(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) The National Biodiesel Board announced June 16 that the advanced biofuel industry trade group has launched a promotional media campaign for the fifth straight year. With a theme of “More is Less,” the ads illustrate that
life cycle analysis (LCA)
Back TO HOMEGrain Body Confident Australian Growers Will Comply with New Restrictions on EU Biofuel Production
by Clint Jasper (ABC Rural) A leading agricultural economist is confident Australian canola growers will meet the European Union's (EU) strict new environmental rules for importing feed stocks for biofuel production. Anywhere between 40 to 90 per cent of canola is
June 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Alliance BioEnergy Receives Independent Verification of Sugars Through CTS Processing of DDG, From Large Ethanol Producer
(Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc./Globe Newswire) Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. (OTCQB:ALLM) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce that with the senior science officers of a large U.S. ethanol producer present, the CTS process produced fermentable sugars from Distillers Grain (DDG) as
June 14, 2016 Read Full Article
World Leaders Must Get on Biofuels Page
by Bliss Baker (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ ) ... It is estimated that the transportation sector produces 25 to 30 percent of the world’s GHG emissions, making it a key focus for policies aimed at reducing global emissions. If serious action is to
June 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Cars and Trucks Burn Almost Half of All Palm Oil Used in Europe
(Transport & Environment) ... In 2014, 45% of all the palm oil used in Europe ended up in the tanks of cars and trucks, data from EU vegetable oil industry association Fediol and obtained by green group Transport & Environment has
June 02, 2016 Read Full Article
Commercial Aircraft Propulsion and Energy Systems Research: Reducing Global Carbon Emissions (2016)
by Committee on Propulsion and Energy Systems to Reduce Commercial Aviation Carbon Emissions; Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies Press) The primary human activities that release carbon
June 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Point/Counterpoint: Is It Time for Greens To Reassess Their Opposition to Ethanol?
by Senator Timothy Wirth and C. Boyden Gray (Yale Environment 360) The criticism of ethanol by environmentalists is misguided and just plain wrong. In fact, thanks to improvements in farming techniques, increasing the amount of corn ethanol in U.S. gasoline
May 28, 2016 Read Full Article
CAAFI Celebrates 10th Anniversary!
(Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative) We are proud to announce the 10th Anniversary of the initiation of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) as of May 24, 2016, and more importantly, to reflect on the success we’ve achieved to date,
May 27, 2016 Read Full Article
European Bioethanol Offers 15% CO2 Reductions in Transport – Blocking It Is a Form of Climate Crime
by James Cogan (Biofuels Digest/Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd.) ... The European Commission in Brussels is right now putting the finishing touches to a Communication on Transport Decarbonisation, due out this summer. ... There is a risk the Communication may support fossil
May 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Workshop In Japan Aims To Dispel Myths On U.S. Ethanol GHGs
(U.S. Grains Council) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and its industry partners sought to dispel myths about U.S. ethanol and open the door for the renewable fuel in the Japanese market this week at a workshop held in Tokyo for
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Jet Fuel, Competitive Cost, at Scale: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to AltAir
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In March, United Airlines made history by becoming the first U.S. airline to begin use of commercial-scale volumes of sustainable aviation biofuel for regularly scheduled flights with the departure of United Flight 708 from Los Angeles International
May 20, 2016 Read Full Article
Start-up to Scale-up: An Interview with Global Bioenergies CEO Marc Delcourt
(ACS Green Chemistry Institute) Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies in the world and the only one in Europe to develop a process to convert renewable resources into hydrocarbons through fermentation. The company has focused initially on the
May 19, 2016 Read Full Article
My Voice: The Positive Reach of Ethanol Impacts Many
by Keith Alverson (Argus Leader) As a sixth-generation corn farmer in South Dakota, and one who is deeply involved in sustainability programs in U.S. agriculture, I have learned first-hand how biofuels such as ethanol are good for our health and environment,
May 19, 2016 Read Full Article
Scientists Agree, Biodiesel A Key to Global Carbon Reduction
(National Biodiesel Board/PR NewsWire) World's experts advance the science of quantifying transportation emissions -- Scientific experts agree that America's Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel, holds significant promise in the effort to reduce carbon emissions. Last year, biodiesel use in the U.S. cut
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Sugarcane Ethanol Carbon Intensity Recertified by California's ARB
(California Ethanol & Power) Today California Ethanol & Power, LLC (CE&P) announced the updated carbon intensity (CI) for its anticipated sugarcane and sweet sorghum ethanol. On May 9, 2016, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) under the state’s Low Carbon Fuel
May 17, 2016 Read Full Article
Feature: Ethanol Producers Say California 'Carbon Intensity' Scores Still Too High
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) Most "legacy" ethanol producers who sell their product in California are unhappy with updated "carbon intensity" scores, saying the application process was inconsistent and left scores too high to meet the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Legacy
May 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Evidence of Benefits of Biofuels in Combating Climate Change is More than Ample
(25 x '25) ... While recognition of the role of agriculture in meeting climate change challenges is growing among world leaders, it is of concern that biofuels and the low-carbon benefits they provide, especially when compared to fossil-based fuels like gasoline
May 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Boating and Engine Experts Call on Lawmakers to Boost Biofuel Blends
(Fuels America/The Auto Channel) Certified mechanics, engine performance experts, and professional fishermen are briefing lawmakers on Capitol Hill today about the importance of ethanol in protecting the environment, preserving America’s energy security, and providing a high-octane boost to marine engines.
May 10, 2016 Read Full Article
Now Is Not the Time to Kiss the Biofuels Goodbye
by Dick Roche (EurActiv) The European Commission’s proposal to scrap the mandate for the use of biofuels and, in effect, to ‘kiss biofuels goodbye,’ is a catastrophic policy based largely on arguments that have no solid foundation, writes Dick Roche. ... Initially, biofuels
May 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Europe Continues to Get Biodiesel Wrong
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) A provocative opinion piece on Europe's reliance on unsound indirect land use change theory -- It is clear there is a politicized agenda in Europe to undermine sustainable, liquid biofuels such as biodiesel and forge
May 06, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Publishes Analysis of California LCFS Data
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association has released an analysis of recently published data on California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, noting grain-based ethanol provided nearly half of the greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions achieved under the first five
April 29, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels Driving Emissions Cuts thru 2030, Says Lux: But Which Feedstocks?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lux Research projects that the emergence of low-carbon fuels and vehicle efficiency will cut emissions by 29% in 2030 compared to a business as usual scenario, with biofuels and natural gas vehicles together accounting for
April 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Worse for the Environment than Fossil fuels, Warn Green Campaigners
by James Crisp (EurActiv) Instead of reducing them, using biodiesel in transport will increase polluting emissions by 4%, the same as putting an extra 12 million cars on the road in 2020, green campaigners have said. Biodiesel is touted as one way
April 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Crops of the Biofrontier: In Search of Opportunities for Sustainable Energy Cropping
by Stephanie Searle, Chelsea Petrenko, Ella Baz, and Chris Malins (International Council on Clean Transportation) Describes case studies of energy cropping in Europe in the context of advanced biofuel and bioproducts sustainability. -- European biofuel policy has been dominated by discussions
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
New Alternative Jet Fuel Approved
(Federal Aviation Administration) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has played an integral role in development, testing and recent approval of a new alternative, environmentally-friendly, bio-based jet fuel, bringing the total number of these approved products for use in air travel
April 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Implement RFS As Congress Intended
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The renewable fuel standard (RFS) is the most successful energy policy our nation has seen in the last 40 years. It has created almost 400,000 jobs and contributed nearly $44 billion to the nation’s
April 12, 2016 Read Full Article
Urban Air Initiative, Energy Future Coalition Challenge EPA Data on Ethanol’s Lifecycle Emissions
(Urban Air Initiative) Urban Air Initiative joined the Energy Future Coalition and the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition (GBC) in calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize an overwhelming body of new evidence showing fuel ethanol can reduce carbon
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Letter: Biodiesel Fuel Part of a Great Life Cycle
by Jeff Lynn (The State Journal-Register) I farm in Cass County. I am proud my equipment runs on a biodiesel blend. The fuel is home-grown and better for the environment. I just came in from the field, where the work
April 11, 2016 Read Full Article
Major Regulatory Milestones in First Quarter Set Joule Up for Commercial Success
(Joule/BusinessWire) EPA Qualifies Joule Ethanol Under Clean Air Act -- Joule, the pioneer of drop-in liquid fuels from recycled CO2, today announced major accomplishments in the first quarter of 2016 that are accelerating the commercialization of environmentally sustainable ultra-low carbon
April 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Corvallis Makes Switch to Cleaner, Renewable Fuel
(KEZI) About 40 city vehicles, including buses, will switch over to renewable diesel this summer --that's about one third of the city's vehicle pool. Renewable diesel burns cleaner and offers more power and better mileage while reducing the fleet's carbon footprint.
April 04, 2016 Read Full Article
Ethanol Gives Rural Communities an Economic Boost
by Rick Edwards (Adams County Farm Bureau/Herald-Whig) Letter to Editor: A commercial airing locally, produced by Smarter Fuel Future, is out to make you believe ethanol is really bad -- bad for you, for your wallet and especially for the
March 09, 2016 Read Full Article
Portable Biodiesel Refinery on Display at GLOBE 2016
(Exchange Magazine) Visitors to the GLOBE Innovation Expo will get an up-close look at a made-in-B.C. portable biofuel refinery built inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. BioCube has successfully deployed its refinery on remote sites in The Congo, in India,
March 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels from Algae: A Budding Technology Yet to Become Viable
(Phys.Org) Despite high expectations and extensive research and investment in the last decade, technological options are still in developing stages and key resources for algal growth are still too onerous for economically viable production of algal biofuels, according to a
March 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Putting Corn in Your Car Isn’t as Crazy as It Sounds
by Nathanael Johnson (Grist) When I first looked at the environmental impact of corn ethanol I thought it was simple: Grow an acre of corn for fuel and it means you have to grow another acre elsewhere for food, which
February 23, 2016 Read Full Article
Let’s Not Leave the Discussion in Iowa
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) ... Regardless of where candidates stood on ethanol, having this first step on the road to the White House begin in Iowa provides an opportunity to talk about an issue that affects everyone
February 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Biofuels ‘Here and Now’ Solution
by Jim Grey (Ethanol Producer Magazine/Canadian Renewable Fuels Association) Biofuels are an important part of the renewable energy mix and an internal tool in the fight against climate change, writes Jim Grey. ... Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, reduce greenhouse
February 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Meeting the California Low Carbon Challenge
by Susanna Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Eighty-nine ethanol producers west of the Mississippi River prepare for the revised LCFS. ... After a couple of years in limbo due to challenges to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, the California carbon credit
February 22, 2016 Read Full Article
ACE: GREET Shows Improvement in Life Cycle Ethanol Emissions
by Kassidi Andres (Ethanol Producer Magazine) New research by American Coalition for Ethanol President Ron Alverson indicates life cycle modeling has demonstrated significant improvement in emissions performance of the corn-based ethanol life cycle, with continued improvements expected during the next few years. Alverson
February 15, 2016 Read Full Article
EPA Rulemaking Aims to Update GHG Reporting Requirements
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has published a proposed rule that aims to amend specific provisions in the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, including some provisions related to biogas and ethanol. ... Regarding ethanol, the proposed rule aims to
February 08, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Renewable Energy Best Way to Achieve Climate Targets under Clean Power Plan -- Unaddressed Methane Leakage From Natural Gas Sector Could Undercut Emissions Reductions
(PSE Healthy Energy) New analysis from PSE Healthy Energy and University of California at Berkeley finds that increased deployment of renewable energy is the best way to meet or even surpass Clean Power Plan targets, as recent scientific measurements of
January 28, 2016 Read Full Article
Growing Beyond the RFS to Drive Demand for Ethanol
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) ... “The RFS helped kick start the significant volumes of ethanol production we see today, but we cannot rely on the RFS to ensure a continued market,” Durante (Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) executive
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
ExxonMobil, REG Tie-Up to Take Cellulosic Biodiesel to Scale
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Two giants hook up to bring cellulosic biodiesel to scale. A new source of biodiesel feedstock, and a new source of renewable fuels. In Iowa, ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group have agreed to jointly study the
January 27, 2016 Read Full Article
Trestle Energy Wins Approval for Innovative, Low Carbon Biofuel Pathway from California Air Resources Board
(Trestle Energy/PR Newswire) Trestle Energy LLC – a California company working with ethanol and power producers across the Midwest – announced that California's Air Resources Board officially approved its groundbreaking ethanol production process under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
January 26, 2016 Read Full Article
Panel of Bioenergy Experts Examine Biofuels as Solution to Transportation GHG Emissions
(Canadian Renewable Fuels Association/MarketWired) The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) was proud to host three Canadian bioenergy experts who participated in a special panel series in Ottawa and Toronto entitled Creating Real Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reductions for Transportation with Biofuels. The
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable Aviation Biofuel: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to United Airlines
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) AltAir Fuels will begin regularly scheduled deliveries of sustainable biojet fuel to United, at LAX in 2016. AltAir’s Paramount, California-based refinery converts sustainable feedstocks, like non-edible natural oils and agricultural wastes, into low-carbon, renewable jet
January 25, 2016 Read Full Article
Renewable Hydrogen From Tri-Generation Fuel Cells Included Under California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
(Globe Newswire/FuelCell Energy) Distributed renewable hydrogen solution receives contingent approval for Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Credit Market to sell or trade credits; Using stationary fuel cells to convert biogas from wastewater treatment into renewable hydrogen, power, and heat (tri-generation), offsetting
January 22, 2016 Read Full Article
New White Paper Identifies Opportunities for Increased Ethanol Demand: Growing Beyond the RFS Keys on Regulatory Relief
(Ethanol Across America) Despite the effectiveness of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in providing an entry ramp to the fuel market, the potential for corn ethanol to contribute to meeting a range of public policy objectives has only scratched the
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Backers See Big Expansion of Niche Renewable Product in Florida
by William R. Levesque (Tampa Bay Times) ... But the biodiesel industry remains something of an enigma to most Americans despite its production of an estimated 2 billion gallons of fuel in 2015, a figure that is expected to jump by
January 18, 2016 Read Full Article
RFA Comments on DOE’s Innovative “Optima” Program
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) had a call for information on Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Optima). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments stating that the Association agrees that “co-optimization of future
January 14, 2016 Read Full Article
New Biofuels Could Cut Emissions and Preserve Land Used to Grow Food
by Nathan Collins (Pacific Standard) Researchers combine ecological and economic models to examine the benefits of growing grass as fuel. --- ... Fortunately, corn isn't the only source of ethanol—in particular, there are perennial grasses like switchgrass and miscanthus. Those options
January 13, 2016 Read Full Article
Study: Second-Generation Biofuels Can Reduce Emissions
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Second-generation biofuel crops like the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Illinois
January 11, 2016 Read Full Article
A Familiar Friend in Unfamiliar Times: The Digest’s 2016 8-Slide Guide to Sorghum
by Bill Rooney (Biofuels Digest/Texas A&M) Sorghum has been identified by the US Department of Energy as an energy crop of interest. Owing to its high biomass yield, drought tolerance, established production systems, carbon life cycle, genetic resources and potential for further improvement and available hybrids. Texas A&M”s
December 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Report: Coal, Biomass Mix May Be in Military Jet Fuel Future
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology recently released results of a research project that investigated the technical feasibility, commercial viability and environmental compliance of the use of liquefied coal and
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
Re-Thinking the Carbon Reduction Value of Corn Ethanol Fuel
by Ron Alverson (Ethanol Across America) It has been seven years since Argonne National Labs (ANL), as part of the Energy Security and Independence Act requirements, first determined the Life Cycle Carbon Intensity of mid-west corn ethanol fuel. ANL, using
December 23, 2015 Read Full Article
California LCFS Presents Opportunities for Ethanol Producers
By John Sens (EcoEngineers/Ethanol Producer Magazine) CARB readopts standards, and sets time lines and treatment for legacy pathways. -- In the first three quarters of 2015, California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits increased in price by 212 percent. October saw
December 21, 2015 Read Full Article
Port of Seattle Partners with Alaska Airlines and Boeing on Plan to Supply Sustainable Aviation Biofuel at Sea-Tac Airport
(PR NewsWire) The Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines [NYSE: ALK] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] are partnering to move toward a significant environmental goal: powering all flights by all airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with sustainable aviation biofuel. Sea-Tac is the
December 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Obama's Climate Change Hypocrisy
by Paul Alexander (Huffington Post) Some commentators have argued President Barack Obama suffers from a failure of leadership. That was evidenced once again last week when he traveled to Paris to demand the world cut greenhouse gas emissions on the
December 11, 2015 Read Full Article
DOE Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop Summary Report Now Available Online
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 16, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted the Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Workshop in Westminster, Colorado. The purpose of the workshop was to get stakeholder input about the potential role of
December 10, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Contribution to GHG Emissions Offsets Significant
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance/Ethanol Producer Magazine) At the World Climate Summit under way in Paris, France, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance in cooperation with (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally renowned energy and environmental consulting firm, released a new report “Green
December 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Report: Biofuels Contribution to GHG Emissions Offsets Significant
(Global Renewable Fuels Association) Today, at the World Climate Summit under way in Paris, France, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) in cooperation with (S&T)2 Consultants Inc., an internationally renowned energy and environmental consulting firm, released a new report “Green
December 07, 2015 Read Full Article
MP Schindler: More Bioethanol in Gasoline Required for Better Climate Protection in Traffic
(Federation of German Bioethanol Industry, Google Translation) The Federation of German bioethanol industry (BDB e) informs that according to the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) which produced and certified biofuels in Germany have improved their carbon footprint again.
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
GREET Model Expanded to Better Address Biofuel Life-Cycle Analysis Research Questions
(U.S. Department of Energy) The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model allows researchers and analysts to fully evaluate the energy and emission impacts of advanced vehicle technologies and new transportation fuels. Argonne National Laboratory recently
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Boeing, Canadian Aviation Industry Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Project
(PR Newswire) Boeing (NYSE: BA), the University of British Columbia (UBC) and SkyNRG, with support from Canada's aviation industry and other stakeholders, are collaborating to turn leftover branches, sawdust and other forest-industry waste into sustainable aviation biofuel. Canada, which has extensive
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
RFS Rule Undercuts U.S. Commitment to Reducing GHGs
(25 x '25) It was with some ironic bemusement that biofuel advocates read the headlines from the mainstream media that said the Obama administration “raised’ the biofuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule announced this week by
December 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Biogas Integration for Cellulosic Ethanol Production
by Amanda Bilek (Biomass Magazine) As cellulosic ethanol production facilities have come online, anaerobic digesters have been colocated at the plants to recover biogas from soluble residues inherent in the ethanol production process. These soluble residues contain a source of energy
November 30, 2015 Read Full Article
GHG Emissions Reductions Due to the RFS2
by Susan Boland and Stefan Unnasch (Life Cycle Associates) The RFS2 has resulted in aggregate GHG emissions reductions from the use of biofuels, which exceed the original projections from the final Rule. The RFS2 has resulted in significant GHG reductions, with
November 20, 2015 Read Full Article
Financing Aviation Biofuels, Creatively: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide to SkyNRG and the Fly Green Fund
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) SkyNRG is the global market leader for sustainable jet fuel, supplying more than 20 carriers across 5 continents in the world. SkyNRG’s sustainable jet fuel can offer CO2 emission reductions up to 80% compared to
November 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Propel Fuels Reports Strong Consumer Adoption of Renewable Diesel as Retail Sales Rise 300 Percent in Southern California
(Propel Fuels/PR Newswire) Drivers Choose Superior Performance, Better Value and Cleaner Emissions of Diesel HPR -- Propel Fuels launched Diesel HPR (High Performance Renewable) across Southern California in August 2015, and consumer adoption of the fuel has risen 300 percent compared
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Cellulosic Ethanol Has Finally Arrived
by WIlliam Tucker (Fuel Freedom Foundation) ... Cellulosic ethanol, capable of recycling crop wastes into fuel, may be here. On the day before Halloween, the DuPont Chemical Company opened what it claimed to be the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant in
November 18, 2015 Read Full Article
New Research Shows Electric Cars 50 Percent Cleaner Compared to Gasoline Over Their Lifetime
(Union of Concerned Scientists) Do battery electric vehicles really reduce global warming emissions compared to gasoline cars? The answer is a clear yes, according to a new study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Over their entire lifetimes—from manufacturing to driving
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
RFS Crucial to Clean Energy Future
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) With rapidly growing energy demands, our nation and others must invest in homegrown biofuels that are cleaner, cheaper and offer a more reliable supply than fossil fuels, writes Tom Buis. When EPA Administrator Gina
November 17, 2015 Read Full Article
The Truth about Ethanol
by John Sedbrook (The Hill) The American Enterprise Institute’s Mark Perry wrote in these pages, in no uncertain terms, that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and fuel ethanol is a “failure.” While one may wonder what motivations lie behind such a
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Should the U.S. End the Ethanol Mandate?
by Margo Oge & Robert Bryce (The Wall Street Journal/Governors' Biofuel Coalition) ... Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, says the ethanol mandate is bad for consumers and the environment. Margo T. Oge, a former
November 16, 2015 Read Full Article
New Study Provides A Boost To UK Renewable Fuel Industry
(Rural Energy News) The conclusions of five years of field research, released today, show that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the UK’s arable sector are significantly lower than previously thought. The report is positive news for the UK’s
November 12, 2015 Read Full Article
Biofuels Still Have to Solve Economic Conundrum
by Thierry Dubois (AIN Online) Biofuels for aviation are still facing multiple challenges, the greatest being finding ways to make production economical, according to a report jointly released in September by the French Académie des Technologies and Académie de l’Air
November 09, 2015 Read Full Article
House Science Committee Hearing Exposes Fundamental Flaws in RFS Opponents Attacks
(Renewable Fuels Association) Today (November 3, 2015), the House Science, Space and Technology committee held a joint hearing of the subcommittees on Environment and Oversight titled “Renewable Fuel Standard: A Ten Year Review of Costs and Benefits.” Renewable Fuels Association
November 04, 2015 Read Full Article
UK Study Shows Greater GHG Benefits from Biofuels
(Renewable Energy Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The conclusions of five years of field research in the UK show that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by the UK’s arable sector are significantly lower than previously thought. The report is positive news
November 04, 2015 Read Full Article
Better Biofuels Ahead: The Road to Low-Carbon Fuels
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Biofuels produced from switchgrass and post-harvest corn waste could significantly reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, according to an analysis by EWG and University of California biofuels experts. EWG’s analysis found that the life
November 03, 2015 Read Full Article
UPM to Field Test Wood-Based Diesel Fuel in Urban Bus Traffic
(UPM Biofuels/Biomass Magazine) UPM is to start field tests of its novel wood-based diesel fuel in urban buses together with Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) and the VTT Technical Research Centre. The field tests are also supported by St1, Volvo and
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
DuPont Celebrates the Opening of the World’s Largest Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
(DuPont/PR Web) DuPont celebrated the opening of its cellulosic biofuel facility in Nevada, Iowa, with a ceremony including Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad and many other dignitaries. This biorefinery is the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol plant, with the capacity to produce
October 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Fueling Our Future, from Wood to Wing
by Stephanie Pearl (US Department of Agriculture) U.S. airline carriers collectively used more than 16 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2014. Given growing concerns over energy independence and the environment, commercial airlines are looking for secure and reliable alternative jet
October 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Waste to Wisdom Project Shows Biomass Energy Potential
(Humboldt State University/Biomass Magazine) A potential revolution is unfolding on out-of-the-way logging roads. Foresters and researchers are innovating unique ways to make use of forest residues—low quality trees, tree tops, limbs, and chunks that formerly would have been left in
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Analysis Shows Greenhouse Gas Emissions Similar for Shale, Crude Oil
by Tona Kunz (Argonne National Laboratory) The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory this week released a pair of studies on the efficiency of shale oil production excavation. The reports show that shale oil production generates greenhouse gas emissions
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Supply Chain Sustainability Analyses Completed
(U.S. Department of Energy) This fiscal year, three Supply Chain Sustainability Analysis (SCSA) reports were published through Argonne National Laboratory. The SCSAs use a life-cycle analysis approach to identify energy consumption or environmental issues that may be associated with biofuel
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Three Sustainability Tools Are Enhancing Environmental Benefits of Biofuels
by Kristen Johnson and Alicia Moulton (U.S. Department of Energy) At the Energy Department’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, we’re actively working to develop the advanced biofuels industry in a way that leads to positive impacts and that demonstrates responsible stewardship of
October 28, 2015 Read Full Article
Letter: Biodiesel Targets Should Be Tougher
by Parks Wells (Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council/KNOX News) ... The environmental benefits of biodiesel have been repeatedly proven by impartial experts. Just last month, after seven years of peer-reviewed research, the state of California determined that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA: Jatropha-Based Biofuels Could Qualify as Biomass-Based Diesel or Advanced Biodiesel under RFS
(Green Car Congress) Based on its analysis of the production and transport components of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of biofuel made from jatropha oil, the US EPA anticipates that biofuels produced from jatropha oil could qualify as biomass-based diesel
October 21, 2015 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Big Oil Anti-RFS Campaign
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released the following statement regarding an ad campaign that is being launched by Smarter Fuel Future to call on Congress and the administration to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “The oil industry
October 19, 2015 Read Full Article
Watchdog to Study Ethanol’s Environmental Impact
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) internal watchdog is launching a project to analyze the environmental impact of the federal ethanol mandate. The EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) sent a letter to agency officials Thursday
October 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Can Help Slash U.S. Carbon Emissions — Report
by Amanda Reilly (E&E/Governors' Biofuels Coalition) Biodiesel can contribute significantly to U.S. carbon dioxide reduction goals, according to a new analysis released by the industry’s main trade group. The report conducted by Bates White Economic Consulting found that boosting biodiesel production
October 02, 2015 Read Full Article
UPM BioVerno Diesel Found to Reduce Tailpipe Emissions
(Biofuels International) Wood-based BioVerno diesel by Finland’s UPM has been found to significantly reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, the company reports. A number of engine and vehicle tests have been carried out across key research institutes, such as VTT Technical Research Centre
October 01, 2015 Read Full Article
It's Time to Stop Thinking in Terms of Food versus Fuel
by Carl R. Woese (Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Science Daily) How farmers can sustainably, and affordably, meet humanity's growing demand for food, fuel -- Experts predict farmers can sustainably, and affordably, meet humanity's growing demand for food
September 15, 2015 Read Full Article
Algenol to Distribute Ethanol through Protec Fuel
(Algenol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Offering ethanol made from algae for the first time commercially, Algenol Biotech LLC and Protec Fuel Management LLC have entered into an agreement to market and distribute ethanol from Algenol’s Fort Myers, Florida., commercial demonstration module. The two
September 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Neste’s NEXBTL Renewable Diesel: The Digest’s 2015 8-Slide Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Neste’s renewable traffic fuels and other renewable products are “part of the solution for the struggle against the climate change,” the company says. Using NEXBTL renewable diesel made from 100% renewable raw materials can result
August 18, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA’s Plan Puts 1MM Cars-Worth of Emissions Back on the Road: Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to change ethanol blending rules would significantly increase carbon emissions to the equivalent of adding nearly one million more passenger vehicles on the road, according to an
August 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Sustainable Oil from Algae: The Technology Is Ready, but What about the Politics?
(The Conversation) ... Australia is an algae gardener’s paradise. To scale up any new technology, we need to consider not just whether we can make it, but also whether it is worth doing. Unfortunately, this involves rather dry concepts like productivity, efficiency,
August 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Gauging The Carbon Cost Of Fuel From Canadian Oil Sands
By Deirdre Lockwood (Chemical and Engineering News) Environment: New study finds that greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel from Alberta oil sands are about 20% greater than those for U.S. crude oil The oil sands of Canada’s Alberta province are one
July 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Research and Markets: Next Generation Biofuels Market 2015 - In-Depth Analysis of 90 Major Players Including Abengoa, Verenium, BP Plc., BASF, Shell & Iogen
(Research and Markets/Businesswire) Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/d87gbg/next_generation) has announced the addition of the "Next Generation Biofuels" report to their offering. With the demand for fuel increasing globally, researchers around the world are working on making fuel from waste products like plastic bags,
July 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Study: Even with High LDV Electrification, Low-Carbon Biofuels Will Be Necessary to Meet 80% GHG Reduction Target; “Daunting” Policy Implications
(Green Car Congress) A study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Michigan State University colleague has concluded that even with a relatively high rate of electrification of the US light-duty fleet (40% of vehicle miles traveled and
July 03, 2015 Read Full Article
INSIGHT-California's Push for Cleaner Buses Could Edge out Natural Gas
by Nichola Groom (Reuters) Fifteen years ago, California led the way to cleaner transit buses with strict tailpipe emissions standards that effectively ushered out diesel as the primary fuel for buses in the state and replaced it with natural gas. Now,
July 02, 2015 Read Full Article
Europe’s Biofuels Debate Needs to Focus on Implementation
by Robert Wright (ePURE/EurActiv) As the debate kicks off on transport within Europe’s 2030 climate and energy framework, policymakers and industry must not lose sight of the challenges, says Robert Wright (secretary general of the European Renewable Ethanol Association (ePURE)). Today,
July 02, 2015 Read Full Article
United to Start Flying Biofuels out of LAX in 2015; AltAir to Supply 15 Million Gallons in 3-Year Deal
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, AltAir Fuels will begin regularly scheduled deliveries of sustainable biojet fuel to United Airlines LAX operations this year, the airline announced today. AltAir’s Paramount, California-based refinery converts sustainable feedstocks, like non-edible natural oils and
July 01, 2015 Read Full Article
Swedish Train Operator to Convert Feet to Biodiesel by 2020
(Global Rail News) Swedish operator Inlandsbanan AB has said it hopes to convert its entire fleet of passenger and freight vehicles to bio-diesel by 2020. Inlandsbanan AB has received funding from the EU to assess the feasibility of converting its diesel
June 30, 2015 Read Full Article
Big Oil’s Mouthpiece Distorts the Facts
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/The Hill) Sofie E. Miller may have left the Charles Koch Institute in 2012, but she clearly continues to do the bidding of her former employer and the rest of the oil industry (“RFS hurts
June 29, 2015 Read Full Article
Environmental Life Cycle Impacts of Cellulosic Ethanol in the Southern U.S. Produced from Loblolly Pine, Eucalyptus, Unmanaged Hardwoods, Forest Residues, and Switchgrass Using a Thermochemical Conversion Pathway
by Jesse Daystar, Carter Reeb, Ronalds Gonzalez, Richard Venditti, Stephen S. Kelley (Science Direct) Highlights •Cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of biofuels from five major feedstocks in the Southern U.S. •Thermochemical conversion pathway studied for ethanol production •Global warming impacts, eutrophication, acidification, and other impacts studied •95% reduction
June 26, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Biofuels Can't Replace Oil
by Jude Clemente (Forbes) ... To be a viable alternative for petroleum, a biofuel should provide a net energy gain, offer clear environmental and economic benefits, and not reduce food supplies and/or increase their costs. ... A vital concept when considering alternatives to
June 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Boeing Completes Flight Using 5% US Biodiesel
by Militsa Mancheva (SeeNews Renewables) Under the latest stage of its ecoDemonstrator 757 programme, US aerospace group Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) successfully completed on June 17 the first flight with a fuel blend containing US-made green diesel. The 757 flew from Seattle to
June 22, 2015 Read Full Article
Bioenergy and Biofuels Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass via Anaerobic Digestion and Fisher-Tropsch Reaction
(US Department of Agriculture/Ohio State University) The long term goal of this project is to commercialize an integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) that promises cost competitive bioenergy and biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass. The specific objectives of this proposal are
June 17, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Minutes with… S. Kent Hoekman, Research Professor, Desert Research Institute (DRI)
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... DRI is the environmental research branch of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). We are involved in evaluating environmental concerns and consequences of biomass/biofuel systems, from cradle to grave. In addition, we apply analytical
June 08, 2015 Read Full Article
The Experiment in Exploitation of Engines Working on Biofuel Has Been Completed in Sweden
(Ukrainian Biofuel Portal) Stockholm authorities reckoned up the results of a four-year experiment in testing the trucks with engines using alternative fuel. Within the framework of the experiment, fifty trucks appeared on the roads of Stockholm, equipped with methane-diesel, diesel-electric and
April 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Vehicles Running on Cooking Oil Deliver Big Carbon Savings
by Jack Loughran (MRW Magazine) A study has shown that low-carbon trucks running on used cooking oil (UCO) can achieve 97% carbon savings in comparison with dual diesel/gas engines. READ MORE
April 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Waste-Biogas Is at Least Ten Times More Effective than Crop-Biogas at Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(Bangor University) In a paper just released in the leading bioenergy journal Global Change Biology Bioenergy, researchers from Bangor University and the Thünen Institute in Germany conclude that crop-biogas and liquid biofuels are at best inefficient options for greenhouse gas
March 06, 2015 Read Full Article
BETO’s 2015 Project Peer Review March 23-27 Alexandria, VA
The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is hosting the 2015 Project Peer Review on March 23–27, 2015, at the Hilton Mark Center, in Alexandria, Virginia. Approximately 185 projects in BETO’s research, development, and demonstration portfolio will be presented to the public
March 04, 2015 Read Full Article
2015 Sun Grant Conference: Academia Jumps One Step Forward and Shows What Will Be the Future of Lignocellulosic Biomass Production and Utilization in the Southeastern USA
Author, Dan Quadros, in Auburn, Alabama.by Danilo Gusmão de Quadros* (Advanced Biofuels USA) After two days (February 2-3, 2015) in “Sweet Home Alabama” at Auburn University, we got overwhelmed with the most recent discoveries of cutting-edge research that were presented
February 25, 2015 Read Full Article
E15 Would Reduce 358,000 Tons of CO2 Emissions Annually in Minnesota
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Making E15 (gasoline with 15 percent ethanol) the new regular unleaded fuel in Minnesota would eliminate 358,000 tons of CO2 annually, according to a technical analysis by the University of Illinois at Chicago. In response to a query
February 16, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Names 10 More Efficient Corn Ethanol Producers
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ten more corn ethanol plants were approved through the U.S. EPA’s efficient producer petition process (EP3) at the end of January, bringing the total to 19. The first round of nine approvals were announced in
February 12, 2015 Read Full Article
CARB Issues First-Of-Its-Kind LCFS Pathway for Sustainable Oils' Patented Camelina
(Globe Newswire/Sustainable Oils, Inc.) Sustainable Oils Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:GCEH), has been issued a first-of-its-kind feedstock-only pathway by the California Air Resources Board for the production of Camelina-based fuels under the Low
February 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Report Based on False Assumption of Either-Or Land Use Approach
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) In the World Resources Institute (WRI) working paper, “Avoiding Bioenergy Competition for Food Crops and Land,” the authors work off the assumption that land-use decisions are used making an “either-or” approach, i.e., land can either
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Closer Look at Flawed Studies behind Policies Used to Promote 'Low-Carbon' Biofuels
(Science Daily) Nearly all of the studies used to promote biofuels as climate-friendly alternatives to petroleum fuels are flawed and need to be redone, according to a researcher who reviewed more than 100 papers published over more than two decades. Once
February 08, 2015 Read Full Article
EU Must Not Turn Its Back on Biofuels
(Farming Life) Crop based biofuels are vital for animal feed, the environment, jobs and fuel, according to Copa-Cocega General Secretary Pekka Pesonen. Speaking at the recent ‘Fuels for the Future’ conference in Berlin, he added that the EU must not limit
February 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Imposing Carbon Price Would Spur Bioenergy, Slash Emissions -- MIT Study
by Amanda Peterka (E&E Publishing / Greenwire) Bioenergy production would boom and spur steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions if a global price is slapped on carbon, Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers say in a report released today. Examining bioenergy production
January 16, 2015 Read Full Article
Boeing, Embraer Open Joint Aviation Biofuel Research Center in Brazil
(Boeing) Collaboration supports Brazil’s role in developing sustainable biofuel, helps meet aviation’s environmental goals. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Embraer [BM&FBOVESPA: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ] today opened a joint sustainable aviation biofuel research center in a collaborative effort to further establish
January 15, 2015 Read Full Article
EPA Approves Algenol Fuels for Renewable Fuel Standard
(Algenol) Algenol announced today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved fuels made from Algenol’s process as an advanced biofuel, meeting the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction requirements under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). Fuels produced from Algenol are now eligible for a
January 14, 2015 Read Full Article
Rep. Jared Huffman Introduces New Bill to Replace Gas Tax, Ensure Solvency of Highway Trust Fund, Fight Climate Change
(Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA 2nd)) New bill would ensure solvency of Highway Trust Fund, fully-fund public transportation -- Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today introduced the Gas Tax Replacement Act of 2015, new legislation to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund— which
January 14, 2015 Read Full Article
EU Biofuels Policy - Inventory Backup after 2020: UFOP Chairman Vogel Calls a "iLUC Free" Base Amount of 7%
(German Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants/google translation) "The course for a true inventory of hedging existing biofuels industry after 2020 must be made now." The European biofuel industry must be able to evolve from 7% based on
January 12, 2015 Read Full Article
The 5 Most Maddening Myths about Corn and Ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Food vs Fuel, emissions, cost competitiveness, and RINsanity. Some of the most unfair bricks hurled at corn starch-based ethanol — and here’s why. ... In the field of renewable fuels, there’s no technology that’s done more
January 12, 2015 Read Full Article
White Paper Highlights Corn Ethanol’s Decreasing Carbon Intensity
(Governors' Biofuels Coalition/Ethanol Across America) Innovations in conversion technology and energy use at ethanol facilities, coupled with enhanced efficiency fertilizers and corn production management have resulted in corn ethanol being significantly shortchanged in its value to reduce carbon emissions, according
January 09, 2015 Read Full Article
State Panel OKs Rules for Alternative Motor Vehicle Fuels
by Steve Law (Portland Tribune) The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission voted Wednesday to approve operating rules for the state’s Clean Fuels Program, which mandates an overall 10 percent reduction in carbon emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel over the next
January 08, 2015 Read Full Article
Emission Factor for Tropical Peatlands Drained for Oil Palm Cultivation
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) In January 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an analysis of the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with palm oil–based biodiesel and renewable diesel. The results of the analysis indicate that, when compared with the
December 29, 2014 Read Full Article
Sorry, Mr. Matthews, Fossil Fuels Are Not the Way to Go: PennLive Letters
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/PennLive) In a recent diatribe on Pennlive, ("Don't subsidize renewable energy; fossil fuels are the way to go," Dec 15), Merrill Matthews wrongly states that corn ethanol is more expensive than gasoline and receives subsidies.
December 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Amyris Renewable Jet Fuel Receives Regulatory Approval in Brazil
(Amyris) Brazil Now Cleared for Flying With Locally-Produced, Sugarcane-Derived Jet Fuel as Study Indicates That Amyris’s Renewable Fuels Greatly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Compared to Fossil Fuels Amyris, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMRS) welcomed the approval of its renewable jet fuel by Brazil’s fuels
December 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioplastic – Greener than Ever
by Angelika Jacobs (ETH Zurich) Polylactic acid is a degradable plastic used mostly for packaging. To meet the rising demand, ETH researchers have developed an eco-friendly process to make large amounts of lactic acid from glycerol, a waste by-product in the
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Biofuels Are the Answer to Reducing Global Transport GHG Emissions: GRFA
(Global Renewable Fuels Alliance) Today, as COP 2014 is fully underway in Lima, Peru, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) reiterated that biofuels, like ethanol, are presently one of the most commercially viable, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reducing transport fuel
December 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Elsevier Science Publishes "Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels" by Anju Dahiya (Editor)
(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels examines all current and emerging feedstocks and the advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of their end products, ranging from solid (wood energy, grass energy, and other biomass) to liquid (biodiesel from oil seed
December 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Myths And Facts About The Renewable Fuel Standard
by Kevin Kalhoefer and Denise Robbins (Media Matters) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay its decision about the 2014 levels for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil refiners to blend renewable fuels into the
December 01, 2014 Read Full Article
EU Transport: Emission Savings of Biofuels 80% Better than Thought, New Calculations Show
(Ecofys) European calculation rules substantially underestimate the climate benefit of biofuels in the transport sector. Their greenhouse gas emissions should be compared with the emissions of the fossil fuels that they replace in the market. These ‘marginally’ replaced fossil fuels
November 14, 2014 Read Full Article
A Low Carbon Fuel Standard in Washington State: Revised Analysis with Updated Assumptions
(Life Cycle Associates, LLC for the Washington State Office of Financial Management) ... Governor Inslee’s Executive Order 14-04, directed the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to commission an update to the earlier analysis to reassess the impacts of an LCFS with
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
Study Casting Doubt on GHG Benefits of Corn Stover Ethanol Draws Sharp Criticism by Other Researchers; Liska Responds
(Green Car Congress) A study published earlier this year in the journal Nature Climate Change that cast doubt on whether biofuels produced from corn residue could meet federal mandates for cellulosic biofuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% compared
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
RFA Hammers CARB on ILUC Analysis
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Renewable Fuels Association’s (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen has submitted a letter to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) where he expresses concern over their analysis of indirect land use (ILUC). He writes, “serious
October 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Argonne Lowers Land Use Change GHG Emissions for Corn Ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to land use change (LUC) for corn ethanol has been ratcheted down by Argonne National Laboratory. The recently published manual for the Carbon Calculator for
October 10, 2014 Read Full Article
Capturing the California 'Golden Gallon'
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Biodiesel produced from corn distillers oil (CDO) is assigned an extremely low carbon intensity (CI) score under the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard, making it a tremendously attractive compliance option for regulated
October 01, 2014 Read Full Article
Clariant Announces Results of Cellulosic E20 Fleet Test
(Clariant/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Clariant, Haltermann and Mercedes-Benz have tested a fuel of the future in a fleet test since January. Initial results prove the high quality and excellent properties of sunliquid 20 fuel (contains 20 percent ethanol coming from straw). With
September 26, 2014 Read Full Article
A Carbon Accounting System for the Future
(25 x '25) Making sure the federal accounting system for biogenic carbon emissions—ensuring that it is an accurate system, and taking into scientific account the unique features of biomass in the carbon cycle is front and center for over 100
August 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Producers Share Revolutionary Efforts at Corn Ethanol Plants
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Many ethanol advocates attending and speaking at the 2014 American Coalition for Ethanol conference are not strangers to the ethanol industry. Even though they have been with the industry for a while, many reject
August 07, 2014 Read Full Article
Advanced Biofuels: Suspended in Bureaucratic Animation
by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biofuels Digest) ... But, beyond the RVO numbers, not much has been said about this Administration’s inability to execute on its mandated task to review and approve new pathways under the RFS for feedstocks, technologies and
July 21, 2014 Read Full Article
Biobased Companies Take A Closer Look At Sustainability
by Melody M. Bomgardner (Chemical & Engineering News) Thanks to the emerging bioeconomy, renewable substances made from plants can now be found in places as varied as car interiors, laundry detergent, and plastic bottles. But as the industry works feverishly to
July 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Bioenergy Sorghum May Be a “Sink” For Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Texas A&M Study Finds
by Rafaela Relvas (BioNews Texas) Researchers at Texas A&M University conducted a study that brought new insights regarding bioenergy sorghum, finding that, more than an energy supply, it may offer a “sink” for greenhouse gases. ... The team worked in a field near
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Cheap, Abundant Shale Gas Won’t Significantly Cut U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
by Janet Pelley (Chemical and Engineering News) Energy: New study looks at the contested effects of increased shale gas production on the release of greenhouse gases The rapid expansion of shale gas production in the U.S. has triggered a polarizing debate:
May 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Renewable Fuel Standard Benefits More than Farmers
by Chris Hausman (News-Gazette) ... The critics of renewable fuels fall into three groups — the oil industry, dyed-in-the wool environmentalists, and free market think tanks.Even the "unbiased" Associated Press (AP) has participated in ethanol bashing. While each of these
May 12, 2014 Read Full Article
Canadian Biodiesel Exports Put Mandate into Question
by Sean Pratt (The Western Producer) Hardly any of Canada’s biodiesel mandate is being filled by domestically produced product. “Last year we exported 100 percent of our production and then imported the equivalent to meet our mandate,” said Scott Thurlow,