard farms that grow tomatoes year round
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
FutureMetrics Has Published a New White Paper: "Alternative Facts" in the Recent Chatham House Study
(FutureMetrics) Providing misleading, inaccurate, and sometime outright fiction as facts could be called propaganda. With overtones of Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the term "alternative facts" has recently been coined. Either way, it is information that is biased and misleading that is
March 06, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office Sees Greater Collaboration with DOE Office of Fossil Energy in Its Future
by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) This morning at the "Defense Production Act (DPA) Advanced Drop-in Biofuels Production Project Round 2 Industry Roundtable" held at the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, Zia Haq, Senior Analyst and DPA Coordinator
March 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Scottish Farmers Body Calls for Rethink over Distillery Biomass Plants
(Bioenergy Insight) The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (SFTA) is repeating its warning to the UK government that the "headlong drive to produce renewable energy from by-products of the distilling industry through anaerobic digesters and biomass plants will cause severe damage
February 28, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Claim That Burning Biomass Is Clean Seen as 'Flawed'
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg/Renewable Energy World) The U.K. government’s view of biomass as a carbon-neutral energy source is a “flawed assumption,” according to report from Chatham House. The U.K. counts emissions from the supply chain that produces and delivers wood pellets
February 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Exxon's New Chief Endorses Carbon Tax to Combat Climate Change
by Joe Carroll (Bloomberg) Darren Woods makes first blog post since succeeding Tillerson; Comment mirror’s former CEO’s long-standing position on levy -- In his first blog post since succeeding Rex Tillerson, the new head of Exxon Mobil Corp. focused on climate
February 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump at the Renewable Pump: Will He Bump, Thump or Dump?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Let’s look at the letter behind the headlines. “Rest assured that your president and this administration values the importance of renewable fuels to America’s economy and to our energy independence. As I emphasized throughout my campaign,
February 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Rocky Road Ahead for Farm Bill’s Energy Title
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Farm Bill’s Energy Title provides loans and grants to farmers, ranchers and small businesses to encourage investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and the production of renewable bioproducts such as fuels
February 20, 2017 Read Full Article
The Republican Carbon Tax Is Republican, Say Republicans
by Robinson Meyer (The Atlantic) There’s just one problem: other Republicans. ... But in an unregulated market, there’s no mechanism to keep people from emitting carbon dioxide, because it is cheap. So, et voilà, you invent just such a mechanism. You
February 18, 2017 Read Full Article
MECO on Track to Beat Renewable Energy Goals--State Aims to Be 100 Percent by 2045
by Chris Sugiduno (Maui News) ... MECO’s updated Power Supply Improvement Plan calls for Molokai to reach the renewable energy benchmark by 2020, with Lanai completing it by 2030 and Maui by 2040. The plan submitted to the state Public Utilities
February 17, 2017 Read Full Article
The $40 Carbon Tax Is Dead as a Doornail, and Here’s Why
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This past week, a group headed by former Secretaries of State George Shultz and Jim Baker proposed dramatically to introduce a $40 per ton carbon tax in order to address the rising threat from global
February 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Duckworth to Perry: American-Made Renewable Energy Reduces Reliance on Foreign Oil, Improves National Security
(Senator Tammy Duckworth) U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) shared with the nominee to be the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), Governor Rick Perry, how her military service in Iraq taught her about the danger of our country’s dependence on
January 24, 2017 Read Full Article
How a Biofuels Phase-Out Would Hit Europe’s Struggling Farmers
by Mark Chesworth (Vivergo Fuels/Politico) Growers in the EU are helping meet climate and energy goals. Don’t abandon them now -- Biofuels are essential for meeting EU climate and energy goals by helping to decarbonize transport, but they are also
January 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Releases "An America First Energy Plan"
(White House) Energy is an essential part of American life and a staple of the world economy. The Trump Administration is committed to energy policies that lower costs for hardworking Americans and maximize the use of American resources, freeing us
January 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Perry's Time to Shine Today
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) PERRY PARTY: Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry finally has his day in the spotlight this morning to make his case for running the Energy Department. Given the agency’s mishmash of responsibilities — which outgoing
January 19, 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
BETO Publishes Analysis of Biofuels and Bioproducts from Wet and Gaseous Waste Streams
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (January 10, 2017) the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced the publication of a report, titled Biofuels and Bioproducts from Wet and Gaseous Waste Streams: Challenges and Opportunities. The report is the
January 16, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Carbon Targets at Risk from Conventional Biofuels Phase-Out: Experts
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the EU, energy experts told members of the European Parliament in hearings this week that the European Commission’s proposed phase-out of conventional biofuels by 2030 threatens to remove one of the EU’s best options
January 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Uganda: Kakira Sugar Opens Shs130 Billion Ethanol Plant
by Isaac Mufumba (All Africa/The Monitor) Kakira Sugar Limited, a local sugar producer, has started commercial production of ethanol at a $36.6 million (Shs133b) distillery. The joint managing director, Mr Mayur Madhvani, told Daily Monitor in an interview last week that
January 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Gearing Up for Farm Bill Season
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) EESI will take periodic looks at the ongoing debate surrounding the anticipated 2018 Farm Bill. This article is the first in the series. -- ... Amidst a backdrop of plunging commodity prices and
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Republicans Can Cancel Some Obama Environment Rules. But They’ll Have to Choose Carefully.
by Chelsea Harvey (The Washington Post) ... Two bills under consideration in Congress, each expected to go to a swift vote, could help expedite the process of undoing recent regulations — or even make it more difficult to pass them in the
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
The Clean Tech Primer 2017
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In New York, Raymond James released its Clean Tech Primer 2017, arguably the most cogent and concise summary of activity and prospects across the gamut from solar power through to water technology, including all biofuels,
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
New Laws That Take Effect January 2017: Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit
(New York State Senate) Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit: The 2016-17 budget extended the Clean Heating Fuel Tax Credit from Jan. 1, 2017 until Jan. 1, 2020. It also requires that beginning in 2017, to qualify for the credit, each
January 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Top 10 Bioeconomy Predictions for 2017
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A mere “The Year in Rewind” as we sail into 2017? Not the good ship Digest! Instead, we dust off our crystal ball and offer our predictions for the year ahead. As the sunset of 2016 gives way
January 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Iowa Energy Plan Includes Role Ethanol Can Play in State's Future
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds has released to the public the Iowa Renewable Energy Plan, which establishes priorities and provides strategic guidance for Iowa’s energy future. ... “IRFA appreciates Lt. Gov. Reynold’s recognition
January 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Rescuing the Low-Carbon Energy Transition From Magical Thinking
by David M. Hart (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) ... This paper describes four forms of magical thinking about the energy transition that are prevalent in the United States. “Climate-change denial” wishes away the need for any transition at all.
January 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Major Boost for UK Biojet as Government Proposes to Extend Renewable Transport Fuel Incentives to Aviation
(GreenAir Online) The UK aviation industry has welcomed a proposal by the government to extend one of its main policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport to include aviation, which could provide a major boost for future production of
January 02, 2017 Read Full Article
DOE BETO Releases New Strategic Plan; Biofuels to Constitute 25% of US Transportation Fuels by 2040
(Green Car Congress) The US Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) released its new strategic plan, titled Strategic Plan for a Thriving and Sustainable Bioeconomy. The strategic plan—with a vision for 2040—lays out BETO’s mission to accomplish its vision in
January 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Birdlife and T&E to Release Anti-Biofuel Documentary in January
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Belgium, following on from the November release of their joint publication “The Black Book of Bioenergy”, Birdlife Europe and Central Asia has again teamed with Transport & Environment on a documentary set for release
December 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Lux Research: FOG-Based Biodiesel Remains Significant Opportunity
(Lux Research/Biodiesel Magazine) Biomass-based diesel and conventional electricity lead the race to meet new emissions reduction goals, and diversified energy companies are well-placed, according to Lux Research. Traditionally policies to promote greener transportation fuels have focused on mandating volumes of specific
December 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Fantastic 5: US States Getting It Done, Making Biobased Happen
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... the most innovative public-private policies are likely for some time to proceed out of regions, provinces and states. In some ways, in the United States the forces arrayed against the Renewable Fuel Standard will end up
December 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Regional Feedstock Partnership Report Highlights Work to Enable the Billion-Ton Vision
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Regional Feedstock Partnership (the Partnership)—a multi-institutional collaboration of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, representatives from land-grant universities, and industry—was first established to address issues associated with the development of
December 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump’s Nixonian Pivot
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News of high-level appointments have been streaming out of Trump Tower all this week and last, and two trends are already clear: it’s a group mostly out of the business and military communities, and there’s
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Ashraf Visits PSO’s Biodiesel Project
(The News) Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has taken an initiative towards alternative fuels by launching a pilot project for production of bio-diesel. For this purpose, the PSO has developed Jatropha Model Farm at Marshalling Yard, Pipri, Karachi. Federal Minister for Water
December 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Why You Should Care about Low Carbon Fuels and Vehicle Initiatives
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies/OurEnergyPolicy.org) Citizens and policymakers in many countries have never been more committed to combating climate change across all sectors. One high-emitting sector that is often overlooked, when compared to industry and manufacturing, is transportation. Transport
December 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Taps Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who has represented Montana’s at-large congressional seat for one term, to serve as secretary of the Department of the Interior, according to an individual with firsthand
December 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Estonia Last EU State to Begin Transitioning to Biofuel
(Estonia Public Broadcasting) The Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure submitted a bill amending the Liquid Fuel Act which would require liquid fuel suppliers to add fuels produced from renewable sources, known as biofuels, to their gasoline and diesel fuel.
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Taps Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to Head Energy Department He Once Vowed to Abolish
by Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) President-elect Donald Trump has picked Rick Perry to head the Energy Department, said two people familiar with the decision, seeking to put the former Texas governor in control of an agency whose
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Birth of Mideast Renewables?
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Squeezed budgets from low oil prices since mid-2014, combined with rising energy demand, will boost demand for renewable energy and efficiency technologies across the Middle East, according to a white paper published Monday following
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Not So Prolific: U.S. Shale Faces A Reality Check
by Nick Cunningham (OilPrice.com) ... Speaking at the National Oil-equipment Manufacturers and Delegates Society (NOMADS) in Houston a few months ago, IHS Markit’s associate direct for Plays and Basins, Reed Olmstead, poked holes in the notion that the industry has dramatically
December 13, 2016 Read Full Article
DfT Proposals Risk £1Bn of Investment in the North-East
(Renewable Energy Association) DfT publishes consultations on the future of renewable transport, setting out long term targets towards 2030. Consultation proposes capping fuel crops to below EU levels, risking existing UK plants and supply chain. Consultation introduces new sub-target for
December 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Commission’s Flip-Flop on Biofuels Puts at Risk Tens of Thousands of Jobs
by Patrick Kent (Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers’ Association/Euractiv) The key element of this renewable energy plan is that the ceiling for the crop biofuel component of EU transport fuels will be slashed from 7% to 3.8% by 2030. The
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-China Aims to Double Ethanol Output to 4 Mln Tonnes by 2020 - Agency
by Dominique Patton (Reuters) China is aiming to produce 4 million tonnes of ethanol by 2020, doubling output from the current level, even as it keeps tight control over the use of food grains to make the biofuel, a government plan
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
EU Pits Conventional Biofuels against Advanced Biofuels in New 2030 Policy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Belgium, Novozymes came out swinging against the European Commission’s 2030 biofuels proposals, saying it’s a move backwards rather than forward, while the Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels from Clariant to Dong Energy welcomed the policy,
December 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Why Trump Needs to Embrace Obama’s Fuel Rules to Make America Energy Independent
by Jason Bordoff (Reuters) Since the Arab Oil Embargo four decades ago, every president has promised to wean the United States off the need for foreign oil. President-elect Trump is no different, promising in his speeches and transition plans to achieve “energy
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Commission’s Proposal to Phase out Conventional Biofuels Ignores Science and Jeopardises Biofuel Investments
(ePURE) The European renewable ethanol association (ePURE) regrets the European Commission’s intentions to phase out, or significantly reduce, the use of conventional biofuels in Europe, contained in the proposed Renewable Energy Directive for the period post-2020, published as part of
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
EC Releases RED II, Proposes First-Generation Biofuels Phase-out and New Sustainability Criterion for Forest Biomass
(Biofuels International) The European Commission has released its long-awaited revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and proposed the phase-out of food crop-based biofuels from 2021. The EC also wants to simultaneously introduce a sub-mandate for advanced biofuels. It also proposes to introduce a
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Europe Doesn’t Have Enough Sustainable Wood and Cow Dung to Meet Its Unrealistic Bioenergy Projections – New Analysis
(Transport & Environment) Sustainable wood waste, agricultural residues, manure and other organic residues generated in Europe will only cover around 80% of the EU’s projected bioenergy use in 2030, a new analysis by green groups BirdLife Europe and Transport &
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
America's Rural Voters Are Ready for Renewable Energy Too
by Lloyd Ritter (The Hill/Agriculture Energy Coalition) ... Rural energy’s potential is strong. Farmers, ranchers, farm coops and businesses want to minimize costs or generate new income through energy. They can do this by investing in biofuels, putting up solar arrays
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Canada to Adopt National Low Carbon Fuel Standard
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Canada, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna announced that Canada will adopt a national clean fuels standard, as an important step for climate action and the growth of Canada’s cleantech economy and green
November 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Jatropha Oil: Ghana’s Next Potential Source of Biofuel
by Theophilus Kumah* (Advanced Biofuels USA) With the issue of biofuels and renewable energy making waves all over the globe, it is therefore not surprising when Africa (particularly Ghana) is not left out on investing in the future of energy.
November 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Dems Shouldn’t Toss-Out Clean Energy Options. Especially Not Now
by Ryan Fitzpatrick (Real Clear Energy) ... The latest attempt to tie our own hands behind our back is H.R. 5180, a bill that would neuter America’s most effective mechanism for bringing low-carbon liquid fuels to market—the Renewable Fuel Standard.
November 18, 2016 Read Full Article
White House’s Mid-Century Climate Change Strategy Includes Biofuels
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the White House released a mid-century strategy (MCS) that envisions economy-wide net GHG emissions reductions of 80 percent or more below 2005 levels by 2050. ... Second-generation biofuels are mentioned in the MCS
November 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodico Completes Resource Assessment of Zero Net Energy Farm
(Biodico/Biodiesel Magazine) Biodiesel producer Biodico Inc. announced Nov. 16 that it has completed its resource assessment to support the next stage of development for its “Zero Net Energy Farm” project, which is funded in part by the California Energy Commission
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Can Make the U.S. Energy-Independent—If He Goes Green
by Geoffrey Smith (Fortune) The U.S. can realize President-elect Donald Trump’s dream of independence from foreign oil “foes” and “cartels”–but he likely won’t live to see it unless he embraces the kinds of policies he’s campaigned against, according to a
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Obama Administration Launches Sustainable Biofuels Innovation Challenge
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, as part of a wide ranging policy announcement from the Obama Administration, the Department of Energy launched a Sustainable Biofuels Innovation Challenge to develop ways to produce, at scale, widely affordable, advanced biofuels
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Won. What Does It Mean for Low Carbon Fuels & Vehicles?
by Tammy Klein (Biofuels Digest/Future Fuel Strategies) ... With Trump’s outspoken refusal to accept the reality of climate change and promise to reinvigorate the fracking and coal industries, are LCFV initiatives stone dead? What can we expect in a Trump Administration? Let’s break
November 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Will Do Just Fine In President Trump's America
by James Conca (Forbes) Energy did not make any difference in who we chose for President on Tuesday. But the energy sector won biggly, nonetheless. President-Elect Donald Trump supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy with a heavy tilt towards fossil fuels, and
November 16, 2016 Read Full Article
WBA Calls on COP22 Delegates to Push for Carbon Tax to Aid Paris Climate Agreement
(Bioenergy Insight) The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) has called on the delegates attending the 22ndConference of Parties (COP22) at Marrakech, Morocco to push for a carbon tax to help countries achieve the targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. The
November 15, 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
Not Energy Independent, Yet
by Rick Uldricks and Hudson Councilman Casey Weinstein (Twinsburg Patch) In truth, when it comes to energy security, there is good news to be found, but not at the bottom of a well. -- Fossil fuel boosters love to say that energy
November 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Norwegian Consumers Transitioning to Biodiesel Heating Oil
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Norway, consumers have begun transitioning to biodiesel for heating as fossil fuel-based heating oil will likely be banned by 2020. Some municipalities require the underground oil tanks to be removed while others just want
November 15, 2016 Read Full Article
New Survey: Vast Majority of Environmentalists Want RFS Corn Ethanol Mandates Reduced
(American Council for Capital Formation) With Incoming Trump Administration, Reforms to Ethanol Mandates Could Provide Early, Bipartisan Win -- As the Trump administration readies to take the reins, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could serve as one of the first
November 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Bioenergy with CCS Is a Credible Decarbonisation Technology
by Geraldine Newton-Cross and Dennis Gammer (ETI) To tackle the causes of climate change, the UK has committed to an 80% reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG ) emissions by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. Meeting these targets will require a massive transformation in the way
November 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Oxfam Report Exposes EU Lobby Firepower of Biofuel Industry behind Destructive Bioenergy Policy
(Oxfam) The European Union must overhaul its current bioenergy policy, which is based on getting fuel from plants, because the industry is linked to the eviction of thousands of people from their lands, out-competing food crops, and creating more not
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s Prime Spot in the E&C Chairman’s Race
by Mark Drajem & Ari Natter and James Rowley (Bloomberg) ... Similar to Hillary Clinton’s dilemma on pipelines, a Trump administration could be caught between competing interests on approval for renewable projects or transmission lines on public lands. Trump has called
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Experts on Carbon Capture and Use Launch “Include CCU in RED” Petition in EU
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, a group of experts are petitioning European decision makers involved in the revision of the Renewable Package to include six crucial mechanisms in the legislation. The authors argue that Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU)
November 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Con: Wind an Even Bigger Boondoggle than Ethanol
by Mark J. Perry (South Coast Today/American Enterprise Institute) ... No question, there is a lot of hype about wind power being a huge potential source of energy. Its advocates like to point out that 80 million Americans live in coastal areas
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
Tapping Landfills to Generate Power Seemed Smart. So Why Is the Industry Threatened?
by Ralph Vartabedian (Los Angeles Times) ... The problem began after the AQMD issued a complex 39-page rule requiring that by no later than Jan. 1, landfill methane power plant emissions meet the same standard as other types of engines that use geologic natural gas. The
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Lessons from Podesta's Inbox
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) ... Comb through the tens of thousands of messages from John Podesta’s hacked inbox long enough, and you can find a veritable roadmap to the energy policy Hillary Clinton would execute if she wins the
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
UK Government Responds to CCC Decarbonisation Recommendations
(Biofuels International) The UK government has released its response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) recommendations to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. The CCC’s progress report, published in June 2016, focused on its priorities for the UK Government’s forthcoming emissions
October 21, 2016 Read Full Article
Carbon Pricing in North America – Leading a New Era of Climate Policy
by Tamaki Stiles * (Advanced Biofuels USA) Reducing greenhouse emissions is a shared goal in North America. In fact, presidents of the United States and Mexico and the Prime Minister of Canada met in June this year to establish partnerships
October 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Biogenic CO2 Coalition Launches Grassroots Outreach: Urges EPA to Remove its Regulatory Roadblock to Development of the Bioeconomy
(Biogenic CO2 Coalition) Today (October 6, 2016), a coalition of major agricultural groups launched a grassroots campaign to urge the Environmental Protection Agency to remove its regulatory roadblock to development of the emerging bioeconomy. The Biogenic CO2 Coalition is a working
October 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Climate's Growing Role in Presidential Race
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) ... YOU BUILD ME UP: The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate released a report today that found $90 trillion in infrastructure investments will be needed over the next 15 years, and issued
October 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Conservatives, 1 Environmental Group Oppose Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extension
by Jack Fitzpatrick (Morning Consult) Two conservative organizations and an environmental group are opposing the extension of tax credits for certain renewable energy sources that Democrats have supported for months. Friends of the Earth, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and the R Street
October 05, 2016 Read Full Article
AOG Transfers Ownership of Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone
(AOG) AOG has transferred 75.1% ownership of Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited (‘Addax Bioenergy’), its sugarcane bioethanol and renewable electricity operation in Makeni, Sierra Leone, to a group of investors led by Sunbird Bioenergy Africa Limited (‘Sunbird Bioenergy group’). AOG is
October 05, 2016 Read Full Article
What a Donald Trump EPA Will Look Like with Climate Change Skeptic Myron Ebell at the Helm
by Paul Raeburn (Newsweek) ... (Myron) Ebell, the director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and a prominent climate-change skeptic, was chosen at the end of September to head the Environmental Protection Agency’s transition team
October 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Clinton's Plan to Reduce US Oil Consumption Likely Won't Work
by Tom DiChristopher (CNBC) ... Clinton says she would extend standards for vehicle fuel efficiency, methane emissions, building codes and appliance standards that President Barack Obama implemented or supported, according to a campaign spokesperson. Clinton supports Obama initiatives like the Clean
October 04, 2016 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
Biofuels Developments in Australia
by Susan van Dyk and Stephen Schuck (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 and Bioenergy Australia) ... While Australia has large energy resources, it is a net importer of crude oil and refined petroleum products. In 2013, net product imports were 325,000 bbl/d, according to the Australia
September 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple's Carbon Emissions
(National Biodiesel Board/PR Newswire) New York City passes legislation to increase cleaner-burning biodiesel in heating oil -- The City of New York has taken another significant step in reducing the region's carbon footprint by passing legislation today that incrementally displaces
September 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels International 2016: Industry Experts Outline 2030 EU Biofuels Vision
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Industry experts have outlined their 2030 biofuels vision at the 9th Biofuels International Conference. By 2020, the EU aims to have 10% of the transport fuel of every EU country come from renewable sources such
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Seattle Adopts UCS’s Oil-Saving Plan, Aims to Cut Oil Use in Half
(Union of Concerned Scientists) The Seattle City Council is expected to pass legislation today (September 19, 2016) that requires staff to develop a plan to cut the city’s oil use in half by 2035. Seattle is rising to a challenge
September 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Do We Still Need a Renewable Fuel Standard?
by Anne Steckel (National Biodiesel Board/The Hill) Headlines tell us the world is awash with oil. Gas costs less than bottled water in many places, and petroleum markets are in a prolonged slump that’s wreaking havoc on the industry’s bottom
September 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Trump Backs off Plan to Eliminate EPA
by Kyle Feldscher (The Washington Examiner) Donald Trump appeared to back off his proposal to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency as president, instead promising to "refocus" the agency on a less regulatory-heavy mission. ... He promised to open up more drilling off
September 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Sell Last Gasoline Car by 2035 to Meet Climate Goals, Study Says
by Alister Doyle (Reuters) The last gasoline-powered car will have to be sold by about 2035 to put the world on track to limit global warming to the most stringent goal set by world leaders last year, a study said on
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Ottawa to Impose a National Carbon Price on the Provinces
by Shawn McCarthy (Globe and Mail) The Liberal government will move this fall to impose a minimum, national carbon price on provinces that fail to adopt their own pricing system for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, a plan that is adamantly opposed by
September 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy CEO Declares Hunger Strike
by Warren Weisman (American Future Energy) My name is Warren Weisman, I am the former CEO of the failed renewable energy manufacturer Hestia Home Biogas. Hestia was the first-of-its-kind company in the world to offer biogas units for converting table
September 14, 2016 Read Full Article
Reconciling Food Security and Bioenergy: Priorities for Action
by Keith L. Kline, Siwa Msangi, Virginia H. Dale, Jeremy Woods, Glaucia M. Souza, Patricia Osseweijer, Joy S. Clancy, Jorge A. Hilbert, Francis X. Johnson, Patrick C. McDonnell, Harriet K. Mugera (Global Change Biology Bioenergy) Understanding the complex interactions among food security, bioenergy sustainability, and resource management requires a focus
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Seeking Low Costs, Painless Logistics: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Advances to Know in Biomass Feedstocks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Amidst the discussion this week of the future of first-gen and advanced biofuels in the EU — we were intrigued by this slide deck on advances in biomass production for the bioeconomy. In the end, it’s
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
The EU Aims for Bioeconomy Perfect, by Tossing out the Good
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (T)he EU has put itself on a fast-track to limit, if not abandon, first-generation biofuels and focus almost exclusively for its carbon future on advanced biofuels. ... Europe has a lot of fog, and nowhere can
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
With More People Hitting the Road, It’s Time for a Carbon Tax
(The Washington Post) ... Even with current conditions factored in, government experts project that fuel-efficiency standards will put much more downward pressure on gasoline use in coming years, helping to bring consumption well below historical highs over the coming decades, even
September 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Europe's Big 4 Ethanol CEOs (Tereos, Cristal Union, Alco Group, Crop Energies) Are in a Curious Situation.
by James Cogan (Biofuels Digest/Pannonia Ethanol) ... Together with their smaller peers they produce about 6 million tonnes of the fuel commodity annually, with combined revenues of around 4 billion euro. The product gets blended into petrol accounting for 4% of
September 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Blog: Competing with Sub $50 Oil - a Strategy for Biofuels
by Irshad Ahmed (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels International) If bioenergy represents a sustainable energy future for the planet, then why must it compete with oil prices to be deemed a feasible energy alternative for the society? The answer is simple: It is because
September 03, 2016 Read Full Article
California Assembly Approves Climate Change Law
by Anshu Siripurapu (Sacramento Bee) After an intense floor debate, a bill extending California’s greenhouse gas emission targets squeaked by in the Assembly on Tuesday. Senate Bill 32 was seen as a crucial step for reauthorizing the state’s cap-and-trade program. Gov. Jerry
August 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Court Upholds Obama's Social Cost of Carbon Accounting for Federal Regulations
by Robert Walton (Utility Dive) The Obama Administration has won a significant victory for its use of a social cost metric to determine the impacts of new environmental and efficiency rules, in a unanimous circuit court decision that appeared to leave opponents with little
August 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Weltec to Develop AD Plant for Colombian Egg Producer
(Bioenergy Insight) German bioenergy developer Weltec Biopower will shortly start building an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant for Colombia‘s largest egg producer. The 800kW biogas plant is to go live in early 2017. In terms of the feedstock input, the operator Incubadora
August 16, 2016 Read Full Article
[Exclusive] Where Do Environmental Groups Stand on Bioenergy?
by Josh Schlossberg (The Biomass Monitor) ... The Biomass Monitor contacted representatives for the following organizations (listed alphabetically) to determine their stances on biomass power and heating, liquid biofuels for transportation, and trash incineration: 350*, Center for Biological Diversity, Environmental Working Group,
August 15, 2016 Read Full Article
EPAct’s 11th Birthday Is Something to Celebrate
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) On Monday, Aug. 8, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) celebrated its 11th anniversary. Not on a first name basis with acronyms? It’s the law that gave us the original renewable fuel standard,
August 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Feedstocks for the Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Behind the Scenes look at the Billion Ton Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last month, the DOE released the first volume of its monumental two-volume update of the Billion Ton report, looking not only at the economics of biomass but also the environmental trade-offs associated with various approaches
August 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Governments of Canada and Quebec Support Innovative Renewable Fuel Oil Project
(Ensyn) Support for clean technology innovation is vital to growing Canada’s economy and addressing climate change. With its abundance of renewable biomass, Canada has the potential to develop a strong and globally competitive bioenergy sector. The Governments of Canada and Quebec will provide
August 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Commission to Study Maine’s Biomass Industry to Meet in August
by Katie Fletcher (Biomass Magazine) ... This past April, Maine enacted a resolve establishing the 13-member commission. Members include two from the Senate and three from the House of Representatives. Four members are appointed by the president of the Senate, including a
August 02, 2016 Read Full Article
It’s Time to Rethink Methane
(GNA Journal) GNA hosted its second-annual Rethink Methane Symposium on June 29-30 in Sacramento, California, which gathered more than 250 attendees to look at impediments and obstacles to harnessing the state’s substantial renewable methane feedstocks – such as dairy manure,
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Hillary Clinton's Climate and Energy Policies, Explained
by David Roberts (Vox) ... I'm going to break this down as a series of numbered lists — not one, not two, but five lists of three: The three key facts the campaign took as starting points The three overarching goals of
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
[Exclusive] Bioenergy Industry Consultant Critiques Scientists’ Letter to Congress
by Josh Schlossberg (The Biomass Monitor) A white paper by a bioenergy industry consulting firm critiques a recent letter sent to Congress by 65 U.S. scientists opposing a carbon neutral “biomass” amendment to an energy policy bill, saying the letter includes
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Adopting a Circular Economy: The Biorefinery Concept
by Paul Hudman (Renewable Energy World) ... For many governments, part of this shift involves adopting a circular economy approach, utilising all aspects of ‘waste’ throughout the production chain. The concept of the biorefinery embraces this standard by making use of the entire
July 27, 2016 Read Full Article
ABC: Bill Signals Building Support for Nutrient Recycling, Biogas
(American Biogas Council/Biomass Magazine) Last week, Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Pat Robert, R-Kan., introduced new bipartisan legislation, the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act (S 3248). This latest bill is a companion to identical House legislation (HR 5489) introduced on June