by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Brazil, EPBR reports that the Brazilian Development Bank, BNDES, does not have the resources to fulfill the financing line demanded by the ethanol sector to help with the Covid-19 impact of drastic price and demand drops
public health policy
Back TO HOMEEthanol Left Out of USDA Aid Plan
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) U.S. ethanol producers struggling with the largest downturn in the history of the industry were disappointed to hear that the new $19 billion USDA aid program will provide no direct help for them. “While we appreciate that USDA’s new program
April 20, 2020 Read Full Article
FDA Reversal May Block Ethanol Plants from Hand Sanitizer Market
by Ben Nuelle (Agri-Pulse) Some ethanol plants who just spent thousands of dollars altering equipment to make hand sanitizer are fuming after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its guidance that relaxed alcohol regulations for hand sanitizer production. FDA updated policy guidelines Wednesday that
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
EU Renewable Ethanol Producers Inform Commission of Market Challenges during COVID-19
(ePURE) Dramatic shift in demand and possibility of imports could threaten European industry -- European renewable ethanol producers have asked the European Commission to consider addressing challenges that have arisen from shifting market conditions as a result of the COVID-19 health
April 14, 2020 Read Full Article
From the 3 E's to the 3 C's
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Touting ethanol as a source of clean octane, it's ability to reduce carbon, and allowing consumer choice in the marketplace. -- For decades, ethanol advocates have used the “Three E’s” to describe
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
The Coronavirus and Ethanol Demand Destruction
by Scott Irwin and Todd Hubbs (FarmDocDaily) ... One implication of the virus-related restrictions is that people are driving much less than before, which means that gasoline and ethanol use are declining. The impact on the price of ethanol has
March 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Senate Passes Emergency Package without Green Provisions
by Kelsey Tamborrino (Politico's Morning Energy) SENATE PASSES RELIEF PACKAGE: The Senate last night unanimously passed a mammoth $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, POLITICO's Melanie Zanona, Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle report. The measure, which is the biggest economic rescue package in
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Pelosi Stimulus Requires Airlines Receiving Aid to Cut Emissions
by Ari Natter and Ryan Beene (Bloomberg) ... Airlines would get $37 billion in grants to keep workers on the job as part of a $71 billion package to rescue carriers and airports struggling with the coronavirus outbreak, but the
March 25, 2020 Read Full Article
The Hand Sanitizer Market: A Salvation for Beleaguered Ethanol Producers, or Not?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) created exemptions allowing certain alcohol fuel permit holders to sell ethanol (alcohol) for use in the
March 24, 2020 Read Full Article
Coronavirus Responses & Impacts Bioeconomy Survey Results – March 2020
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) During the week of March 16-20, 2020, The Digest surveyed its readers on how they were impacted by the Coronavirus health & economic crisis, and how they were responding. The bioeconomy’s pioneers are an optimistic bunch, and
March 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Reality EV: Let’s Not Overlook Biofuels
(Clean Fuels Development Coalition) The widespread introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) as a means of reducing carbon emissions presents a far greater challenge than the public is being led to believe, according to new research by the Clean Fuels Development Coalition
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science COMMENTS DUE April 17, 2020 EXTENDED to May 18, 2020
(Environmental Protection Agency/Federal Register) This supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) includes clarifications, modifications and additions to certain provisions in the Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science Proposed Rulemaking (“2018 proposed rulemaking,” Ref. 1), published on April 30, 2018. This SNPRM
March 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Turkey Halts Ethanol-Mixed Fuel for More Disinfectants
(Middle East Monitor) Turkey’s temporary suspension of the requirement to include ethanol in gasoline will provide an additional 20,000 cubic meter ethanol capacity for the production of disinfectants and colognes in the country, Anadolu reports. Cologne is a traditional ethanol-based scented disinfectant in Turkey. The
March 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Promotion of Ethanol to Have Positive Impacts on Energy Security
(The International News) The Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad organised a seminar ‘Sustainable Mobility: Ethanol Talks – Pakistan’, to promote ethanol as a modern and sustainable option for mobility, capable of generating immediate positive impacts on energy security, health, reduction of
March 11, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol Needs to Win the Octane Race- Our Health Depends on It
(Urban Air Initiative) Octane is a necessary component of our fuel, and more of it is needed as car engines become more advanced and efficient. So competition is on the rise for where this octane will come from in order to
March 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Rep. McEachin and Chair Grijalva Unveil Landmark Environmental Justice Legislation Following Year-Long Collaborative Effort
(Blue Virginia) Great work by Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA04) on the landmark Environmental Justice for All Act, which they introduced at a at a press conference earlier today on Capitol Hill. As Rep. McEachin said, “With today’s introduction of the Environmental Justice
February 27, 2020 Read Full Article
USDA's 30 Year Vision: No Need to Wander Like Moses
by Douglas Duarante (Clean Fuels Development Coalition/Biofuels Digest) ... U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ... presented a 10 year plan for E15 and a 30 year plan for E30 that is neither bold nor visionary and clearly suggests they need
February 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Democrats Debate Climate Change Issues in Las Vegas — Finally
(Our Daily Planet) At the Democratic Debate in Las Vegas last night, the moderators asked a series of questions on climate change and environmental issues, and the candidates had a chance to both explain their plans and to talk about their
February 20, 2020 Read Full Article
Ethanol’s Health Benefits Take Center Stage at Leadership Forum
by Matt Thompson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The National Clean Fuels Technology and Health Effects Leadership Forum was held in Washington, D.C. this week, and brought to the forefront the health and environmental benefits ethanol offers. “We’re here to talk about clean fuels,
February 10, 2020 Read Full Article
UNICA Highlights Importance of Ethanol to Check Air Pollution
(New Kerala) The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) on Thursday announced the launch of #BringBackMyBlueSky campaign to highlight the benefits of ethanol in India. The campaign was unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida. As part of this launch,
February 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Study Details How Auto Emissions Pose Human Health Problems Worldwide
by Keith Randal (Texas A&M University) Texas A&M researchers are part of a team that analyzed how auto exhaust in large cities, especially in China, is linked to air quality and health problems. -- Tiny matter called “ultrafine particles” in the atmosphere
February 05, 2020 Read Full Article
Mexico's Supreme Court Rules against Hiking Ethanol Fuel Content
by David Alire Garcia and Sharay Angulo (Reuters) The Mexican Supreme Court ruled against the modification of a fuel rule on Wednesday that would have allowed higher ethanol content in gasoline, similar to content rules in the United States, arguing that
January 16, 2020 Read Full Article
A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest
(Great Plains Institute) This Initiative is exploring a clean fuels policy, at the state or regional level, as a marketdriven approach to achieving our economic, energy security, climate, environmental, and public health goals. This white paper presents policy design considerations that
January 08, 2020 Read Full Article
Bid to Supply Huge Quantity of Hazardous Oil Foiled
(Business Recorder) The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has caught four vehicles fully loaded with 24,580 liters of dirty oil which was being carried from different areas of Punjab to Lahore for selling. The authority foiled an attempt to supply germs-infested oil to
January 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Portal to Trace Source of Used Cooking Oil Diverted for Conversion to Biodiesel
by TV Jayan (The Hindu Business Line) In an attempt to give a push to the diversion of used cooking oil (UCO) for making biodiesel, the government has created an online ecosystem, which would make it possible to trace the source
December 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Cap-and-Invest Modeling Lacks Consideration of Renewable Fuel Adoption and Infrastructure
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Modeling by Georgetown Climate Center's Transportation and Climate Initiative of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States released Tuesday showed potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, pollution reduction, job creation and public health benefits. The anticipated
December 18, 2019 Read Full Article
Regional Proposal for Clean Transportation Reaches Milestone States and D.C. Invite Feedback on Draft MOU, Share Estimates of Potential Benefits for Health, Environment, Economy DEADLINE February 28, 2020
(Transportation and Climate Initiative/Georgetown Climate Center) The bipartisan group of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that make up the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) today invited public input on a new draft proposal for a regional program to establish a cap
December 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Changing Process of Bio-diesel Production Would Help Reduce Emission of Dangerous Nanoparticles: TERI
(TERI) Airborne nanoparticles from diesel vehicles are even more harmful to human health than PM2.5 and PM10. TERI has suggested modifications to India's bio-diesel policy to reduce nanoparticle emissions -- Changing the process of producing bio-diesel could help reduce tailpipe emissions
December 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Reducing Toxic Aromatics: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to High Octane Low Carbon Ethanol
Ethanol is better for your health and “What a difference a year makes.” That’s what Douglas Durante, Executive Director of Clean Fuels Development Coalition told the audience recently at the World Ethanol and Biofuels conference in Brussels. The latest on
December 02, 2019 Read Full Article
UNIDO Rolls out 500,000 Clean Cook Stoves in Dar es Salaam
(United Nations Industrial Development Organization) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and its partners initiated the roll-out of 500,000 ethanol cook stoves to households in various wards of Dar es Salaam. Speaking on behalf of the District Commissioner for Ilala, the
November 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Green School Students Britt Koens and Her Sister Marein Make Biofuel for Bali Buses
by Tom Forrest (ABC News) A bamboo school and turning fried chicken oil into fuel — this is what school life has been for two young sisters making biofuel for school buses and a unique motorcycle in Indonesia. -- ...Speaking
November 04, 2019 Read Full Article
USDA, DOE Sign Major MOU to Promote Rural Energy, Advance Rural Communities, Domestic Manufacturing.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy and U.S. Department of Energy Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes today (October 24, 2019) announced a Memorandum of Understanding between the two
October 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Intermediate and High Ethanol Blends Reduce Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Gasoline Direct Injection Vehicles
by Patrick Roth, Jiacheng Yang, Weihan Peng, David R. Cocker III, Thomas D. Durbin, Akua Asa-Awuku, and Georgios Karavalakis (Atmospheric Environment) Highlights: Higher ethanol fueling will reduce SOA formation from GDI vehicles. Gasoline with higher aromatics will adversely affect SOA formation.
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Zomato, BioD Energy to Convert Used-Cooking Oil into Biodiesel!
(Financial Express Dives) The companies aim at collecting a total of 1000 MT of used cooking oil every month by March 2020. -- Zomato and BioD Energy have joined hands to convert used-cooking oil into biodiesel. This partnership will see Zomato
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Ethanol Blog: Governors Ask Trump to Take Executive Actions on Biofuels
by Todd Neeley (DTN Progressive Farmer) First and foremost, the group asked Trump to expedite any new rulemaking process aimed at the waivers issue. ... As part of the biofuels announcement last week, the Trump administration also directed EPA and USDA to
October 10, 2019 Read Full Article
Experts Discuss Wildfire Mitigation, Beneficial Use of Biomass
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The California Council on Science & Technology hosted an expert briefing at the California State Capitol Sept. 19 focused on the beneficial uses of wood biomass from wildfire mitigation. The briefing was the fourth in
October 02, 2019 Read Full Article
A Farmer's Plea to the President: Fix our Fuel
by Doug Sombke (The Hill/Farmers Union Enterprises and the South Dakota Farmers Union) ... I recently wrote a letter to the president suggesting a pathway out from under the proverbial rock. I urged him to direct the EPA to enforce the mandatory provision
September 01, 2019 Read Full Article
Restaurants Reluctant to Give away Used Edible Oil to Make Biodiesel
by Preety Acharya (Hindustan Times) Noida: Food safety department officials, who are doing a survey of district restaurants and hotels to encourage them to give away used edible oil to convert it into biodiesel, are facing trouble in convincing them to
August 28, 2019 Read Full Article
The Golden Cow – Is India the Place to Be for Biofuels?
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Is India the cash cow for biofuels? Or even the golden cow? If Aemetis’ recent 200% year over year increase in biodiesel sales is any indication…well, let’s just say we see the value. The market It
August 19, 2019 Read Full Article
Harmful Gasoline Emissions Threat to Public Health
by Doug Durante (Morning Consult/Clean Fuels Development Coalition) ... But what if there is research illustrating that some of these toxins — specifically ultrafine toxic particulates that often come from additives in gasoline — are not only a known danger
July 16, 2019 Read Full Article
A Clinician’s Role in Climate Change Awareness
(Simmons University) ... In order to deliver the highest quality care and education, providers need accurate scientific information about the influence of climate change on diseases, respiratory function, nutrition, and morbidity. Providers are ethically bound to advance health holistically, and with
July 10, 2019 Read Full Article
National Gasoline Public Education and Consumer Awareness Campaign Launched: It’s Time—EPA: Make Gasoline SAFE!
(Safe Gasoline Campaign) Gasoline and its emissions are one of the greatest threats to public health Americans face today. Transportation related pollution accounts for an estimated 50,000 premature deaths annually. When lead was removed from gasoline, it was replaced with benzene-laced
June 22, 2019 Read Full Article
EPA Solicits Nominations for SAB, Related Committees DEADLINE: June 24, 2019
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA is inviting nominations of scientific experts to be considered for appointment to the agency’s Science Advisory Board and four SAB committees, including the SAB Agricultural Science Committee, which provides advice to the chartered
June 12, 2019 Read Full Article
All I Need Is the Air that I Breathe: The Search for Better Sources for Octane and Better Uses for Aromatics
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, a new report concludes that emissions from petroleum-based gasoline “are one of the biggest health threats facing the American public”. The report links a wide range of respiratory and even neurological diseases to toxic
June 12, 2019 Read Full Article
Study Finds Ethanol Blends Reduce GDI Tailpipe PM
(Green Car Congress) A new study finds that ethanol blends reduce particulate matter (PM) coming out of the tailpipe, which in turn reduces overall toxic emissions. The study was conducted by the University of California Riverside and the University of Wisconsin, Madison and
June 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Signing Ceremony of MoU between UNCTAD and Stockholm Environment Institute: SEI and UNCTAD to Cooperate on Trade and Environment
(UNCTAD) Stockholm Environment Institute and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement is an overarching mechanism to foster cooperation on trade and environment, backed up by the research and convening
May 17, 2019 Read Full Article
National Biodiesel Foundation Tours NYC’s Sustainable Side
by Paul Winters (Biodiesel Magazine/National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Foundation hosted a small group of congressional staffers April 26 on a tour of New York City, highlighting the theme, “Sustainable Biodiesel: Improving the Environment and Economy.” The annual tour is
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Over 2,000 Shanghai Buses to Run on Biodiesel Made from Gutter Oil
(Xinhua) Over 2,000 buses from Shanghai's major bus company started running on biodiesel from Tuesday, as the city works to turn recycled cooking oil into car fuel. Estimated by the current scale of use, Shanghai's diesel and hybrid electric buses are
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Thomas Midgley, Jr. May Have Been the Most Environmentally Disastrous Person of All Time
by Tom Phillips (Popular Science) ... In the 1910s and 1920s, he was working on the problem of car engines "knocking"—a persistent problem where engines would stutter and jerk, especially when put under strain. Midgley and his boss Charles Kettering suspected
May 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Yes, Tin Lizzie Was an Alcoholic
by Marc J. Rauch (The Auto Channel) Correcting Bad Revisionist History About Ford's Model T Automobile -- The most venerated automobile of all time is Henry Ford's Model T. Nicknamed "Tin Lizzie," "Leapin' Lena," and sometimes "Flivver," the Model T went into production
May 01, 2019 Read Full Article
A Sweet Approach to Clean Cooking
by Danilo De Oliveira Pereira (United National Industrial Development Organization) UNIDO is implementing a programme which creates value chains of clean cooking fuels and technologies in several countries. With a “market enabling framework,” the organization is turning the lack of clean cooking
April 25, 2019 Read Full Article
Petrochemical Fire in Houston Reveals Much Larger Issue.
(Urban Air Initiative) On Sunday, March 17, tanks of toluene and xylene caught fire at Intercontinental Terminal in the Houston, TX area, releasing plumes of black smoke into the air. As a result, incomplete combustion of toluene and xylene combined to form benzene, a
March 26, 2019 Read Full Article
Open the Door to Higher Blends
by Doug Sombke (South Dakota Farmers Union and Farmers Union Enterprise/Biofuels Digest) ... The reality is that the RFS is going backwards, we have effectively capped the use of corn ethanol in the United States, and the EPA continues to play lip
February 13, 2019 Read Full Article
Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel Set to Replace Petro Diesel in Calif.
(The California Advanced Biofuels Alliance/Biodiesel Magazine) Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stated goal of eliminating petroleum diesel emissions in California by 2030 is achievable through the growth in the market for clean, sustainable diesels, according to a new report from the California Advanced Biofuels
February 08, 2019 Read Full Article
With Rise of Electric Vehicles, a New Foreign Energy Dependence Looms
by James Osborne (Houston Chronicle) Forecasts say that electric vehicle sales are about to take off worldwide and increase demand for the raw materials that go into batteries. -- Energy Secretary Rick Perry earlier this month said he would put more federal
January 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Project to Convert Used Cooking Oil to Biodiesel in Indore
(Times of India) After Ahmedabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in association with RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) is coming up with a new project of collecting used cooking oil from restaurants and and