by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Three dozen Midwestern electric cooperatives and rural electric associations send a letter to 20 federal lawmakers on May 7 asking Congress to provide much-needed economic relief for rural America, which continues to suffer from
energy policy
Back TO HOMEJet Fuel, Isooctane Gasoline, Ethanol and Isobutanol: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Gevo’s Low Carbon Drop-In Transportation Fuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Gevo’s business strategy is to secure off take agreements for jet fuel and isooctane striking a price that gives attractive returns for project financing for large scale build out of capacity. But how? How will they
May 08, 2020 Read Full Article
How to Make Sure the EU Doesn’t Backtrack on Biofuels
by Emmanuel Desplechin (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ePURE) In Europe, biofuels continue to be the predominant source of clean transportation fuels, and we will still need low-carbon fuels like ethanol beyond 2030. Policymakers need to make sure the Green Deal does not
May 07, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Proposes to Collect Data on Biogas, RNG Production Public Comment DEADLINE: June 29, 2020
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Energy Information Administration could soon begin publishing data related to the production of biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG). The agency has proposed to modify an existing information collection focused on natural gas to
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
European Bioeconomy Alliance Position on the EU Green Deal
(The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA)/Biofuels Digest) The ambitious European Commission strategy to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has recently been set in motion as the European Green Deal. The European Bioeconomy Alliance (EUBA),
May 06, 2020 Read Full Article
RNG’s Untapped Potential
by Michael Bakas (Distributed Energy Systems/Ameresco/Biofuels Digest) In the final weeks of 2019, the American Gas Foundation updated its nearly decade-old report assessing the market and technical potential for renewable natural gas (RNG) supply and emissions reductions. One of the biggest takeaways was
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Dems on COVID-19 Relief: Leave Fossil Fuels out of This
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin led 60 Democratic lawmakers in a letter to House leadership Monday opposing any efforts by the fossil fuel industry to use Covid-19 recovery legislation to "confer immunity" for climate change or pollution, citing efforts that
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Drax Launches Biomass Carbon Calculator to Measure Supply Chain Emissions
(Biofuels International) Drax has launched a Biomass Carbon Calculator to help the industry accurately measure emissions in the biomass supply chain. The new tool will allow the sector to identify where emissions reductions can be made and help to make
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel Could Blossom if Govt Gives Industry Fertile Ground
by Jamieson Murphy (North Queensland Register) ... Nuffield scholar and a fourth generation farmer Steven Hobbs said if the federal government got the bioenergy strategy right, the industry could be "quite phenomenal". He began experimenting with alternative fuel sources nearly 20 years
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Biofuel for Ships: Diesel and Gasoline Sourced from Renewables
by Iris Kumpmann (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft/Tech Xplore) ... Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen have been looking into alternative climate-friendly fuels. They are now able to produce a renewable biofuel that can be converted
May 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy in the United States: A Pragmatic Way forward
by Fred Ghatala (Atlantic Council) The aviation sector has been working to decarbonize, but it faces unique challenges since decarbonization options that may work for ground or maritime transport are generally not feasible for air travel. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present an
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
Energy Transition to Be Shaped by World Response to COVID-19
by Allison Good, Taylor Kuykendall and Dan Testa (S&P Global) ... The coronavirus pandemic may accelerate a shift from fossil fuel spending to investments in renewable energy, but the pace of that transition depends heavily on how governments direct economic recovery
May 04, 2020 Read Full Article
We Need Health Warning Labels on Points of Sale of Fossil Fuels
Mike Gill, Kristie L. Ebi, Kirk R. Smith, Lorraine Whitmarsh and Andy Haines (The BMJ Opinion) Mike Gill and colleagues explain how the implementation of of fossil fuel labelling could have a significant impact on the awareness of climate change. This article is part of The BMJ’s Health
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Doubling Down on the Energy Transition Post Pandemic
by Tammy Klein (Future Fuels Strategies) ... According to a new IRENA study, accelerating investment in renewable energy would help tackle the climate crisis, provide a post COVID-19 stimulus and would in effect pay for itself. IRENA notes that investments
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
With Oil Reeling under Pandemic, Clean Energy Looks to Capitalize
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) As a sudden drop in demand decimates the oil industry, international efforts are underway to ride the lull in fossil fuel consumption to expedite the clean up of the world’s energy sector. Even as the coronavirus
May 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Let's Talk About Biogas ... Even If We Think It Stinks
by Alexander Weiss, Caroline Parker, Hope Bigda-Peyton, Kara Hoving, Matthew Burnett (Cafe Law and Policy Lab) State support for anaerobic digester technology is growing rapidly. This technology, which is rarely profitable without government support, promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Clean Fuel Standard – Revised Publication Timeline
(Government of Canada) In late 2016, the Government of Canada announced that it would consult with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, industries, and non-governmental organizations to develop a clean fuel standard to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions through the increased
April 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Oil Prices Have Fallen below $0 a Barrel. What Does It Mean for the Climate? This Could Be an Opportunity to Reshape Our Energy System. But It Could Also Simply Lead to a Bailout of Oil Companies.
by Adele Peters (Fast Company) ... Fracking companies have lost billions over the past decade. Some investors may be even more reluctant to invest in the sector now. “I think on the financial side, I would think twice as a
April 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Don’t Look to Mature Forests to Soak Up Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Results of Australian Study May Have Impact on New York State Carbon Neutrality Goals
(Suny College of Environmental Science and Forestry) Research published today in Nature suggests mature forests are limited in their ability to absorb "extra" carbon as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase. These findings may have implications for New York state's carbon neutrality
April 23, 2020 Read Full Article
De-risking Capital Market Investment in Biomass
(Ecostrat) The Biomass Supply Chain Risk Standards are a step-change advancement in the state-of-the-science for assessing biomass feedstock risk. They de-risk capital market investment in biofuels, biopower, biochemicals and bioproducts. The Standards enable capital to better structure around feedstock risk. With
April 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Boss: Green Deal Could Use Available Technologies ‘Without Prejudices’
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV.com) The much-awaited re-visit of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) as part of the new Green Deal should get rid of “prejudices” and take advantage of technologies and products already placed on the market, a biodiesel stakeholder
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
As Price of Oil Drops, Trump Orders Plan to Help U.S. Energy Companies: Energy Secretary Says Funds from Fed’s Main Street Loan Program Might Be Needed to Help Oil Companies
by Will Englund (Washington Post) President Trump said Tuesday he has ordered his administration to come up with a plan to provide federal assistance to the oil and gas industry in the United States, which has been staggered by the
April 22, 2020 Read Full Article
All the Buzz on Biodiesel Fuels: Fill It up Please
by Allen Schaeffer (Diesel Technology Forum/Progressive Dairy) ... In California, home of the nation’s most progressive climate policy that is now nearly a decade old, the Air Resources Board motto is, “Electrify everything possible and use low-carbon fuels in everything
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Interpreting Tradable Credit Prices in Overlapping Vehicle Regulations
by Benjamin Leard and Virginia McConnel (Resources for the Future (RFF)) The rapid transformation of the US transportation sector is partly due to three policies that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light duty vehicles: the federal corporate average fuel
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Wisconsin Biogas Gas Producer Sees Potential in Thermal Renewable Credits
by Frank Jossi (Energy News Network) Verified thermal energy credits could do for methane capture what renewable energy credits did for wind and solar power. -- A Wisconsin company is the first to sign up for a new renewable natural gas
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Coronavirus Stimulus Money Will Be Wasted on Fossil Fuels
by David Roberts (Vox) Oil and gas companies were already facing structural problems before Covid-19 and are in long-term decline. -- ... I wrote about how shortsighted it is for Republicans (enabled by learned Democratic passivity) to reject aid for the
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Conservative Youth Climate Group Seeks to Move beyond Green New Deal
by Abby Smith (Washington Examiner) The American Conservation Coalition, a conservative youth climate group, unveiled a climate policy framework Tuesday that offers a guide to Republican lawmakers as they try to message their budding climate policy agenda. The group also hopes its
April 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Model Spatial and Temporal Consequences of Increased Woody Biomass Use on the Global Forest Ecosystem
(University of Maine) Incentivizing both sequestration and avoidance of emissions— using a carbon rental or carbon tax and subsidy approach — versus only a carbon tax encourages protection of natural forests by valuing the standing stock, according to a new study
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
The United States Mineral Supply Insecurity and Dependence on Rare Earth Elements
by Jamil Hijazi (The Payne Institute for Public Policy) Despite the trade war with China and the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the United States of America (U.S) faces the continuous problem of resource dependence and resource insecurity of its processed Rare
April 14, 2020 Read Full Article
The Coronavirus Clean Energy Crisis
by Matt Carr (New Energy America/The Hill) The novel coronavirus pandemic could not have come at a worse time for America’s clean energy industry. After overcoming years of attacks by the Trump administration, the resultant loss of demand is threatening to decimate
April 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Great Plains Institute’s Latest Report: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) The Midwestern Clean Fuels Initiative, facilitated by the Great Plains Institute, is a broad coalition of fuels producers and marketers, nonprofit and research organizations, scientists and engineers, and agriculture and industry stakeholders. The coalition
April 10, 2020 Read Full Article
International Outlook For Biogas, Biomethane
(BioCycle Magazine) A new International Energy Agency (IEA) study provides estimates of the sustainable potential for biogas and biomethane supply based on a detailed assessment of feedstock availability and production costs across all regions of the world. These estimates form the
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Industries’ Vision Sees Hope Amongst COVID-19
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biofuels Digest) ... Once our nation gets through the current uncertainty that is ahead of us in the near term, I believe the future of biodiesel and renewable diesel in America is extremely bright. ... Biodiesel, renewable diesel,
April 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Bio-Restore Workshop Presentations and Workshop Summary Published
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has released the "Bio-Restore Workshop Summary Report." This report summarizes the results of a BETO-sponsored public workshop held at Argonne National Laboratory on
April 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Ahead of Stimulus Talks, Voters Back Relief for Renewables More Than for Oil and Gas
by Lisa Martine Jenkins (Morning Consult) -- 38% of voters support a bailout for the oil and gas industry, compared to 54% backing for a renewables industry bailout. -- Republicans are nearly as supportive of a renewables bailout (49%) as
April 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Agriculture and Bioeconomy: EIB Approves €700 Million of Financing under the Investment Plan for Europe Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
(European Investment Bank) Financing is guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and will help make the sector more resilient in light of Covid-19; New financing targets investments by private cooperatives and companies in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector;
April 03, 2020 Read Full Article
The Climate Case for Hydrogen
by Doug Vine (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) ...Generally, economywide decarbonization can be achieved through large-scale deployment of energy efficiency, transforming to net-zero electricity production, and electrifying end-use consumption wherever plausible. However, low-carbon fuels (e.g., renewable natural gas, biofuels,
April 02, 2020 Read Full Article
New Study Evaluates Map and State of Biomethane Market in Europe
(European Biogas Association/NGV Journal) The European Biogas Association (EBA) has participated in a research on the state of play of the biomethane market in Europe. The report provides a general European overview, together with an in-depth mapping at country level of
April 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Natural Gas: A Bridge To Climate Breakdown
by Lila Holzman, Mike O’Boyle and Daniel Stewart (As You Sow/Energy Innovation) This report serves to inform investors about the evolving risks associated with the use of natural gas within the power sector. At a time when investors are paying
March 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Generate Revenue with Clean Fuels
by Sean Turner (Fleet Owner Magazine/ACT News) Do you currently operate clean vehicles in California? Or, are you thinking of making a transition to lower emission technologies? If so, your fleet has the potential to generate enough money to pay for
March 30, 2020 Read Full Article
Senate Passes Emergency Package without Green Provisions
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) SENATE PASSES RELIEF PACKAGE: The Senate last night unanimously passed a mammoth $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, POLITICO's Melanie Zanona, Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle report. The measure, which is the biggest economic rescue package in
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Looking beyond the Headlines during COVID-19 Pandemic
by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... The 1 – 2 punch of the COVID-19 economic hit and the Saudi – Russian fight over oil markets have combined to collapse the price of oil. Low
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Production: What Next for Zim?
by Nyasha Kavhiza (The Herald) A technical analysis of the current situation will point to the lack of feedstock as the main problem stalling biodiesel production in Zimbabwe. ... Instead of discarding the project all together, the Government and all stakeholders involved
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
New Report Reveals Global Banks Funneled $2.7 Trillion into Fossil Fuels Since Paris Climate Agreement, with Financing on the Rise Each Year
by Gabby Brown (Sierra Club) The latest version of the most comprehensive report on global banks’ fossil fuel financing, Banking on Climate Change 2020, was released today (March 18, 2020), revealing that 35 global banks have not only been sustaining but expanding the
March 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Oregon Climate Change: Governor’s New Plan Leans on Supersizing the Clean Fuels Program
by Ted Sickinger (The Oregonian/OregonLive) ... The Clean Fuels Program has been humming along in the background for four years now, helping tamp down Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions at a nominal cost – pennies on the gallon so far. That’s a promising
March 19, 2020 Read Full Article
A Moderate Proposal: Nationalize the Fossil Fuel Industry
by Kate Aronoff (The New Republic) ... For the last week, the White House has reportedly been exploring low-interest loans to a struggling fossil fuel industry. Talk of a bailout is in the air, spurred on in part by longtime Trump ally and fracking
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
House Democrats Warn against Oil Industry Bailout
by Rebecca Beitsch (The Hill) A growing number of Democrats are voicing concern that the White House may pursue broad relief for the oil and gas industry amid sinking prices and the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump on
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
EIA Analysis Shows How Carbon Fees Would Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Near Term
(U.S. Energy Information Administration) As part of its most recent Annual Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) conducted three alternative policy cases on how carbon fees affect emissions from fossil fuel consumption. In the short term, even relatively modest carbon fees reduce
March 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol and Electric Vehicle Advocates Merging on Fuel Plan
(Energy News Network/Associated Press) After years of fighting their own policy battles, ethanol and electric vehicle advocates are tentatively banding together against a shared enemy: fossil fuels. More than two dozen organizations have been meeting for nearly two years in Minnesota to
March 16, 2020 Read Full Article
Can the European Union’s Kerosene Demand Be Met by the Amount of Biomass Produced in the EU?
(nova-Institute) Regarding climate change and tackling its mitigation there is no question that the aviation industry has to reduce its greenhouse gas impact and has to shift to alternative fuels. If the European Union wants to achieve its ambitious climate
March 12, 2020 Read Full Article
Hawaii Bill Could Become Nation’s First Carbon Emissions Tax
(Associated Press) Hawaii could become the first state to enact a tax on carbon emissions, but the bill still requires passage by the House and the governor. A carbon tax proposed by Democratic state Sen. Karl Rhoads was recently passed by the
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Oregon Climate Change: Governor Signs Executive Order to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
by Ted Sickinger (The Oregonian/Oregon Live/Herald and News) With Republicans determined to block any movement on climate change in the Legislature, Gov. Kate Brown, as promised, has decided to end run them with a far-reaching use of her executive powers
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Promotion of Ethanol to Have Positive Impacts on Energy Security
(The International News) The Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad organised a seminar ‘Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks – Pakistan’, to promote ethanol as a modern and sustainable option for mobility, capable of generating immediate positive impacts on energy security, health, reduction of
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Green Jobs Could Increase by 85% in 10 Years with Government Support, Says REA
(Bioenergy Insight) Green jobs could increase by 85% in 10 years with government support, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA). Employment in the renewables and clean technology sector stood at 128,954 in 2017/18, but there is potential to boost
March 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Biomethane Could Deliver 30% of the UK’s Carbon Budget, Says ADBA
(Bioenergy Insight) Biomethane could deliver 30% of the UK’s carbon budget in the hardest-to-decarbonise sectors, according to the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA). In a newly-released report, launched by Alan Whitehead MP at the House of Commons in London
March 10, 2020 Read Full Article
INA Selects FUTUROL™ Licensed by Axens for Its Project of Advanced Bioethanol Production in Croatia
(Axens) The Croatian oil and gas company INA has awarded Axens a license agreement to supply Futurol™ cellulosic ethanol technology and contract for basic engineering design of an advanced bioethanol production plant in Sisak, Croatia. Supplying INA with its innovative and sustainable
March 10, 2020 Read Full Article
EU Climate Law Falls Short of Expectations -- UFOP: Climate Protection by Consensus and Motivating instead of Using the "Crowbar"
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) The climate law presented today by the EU Commission does not meet the expectations of a previously announced, more ambitious climate protection policy. In order to achieve the net zero emissions
March 09, 2020 Read Full Article
Global Clean Fuel Standards
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) In recent years, we have seen several countries beginning to develop clean fuel standards that can offer both opportunities and challenges for U.S. ethanol producers. A panel at the National Ethanol Conference focused on “The Emergence of International Clean Fuel
March 09, 2020 Read Full Article
North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance Sends Recommendations to Capitol Hill
(North America Climate Smart Agricultur Alliance) The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NACSAA) – a wide range of voices, focuses, and viewpoints from across the North American agricultural industry – submitted to the House Select Committee on the Climate
March 06, 2020 Read Full Article
A Decade of Progress in California? Not for Its Recycling Rate
by Jim Stewart (Bioenergy Producers Association/Renewable Energy Project Development and Finance/Biofuels Digest) The volume of post-recycled municipal solid waste (MSW) being placed in California’s landfills has been steadily climbing for the past decade, during which time the state’s legislature, with its
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Energy Bill Finally Here
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Pulling from numerous existing proposals ranging from energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, Energy Chairman Lisa Murkowski and ranking member Joe Manchin released their long-awaited energy bill on Thursday, Anthony reports. The measure marks the latest attempt to pass sweeping energy legislation after more
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Congresswoman Angie Craig Leads Letter Reiterating Support for Biofuels, Reducing Carbon Emissions
(Office of Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN2)) Today, U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) delivered a letter signed by 11 members on the bipartisan Congressional Biofuels Caucus urging the Select Committee on Climate Crisis to include biofuels as a
February 27, 2020 Read Full Article
The Jenny Craig Problem and the Theory of Carbon Offsets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Even though solar and wind to use an example, have smaller carbon footprints than, say, burning petroleum as a heating oil, they aren’t carbon zero. So organizations that choose this path towards “net carbon
February 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Why the U.S. Faces a Steep Path to a CO2-Free Grid
by Peter Behr (E&E News) Nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia have committed to slashing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with several planning at least an 80% cut. Some Democratic presidential candidates are outlining goals for the majority of
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Democrats Debate Climate Change Issues in Las Vegas — Finally
(Our Daily Planet) At the Democratic Debate in Las Vegas last night, the moderators asked a series of questions on climate change and environmental issues, and the candidates had a chance to both explain their plans and to talk about their
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Germany Eyes New Offshore Wind Farms Dedicated to Green Hydrogen Production
by Bernd Radowitz (ReCharge) Move would be a world first in fast-moving sector — part of government plans to spend billions of euros to build up an industrial-scale domestic market for green H2 -- Germany is considering holding special offshore wind
February 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Colorado Legislators Take up Proposal for Renewable Natural Gas Standard
by Allen Best (Energy News) The bill would require large natural gas utilities to source some of their supply from dairies, landfills and other sources. -- Colorado would require natural gas utilities to integrate renewable energy under a far-reaching bill introduced
February 19, 2020 Read Full Article
Fracking Ban Hits House
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Darren Soto led the introduction of a nationwide fracking ban, H.R. 5867, in the House on Wednesday. The measure is a companion to a bill, S. 3247 (116) , introduced
February 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Research Unity Commissions 380L Biodiesel Processing Machine
(University of Botswana) The University of Botswana Biodiesel Research Unit in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) has commissioned a biodiesel processing machine. The machine, designed to produce 380 liters of biodiesel per batch from different feedstock, was commissioned by Permanent
February 13, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Budget Slashes Environmental, Clean Energy Funding
(Our Daily Planet) Yesterday, President Trump released his FY2021 budget, and the proposed cuts to federal agencies and research programs were severe.As Science Mag summarized, Trump’s budget proposes the following cuts: National Institutes of Health: a cut of 7%, or $2.942 billion,
February 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Nordics Bet on Advanced Biofuels to Suit Carbon Neutrality Ambitions
by Gerardo Fortuna (EURACTIV.com) Scandinavian governments have raised the bar in their commitment to becoming carbon neutral and several companies have responded by developing new technologies to harness forest resources, widely recognised as the Nordic green gold, in a bid to
February 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Trump Withholding $823 Million for Clean Energy, Democrats Say
by Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Unspent funds earmarked for electric cars, energy efficiency; Energy Department vows to spend funding at House hearing -- The Trump administration is withholding nearly a billion dollars for a clean energy program it has unsuccessfully tried to
February 06, 2020 Read Full Article
NRDC: DOE Is Flouting the Will of Congress by Delaying Clean Energy R&D
(Natural Resources Defense Council) The Department of Energy is flouting the will of Congress by delaying clean energy R&D and Congress should act quickly to prevent such ideologically driven efforts that thwart action to combat climate change, a Natural Resources Defense
February 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Biomass Leaders Provide State of the Industry at Int’l Event
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) The 13th Annual International Biomass Conference & Expo drew nearly 900 industry stakeholders to Nashville, Tennessee, where, following an awards ceremony, a roundtable discussion with biomass association leaders covered topics including the state of the industry, tax
February 06, 2020 Read Full Article
LLNL Report Lays out Technology Pathways for California to Become Carbon-Neutral and Then -Negative by 2045; 3 Pillars of Negative Emissions
(Green Car Congress) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists have identified a suite of technologies to help California to become carbon-neutral—and ultimately carbon-negative —by 2045. To achieve the goal of carbon-neutrality, California will likely have to remove on the order of 125 million
February 03, 2020 Read Full Article
How House Republicans Won over Conservatives to Gain Consensus on a Climate Agenda
by Josh Siegel (Washington Examiner) House Republicans have convinced their most conservative members to support a forthcoming plan for the federal government to address climate change. Republicans have long been skeptical of federal efforts to curb climate change. But now, even conservative
January 31, 2020 Read Full Article
Rural America’s Bioeconomy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Rural Energy for America Program, The Farm Bill
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Between droughts, trade wars, and more, Rural America has had so many challenges, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to help with various Rural Business-Cooperative Service’s programs including investment of approximately $2 billion across
January 31, 2020 Read Full Article
E&C Leaders Release Draft Clean Future Act Legislative Text to Achieve a 100 Percent Clean Economy
(U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce) Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) today released legislative text of the draft Climate Leadership and
January 29, 2020 Read Full Article
Trade Associations Launch Liquid Biofuel Supply Chain Strategy and Taskforce to Tackle Carbon Emissions
by Nunzia Florio (Tank Storage Association) Trade Associations OFTEC, the Tank Storage Association (TSA) and the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) have kicked off 2020 with the launch of a future vision for liquid fuels ‘Supply Chain Strategy for Liquid Fuels’, which
January 28, 2020 Read Full Article
Capture Carbon Dioxide to Reduce Climate Change
by John R. Snyder (Post Register) ... That is, to reverse climate change, carbon dioxide currently in the atmosphere must be removed and new emissions of CO2 must stop. ... Carbon dioxide from coal and industrial plant emissions and the atmosphere
January 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Dept. of Energy’s View on Transportation and National Energy: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Sustainable Transportation
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) With 3 trillion vehicle miles in the U.S. and 11 billion freight tons, transportation is key to our way of life, and the Department of Energy realizes it hits our national energy usage in many ways.
January 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Reynolds Can't Handle Our Climate Crisis. She Should Resign.
by Jeff Biggers (Climate Narrative Project/Des Moines Register) The fate of our state is too important to leave in the hands of someone who doesn't have the wherewithal to deal with our climate crisis. -- ... Despite massive wind energy
January 21, 2020 Read Full Article
Clean Fuel Groups Pushing for Carbon Credit System
by Rick Karlin (Times Union) A broad coalition including environmentalists as well as biofuel, electric vehicle and other alternative transportation companies, are urging the Cuomo Administration to adopt a Low Carbon Fuel Credit that would help them, but would require traditional
January 21, 2020 Read Full Article
NGVA Europe: Biomethane to Foster Transport Decarbonization
(NGVA Europe/NGV Journal) As the European Commission has pointed out several times, and based on multiple-sourced studies, natural gas in transport is ready to play its role as essential enabler for the 2050 net-zero emission transition. The climate change phenomena and
January 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Bloomberg Unveils Climate Plan for Cleaner Cars
(Reuters/Yahoo!) U.S. presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg on Friday unveiled a plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks, calling for all new vehicles in the U.S. to be electric by the year 2035. ... His plan involves making electric
January 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Rising Carbon Prices Led to Drop in German Emissions in 2019
by Frank Jordans (Associated Press/Washington Post) Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions fell sharply last year, putting the country’s 2020 climate goal within reach again. A report released Tuesday by the think tank Agora Energiewende found that emissions fell by 6.5% in 2019 compared with
January 19, 2020 Read Full Article
U.S. Department of Energy Launches Energy Storage Grand Challenge
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette announced the launch of the Energy Storage Grand Challenge, a comprehensive program to accelerate the development, commercialization, and utilization of next-generation energy storage technologies and sustain American global leadership in energy
January 10, 2020 Read Full Article
Dems Tee up Climate Plans
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) The legislative framework that senior Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee want to move this year to combat climate change calls for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the building, industrial, transportation
January 09, 2020 Read Full Article
A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
(Great Plains Institute) This Initiative is exploring a clean fuels policy, at the state or regional level, as a marketdriven approach to achieving our economic, energy security, climate, environmental, and public health goals. This white paper presents policy design considerations that
January 08, 2020 Read Full Article
South Korea Finalizes Energy Technology Development Plan for Next 10 Years
(Business Korea) South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on Dec. 23 that it has finalized “The 4th Energy Technology Development Plan,” which presents its energy technology vision and R&D investment strategy for the next 10 years. ... The
January 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Cutting Edge Funding: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Debt and Equity Financing Mechanisms for Bioeconomy Projects
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Money, money, money – a growing bioeconomy needs lots of it. But with so many challenges like a lack of certainty in government programs or a perceived lack of funds at the company and project levels,
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA Issues Final Rule for Advanced Biofuel Payment Program
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service published a final rule for the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program on Dec. 27. The program provides quarterly payments to producers of eligible advanced biofuels. To be eligible for payments, the advanced
January 02, 2020 Read Full Article
Towards a Biofuel Policy for Energy Security
by Syed Akhtar Ali (The Express Tribune) ... Biofuels have been a preferred fuel for a variety of reasons. These include energy security as most of the petroleum-importing countries have a large agricultural base producing ethanol; price stability which is a
December 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Pakistan’s Competition Commission Calls for Alternatives to Wheat Straw for Power Due to Scarcity
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Pakistan, the Tribune newspaper reports that the national competition commission has ordered an end to the use of wheat straw as feedstock for power generation because the demand for use in biofuel has led to
December 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Danish Government Funds Renewable Hydrogen Project for Clean Mobility
(Ørsted) The Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP), under the Danish Energy Agency, decided to support the H2RES demonstration project in Denmark, using offshore wind power to produce renewable hydrogen for road transport. The industrial partners (Ørsted, Everfuel Europe A/S,
December 28, 2019 Read Full Article
A Review of LCA Assessments of Forest-Based Bioeconomy Products and Processes under an Ecosystem Services Perspective.
(Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science/National Center for Biotechnology Information) The emergence of politically driven bioeconomy strategies worldwide calls for considering the ecological issues associated with bio-based products. Traditionally, life cycle analysis (LCA) approaches are key tools used to assess
December 26, 2019 Read Full Article
RNG Opportunities and Takeaways: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Natural Gas
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What are the current opportunities in renewable natural gas? Mike McCurdy, Managing Director at ICF set out to answer that question at ABLC NEXT in San Francisco. Check out his illuminating presentation on their view
December 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Hydrogen Tech’s Diversified Future: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Hydrogenics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hydrogenics is a unit of Cummins Inc. active in designing, manufacturing, building and installing industrial and commercial Hydrogen generation, Hydrogen fuel cells and MW-scale energy storage solutions. Based in Mississauga, Canada with manufacturing facilities located in Germany,
December 23, 2019 Read Full Article
In the Hydrogen Roadmap Europe, a Path for EU Energy Transition
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From Europe we’d like to shine a light today on “Hydrogen Roadmap Europe: A sustainable pathway for the European Energy Transition“ concludes that hydrogen is an essential element in the energy transition and can account for 24%
December 20, 2019 Read Full Article
Is Big Oil Feeling the Heat?
by Matt Carr (New Energy American/The Hill) ... In 2016 Big Oil received the gift of the century in a Donald Trump presidency. Despite promises in Iowa to grow the renewable fuels industry and to promote clean air, he immediately set out to do exactly
December 19, 2019 Read Full Article
EU’s Increased Demand for Higher Ethanol Blend Could Be Met, Study Shows
(ePURE) More countries could adopt higher ethanol fuel blends to reduce transport emissions, improve air quality and boost engine performance – without exceeding the existing cap on crop-based biofuels -- Europe’s need for better-performing, low-carbon fuels to reduce emissions from existing
December 19, 2019 Read Full Article
We Need a Massive Climate War Effort—Now Only Major Spending on Clean Energy R&D Can Save Us.
by Kevin Drum (Mother Jones) ... The real issue is this: Only large-scale government action can significantly reduce carbon emissions. But this doesn’t let any of us off the hook. Our personal cutbacks might not matter much, but what does matter is whether
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
McEachin, Haaland, Dingell, Blumenauer, Tonko & Pingree Introduce 100% Clean Legislation
(Office of A. Donald McEAchin (D VA-04)) Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 with Representatives Deb Haaland (NM-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). This legislation sets
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Zambia Looks to Brazil for Help in Biofuel Industry
(Lusaka Times) Zambia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Alfreda Kansembe has held bilateral talks with Brazil’s Sugar, Ethanol and Energy companies in an effort to find partners to help establish the Biofuel industry in Zambia. In the Brazilian city of Pirajuba shortly
December 16, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuel Expert Calls on EU to Revisit RED II to Avoid ‘Impetus of Oil’
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (EURACTIV.com) The EU should look at how countries across the world promote biofuels in their national policies and, following the announcement of the Green Deal, basically “revisit” the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) on road transport decarbonisation, a
December 13, 2019 Read Full Article
The European Green Deal Sets out How to Make Europe the First Climate-Neutral Continent by 2050, Boosting the Economy, Improving People's Health and Quality of Life, Caring for Nature, and Leaving No One Behind
(European Commission) The European Commission today presented The European Green Deal – a roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainableby turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the transition just and inclusive for all. President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘The European
December 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Opinion: Iowa Ethanol Subsidies Aren’t Worth Getting Burned
by Jason O'Day (Daily Iowan) ... Pumping gasoline with 10, 15, or 85 percent of a slightly less distilled version of the drink is bad for the health of your vehicle. It corrodes the gas tank and fuel line, especially
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Bipartisan Solutions to Protect the Environment and the Economy
(House Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans) “There are bipartisan bills in Congress that we could pass right now to ensure the United States remains a global leader in emissions reduction, economic productivity, and clean energy production, all at once.” That’s what Energy
December 09, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Production and Consumption in Denmark: Status, Advances and Challenges
by Sune Tjalfe Thomsen and Henning Jørgensen (IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter) 1. Status of transportation biofuel industry in Denmark -- In Denmark, a considerable part of the total energy demand is derived from renewable sources. In 2017, 26% of
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Maine Eyed for Project that Converts Electricity to Storable Gas
by Tux Turkel (Press Herald) Wind and other renewables produce excess power that could be used in the state’s natural gas pipeline system. -- ... The transmission lines connecting Maine’s far-flung renewable generators to the regional electric grid sometimes are too
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
How Policy Can Boost the Market Roll-Out of Renewable Fuels
(ADVANCEFUEL) Policy and governments set ambitious climate and energy targets for the transport sector both on EU level, such as the revised Renewable Energy Directive, and international level, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement. Renewable fuels are among the most viable
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Joe Biden Wants to Launch Low-Carbon Transportation Strategy
by John Gallagher (Freight Waves) Former vice president and Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden is promoting a “new generation” of low-carbon trucking, shipping and aviation technologies through a plan to invest $400 billion over 10 years in a federal clean energy
December 04, 2019 Read Full Article
ePURE: EU Demand for Low-Carbon Fuels Can Be Met Sustainably
(ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... A study by sustainable energy consultancy E4tech looked at scenarios involving countries adopting petrol blends with up to 20 percent renewable ethanol. It found that under two potential 2030 scenarios of increased demand for renewable ethanol—one with a
December 03, 2019 Read Full Article
New Bioenergy Roadmap to Grow Emerging Energy Source
(Office of The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) The Liberal National Government has announced the development of a new roadmap to enhance the growth of Australia’s bioenergy sector and identify the role bioenergy can play in
November 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Plans for £150m UK Bio-Resources-to-Fuel Facility Approved
(Bioenergy Insight) Plans to build the UK’s first commercial-scale Bio-Substitute Natural Gas (BioSNG) plant have been approved by the council. Cheshire West & Chester Council’s planning committee gave the green light to the £150 million (€174.2 million) project at Peel
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Biogas Is a ‘Viable, Renewable’ Alternative to Shale Gas, says ADBA
(Bioenergy Insight) The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is urging the UK Government to consider biogas as a viable alternative to shale gas following the ‘indefinite suspension’ of fracking across England, Scotland and Wales. Fracking - the process of injecting
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Making the Carbon Tax Pitch
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) More than 800 volunteers across the U.S. will be on Capitol Hill today to meet with lawmakers on the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763 (116), on behalf of the Citizens' Climate
November 12, 2019 Read Full Article
UK’s First Net Zero Emissions Biofuel for Heavy Trucks Will Arrive in 2021
(CNG Fuels/NGV Journal) CNG Fuels announced plans to become the UK’s first supplier of carbon neutral fuel for HGVs, using manure to help fleet operators achieve Net Zero emissions. The company is also consulting on how its network of refueling stations
November 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Despite Domestic Policy Disputes, Biofuels Retain Significance on World Stage
(Solutions from the Land) The domestic biofuel industry has taken some harsh hits in recent times, as evidenced by the heated disputes over biofuel policies and the questionable restraints the current administration seems to be placing on the sector's ability
November 08, 2019 Read Full Article
Q&A with Brian Rogers, Future Forests + Jobs
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) ... -The recently launched Future Forests + Jobs is an initiative aimed at pushing back against anti-forestry and anti-biomass activists. Why is this effort needed and what are your goals? Thanks for the opportunity to share
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Bangladeshi Scientists Plan to Turn Waste into Eco-Friendly Hydrogen Fuel
by Joyanta Saha (bdnews24.com) Bangladesh is exploring ways to transform over 227 million tonnes of annual waste into environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel in a bid to ease the government's waste management woes. ... The plan emerges when the Local Government Division and
November 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Top 5: A $75 Carbon Tax Will Help Meet 2°C
by Tammy Klein (FutureFuel Strategies) According to a new study by the IMF, carbon taxes are the most powerful and efficient tools to reduce energy use and shift to clean energy sources, but only if they are implemented in a fair
November 01, 2019 Read Full Article
The Bioeconomy Initiative: Implementation Framework Published by Interagency Collaboration under the Biomass Research and Development Board
(Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board) Created through the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, the Biomass Research and Development (BR&D) Board facilitates coordination among federal government agencies that affect the research and development of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. Since
November 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee Announces Open Meetings --- November 19-20, 2019 --- Washington, DC

(U.S. Department of Energy/Federal Register) Purpose of Meeting: To develop advice and guidance that promotes research and development leading to the production of biobased fuels and biobased products. Tentative Agenda will include thefollowing: • Update on USDA Biomass R&D Activities • Update
October 31, 2019 Read Full Article
USDA, DOE Sign Major MOU to Promote Rural Energy, Advance Rural Communities, Domestic Manufacturing.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy and U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes today (October 24, 2019) announced a Memorandum of Understanding between the two
October 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Manure, Trash and Wastewater: U.S. Utilities Get Dirty in Climate Fight
by Nichola Groom (Reuters) ... (Joey) Airoso is tapping into a growing market among U.S. utilities for so-called renewable natural gas, or biomethane, that is being driven by the fight against climate change. For farmers, it is a way to get ahead
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Splitting the Molecule to Power the World: Hydrogen Digest’s Guide to Renewable Hydrogen Sources, Production and Uses
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As the International Renewable Energy Agency observed of the next decades, “transport and industry will still require combustible fuels for many purposes,” and those “needs could be met with hydrogen, which itself can be produced
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Fate of Green Hydrogen Depends on Ever Cheaper Renewables – for Now
by Max Hall (PV Magazine) Analyst WoodMac has spelled out the urgent need to decarbonize the global hydrogen production industry. While the fuel can offer a sustainable grid balancing act for intermittent renewables, in its current fossil-fuel driven form it
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Green Shoots: After a Sluggish Decade, Is the Bioenergy Tide Turning?
by Gerard J. Ostheimer, Ph.D. (below50) and Douglas L. Faulkner (“the Clean Tech Conservative” / Leatherstocking LLC) (Biofuels Digest) ... On the left there is a surging sense of climate action urgency. On the right is growing concern over energy security.
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
New York Forests — but Not Biofuels — Factor in Climate Plans
by Tony Hall (Adirondack Explorer) If New York State is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 85 percent by 2050, as required by this year’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, it will need its forests. But it’s not for
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Biofuels Producers Merit Recognition for Contributions to Climate Change Mitigation
(Solutions from the Land) Tomorrow marks the seventh annual Bioenergy Day, during which more than 40 organizations all over the United States and Canada - businesses, non-profits, universities, and state and local governments - are showcasing the many ways they benefit
October 22, 2019 Read Full Article
City of Madison Leads the State with First Public Fleet to Use 20 Percent Biodiesel
(City of Madison, Wisconsin) From ambulances and fire trucks to garbage/recycling and plow trucks, the City is making a significant, positive impact on the environment by the fuel its using. For the first time in state history for a public entity,
October 22, 2019 Read Full Article
Renewable Natural Gas Has a Way to Go, but Interest Is There
by Shayne Willette (Navigant) ... Even fewer know the benefits of renewable natural gas (RNG)—closely related to biogas—or what it is. Absent a complete shift to electrification, biogas has significant potential to be a core piece of the climate change puzzle.
October 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States
Michael B. Gerrard and John C. Dernbach, Editors (Environmental Law Institute) Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States provides a “legal playbook” for deep decarbonization in the United States, identifying well over 1,000 legal options for enabling the United States
October 14, 2019 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to Positions & Perception of Stakeholders towards Bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It matters of course, what people think about bioenergy, not just the makers and political folk or offtakers, but the broader groups as well in what is called elsewhere ‘civil society’, amongst pressure groups, and
October 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Massive RNG Supply Boost in California
by Todd Campbell (ACT News/California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership) The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently awarded more than $67 million to 43 dairy digester projects across California, making significant strides toward achieving the state’s climate protection policy goals.
October 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Michael Bloomberg Says Cities Can Help Us Meet Paris Climate Goal
by Josh Siegel & Abby Smith (Washington Examiner's Daily on Energy) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and eight other U.S. mayors released a policy “playbook” Thursday for how cities can cut emissions from the transportation and building sectors. The mayors say if the largest 100
October 10, 2019 Read Full Article
BIOPLAT-EU Project: The Second Project Meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine
(Bioenergy Association of Ukraine) SEC Biomass experts Tetiana Zheliezna, Oleksandra Tryboi and Olha Haidai took part in the second BIOPLAT-EU (Promoting Sustainable Use of Underutilized Lands for Bioenergy Production through a Web-Based Platform for Europe) project meeting that was held in
October 09, 2019 Read Full Article
State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving Supports the Draft Law for Biomethane Development in Ukraine
(Bioenergy Association of Ukraine) Prospects for biomethane production and consumption in Ukraine were reviewed on October 01 by the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving. Discussion participants: Head of the Agency Sergiy Savchuk, Head of the Bioenergy Association of
October 09, 2019 Read Full Article
The Truth About Hydrogen
by Patrick Molloy and LeeAnn Baronett (Rocky Mountain Institute) ... There are four major sources for commercial production of hydrogen, three of which require fossil fuels: steam methane reformation (SMR), oxidation, and gasification. The fourth source is electrolysis, which separates water
October 08, 2019 Read Full Article
European Biofuel Facility Opens in Antwerp, Belgium
(Targray) Targray has announced the full opening of its Antwerp Biodiesel Terminal, a 24/7 biofuel storage and blending center serving fuel producers, distributors, traders and retailers in markets throughout Europe. Strategically located at the heart of Europe’s largest petrochemical center, Targray’s
October 08, 2019 Read Full Article
French Study Says Biogas Is the Best Vehicle Fuel to Improve Air Quality
(EBA/NGV Journal) The decarbonization of transport is a major concern to limit the environmental and climate impact of the sector. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) has warned against the increase of CO2 emissions of new passenger cars since 2017 and recalls
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Experts Discuss Wildfire Mitigation, Beneficial Use of Biomass
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The California Council on Science & Technology hosted an expert briefing at the California State Capitol Sept. 19 focused on the beneficial uses of wood biomass from wildfire mitigation. The briefing was the fourth in
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
$73 Million, 35 Projects, Who Won, for What and Why: The DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office 2019 Project Selections
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy has selected 35 projects totaling $73 million for bioenergy research and development support. Funded through the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, these projects will help reduce
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Audio of Private Meeting Shows Oil Industry Ripping into Trump Administration
by Ben Lefebvre (Politico) At a closed-door meeting this summer, oil and gas industry lawyers criticized the Trump administration's failure to recruit enough qualified people to secure policy victories that would outlast this presidency, according to a recording of the gathering. The
September 30, 2019 Read Full Article
Every Bit Counts in the Battle against Climate Change
(Diesel Technology Forum) ... Among Secretary-General Guterres’ policy proposals is the idea that only “radical changes” – such as a “full shift towards electric vehicles” – are acceptable “climate-smart practices” that will “improve the health and save the lives of
September 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Oregon Enacts New Renewable Natural Gas Law
by Betsy Lillian (NGT News) Gov. Kate Brown, D-Ore., recently gathered with NW Natural and other renewable natural gas (RNG) stakeholders to ceremoniously sign a bill that will allow Oregon utilities to acquire RNG on behalf of their customers. NW Natural, a
September 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Taxes on Polluting Fuels Are Too Low to Encourage a Shift to Low-Carbon Alternatives
(Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Taxing polluting sources of energy is an effective way to curb emissions that harm the planet and human health, and the income generated can be used to ease the low-carbon transition for vulnerable households. Yet
September 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Task 40 "Deployment of Biobased Value Chains"
(IEA Bioenergy Task 40) The core objective of the new Task 40 with the updated title "Deployment of biobased value chains" is to support deploying viable, efficient bioenergy value chains in the context of sustainable, national and international markets, reflecting
September 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Want More Miles per Gallon? Start Planting Some Trees
by Beth A. Russell (Idaho National Laboratory) It turns out that trees (or as researchers refer to them, woody biomass) can be refined to produce a carbon-rich wood alcohol that is excellent for use in high-octane fuel blends. Lest one imagine a