by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bill proposed Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., that would put E15 on hold for another round of studies was evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office. ...H.R. 875 would require the U.S. EPA to coordinate with
Legislation-Federal
Back TO HOMEBiodiesel: The Other Green Biofuel
by Joe Jobe (The Wall Street Journal/National Biodiesel Board) It is not true that all renewable fuels are the same and that advanced biofuels aren't being produced on a commercial scale ("An Ethanol Spring," Review & Outlook, April 17). Biodiesel is
May 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Energy Groups in Spat over Imports
by Darren Goode (Politico) An effort by ethanol backers to get the Environmental Protection Agency to scale back the amount of advanced biofuels required in the U.S. gasoline supply this year has opened a rift in a decades-old friendship within
May 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Biodiesel's Position in the Unfair War on Ethanol
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) If RFS detractors get their way, biodiesel may become a casualty of the war against ethanol. It's up to all of us to make sure this doesn't happen In editorials and opinions circling the issue of
May 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Refiners' RFS Agenda Is to Stop Competition
by Bruce Dale (The Hill/Michigan State University) The oil industry hopes to protect its control over America’s fuel supply by undermining renewable fuels. By confusing us with misleading claims and outright falsehoods, oil companies hope Congress will overlook the real
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil Hates Ethanol
by Michael Thede (Kearney Hub) Letter to Editor: Recent efforts by several members of Congress to dismantle the federal Renewable Fuel Standard are a direct attack on a domestic biofuels program that generates enormous benefits to our economy, energy security,
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Energy Programs Help Meet Nation's Energy, Economic Needs
(25 x '25) ...But the growth in new, clean energy is only just beginning, driven in large part by the energy programs first enacted in the 2002 Farm Bill and renewed again in 2008. Now that Congress is set to
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy Committee Seeks Stakeholder Comments on the Impacts of the RFS on Agriculture
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is continuing its assessment of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The Committee has issued its second white paper focusing on "Agricultural Sector Impacts." The Committee is seeking stakeholder
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Rural America Tells Washington: Clean Energy Works for Us
by Nicole Lederer (Huffington Post) ... One thing I've noticed over the years: The changing face of the clean energy industry. Increasingly, clean energy business leaders come from rural areas. They are farmers. They are community wind developers. They are retired
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Infrastructure, Energy and Natural Resources: Senate Finance Committee Staff Tax Reform Options for Discussion
(US Senate Finance Committee) This document is the fourth in a series of papers compiling tax reform options that Finance Committee members may wish to consider as they work towards reforming our nation’s tax system. This compilation is a joint product
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
New R&D Strategies for a New Era
by Douglas L. Faulkner with contributions from Jacques Beaudry-Losique (Biofuels Digest) ...We believe it is time for bioenergy industry leaders to take the initiative and chalk up a new comprehensive game plan, reflecting the new reality of leaner federal funding. ... Our first
April 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Increase My MPG!
(The PEW Charitable Trusts) High gas prices may give us pause before taking a long road trip, but we still need to drive to work, the grocery store or school. This Pew Clean Energy Program video highlights the benefits of increasing
April 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Institute for Energy Research’s Response to Politico Op-Ed Smells Like a Skunk
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) ... (Robert) Murphy simply regurgitates Big Oil’s false argument that the RFS is driving up fuel costs. There’s not a shred of evidence to support that notion, but that’s never stopped these folks before. Murphy
April 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Fuels Battle Heats up as Congress Mulls Law Change
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) The battle between U.S. ethanol producers and oil companies has reached a turning point, with the winners poised to gain an advantage over the future of the country’s energy mix and the losers forced
April 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Agronomists and Admirals: Looking back at ABLC 2013
by Pavel Molchanov (Raymond James and Associates/Biofuels Digest) ...There is no question that there have been growing pains along the way, more than we would have hoped, but the industry continues along its trajectory towards scale. We expect 2013 to be a
April 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuel Exec: Change to Fuel Mandate Would Hurt Iowa Cellulosic Plant
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) A meaningful change to the country’s renewable fuel mandate would drastically curtail the market opportunity for a cellulosic ethanol plant being built in Emmetsburg by ethanol producer Poet and Dutch-based DSM Advanced Biofuels, a
April 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Tax Writers Warm to Giving Renewables Parity with Fossil Fuels
by Nick Juliano (MidWest Energy News) A proposal to allow renewable energy developers to take advantage of a tax structure that has long been popular among fossil fuel companies is gaining traction among lawmakers tasked with overhauling the tax code. Rep.
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Leading Democrat Says US May Not Be Able to Meet Biofuel Targets
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) * Wyden says committee will explore ethanol mandate * Energy committee to look at gasoline prices this Spring * Lawmakers introduced bill ending corn ethanol targets The chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Friday questioned
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Long List of Lobbies Oppose Renewable-Fuels Standard
by Amy Harder (National Journal) It’s hard to rival the diversity and sheer number of groups and companies with a vested interest in the renewable-fuels standard, from food and livestock businesses to those in the environmental and energy sectors. No official
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Dinneen to Forbes: Forbes Should Be Advocating For, Not Arguing Against, Increased Competition
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) To the Editor: What’s there about lower prices at the pump, less pollution and reduced reliance on imported oil that Robert Bradley, Jr., doesn’t like (“It’s Time to Repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard,” April 17)? Thanks
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Oil-and-Gas Lobby Talks Biofuel Rule with White House, EPA, Senior Lawmakers
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) The head of a powerful oil industry lobbying group met with top White House officials and senior lawmakers Wednesday about stripping a federal biofuel rule. “We’re talking about the renewable fuel standard (RFS). It’s a hot
April 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Bashing The Oil Industry at Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference: Offense and Defense in the Game of Whack-a-Mole
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Although conference convener, Biofuels Digest's Jim Lane, insisted that he "discouraged industry bashing," the first morning of this 3-day conference was replete with unveiled references to The Oil Industry, Oil Interests, Big Oil and
April 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama Budget Would End Oil Industry Tax Breaks, Hike Royalites
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (FuelFix) In unveiling his $3.8 trillion spending plan for the U.S. government on Wednesday, President Barack Obama revived his longstanding attack on oil industry tax breaks and formally launched a plan to pay for alternative vehicle
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Industry Reacts to RFS Reform Act Introduced in House
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The ethanol industry reacted swiftly to the so-called RFS Reform Act, legislation introduced April 10 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which they said would gut the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The bill, introduced by
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
President’s FY2014 Budget Boosts DOE Vehicle Technology Spending 75% to $575M; $282M for Advanced Biofuels
(EV-olution.org) President Obama’s FY 2014 budget proposal submitted to Congress provides $28.4 billion in discretionary funds for the Department of Energy, an 8% increase above the 2012 enacted level. Among the direct transportation-related highlights of the department’s budget proposal are $575 million
April 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Not Ready for Slime Time: Algae Present Challenges as Fuel Source
by Emily Pickrell (FuelFix) On Jan. 1, Congress made algae-based fuel production eligible for a $1.01-per-gallon cellulosic biofuel production federal tax credit. Cellulosic biofuels typically are made from woody, non-food material such as grasses or wood chips, in contrast to ethanol, which
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
RFA to House Energy & Commerce Committee: Let RFS Work and Solutions to Blend Wall Will Be Found!
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today (April 5, 2013) responded to the questions posed by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy and Commerce in a white paper entitled, “Examining ‘Blend Wall’ Challenges”. The Committee is
April 08, 2013 Read Full Article
DOE Study: RFS Boosts US Economy
by Bob Dinneen (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) As Congress and the country debate the renewable fuel standard (RFS), Big Oil and Big Food are flooding the zone with bought-and-paid-for “studies” seeking to discredit American ethanol and the public policies
April 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Congress’s Affair With Ethanol: Love Gone Wrong?
by Bill Chameides (The Green Grok/Duke University) ...As a libation, ethanol’s been around for a long, long time. As a fuel, it dates back to 1826 when it was first used in an internal combustion engine. Ethanol was also the fuel
March 29, 2013 Read Full Article
RFS: #1 on Big Oil Hitlist for a Reason
by Brooke Coleman (National Journal/Advanced Ethanol Council) First, let's assess what we know to be true ... RFS2 is just five years old. We are about one-third of the way through a 15-year commitment to diversify the liquid fuels marketplace with
March 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Senators Ask McCarthy to Outline Response to RIN Price Increase
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Sens. David Vitter, R-La., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have sent a letter to U.S. EPA administrator nominee Gina McCarthy, asking her to outline “how she will protect American citizens from rising gas prices due
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Environmentalists Shouldn't Side with Big Oil against Biofuels
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) There’s a fight for the future of American motor fuels – renewable fuels versus fossil fuels. Environmentalists shouldn’t have much trouble deciding which side they’re on. After all, the major source of greenhouse gas emissions
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
US Congress Committee Examines RFS, Plans Hearings on Renewable Mandate
(Platts) A third key congressional committee has entered the debate over the Renewable Fuel Standard, calling for comment on a series of questions and issuing a "white paper" detailing concerns about the biofuels mandate and some of the proposed solutions
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil, Renewable Fuels Advocates Point Fingers at Each Other for High Gas Prices
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Gasoline prices remain stuck above $3.50 per gallon despite the highest monthly domestic oil production in 21 years. Big Oil and renewable fuels advocates on Wednesday blamed each other for motorists’ continued pain at the
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
I Have a Ream: Biofuels Digest’s 60-Second Guide to this Week’s DC Overload
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week in Washington, it has been one for the record books, emailwise and biofuelswise. Reams and reams of emails attest to the seriousness of the stakes — as NGOs, trade associations and Congress paper
March 22, 2013 Read Full Article
Upton, Waxman Launch Debate on Biofuels Mandate
by Amy Harder (National Journal) ...Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., released the first in a series of white papers on Wednesday seeking input on how—or whether—Congress should change the mandate for production
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Senate Rejects Amendment Gutting Military Biofuels Program by 40-59 Vote
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) An amendment to a $984 billion Senate government funding bill that would have stripped funds from the Defense Department's drop-in biofuels program failed by a 40-59 vote on Wednesday. Sen. Pat Toomey's (R-Pa.) amendment aimed
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil Calls for End of Renewable Fuel Standard
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) Major oil companies called on Congress Wednesday to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard, the six-year-old federal law mandating biofuels use that is the base of demand for both ethanol and biodiesel. The American Petroleum Institute, which
March 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil's 100-Year Incentive Birthday Bash Hosted by...Biofuels?
by Meg Cichon (Renewable Energy World) Happy birthday, Big Oil! A group gathered in Washington D.C. this week to celebrate 100 years of tax subsidies for the oil industry – but attendees certainly weren’t oil-industry insiders – quite the opposite, in
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Idle Ethanol Plants Wait for New Fuel Standards
by Grant Gerlock (KBIA) Ethanol is an up and down industry, and right now it’s down. Ethanol plants in at least 13 states have stopped running over recent months because of higher corn prices and lower demand for the biofuel.
March 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Energy Security Trust Counterproductive Says Advanced Biofuels USA Preferring a True Carbon Tax and Apollo Program Scale Efforts
Advanced Biofuels USA, an internationally respected nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the understanding, development and use of advanced biofuels as an energy security, economic development, military flexibility and climate change/pollution control solution finds the Obama Administration’s proposal for an
March 19, 2013 Read Full Article
U.S. Biofuels & Ethanol Mandate: More Vulnerable Than Ever Now?
by John Voelcker (Green Car Reports) ...Now two bills recently introduced into Congress seek to delay or ban altogether the sale of E15 gasoline, which contains 15 percent ethanol rather than the 10-percent maximum standard since 1978. As Hemmings Motor News noted last
March 18, 2013 Read Full Article
Funding Bill Amendments Target Military Biofuels
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) filed two amendments to a $984 billion government funding bill on Thursday that would gut the military's alternative fuels program. The amendments already are drawing criticism the program's supporters, which are
March 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Poised to Help Fill Advanced Biofuel Requirement
by Anne Steckel (Biodiesel Magazine/National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Board recently welcomed the proposed rule from the U.S. EPA establishing the 2013 advanced biofuels requirements under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) at 2.75 billion RINs. The U.S. biodiesel industry
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Governors Tell Congress to Support RFS
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Governor’s Biofuels Coalition met in Sioux Falls Wednesday and sent a letter to members of Congress in support of the Renewable Fuels Standard. The letter from the 30 governors represented by the Coalition, led by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, urges
March 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Fix the Broken Biofuels Mandate
by Scott Faber (Environmental Working Group/The Hill E2Wire) It’s time to face facts: the biofuels mandate Congress established in 2005 is creating too much bad biofuel and not enough good biofuel. This year, that mandate requires American refiners to use 13.8
March 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Introduced in House Would Require Additional Study of E15
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives seeks to repeal the E15 waiver and require additional testing of the fuel, despite extensive testing by the U.S. DOE. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., introduced H.R.
March 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Skyrocketing RIN Prices Signal Ethanol Blend Wall Imminent
(Platts) Prices of renewable fuel credits, needed by refiners to comply with the nation's Renewable Fuel Standard, have skyrocketed over the past few months, an indication to some that the dreaded "blend wall" is close. The price for the traded Renewable
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Witnesses Bash E15 During One-Sided House Committee Hearing
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A Feb. 26 hearing featured testimony of three E15 critics, including a representative of the Coordinating Research Council, which has authored research reports concluding E15 could damage engine valves and fuel system components. Absent
February 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Responds to Witness List for E15 Hearing
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Environment is scheduled to hold a hearing on mid-level ethanol blends on Feb. 26. The hearing will feature three witnesses: Robert
February 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Fuel Tax Credit Extensions Frequently Asked Questions
(Internal Revenue Service) The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-240) retroactively extends certain fuel tax credits that expired on Dec. 31, 2011. The retroactively extended fuel tax credits are the biodiesel mixture credit, biodiesel credit, alternative fuel
February 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Pushes Back against Legislation to Block E15
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Feb. 14, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and David Vitter, R-La., introduced legislation that would overturn U.S. EPA approval of E15 for model year 2001 and newer light duty vehicles. The ethanol industry jumped
February 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Would Limit EPA's Ability to Increase Cellulosic RFS Volumes
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Pending legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to limit the ability of the U.S. EPA to increase the cellulosic biofuel requirements its sets each year under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The
February 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Steps in Biofuels: ACORE’s Renewable Energy Policy Forum ‘13
By Joshua Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) Thinking about the back and forth on EPA’s cellulosic fuel mandates in the last month, the press on the harmful effects of diverting food crops for fuel processing in certain cases, and the general
February 15, 2013 Read Full Article
Senator Dorgan: We Must Be Relentless
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan is truly an advocate for biofuels. While in office, Dorgan authored the first renewable fuel bill, requiring 8 billion gallons of biofuels. When President Bush took office, he asked
February 14, 2013 Read Full Article
White House Wants $2 billion to Give Cleaner Transport a Boost
by Patrick Rucker (Reuters) President Barack Obama wants Congress to create a $2 billion clean-energy transportation fund using fees paid by oil and gas producers on federal lands, the White House said Wednesday, expanding a plan announced in Obama's State of the
February 14, 2013 Read Full Article
The POTUS and His SOTUS: RT@moreofthesame TL;DR
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...The SOTUS contained 18 references to energy — more than enough for the Digest to take a close look at what was said, what was not — and the likelihood of all (or any) of the President’s
February 13, 2013 Read Full Article
Murkowski Energy Plan Would Gut the RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Feb. 4, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, released an energy blueprint that calls for a wide variety of changes to U.S. energy policy,
February 11, 2013 Read Full Article
The Renewable Fuel Standard Works
by Jeremy Martin and Jim Collins (Politico) The fuels of the future are here today, and we can thank Congress for enacting the Renewable Fuel Standard. This bedrock policy has brought us to the point where the first commercial facilities producing
February 11, 2013 Read Full Article
Lawmakers Pitch Plan to Tweak Renewable Mandate
(FuelFix) Lawmakers have unveiled the first major proposal to rewrite a mandate forcing refiners to blend biofuels into gasoline, amid a growing outcry against the eight-year-old requirement. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., and Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, introduced the legislation in the
February 08, 2013 Read Full Article
A Path Not Yet Trod
by Douglas L. Faulkner (“The Cleantech Conservative”/BiofuelsDigest) ... That is, the cost of renewed tax breaks for the biofuels industry came at a great cost relative to the benefits gained. Being lumped in with Hollywood filmmakers, rum distillers, NASCAR track owners, Goldman
February 02, 2013 Read Full Article
2013 a Pivotal Year for the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Paul Winter (Biotechnology Industry Organization) Less than a decade ago, the nation’s energy experts projected imports of oil to continue to grow throughout the first third of the century. Both Congress and the President recognized that this was a
February 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuel Producers Waiting for Pentagon to Show Them the Money
by Sandra I. Erwin (National Defense Magazine) The biofuels industry is seeing promising signs from Washington. President Obama in his inauguration speech tied green energy to economic growth. Congress agreed to allow the Pentagon to continue to buy alternative fuels.
February 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Can Fossil-Fuel Tax Benefits Boost the Renewable Energy Industry?
by Dan Haugen (Midwest Energy News) By organizing as a type of partnership instead of a corporation, companies that extract, process or transport “depletable” natural resources have been exempt from corporate income taxes. That word — “depletable” — specifically excludes renewable
February 02, 2013 Read Full Article
High Crop Prices Are Driving Land Use Change in the U.S. at an Increasing Environmental Cost
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The USDA estimates that farmers in the U.S. will plant nine million more acres in corn in 2013 than they did in 2011, an increase of almost 10 percent. Over the same period,
January 25, 2013 Read Full Article
You Can't Change the Climate from Inside Washington
by Theda Skocpol (Foreign Policy) If Obama wants to make good on his inaugural promise, he’ll need to remember the lessons he learned as a community organizer. ...The inside game has failed in part because climate reformers have not invested in
January 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Iowa Groups Announce Formation of Iowa RFS Coalition, Thank President Obama for Unwavering RFS Support
(Iowas Renewable Fuels Association) A group of Iowa businesses and organizations today congratulated President Obama on his Inauguration and announced the formation of the Iowa RFS Coalition. In a letter to the President, also copied to both Iowa Senators and
January 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Coalition Urges New Farm Bill for Energy
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) today urged Congress to begin work on a new five-year Farm Bill with strong mandatory funding for energy programs. The coalition notes that programs included in the farm bill Energy Title including
January 23, 2013 Read Full Article
American Farm Bureau Supports RFS
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Delegates for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) last week voted overwhelmingly to support continuation of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), despite the fact that membership in the organization includes a substantial percentage of livestock producers. “The
January 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Breaking the Oil Monopoly With Renewable Fuel
(AOL Energy/Fuels America Coalition) The oil industry has taken aim at the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in a self-interested bid to retain dominance over America's transportation fuel sector. Our dependence on oil is stifling consumer choice and jeopardizing our national
January 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Vilsack Ties Farm Bill to Biofuels, Will Serve Again as Ag Secretary
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the future success of biofuels in this country is also tied to successfully getting a new five-year farm bill passed. Speaking to delegates of the American Farm Bureau Federation at
January 16, 2013 Read Full Article
A.I.M. Releases 2012 Year in Review
(Algae Industry Magazine) The year 2012 will go down in history as a turning point for the algae industry. It was the year that algae biofuel became a heated part of the political arena, from President Obama’s touting of algae’s
January 16, 2013 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuels Legislation Crib Sheet
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ... Legislation can be hard to digest and so the law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy created a “crib” sheet, or alert, giving a brief overview of how the Act will impact current and future projects
January 12, 2013 Read Full Article
How The Fiscal Cliff Bill Might Void Your Car's Warranty
by Pete Bigelow (AOL Autos) Legislation could widen use of E15 fuel blend, which automakers say can corrode your engine Thanks to the fiscal cliff bill signed into law last week, a blend of fuel that contains more ethanol could soon
January 11, 2013 Read Full Article
A Busy Year for Alt Fuels, Thanks to Congress
by Anya Litvak (Pittsburgh Business Times) Rick Price is gearing up for a busy year, thanks, in part, to Congressional compromise. As executive director of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, a group that works to promote alternative transportation fuels, Price’s job was made a notch
January 11, 2013 Read Full Article
USDA's Senior Energy Advisor Explains BCAP after Cliff Deal
by Luke Geiver (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Biomass Crop Assistance Program may have been extended through 2013 with the passing of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, but the program’s usefulness in the coming year is still uncertain. Although
January 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Tax Breaks to Help Later than Sooner
by Dan Piller (Des Moines Register) The extension of a $1.01 per gallon tax credit for cellulosic ethanol will help the fledgling industry later this year or in 2014 when plants now under construction in Iowa come on line, the
January 04, 2013 Read Full Article
The Force: The Cellulosic Biofuels Tax Credit Is Back, but Is It Really Needed?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Finding it hard to explain to taxpayers why the PTC is needed, for the jump to cellulosic biofuels lightspeed, or to ward off predatory fossil-fuel evildoers? ...So, although the “fiscal cliff” tax rate deal didn’t directly
January 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Contains No Mandatory Funding for Energy Title Programs
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...The bad news is, all mandatory funding for energy title programs were stripped from the farm bill at the last moment. “The programs have lived, but they don’t have money,” said Lloyd Ritter, co-director
January 03, 2013 Read Full Article
ABO Clarifies Algae Producer Credit in “Fiscal Cliff” Legislation
(Algae Industry Magazine) According to the Algae Biomass Organization, as part of the bi-partisan “Fiscal Cliff” legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on January 1, 2013, algae-derived fuels are, for the first time ever,
January 03, 2013 Read Full Article
US Congress Passes “Fiscal Cliff” Deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Four tax provisions were in the bill that directly impact biofuels. Cellulosic biofuels producer tax credit. ... The provision would extend this production tax credit for one additional year, for cellulosic biofuel produced through 2013. The proposal
January 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Obama Energy Chief Backs Effort to Encourage Renewable Investments
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) The Obama administration lent its support Wednesday to a congressional effort that would open a financing structure for renewable energy. Energy Secretary Steven Chu called on Congress to approve legislation that would let investors utilize
December 21, 2012 Read Full Article
Defense Bill Done: Biofuels Survive
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Unofficial reports indicate that biofuels provisions have survived a House-Senate conference over the Defense bill. According to sources, House and Senate conferees have finished work on their conference report on the National Defense Authorization Act. Sources
December 19, 2012 Read Full Article
House Republicans Plan to Put Fuel Standard on Trial in Next Congress
by Zack Coleman (The Hill E2Wire) House Republicans plan to put the renewable fuel standard on trial next Congress, a House Energy and Commerce Committee aide told The Hill. Committee staff is gearing up for hearings on the subject, citing recent
December 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Company Eyes Hemp as Feedstock for Biofuel, Power Generation
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An alternative energy company looking to build multiple energy beet-to-biofuel plants in Kentucky recently became the first corporation to join the Kentucky Hemp Growers Cooperative Association. Although federal rules currently prohibit the growth of
December 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Brighter Horizon for Biofuels
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization/Biofuels Digest) The biofuel industry breathed a big sigh of relief last month when the EPA declined several governors’ petitions to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard. Then, after a herculean group effort, the industry and
December 11, 2012 Read Full Article
EPA Renewable Fuel Standards Cost Wendy’s $174 Million in Costs
by Christopher Goins (Politic365.com) The chairman of Wendy’s Restaurant’s supply chain cooperative, which is responsible for food purchases for Wendy’s Restaurants, says that because of EPA Renewable Fuel Standards every individual Wendy’s Restaurant has to pay $20,000 to $30,000 more per
December 11, 2012 Read Full Article
25x'25 REsource: Standard Definition of Biomass Needed
(25 x '25) ... In any strategy aimed at meeting America's soaring energy demand, biomass must be considered a principal among the several renewable, sustainable solutions that make up the fastest growing domestic energy sector since 2006. ...While there also has been
December 09, 2012 Read Full Article
NAFA Urges Action To Restore Federal Tax Credits For Biodiesel And Alternative Fuels
(NAFA Fleet Management Association/Free-Press-Release-Center) Uncertainty surrounding a pair of alternative fuel incentives is impacting vehicle purchase decisions and fuel planning by many fleets. While the country is focused on the so-called "fiscal cliff", lost in the negotiations is an important extension
December 05, 2012 Read Full Article
GOP Lawmakers Float Resolution to Keep Carbon Tax Grounded
by Ben Geman (The Hill E2Wire) ... Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) said Thursday that they’re seeking support for a resolution declaring that a carbon tax would be economically harmful. “There’s a lot of talk in Washington
December 03, 2012 Read Full Article
“Biofuels Have the Momentum”: US Senate Votes 54-41 to Clear Navy’s Path to Affordable, Advanced Biofuels Capacity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Senate voted 54-41 in favor of an amendment offered by Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina to repeal section 2823 of the annual Defense appropriations bill. Sec. 2823 of the FY13 NDAA
November 30, 2012 Read Full Article
Extend Wind Production Tax Credit and Preserve Military Biofuels Program
by Paul Clarke (The Hill E2Wire/Truman National Security Project) ...To free us from the whims of distant countries, America must invest in renewable technologies and take advantage of our energy resources here at home. Our dependence on oil from unstable and
November 29, 2012 Read Full Article
US Senate Votes 62-37 to Back Military Aviation Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the US Senate voted 62-37 in favor of an amendment offered by Senator Mark Udall of Colorado to repeal section 313 of the annual Defense appropriations bill. Section 313 language, which was offered by
November 28, 2012 Read Full Article
The Information Source for Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles
(US Department of Energy) The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decisions makers find ways to reduce petroleum consumption through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and
November 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Fight Flares Before Possible Defense Debate
by Geof Koss (Roll Call) More than one-third of the Senate is calling for removal of provisions in the defense authorization bill that would limit military efforts to develop alternative fuels. In a Nov. 16 letter to Senate leaders, 38 senators
November 26, 2012 Read Full Article
National Farmers Union and Coalition Urge Congress To Pass New Farm Bill This Year
(National Farmers Union) National Farmers Union (NFU) and a wide-sweeping coalition of 235 agriculture organizations including Advanced Biofuels USA sent a letter to Congressional leadership today urging for the passage of a new five-year farm bill to be signed into law by the end
November 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Obama Delays Action On Climate Change Until After 'Wide Ranging' Talks
(Inside EPA's Clean Energy Report) President Obama is planning to launch wide-ranging talks with experts on what can be done in the short-term to address climate change, as well as a public “education process” to consider realistic long-term actions that
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Report: Military Biofuels Programs Poised to Drive Major Economic, Job Growth
(Environmental Entrepreneurs) Plans in Congress to kill military biofuels programs could also derail $10 billion+ in economic activity; creation of more than 14,000 jobs, study finds The military’s plans to expand its use of biofuels in planes, ships and other vehicles would
November 16, 2012 Read Full Article
US Ethanol Lobby Expects Hearings on Renewable Fuel Mandate Next Year
(Platts) The US ethanol industry's loudest voice in Washington expects to have to defend the Renewable Fuel Standard during congressional hearings next year. Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, told reporters Friday he considers it likely that ethanol opponents
November 12, 2012 Read Full Article
With ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Looming, Carbon Tax Getting Closer Look
by Steven Mufson (The Washington Post) Here’s a riddle: If Congress doesn’t want to raise income tax rates but wants to raise revenue, what can it do? One answer: Pass a carbon tax. A relatively moderate-sized carbon tax could raise $1.25 trillion over the next
November 10, 2012 Read Full Article
25x'25 REsource: The Path Forward for America's Energy Future
(25 x '25) ... However, most post-election analyses say that voters want meaningful solutions, not political rhetoric, to address our economic and energy challenges. The best tool that must be given a high priority is a comprehensive national policy that will rapidly
November 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Open up the RFS, Says Ethanol Across America White Paper
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) KATZEN International chief says generation 1.5 ethanol is the key path to reaching RFS2 targets – with new feedstocks, advanced fermentation plants. Phil Madson, President of KATZEN International, has authored a new Ethanol Across America White
November 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Obama, Romney Address Biodiesel Question from Soybean Group
(American Soybean Association/Biodiesel Magazine) With the national spotlight on the race for the White House, the American Soybean Association reached out to President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for each candidate’s points of view on issues critical
October 16, 2012 Read Full Article
Study: Waiving RFS Could Increase Feed Costs for Livestock, Poultry Producers
(Renewable Fuels Association) Waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2013 could actually result in higher net feeding costs for livestock and poultry producers, according to a new analysis conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The study found that if a
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Romney: “Biofuels Are Crucial to America’s Energy Future…Maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard.”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the Romney campaign issued a long-awaited white paper on agricultural policy. Among the highlights: ...“He will not only accelerate the development of conventional energy sources, but also advance new technologies by funding early-stage research and
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
6 Treacherous Biofuels Crevasses, 6 Guides to Steer You
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Those momentum killers. Company wreckers. The investor flight-inducing crevasses along the route to the top – that take away a level playing field, remove your access to markets, delay a counted-on early-stage customer, or frighten
October 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Reps. Olson, Blackburn Introduce 'Stop RIN Fraud Act of 2012'
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) U.S. Reps. Pete Olson, R-Texas, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced the Stop RIN Fraud Act of 2012 (H.R. 6444) Sept. 20 to shore up weaknesses in the U.S. EPA’s renewable identification number (RIN) program. The RIN program
September 24, 2012 Read Full Article
Ag Energy Coalition Calls for Passage of Farm Bill
(Agricultural Energy Coalition/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) today (September 12, 2012) called on Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill with mandatory funding for a strong Energy Title. The Senate has passed a version of a five-year
September 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Supporters Buoyed after Meetings with Lawmakers
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) ...Tom Buis, the CEO of biofuels industry group Growth Energy, said the “170-some appointments” biofuels proponents held Monday through Wednesday assured him of bipartisan and administration commitment to the renewable fuel standard (RFS). “I think they
September 14, 2012 Read Full Article
It’s Time to Get Serious about Science
by Jim Cooper and Alan I. Leshner (The Washington Post) Op Ed: Some policymakers, including certain senators and members of Congress, cannot resist ridiculing any research project with an unusual title. Their press releases are perhaps already waiting in the
September 10, 2012 Read Full Article
Specialty Equipment Market Association Slams Ethanol
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), has slammed ethanol saying it opposes the use of E15 based on scientific evidence that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. ...The court has ruled in favor of E15 and now SEMA is spearheading
August 28, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Group: Big Oil Also behind Ethanol Waiver Requests
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) ...Monte Shaw, executive director with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, credits the uptick in gubernatorial and congressional interest to oil groups viewing 2013 as the last chance to nix the RFS before it forces them
August 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Issue Brief: Renewable Biomass Can Help Reduce U.S. Petroleum Dependence: Farm Bill Energy Programs Are Key
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Renewable biomass has a significant potential to improve U.S. energy security, advance rural economic development and energy security, protect and restore water quality and other environmental resources, and help mitigate and adapt to the
August 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Farm Bill Now Coalition Pushes for New Farm Bill
(Delta Farm Press) A coalition of 39 of the nation’s foremost agricultural organizations has formed in an effort to raise public awareness of the need for Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before current farm programs expire in
August 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels USA Finds Clean Energy Victory Bonds (HR 6275) Lacking
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) A bill to establish a US Treasury funding mechanism that would finance “clean energy” projects has been introduced as part of a renewable electrical energy bill (HR 6275) in the US House of
August 17, 2012 Read Full Article
North Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland and Delaware Request Renewable Fuel Standard Waiver
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the governors of North Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland and Delaware made a formal request for a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard, in response to the 2012 US drought, which has caused a sharp
August 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Biofuels Industry Group Pushes Lawmakers on Corn Ethanol Views
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) ... The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has been warning its political allies on Capitol Hill that attacks against corn ethanol will hinder next-generation fuels, too. BIO has reached out to lawmakers such as Sen. James Inhofe
August 13, 2012 Read Full Article
House Disaster Assistance Allows Good Intentions to Overwhelm Good Sense
(25 x '25) While passage last week by the House of Representatives of a bill that would provide much needed relief to drought-stricken livestock producers is laudable, the means by which the bill would pay for the disaster help is
August 10, 2012 Read Full Article
Representative Bob Filner Introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2012, H.R. 6275
(Clean Energy Victory Bonds) On August 2, Representative Bob Filner and 10 cosponsors introduced the Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2012, H.R. 6275 in the House of Representatives. The bill, officially entitled “To promote the domestic development and deployment
August 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Tax Extenders Package; Algae Wins Tax Credit Parity
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee marked up the Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012, which included key energy efficiency and biofuels tax credit provisions. Included in the bill: the Cellulosic Biofuels
August 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Grassley Delivers Harsh Criticism of RFS Waiver Effort
(Brownfield Ag News) Some strong criticism today from Iowa Senator Charles Grassley directed towards that coalition of livestock, meat and poultry groups asking for changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard’s ethanol mandate. “I think that what the group is really asking
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Petroleum Refiners Get out the Old Fear-Mongering Playbook for Attack on Renewable Fuel Standard
by Brent Erickson (BIO/Biofuels Digest) Despite oil industry claims of “$10 million in fines for non-existent fuels” – they paid exactly $19,010.16 for cellulosic ethanol waivers in 2010, costing US consumers 14 millionths of one penny per gallon. So why
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Senate Panel Approves Defense Bill with Biofuels Funds
by Susan Cornwell (Reuters/Chicago Tribune News) A Senate subcommittee approved legislation on Tuesday that continues funding for the Pentagon's use of biofuels, a senator said, in a move pushing back against critics trying to limit outlays on programs such as the
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
US Senate Tax Bill Would Extend Biodiesel, Cellulosic Tax Credits
(Platts) The $1.01/gal federal tax credit for cellulosic fuel production, as well as the $1/gal biodiesel tax credit, would each be extended under a proposal released Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee. The cellulosic credit would also be expanded to include
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Algae InSight: Executive Directors Report
by Mary Rosenthal (Algal Biomass Organization) As we all basked in the glory of the annual Independence Day festivities, we were reminded once again about the importance of "Buying American." Nowhere was this more evident than in Congress, where several
July 31, 2012 Read Full Article
Key Senate Biofuels Critic under Fire over Nat-Gas Fuel Earmarks
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Arch-critic of the cost of military biofuels — Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe — comes under scrutiny over earmarks for natural gas-based military fuels that cost 29 times more than conventional fuels. In Washington, the battle over
July 31, 2012 Read Full Article
Insiders: GOP Won’t Stop Pentagon’s Green-Energy Push
by Olga Belogolova (National Journal) Republicans in both the House and Senate this year have proposed cutting funds for alternative-energy programs in the defense authorization bill. But these efforts won’t gain much traction, National Journal’s Energy & Environment Insiders say. More than
July 27, 2012 Read Full Article
US Biofuel Advocates Urge Congress to Continue Pentagon Funding
by David Alexander (Reuters) * Ex-Senator Warner leads veterans in pushing alternative fuels * Senator Inhofe seeks accounting for Green Fleet demonstration * Fossil fuel dependence means more conflict, veterans warn Military veterans and former lawmakers urged Congress on Tuesday to continue
July 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Groups Say CAFE Standards Could Stymie Biofuels Industry
by Amanda Peterka (Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Proposed fuel economy standards could hamper the U.S. biofuels industry, a coalition of rural energy proponents and farm organizations said yesterday. In comments filed with U.S. EPA, the groups warned that the new corporate average fuel
July 26, 2012 Read Full Article
Groups Square off on RFS
by John Maday (Cattlenetwork.com) The renewable fuel standard, which mandates expanding use of ethanol for fuel, always has been a point of contention between grain producers and grain users such as livestock producers. This year’s shrinking corn crop has brought
July 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Study Supports Need to Reform Ethanol Production Mandate
(National Chicken Council) In response to a new economic study on the impact of corn ethanol production on food prices and commodity price volatility, a coalition of livestock and poultry groups is urging Congress to reform the federal Renewable Fuels
July 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Senators Gird for Fight over U.S. Navy's 'Green Fleet'
by Roberta Rampton and Susan Cornwell (Reuters) U.S. senators who support the Pentagon's push to expand its use of biofuels said they have a plan to answer critics who argue the fuel is far too expensive to help develop at a
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Push in Congress to Ban Biofuels in Military Has Big Long-Term Costs
by Norman Seip (Christian Science Monitor) The US armed services is working hard to wean itself off of fossil fuels and foreign oil. Yet some in Congress, for short-term savings, want to ban them from purchasing biofuels. Cutting investments in
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Senators Coons, Moran Introduce Bill to Spark Investment in Renewable Energy Projects
(Senator Chris Coons) Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act gives renewable energy projects access to a tax incentive available now only to oil, gas, and coal projects U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced legislation Thursday to level the energy
July 18, 2012 Read Full Article
Current Biofuels Policy Helps Drive Economy
by Jan Koninckx(DuPont), Adam Monroe (Novozymes), Javier Salgado (Abengoa) and Jeff Lautt (POET) (Politico) The last two presidential administrations differed on many issues, but gave us a bipartisan roadmap for achieving greater energy security and lowering our dependence on fossil
July 18, 2012 Read Full Article
Ads Hit GOP Lawmakers for Opposing Navy Biofuels
by Jeremy Herb (The Hill/Defcon Hill) A liberal-leaning national security group has a six-figure ad campaign attacking four Republicans, including potential vice presidential pick Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), over their opposition to the
July 18, 2012 Read Full Article
Pentagon Biofuels Effort Aids Energy Independence
By Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) (Politico) It’s disappointing that Congress may try to second-guess the Pentagon’s attempts to tackle one big problem: our dependence on foreign oil. Without changes to the new National Defense Authorization
July 17, 2012 Read Full Article
GOP Puts Biofuels on the Chopping Block
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) The biofuels industry is at loggerheads with House Republicans, who are eyeing its funding for elimination in the farm bill. Biomass and biofuels groups warn that the loss of $800 million in guaranteed federal support would
July 17, 2012 Read Full Article
White House Official: Congress 'Short-Sighted' on Biofuels
by Zack Coleman (The Hill/E2Wire) Congress “needs to get beyond short-sightism” that is stunting investment in and handcuffing Defense Department use of biofuels, a senior White House energy official said Wednesday at a conference in Washington, D.C. Heather Zichal, the White
July 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Cumberland Gulf CEO: Congress Must Act to Promote Alternative Fuels
(Convenience Store News) If Congress is serious about convenience stores and gas stations selling alternative fuels, it must work now to pass H.R. 4345, otherwise known as the Domestic Fuels Protection Act of 2012, said Joseph Petrowski, CEO of The Cumberland Gulf
July 17, 2012 Read Full Article
House Hearing Sends RFS through the Policy Wringer
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A House Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing held July 10 to discuss the challenges and opportunities of alternative fuels provided the latest platform for the ongoing and increasingly heated battle between biofuels and
July 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Rural Energy Programs Cut under House Panel's Version of Farm Bill
(The Hill/E2Wire)Five rural energy programs will end while others will be slimmed down if a draft version of the 2012 farm bill released Thursday becomes law. The cuts, made by leaders of the House Agriculture Committee, will total about $500 million, according to
July 06, 2012 Read Full Article
Guest Column: The Long and Winding Biofuels Road
by Tammy Klein (Hart Energy/Fuel Fix) ...A Hart Energy study examined mandated ethanol production vs. capability and arrived at this inconvenient truth: The government, through the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, has ordered production of cellulosic biofuels to ramp up to
July 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Renewable Advocates Battle Oil Industry over Energy Policy
by Christopher Doering (Gannett Washington Bureau/Daily Comet) Big oil and natural-gas companies may vastly outspend and outman the renewable fuels industry on Capitol Hill but the general gridlock in Washington gives advocates of wind, ethanol and other new-age sources the
July 03, 2012 Read Full Article
Congressman Introduces Phantom Fuel Reform Act
(CSP Daily News) Would eliminate EPA mandates for use of biofuels that do not yet exist Representative Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has introduced the Phantom Fuel Reform Act (H.R. 6047) to reform an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation that he said adds
July 03, 2012 Read Full Article
Official: Future of BCAP Could Impact Future of Energy Crops
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The nearly $10 million awarded by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to three energy crop project areas on June 13 will be the only funding distributed through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program this year
June 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Senate Passes Farm Bill with Strong Energy Title and Strengthened Conservation Provisions
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A bipartisan majority in the Senate approved the Farm Bill after debating and voting on more than 70 amendments. Amendments to weaken or repeal key programs in the energy and conservation titles were rejected, and
June 22, 2012 Read Full Article
Dial 9011 for Crop Assistance
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Section 9011 of the Farm Bill – the Biomass Crop Assistance Program – USDA deploys $9.6M in new investments in bioenergy crops as questions revolve around the program’s future and effectiveness. Is BCAP important? Will
June 14, 2012 Read Full Article
Wishful Thinking: If We Only Had a Stable Energy Policy
byRobert Rapier (Christian Science Monitor) In this column energy expert Rapier provides three examples — originating with both Democrats and Republicans and impacting both renewable energy and fossil fuels — of how constantly shifting legislation makes it very difficult to
June 08, 2012 Read Full Article
How to Make Renewable Energy Competitive
by Felix Mormann and Dan Reicher (New York Times) If renewable energy is going to become fully competitive and a significant source of energy in the United States, then further technological innovation must be accompanied by financial innovation so that