by Alister Doyle (Reuters) Nearly 200 nations attending climate talks in Germany; Guterres calls for more carbon pricing, markets; Says climate action will help, not hinder, economic growth -- Governments should put a price on carbon emissions to help combat global warming and stop
environmental policy
Back TO HOMEOttawa Looking at 15 Per Cent Ethanol Blend in Gasoline
by Maura Forrest (National Post) Currently, gasoline in Canada can contain up to 10 per cent ethanol, but a proposed amendment could raise the maximum to 15 per cent in early 2018 -- Ottawa is currently developing a clean fuel standard, intended
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
RenovaBio Is Presented in Congress as a Bill
(NovaCana (Google translation)) Taken by Deputy Evandro Gussi (PV-SP), the national biofuels policy will be processed as PL 9086/2017 -- As the NovaCana reported earlier this afternoon , the RenovaBio program, which encourages the production of biofuels, was presented to the National Congress as
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
The Dismal Prospect of Advanced Biofuels in the EU
by Zoltán Szabó (EurActiv) Advanced biofuels are proposed as the fuels of the future to replace oil, but the EU regulatory environment is fuzzy and uncertain to lure investors and some questionable solutions may benefit the most – in addition to oil,
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Governors Announce New Collaboration to Reduce Transportation Emissions
(Union of Concerned Scientistst) Statement by Ken Kimmell, Union of Concerned Scientists -- Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy to reduce carbon pollution from
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Expect EU Single Certification to Be Stricter than RSPO — Expert
(UkrAgroConsult/BlackSeaGrain) The single certification scheme for palm oil proposed by the European Union (EU) may be stricter than the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification, says an industry expert. “I have a feeling that the EU certification would be higher or
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
States Agree Not to Set Targets as ICAO Unveils Its Long-Term Vision on Sustainable Aviation Fuels Deployment
(GreenAir Online) ICAO concluded its second Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/2) held in Mexico City with an agreement on a long-term vision for the development, production and supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through to 2050. Delegates from Member
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
U.N. Aviation Agency Recommends Weaker Rules for Biofuels: Sources
by Allison Lampert (Reuters) The United Nations’ aviation agency on Friday recommended scaling back criteria for biofuels used on international flights as part of a compromise with developing countries who felt the rules would be too stringent, two sources familiar with
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
A Carbon Tax by Any Other Name Would Smell “Tax”
by Richard Gilmore (Biofuels Digest/GIC Group) ... The carbon tax alliance is led by prominent Republicans along with some fence sitting Dems and their respective linesmen from public policy think tanks. While seemingly counter-intuitive in light of the Administration’s rejection of any
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Germany Saves 7.3 Million Tonnes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Using Biofuels, New Report Suggests
(Biofuels International) The use of biodiesel and bioethanol in Germany avoided creating around 7.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in Germany in 2016, according to a new report from Federal Agency for Food and Agriculture (BLE). Biofuels consumed in Germany emits on
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Citizens Taking Charge: Germany’s Buzz over Maize
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Since 2012, Energiegenossenschaft (energy cooperative) Starkenburg e.G. (ES) has been serving the Starkenburg region as independent non-partisan citizens’ cooperative supporting Germany’s grassroots movement by promoting renewable energy projects to advance the standard of climate
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Can California Eliminate Gas Cars?
by Anne C. Mulkern, ClimateWire (Scientific American) State leaders are discussing banning the sale of cars that run on gasoline or diesel -- ... Switching to all clean cars would require a herculean transformation in the Golden State. They accounted for less than
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
New Report: California Oil Among World's Dirtiest -- Rampant Oil Production Undermines State's Climate Leadership
(Center for Biological Diversity) Three-quarters of California’s oil is as climate-damaging as Canadian tar sands crude, according to a Center for Biological Diversity report released today at the United Nations climate change conference in Bonn, Germany. Oil Stain: How Dirty Crude Undercuts California’s Climate
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Court Fight Begins over Delaware City Refinery's Ethanol Project
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/DelawareOnline) A court battle over the Delaware City Refinery's plans to significantly expand its biofuel operations is now officially underway – nearly a year after state regulators approved the project. The dispute pits one of the state's
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
What a Clean Fuel Standard Can Do for Canada
(Clean Energy Canada) Last year, the federal government announced it would develop a policy that aims to cut more carbon pollution than any other in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, by promoting the production and use of
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
From Seed ... to Sky: Delmarva Energy Beet-to-Jetfuel Project Summary Published
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA has added a summary of the findings of its USDA-funded feasibility study based on 2016 energy beet project at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. New charts and graphs based on the data developed for
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Banks Explore Challenges Decarbonisation Poses to Ship Finance
(American Journal of Transportation) “Many global financial institutions have committed to bringing their portfolios in line with the transition to a low-carbon economy. To fully achieve this, they must address the climate risks to hundreds of billions of dollars in shipping
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Clariant Eyes Expansion into China's Growing Biofuel Market
(Xinhua Net) As China encourages the use of renewable energy for sustainable growth, it is creating a huge biofuel market that Swiss specialty chemical company Clariant does not want to miss out on. The chemical maker is looking for Chinese partners to
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Stop Me if You've Heard This Before -- Kathleen Hartnett White's Nomination
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Two corn-state Republican EPW senators - Deb Fischer and Joni Ernst - are publicly undecided about Kathleen Hartnett White's nomination to run the White House Council on Environmental Quality after meeting with her over past
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Sabah Chooses New Palm Oil Certification to Cater to Europe’s Needs
by Jason Santos (Malaysian Insight) SABAH’s move for a full compliance of the Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) by 2025 is to ensure the survival of the sector, state forestry director Sam Mannan said. The move will also make Sabah the first in
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Why Palm Biodiesel Producers Should Keep Pushing R&D and Make Palm Oil Biodiesel More Environmentally Friendly
by Yamin Vong (The Sun) ... The European Union is campaigning against palm bio-diesel and the European Parliament appears to be determined to ratify the Palm Oil and Deforestation of the Rainforests resolution that it passed on April 4. It's in this environment
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Nigeria's NNPC Signs MoU to Build Biofuel Plant
(Platts) Nigeria plans to build a 65 billion liters/year biofuel plant to boost supply of clean fuels in the country, state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. said Wednesday. NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest Ondo state government to build the project, which
November 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Planes across Europe to Start Running on Vegetable Oil and Animal Fat in Bid to Tackle Climate Change and Toxic Air
by Ben Chapman (Independent) With long-distance electric-powered transport still a long way off, can advances in renewable fuel made from vegetable oil and waste fill the gap to combat climate change and clean up our toxic air? Planes across Europe will soon
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure: Enabling Europe’s Bioeconomy
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) From October 10th -11th the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy (EFIB) celebrated 10 years in Brussels, Belgium, as it plays a crucial role in providing a central meeting place for policy
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
COSMOS: The Future of Plant Oil
by Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On October 9th the 10th European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy kicked off in Brussels, Belgium, giving participants the opportunity to take part in a stakeholder workshop held by the European research project COSMOS
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Zero Waste Scotland Report Shows 27 Million Tons of Waste and Residues Available for Biorefineries
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, a new report prepared by Ricardo Energy & Environment for Zero Waste Scotland found more than 27 million metric tons of available waste, by-products, agricultural residues and wastewater sludge could be used by biorefineries
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Presentations from BETO’s Annual Conference Now Online!
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 11–12, 2017, BETO hosted its 10th annual conference—Bioeconomy 2017: Domestic Resources for a Vibrant Future! More than 300 attendees from industry, government agencies, the national laboratories, and academia gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing
October 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Waste from Industry Could Drive Sustainable Investment in Scotland, New Report Finds
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) ... The new report is entitled Biorefining Potential for Scotland and has been produced by Zero Waste Scotland. It aims to provide detailed insight into circular economy opportunities for waste and by-products generated in Scotland. ... Maximising value from ‘bio’
October 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Governments, International Agencies Affirm the Need to Massively Increase Bioenergy and Byproducts to Fight Climate Change
(BioFuture Platform) According to projections of international energy agencies, the use of bioenergy as a share of the world’s energy usage needs to more than double by 2030 if the world is to avoid temperature rises above 2º C. “We simply
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
UN Shipping Climate Talks ‘Captured’ by Industry Lobbyists
by Megan Darby (Climate Change News) Business interests dominate at the International Maritime Organization, analysis shows, steering it towards weak greenhouse gas emissions rules -- The shipping industry has “captured” UN talks on a climate target for the sector, using its clout
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Rising Seas Are Flooding Virginia’s Naval Base, and There’s No Plan to Fix It
by Nicholas Kusnetz (InsideClimate News) The giant naval base at Norfolk is under threat by rising seas and sinking land, but little is being done to hold back the tides. -- ... Naval Station Norfolk, home to the Atlantic Fleet, floods not just
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
EP Committee on Environment Denies Prospects for Domestic Biofuels
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) expresses its disappointment in the result of the vote in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment on Monday this week concerning
October 29, 2017 Read Full Article
The Brazilian Conference on Science and Technology BioEnergy and the Progress in the BioEconomy in Brazil
by Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Held in Campos do Jordão on 16-19 October 2017, the Third Edition of the Brazilian BioEnergy Science and Technology Conference (BBEST) highlighted the theme "Designing a Sustainable Bioeconomy". [caption id="attachment_89735" align="alignleft" width="300"] BBEST--Brazilian BioEnergy
October 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Lake Erie's Toxic Algae: Does Ethanol Mandate Make it Worse?
by Mary Kuhlman (Public News Service) The huge algal bloom in Lake Erie is receding, but clean water advocates say the annual problem won't go away without changes in federal policies. One measure raising concerns is the ethanol mandate, which requires a
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Good Day for Bioenergy, Bad Day for Crop-Based Biofuels, as European Parliament’s Environment Committee Votes on RED II Proposals
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Policymakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) have voted in support of a proposal for a total phase out of crop-based biofuels by 2030 and have backed the use of biomass for electricity production. The ENVI
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
MEPs Propose Upgraded, Nationally Binding Targets for Renewables
(New Europe Online) EU should aim for 35% renewables in its energy consumption in 2030 -- The Environment Committee voted on its opinion on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021 – 2030. ... “I am delighted that the Parliament
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
California Cars Are Running on Restaurant Grease
by Robert Tuttle (Bloomberg Technology) Renewable diesel use surges amid low-carbon fuel program; Second-biggest source of low-carbon fuel credits after ethanol -- California’s battle against climate change is being fought more fiercely in fast food restaurants than in Tesla Inc.’s car factory in Fremont. Seven
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Opinion: Biofuels Sustainable, Essential To Aviation’s Future
by Adam Klauber, Isaac Toussie, Steve Csonka and Barbara Bramble (Aviation Week & Space Technology) To some, biofuels conjure negative images of industrial-scale agriculture with cornstalks as far as the eye can see, or worse, displaced orangutans squatting dejectedly beside burning
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil's Biofuel Push Is Threatened by Too Much Cheap Oil
by Vanessa Dezem and Fabiana Batista (Bloomberg Technology) Brazil leading international effort to expand industry; Biofuel investments worldwide are down 25% this year ... Brazil is positioning itself as a global biofuels ambassador, fighting climate change by spurring demand for ethanol. It will be
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
A Dozen Global Cities Commit to Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets
(Next-Gen Transportation News) The mayors of London, Paris, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico City, Milan, Seattle, Auckland and Cape Town have signed the C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration. Under the declaration, the city leaders have pledged to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Ottawa Looking into Low-Carbon Fuels as It Develops New Clean Fuel Standard
by Maura Forrest (National Post) A major question the government appears to be grappling with is where a new supply of low-carbon fuels will come from -- The federal government is looking into the potential for low-carbon fuels in Canada as it
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner co-authored a Biofuels Digest article with some ideas that show the benefits bioenergy could bring to Africa: "Africans should strive for sustainable fuels from native feedstocks in a modern infrastructure and thriving economy ... Renewable diesel
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Growing the African Biofuel Sector: What’s Not to Like?
by Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) ... (I)n Sub-Saharan Africa a thriving indigenous bioenergy industry can play a positive and productive role in modernizing economies and improving the quality of human life. One challenge for African bioenergy development though
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Four Swedish NGOs Write MEPs Demanding a Shift in Biofuels Policy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Sweden, a group of four NGOs have written an open letter to members of European Parliament urging them to rethink the proposals for the second version of the Renewable Energy Directive, claiming that Swedish
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Marketing Sustainability: How Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) Are Planning to Take Flight
By Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Flying in Formation: Since the first test flight almost 10 years ago, there have been over 40,000 commercial flights supported by four international airports supplying SAFs. Michael Gill, Executive Director of the cross-industry Air
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
ExCo79 Workshop Publication ‘The Role of Industrial Biorefineries in a Low-Carbon Economy- Summary and Conclusions’
(International Energy Agency) Biorefineries are generally expected to play an important role in decarbonising the energy and transport sectors with bioenergy and biofuel products. In addition, national and regional economies would benefit the most from a production portfolio that favours high-added
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Shift to Sustainable Food System in Europe Is Possible, but Faces Challenges
(European Environment Agency) Making Europe’s production, consumption and trade in food environmentally sustainable is possible, but it will require a major shift in public attitudes, policies and knowledge and seizing current opportunities for change, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA)
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Aemetis Signs Long Term Lease for Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Site in California
(Aemetis) 55 year Lease Agreement at Former Army Munitions Facility -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that its Aemetis Advanced Products Keyes subsidiary signed a 55 year lease at a former US Army munitions facility located in Riverbank, California which is near
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producers Work with UN to Accelerate Shift to Low Carbon
(Ethanol Europe Renewables, Ltd./EurActiv) EERL partners with UN Climate Change for COP 23 -- Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Bonn (COP 23, 6-17 November), Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd (EERL) and UN Climate Change have partnered to boost the deployment of
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at ABLC Next 2017: Fulcrum Prices Bonds, GOP Governors’ Pro-Biofuels March on DC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the biggest news sweeping the floor at ABLC Next 2017 and perhaps the biggest industrial biotechnology update of 2017, the long-awaited financing is approaching completion for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated waste-to-fuels project in Nevada, that
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Countries Reject Plans for the Expansion of Aviation Biofuels
(Transport & Environment) Today, 25 countries convened by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) rightly rejected the 2050 Vision on Sustainable Aviation Fuels that included volume-based targets as originally proposed by the ICAO Secretariat. Brad Schallert, Deputy Director at World Wildlife Fund and a
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Demand Regears Biodiesel Inputs
by Niamh Boyle (Prima Markets/Biodiesel Magazine) Prima Markets provides a comprehensive summary of the growing international demand for low carbon fuels, including U.S. policy drivers and waste feedstock consumption, along with a detailed overview of the international trade of low carbon
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Pruitt's Charm Offensive Has Few Actual Promises
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Seven corn-state Republican senators emerged smiling from what they deemed a "good" meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Tuesday but they got no concrete policy promises on the Renewable Fuel Standard from him, Pro's
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
A Perspective on the Value of Cooking with Off-Grid Power
by Mahesh Bhave (Renewable Energy World) Why should rural electrification efforts worldwide — in Africa, India, Central and South America — isolate cooking from other core applications such as lighting, fans, phone charging, and TV? Why can’t electricity for cooking be
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Plans for Dorcrecht Inland Seaport to Host Bunker Station for LNG and Other Cleaner Fuels
(PitPoint Clean Fuels) The Port of Rotterdam wants to realise a new multifuel bunker station for the refuelling of LNG and other cleaner fuels. Krabbegors/Duivelseiland at Dordrecht Inland Seaport has been designated as the location for this bunker station. Port of
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Palm Oil Ban ‘Has Little Impact on Reducing Deforestation’
(Biofuels International) A general ban on palm oil in biofuels in Europe punishes the wrong producers while having little impact on reducing deforestation, according to Jaboury Ghazoul, a professor of ecosystem management at ETH Zurich. He claims in an article published
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Think Transportation GHG Emissions Targets Can Be Reached without Biofuels Mandates? Think Again.
by Gordon Quaiattini (Biofuels Digest) Governments serious about climate change should be wary about eliminating the mandate for renewable fuels, and those promising a low carbon fuel market without it. Earlier this month Canada’s Environment Commissioner urged MPs to push the government from
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Airbus Exec.: EU ‘Bonus’ for Aviation Biofuels May Be Too Little
by Frédéric Simon (EurActiv) The European Commission’s proposal to incentivise the production of biofuels for aircraft with a 20% “multiplier” goes in the right direction, says Thierry Nowaczyk from Airbus. The question is whether this is enough to fill the price
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
China Needs Tougher Clean Fuel Targets to Meet Paris Climate Pact -Report
by Muyu Xu and Josephine Mason (Reuters) China will have to launch more ambitious renewable energy and non-fossil fuel targets and ramp up efforts to enforce them to avoid missing global climate accord requirements, two government think tanks said on Monday. China’s
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
City Buses to Soon Run on Methane
(The Hindu) Mumbai: The State government will rely on Swedish biogas technology to make urban transport in Mumbai compliant with emission standards. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met officials in Sweden on Thursday and announced that sewage treatment plants (STP) in Mumbai
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Hirono Secures Federal Funding for Clean Energy Research and Development in Hawaii
(Office of Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI)) Senator Mazie K. Hirono today announced that two Hawaii businesses will receive $1.5 million in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding to develop offshore seaweed as a potential clean energy source. The funding was awarded
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels International 2017 Conference in Edinburgh - A Peek into EU’s Biofuel Industry and Policy Outlook
by Aino Siirala* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The 10th Biofuels International Conference and Expo took place in Edinburgh this year. The conference was co-located with Bioenergy Insight 2017 conference which gave the participants an opportunity to attend both events at the
October 16, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Found a Carbon Rule It Can Like
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Sure EPA is proposing to roll back the Clean Power Plan, but that doesn't mean all carbon rules are off the table: The agency is even now working on a rule to regulate carbon from
October 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Coordinated Introduction of E10 Petrol Can Help Meet Transport Carbon Targets and Support the UK Economy
(Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership) In support of the UK government’s decision to increase the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, the LowCVP today published its report ‘Successfully Deploying E10 Petrol’. The expert group convened under the auspices of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership concluded
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
These Countries Want to Ban Gas and Diesel Cars
by Alanna Petroff (CNN) China, the world's largest car market, is working on a plan to ban the production and sale of vehicles powered only by fossil fuels. It has plenty of company: India, France, Britain and Norway want to ditch gas and diesel cars in favor
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
MEPs Vote to Ban the Use of Palm Oil in Biofuels
by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) MEPs have voted overwhelmingly to ban biofuels made from vegetable oils including palm oil by 2020, to prevent the EU’s renewable transport targets from inadvertently contributing to deforestation. A new palm oil regulation, minimum sustainability criteria, customs
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Ministers Agree National Climate Goals ahead of U.N. Talks
(Reuters) EU environment ministers agreed national emissions-reduction targets on Friday in a push to show how the bloc is delivering on its climate goals ahead of United Nations talks next months to fight global warming. ... Hours of talks over reforms to the
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Dem Introduces Bill to Boost Clean Vehicle Technology
by Melanie Zanona (The Hill) ... Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), who has also been leading a House push to pave the way for autonomous vehicles, reintroduced a bill that would promote investments in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies that
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Houston Companies Join High-Octane Battle over Fuel in Mexico
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) At a Rice University forum last year, Mexican Energy Secretary Pedro Joaquin Coldwell was asked whether his government would allow refiners to increase the concentrations of ethanol in gasoline beyond the 5.8 percent that it had
October 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Bioenergy and Biofuels Highlighted in UK’s Clean Growth Strategy
(Biofuels International) A plan for cutting carbon emissions while growing the economy has been released by the UK government. ‘The Clean Growth Strategy: Leading the way to a low carbon future’ has been published by Greg Clark, the UK’s Business and Energy
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-Paris Plans to Banish All but Electric Cars by 2030
by Brian Love (Reuters) Target is 10 years ahead of national deadline; Goal is to fight smog in host city of 2024 Olympics (Updates) -- Paris authorities plan to banish all petrol- and diesel-fuelled cars from the world’s most visited city by 2030,
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Randy Krehbiel: Did Scott Pruitt Just Declare War on Renewables?
by Randy Krehbiel (Tulsa World) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt may have declared an end to the "war on coal" earlier this week, but what some consider Pruitt's own war on alternative energy seems to be just getting started. Largely unnoticed
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Effect of Subsidies to Fossil Fuel Companies on United States Crude Oil Production
by Peter Erickson, Adrian Down, Michael Lazarus & Doug Koplow (Nature Energy) Countries in the G20 have committed to phase out ‘inefficient’ fossil fuel subsidies. However, there remains a limited understanding of how subsidy removal would affect fossil fuel investment returns and production,
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
St1 Progresses with Renewable Diesel Production Plans at Its Refinery in Gothenburg
(St1) Energy company St1 continues its series of investments targeting to begin the production of renewable diesel in 2020 at its refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. The company has now signed an Engineering design package and license agreement with Haldor Topsoe for
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Member States, Commission Have No Position in European Parliament's Resolution
by Sangeetha Amarthalingam & Wong Ee Lin (The Edge Markets) The European Union (EU) member states and Commission have no position in the European parliament's resolution to discontinue the usage of vegetable oils in biodiesel by 2020, according to Ambassador of The
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Second ICAO Conference on Alternative Aviation Fuels Held in Mexico
(International Civil Aviation Organization) At the 39th Session of the ICAO Assembly, Resolutions A39-2 (Consolidated statement of continuing ICAO policies and practices related to environmental protection – Climate change) reaffirmed the need for alternative fuels to be developed and deployed in
October 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Airports Can Help Make Air Transportation More Sustainable
(Port of Seattle/Seattle Times) Sustainable aviation biofuels could help airlines transition away from fossil fuels and alleviate some impacts of climate change. -- ... Our generation’s greatest gift could be to make air travel environmentally friendly by transitioning away from legacy
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Federal Government Seeking Partner to Look at Way to Create Domestic Jet Biofuel Industry
by Maura Forrest (National Post) The federal government is looking at the potential of producing jet biofuels, in light of an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry. Natural Resources Canada is looking for a company to design
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Glacial Pace of Advancements in Biofuel Threatens Emissions Targets
by Kerry Reals (Aviation Week & Space Technology) With efficiency gains from airframe and engine technology improvements considered insufficient to meet the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA's) 2050 emissions-reduction target, the only conceivable way to do so is through the widespread use
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Italy's Oil Giant Taps Mediterranean Diet to Turn Fats into Fuel
(The Edge Markets/Bloomberg) ... The government, driven by European Union renewable-fuel targets and a national diet rich in olive oil, is luring producers with financial incentives. As a result, Ai Due Otri is just one of about 100,000 restaurants nationwide recycling
October 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Energy Conference Focuses on Profitable Energy Independence
(Huggins Consulting Group LLC/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Competitive landscape, innovative technologies and emerging energy policy were hot topics as a diverse group of nearly 150 thought leaders, industry representatives, researchers and suppliers convened in the heart of renewable energy production for the
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
USGC Sets Sights on Kenya for Potential Ethanol Market
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council is working to develop ethanol markets in east Africa, which are accessible through the Persian Gulf. Brian Healy, USGC’s vice president of ethanol market development, traveled to Kenya recently to speak
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Scania Will Provide Clean Buses to 20 Major Cities
(Scania) Scania today joins the Global Industry Partnership on Soot-Free Clean Bus Fleets with a commitment to, by 2018, provide modern soot-free buses to 20 major cities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Australia. “To tackle the challenge of poor air quality
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Argus Media Interviews about UPM Biofuels, NixAl Commodities and Abengoa Bioenergy
(Argus Media) ... Argus interviews speakers Sari Mannonen, Vice-President, UPM Biofuels and Alberto Carmona Bosch, Chief Executive Officer, NixAl Commodities and former Exec. VP for Trading at Abengoa Bioenergy. In these Q&As, Sari discusses UPM Biofuels’ post-2020 strategy, Finland’s role in
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Neste's Taking Action on Climate Change Examines Changes in Energy and Transport Markets
(Neste Corporation) Neste has published a business environment outlook called Taking Action on Climate Change. It discusses key changes taking place in the energy, transport and chemicals markets. As global commitment to tackle climate change requires major efforts to reduce emissions, the use of
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels International Conference and Bioenergy Insight Conference Cover Range of Issues
by Liz Gyekye (Bioenergy Insight) The future of bioethanol, advanced biofuel developments and an uncertain policy landscape were some of the hot topics discussed at this year’s Biofuels International and Bioenergy Insight conference. The conference took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from 4-5th October. Rob Wakely, head of low carbon
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
NGOs Slam UN Aviation Agency Plan for Biofuels
(Phys.Org) Nearly 100 environmental and poverty fighting groups jointly released a letter Tuesday slamming a UN proposal that backs large-scale use of biofuels in commercial planes. Extensive burning of biofuels would vastly expand the production of palm oil, which critics say drives
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Global Maritime Forum, Carbon War Room Push for Decarbonization Urgency with Industry Task Force Launch
Global Maritime Forum, Carbon War Room, the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, and University College London (UCL) today announced the launch of a Task Force on Decarbonizing Shipping. This industry-led initiative will develop tangible pathways for shipping’s decarbonization through
October 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Phase-Out Will Raise Demand for Feed Imports, Industry Warns
by Samuel White (EurActiv) This article is part of our special report Phasing-out biofuels: What’s really at stake?. -- Biofuels in the EU are deeply intertwined with global food and feed markets. As the EU discusses its future biofuels policy, their
October 06, 2017 Read Full Article
IEA’s Latest Renewable Energy Outlook Highlights Continuing Demand Growth for Conventional Biofuels
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) Today (October 5, 2017), Bliss Baker, the President of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), reacted to the latest IEA’s medium-term outlook on renewable energy by noting that once again projections are anticipating continued increased growth in demand
October 06, 2017 Read Full Article
EESI Comments on Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On October 5, EESI submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on their midterm evaluation of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light-duty vehicles. ... In its comments, EESI
October 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Files Comments on CAFE Midterm Evaluation
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Regarding the Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Year 2022–2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards, Advanced Biofuels USA offered the following comments and recommendations. Current EPA CAFE Fuel Mileage Regulations Are Not an Expedited
October 05, 2017 Read Full Article
Household Oil from Concepción Will Be Transformed into Biodiesel
(City of Concepción) Enthusiastic leaders of different neighborhood councils in Concepción received containers to recycle their disused home oil, which will be transformed into clean fuel: Biodiesel. The initiative is part of the actions developed by the Environment Department of the municipality to
October 05, 2017 Read Full Article
MEP: ‘Sustainable’ Biofuels and E-Mobility Both Needed in Post-2020 EU Transport
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (Euractiv) This article is part of our special report Phasing-out biofuels: What’s really at stake?. If the EU intends to meet its climate obligations under the Paris Agreement, then it should favour both “sustainable” biofuels and electric cars
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
Environmental and Energy Study Institute Publishes Fact Sheet: Biogas—Converting Waste to Energy
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The United States produces more than 70 million tons of organic waste each year. While source reduction and feeding the hungry are necessary priorities for reducing needless food waste, organic wastes are numerous and extend to
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
A Sticky Matter: Sugar Molasses Dent EU’s Ambitions on Advanced Biofuels
by Paola Tamma (EurActiv) Sugar molasses, which the European Commission sees as “advanced” biofuel, present many of the same problems as conventional biofuels – including a potential increase in food prices and land competition for food production. But their definition as biofuels
October 04, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Biofuels Digest's Jim Lane analyzes the cost and emissions profile for electric vehicles compared to "gasoline-powered" ones. The findings? On price, the lowest-cost option is a Cruze running on E85 conventional ethanol — which also reduces emissions compared to a
October 03, 2017 Read Full Article
Data Surprise: Biofuels Still Beating Electrics on Cost, Emissions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Electrics are improving on emissions and cost, but not enough to make driving an electric car the smart choice for consumers looking to save time and reduce environmental impacts. According to a new analysis, biofuels still
October 03, 2017 Read Full Article
California Mulling Ban on Combustion-Engine Vehicles
by Devin Henry (The Hill) California regulators are exploring ways to eventually ban the sale of vehicles powered by internal-combustion engines, a top official told Bloomberg News. California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols said the state, led by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, is
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Carbon Offsetting Can Play an Important Role in Achieving Airlines' Climate Goals, Says Study, but Finds Low Level of Understanding
(GreenAir Online) ... “The key message of our paper is really to understand that carbon offsets play an important role in addressing climate change, but not in the sense that they make emissions ‘go away’ in some miraculous manner, but that
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Clash Looms between EU Institutions on How Long to Stop the Clock on Scope of the Aviation EU ETS
(GreenAir Online) The European Parliament voted by a clear majority today to back proposals from the European Commission to extend the derogation that restricts the scope of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to covering flights within the European Economic
October 02, 2017 Read Full Article
UPDATE 1-French President Macron Says Europe Needs Significantly Higher Carbon Price
by Bate Felix (Reuters) French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Europe needed a significant minimum carbon price to boost investment in its energy transition, and a European carbon tax at the bloc’s borders to guarantee fair competition for its
September 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Can The Corn Ethanol Lobby Win In Mexico, Too?
by David Blackmon (Forbes) ... The elimination in the U.S. of the use of MTBE as a gasoline oxygenation agent by the EPA was a big factor in the initial turn to ethanol .... ... Taking advantage of major changes to the country’s energy
September 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Visegrad and Balkans Hit out at Commission over Biofuels Phase-Out Proposal
by Sarantis Michalopoulos (Euractiv) The Visegrad group and two Balkan countries signed a joint declaration urging the European Commission to reconsider its proposal to gradually phase out first generation biofuels after 2020 and think about the consequences. ... On the other hand, the
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Any Renewable Energy Solution Requires Extracting the Full Value of Biomass
by A.J. (Sandy) Marshall (Bioindustrial Innovation Canada/Canada Biomass) ... Today, climate change concerns are demanding an ever-increasing management of greenhouse gases. As a result, society is establishing a pricing on carbon through cap and trade and carbon taxation mechanisms. This shift
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Republican Senator Endorses 'Price on Carbon' to Fight Climate Change
by Justin Worland (Time Magazine) Sen. Lindsey Graham endorsed a "price on carbon" to fight climate change, breaking with much of the Republican Establishment. Speaking at a climate change conference held by former Secretary of State John Kerry at Yale University, the South Carolina
September 25, 2017 Read Full Article
New York Governor Signs Bill Requiring Biodiesel in Heating Oil
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) New Yorkers in downstate counties will soon benefit from cleaner air due to the increased use of Bioheat fuel in heating oil. Legislation signed Sept. 13 by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo requires Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties
September 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Anti-Biofuel Ideologues Support the Oil Status Quo
by Eric Sievers (Ethanol Europe/Euractiv) Anti-biofuel ideologues claim to be pro-climate and pro-development. But their positions, in fact, support the oil status quo, the concentration of power in the energy sector in the hands of large multinationals and the decline
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Have Central Role in Low-Carbon Economy
by Bliss Baker (Global Renewable Fuels Alliance /Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... For years, the private sector and experts from nongovernmental organizations had been signaling the shift in the global economy away from historically favorable investments in fossil fuels to growing opportunities
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Department for Transport Announces Biofuel Reforms
(NNFCC Ltd./Biodiesel Magazine) Following years of policy uncertainty and market stagnation, the U.K.’s Department for Transport has announced its intention to raise the target under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, paving the way for future growth of the U.K. biofuels
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Stops Work on Airline Emissions Standards
(Summit County Citizens Voice) Agency’s move could violate federal environmental laws -- A little more than a year after determining that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft are a threat to public health, the EPA has stopped working on developing new
September 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Energy Beet Feasibility Study Finds Navy Best Potential Near-Term Customer for Alcohol-to-Jetfuel Product
(Advanced Biofuels USA) USDA-funded feasibility study based on 2016 energy beet project at University of Maryland Eastern Shore finds Navy solicitation is best market for economic viability of project followed by advanced ethanol for Mid-Atlantic ground transportation markets. With Norfolk and
September 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Groups Testify at EPA Hearing on CAFE-GHG Standards
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Growth Energy, the American Coalition for Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association are among the groups that testified at the U.S. EPA’s public hearing for the reconsideration of the Final Determination of the Mid-Term
September 12, 2017 Read Full Article
Second Generation Transport Biofuels Can Play a Significant Role in Meeting UK Carbon Reduction Targets, Says Report
(Green Air Online) A viable second generation liquid biofuel industry and market has a significant role in helping to meet UK long-term carbon reduction goals, particularly in sectors like aviation where alternative low-carbon options are not available. So concludes a
September 11, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Government Recommits to Funding Support for Development of Advanced Aviation Biofuels
(Green Air Online) The UK government has recommitted to providing up to £22 million ($28m) towards funding for projects to develop advanced low carbon, waste-based advanced fuels for planes and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The fund, which must be matched
September 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Sustainable First and Second Generation Bioethanol for Europe
(nova-Institute) nova-Institute has published a finalised short version of its study into the sustainability of bioethanol from different feedstocks. To read the report, "A sustainability assessment of first and second generation bioethanol in the context of the European Commission’s REDII proposal," and get
September 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Södra Commences Biofuel Production
(Södra) Södra will invest more than SEK 100 million in the production of biomethanol, a sustainable fuel from forest raw material. The project will commence in autumn 2017 and is scheduled to be ready for operation by spring 2019. The aim
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Plastic Stretches Towards the New: Top 10 Trendlines in Bioplastics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Plant Bottle has generated so much goodwill and publicity for its 30% renewable, sustainable content (and that biobased MEG) that it’s easy to forget that there are several paths being chased to 100% renewable
September 07, 2017 Read Full Article
The People’s Fuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biodiesel is the people’s advanced biofuel, but it is not always the Establishment’s darling. Whether it is cleaner air, more lubricity, more advanced domestic manufacturing and jobs, higher property values driving higher revenues for states
September 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Interview — Growing Food or Fuel on Our Land?
(European Environment Agency) Only a decade ago, biofuel production from plants was hailed as an ecological alternative to fossil fuels. Recently, it has come to be seen as competing with food production and not always an effective solution in reducing
August 31, 2017 Read Full Article
European Commission Study Highlights Benefits of Higher Ethanol Fuel Blends
(ePURE) Newly released report finds that increasing ethanol in petrol helps improve air quality and reduces oil dependency -- A new report published by the European Commission highlights several benefits of higher ethanol blends in petrol, including reducing emissions of
August 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Planes Fuelled by Waste Could Take off from British Airports
(UK Department of Transport) Planes could take off from British airports using fuels made from rubbish that gets sent to landfill, under a new government scheme. -- As part of plans to promote clean alternative fuels, the government is offering
August 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Aemetis Completes Enzymatic Biodiesel Production Unit at India Plant to Supply US and Europe
(Aemetis) Company well positioned to fill expected supply gap caused by anti-dumping ruling against Argentina and Indonesian biodiesel in the U.S. market -- Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX) announced today that its Universal Biofuels subsidiary in India has completed the construction
August 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Hot Spots: The Top 10 Bioeconomy Places to Watch in Canada
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... 1. Ottawa, Ontario The biggest Canadian story of the year stems from the November 2016 announce by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna announced that Canada will adopt a national clean fuels standard,
August 29, 2017 Read Full Article
New Wastewater Treatment System Runs on Algae
by Julia Mericle (The Hawk Eye) If Columbus Junction City Council approves the project, they could be first to install new technology in Iowa. -- Columbus Junction could count itself among pioneering cities in the struggle to treat wastewater if
August 29, 2017 Read Full Article
All Eyes on Energy
by Keith Loria (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The 2014 Farm Bill—otherwise known as the Agricultural Act of 2014—places a larger emphasis on energy than past farm bills have. It includes the most recent version of the Energy Title, which was first
August 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Failure to Set Cost of Carbon Hampers Trump’s Effort to Expand Use of Fossil Fuels
by Andrew Revkin (ProPublica) The Trump administration plans to sharply reduce the government’s estimate of how much each ton of carbon emissions harms the planet. It hasn’t done so yet, and that delay is slowing Trump’s effort to expand coal mining
August 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Scottish Growers Could Cash in on Green Biofuel Crisis
by Brian Henderson (Scotsman) It became clear yesterday that Scottish wheat growers could have a major opportunity to supply grain to biofuel plants south of the Border – as the farm assurance scheme SQC moved to reassure producers that their
August 25, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Posts Materials for SAB Review of Biogenic CO2 Framework
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has posted new materials related to a quality review scheduled to be conducted by the Scientific Advisory Board on the agency’s draft framework for assessing biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary
August 25, 2017 Read Full Article
IRENA Technology Brief: Biogas for Road Vehicles
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe/IEA Bioenergy Task 37 Newsletter) This brief highlights the technologies available – both established and newly emerging – for biomethane production and biogas-driven vehicle fleets. It evaluates costs, performance and sustainability and outlines the best practices from around the
August 24, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
In decrying the proposed budget cuts to US Department of Transportation biofuels research in a Pacific Standard article, Mike White explains, "This would slow, but not stop our transition to wind and solar power—because their cost is at last low
August 23, 2017 Read Full Article
How Trump's Cuts to Biofuels Research Would Hurt the Planet and Our Economy
by Michael White (Pacific Standard) Biofuels can reduce emissions, benefit American corporations, and create jobs. But slashing the budget of the Bioenergy Technologies Office effectively eliminates those possibilities. -- ... However, as Congress and the Trump administration take deliberate steps
August 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Peer-Reviewed Study Finds Exxon Misled on Climate
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Harvard researchers are out this morning with a peer-reviewed analysis concluding Exxon Mobil misled the public over the course of 40 years of climate change communications. After poring over its scientific research, internal company
August 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Clean Energy: An Unprecedented Opportunity for Republicans
by Ashlee Rich Stephenson (Morning Consult/WPA Intelligence/Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum) ... Recent studies, sponsored by Yale and George Mason University and the Pew Research Center, illustrated that large cross sections of the American public link climate change and carbon emissions to imminent
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Ninth Annual Green Innovation Index Finds California Clean Economy Thriving but Emissions-Reduction Challenges Loom
(Business Wire/Next 10) As California’s economy continues to grow, the state’s carbon footprint continues to shrink, albeit at a slower pace than in earlier years due in part to a spike in transportation emissions. The ninth annual California Green Innovation Index — released by
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
A Major Moment for Ethanol in Europe
by Emmanuel Desplechin (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The next few months are sure to be a crucial period for the European ethanol industry, as European Union policymakers grapple with new legislation that could phase out crop-based biofuels after 2020. The moment is especially
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s Contribution to a Record-Breaking Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico
by Vrinda Manglik (Sierra Club/Huffington Post) ... Contributors leading to these inhospitable conditions include excessive nutrient pollution, which often comes from nitrogen-based fertilizer runoff used in agricultural production. In particular, corn production is notorious for its significant contribution to the dead zone.
August 22, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Public Hearing on the Reconsideration of the Midterm Evaluation Final Determination September 6, 2017 in Washington DC; Comment period DEADLINE: October 5, 2017
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) EPA will hold a public hearing on September 6, 2017 in Washington DC to hear public testimony on the Reconsideration of the Midterm Evaluation Final Determination. EPA signed a Federal Register notice announcing the hearing on
August 21, 2017 Read Full Article
Massachusetts Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
by Devin Henry (The Hill) Massachusetts regulators released details of a new plan Friday to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the state, in accordance with a state law and court order. The rules rely on a clean energy standard, carbon dioxide
August 17, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
In a 25 x '25 blog post, Reg Modlin, former director of regulatory affairs at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and senior advisor to the Ag-Auto-Ethanol Work Group, noted, "Until then (2050), and for decades after, liquid fuel will be used
August 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Combustion Engines Are Not Going Anywhere for Quite a While
by Reg Modlin (25 x '25 Resource) ... Flags have gone up in recent days as a result of articles proclaiming the coming of the electric car and the resulting disruption in the automobile industry. Relax. There is nothing new
August 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Mexico Looks to Curb Carbon with a New Cap-and-Trade System
by Lucas Laursen (Scientific American) ... Mexico kicked off 2017 with a 20 percent spike in gasoline prices, driven in part by the phasing out of subsidies. Some consumers set fires at gas stations—a response that highlights the backlash countries can
August 17, 2017 Read Full Article
UK Releases 2016 Ethanol Data, REA Calls for Enforcement of E10
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The U.K. Renewable Energy Association has spoken out in response to the data, noting it shows the use of biofuels has been stagnant in the U.K. since 2013. According to the REA, the U.K. government
August 16, 2017 Read Full Article
The Valley of Fog: As Sundrop Moves on from Louisiana, What’s up and What’s Wrong with Loan Guarantee Programs?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Louisiana, reports surfaced in Alexandria’s TownTalk online paper that Sundrop Fuels has struck an agreement to sell the 1200-acre site where it once planned to build its $450 million, 50 million gallon capacity first commercial plant
August 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Environmental and Economic Goals Not in Conflict, New Study Claims
(Bioenergy Insight) New research claims that air pollution policy reduces the extent to which population growth in urban areas results in increased pollution emissions, without disrupting the economic growth resulting from this urbanisation. More than half of the world’s population currently lives
August 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Project Aims to Turn Roads into Energy Source
(Advantage News) The Illinois Department of Transportation has approved implementation of a renewable energy demonstration project using grasses collected from mowing highway rights-of-way. The work will implement the findings of a three-year study by a multidisciplinary team, including the Illinois Sustainable
August 14, 2017 Read Full Article
New York's Energy Leaders Lay out an Early Blueprint for Carbon Pricing
by Marie J. French (Politico) The state's top energy policy makers moved closer to creating a price for carbon in New York in a much-anticipated report released Friday. Carbon pricing is seen by many in industry and environmental advocacy as a
August 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Special Report: How Engineers Are Preparing for Sea-Level Rise
by Pam Radtke Russell (Engineering News Record) From Seattle to Cape Cod, see what's being done at 18 different locations -- ... In this special report, Engineering News-Record’s team of editors and reporters look at how Tangier and other coastal
August 11, 2017 Read Full Article
Interview: Finnish Love with Biofuels May Lead to Wrong Choices in Transport: Expert
(XinhuaNet) Finnish love with biofuels as a key approach to reduce emissions has made the Nordic country one of the least active Western European countries to prepare for the arrival of electric car era, an expert said on Wednesday. Pekka Leviakangas,
August 11, 2017 Read Full Article
New Knowledge Centre Will Provide Scientific Evidence on Bioeconomy
(European Commission Science Hub) A new Bioeconomy Knowledge Centre has been created by the JRC and DG RTD to better support policy makers with science-based evidence in this field. Launched by the European Commission on 20 July, this online platform will