(Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking comments on its proposed approach to monitoring the wholesale and retail markets for ethanol used in fuel blends like E10. Under the Biofuels Act 2007, a fuel
regulations
Back TO HOMEAn Emerging Alternative Marine Fuel: The Digest’s 2018 Multi-Slide Guide to Methanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The marine sector consumes 370 million metric tonnes of bunker fuel per year, and stakeholders desire a viable pathway to low- & no-carbon marine fuels. The fuels need to be price competitive with current bunker fuels and
July 24, 2018 Read Full Article
$200 Oil in 2020? The Impending Energy Crisis and Biofuels’ Role in Relieving the Refining Capacity Crunch
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) “The global economy likely faces an economic crash of horrible proportions in 2020, not for want of a nail but want of low-sulfur diesel fuel,” writes renowned energy analyst Phil Verlager in a note this month
July 24, 2018 Read Full Article
When Does Environmental Regulation Stimulate Technological Innovation?
by David M. Hart (Information Technology and Innovation Foundation) There’s no magic bullet to ensure firms will respond to environmental regulation by innovating. But a literature review shows certain conditions that will raise that likelihood, pointing the way to some important
July 23, 2018 Read Full Article
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules in Ergon - West Virginia’s Favor in RFS Claim Against EPA
(Ergon - West Virginia, Inc./Business Wire) Ergon - West Virginia, Inc., Wrongfully Denied Small Refinery Hardship Relief -- The United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit has vacated and remanded the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) denial
July 20, 2018 Read Full Article
Looking Back on Platts 7th Annual Geneva Biofuels Conference
(Biofuels International) Struggles and triumphs of the biofuels industry were brought into sharp focus at the Platts 7th Annual Biofuels Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. With speakers from across the biofuels sector, the event at the Grand Hotel Kempinski covered the latest policy updates
May 17, 2018 Read Full Article
Messages from Brussels: More Biofuels for Transport Are Badly Needed and Can Be Produced Sustainably
(BioFuture Platform) Several international initiatives and organizations met in Brussels to discuss the need and the ways to scale up low carbon fuels in transport. The international conference, titled “The role of low carbon fuels in decarbonising transport: the emerging consensus
April 18, 2018 Read Full Article
The Circular Economy: It’s Time Has Come
by KSL (Biofuels Digest) ... Prior to the energy crisis, most economies were too extravagant; now, they have now overreacted and have become retrenchment-mad. It is imperative to think rationally and design progress with the right analysis and tools to
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels: 10 Years, 100,000 Flights and We’re Still Arguing about Feedstock – Why?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week marks the 10th anniversary of the first demo flight on biofuel which was done by Virgin Atlantic. LanzaTech CEO Jennifer Holmgren shared the factoid that, since that day, more than 100,000 commercial flights have used
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Global Ethanol Market: Advancement in Production Technologies and Demand for Cleaner and Cost-Effective Fuel in Automobile Sector to Bolster Uptake, notes TMR
(Transparency Market Research/Globe Newswire) Global Ethanol Market could rise at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast timeframe 2017–2022 to touch a hefty valuation of US$105.0 Billion by the final forecast year 2022. -- The global ethanol market is characterized by the
February 11, 2018 Read Full Article
Realistically Assess and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Rapeseed Cultivation
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) (Google translation)) Global standard values overestimate nitrous oxide emissions in rapeseed cultivation -- A network of eight partners under the coordination of the Thünen Institute (TI) for agri-climate protection engaged in a
February 05, 2018 Read Full Article
Flex-Fuel Kits Seen Boosting French Demand for Ethanol
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) France’s approval of conversion kit allowing petrol cars to use fuel containing up to 85 percent of ethanol will boost demand for mostly crop-based ethanol next year, French ethanol producers said on Tuesday. Consumption of ethanol, mainly
January 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Drivers in Oaxaca Singing the Praises of E50
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Mexico, rising gas prices in Oaxaca have seen drivers turn towards higher ethanol blends as a way to save money. Three stations opened up offering up to 50% ethanol blends in 2016 and have seen customers
January 12, 2018 Read Full Article
Federal Government Plan Aims to Reduce Carbon Content in Fossil Fuels
by Shawn McCarthy (Globe and Mail) The federal government is moving to implement regulations to require all providers of fossil-fuel energy to reduce the carbon content of their fuels as part of its effort to meet Canada's targets for greenhouse gas
December 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Think Transportation GHG Emissions Targets Can Be Reached without Biofuels Mandates? Think Again.
by Gordon Quaiattini (Biofuels Digest) Governments serious about climate change should be wary about eliminating the mandate for renewable fuels, and those promising a low carbon fuel market without it. Earlier this month Canada’s Environment Commissioner urged MPs to push the government from
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Financing Bioeconomy Ventures, Pt. 10 – Regulatory and Community Concerns in Plant Site Selection
by Daniel Lane and Mindy Collier (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) However, while business matters are important when determining a location to build and operate a production facility, it’s important to pay close attention to regulatory and community concerns. While it’s certainly possible
October 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Meeting Needs, Maximizing Benefits
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Farmers continuously implement new environmentally friendly techniques to raise their crops. -- Corn farmers—and with them, the ethanol industry—are growing more sustainable. Farmers in corn states are embracing a variety of sustainable agriculture production practices,
June 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Proponents Urge Canada to Raise Renewable-Fuel Levels for Gasoline
by Ben Wolfgang (The Washington Times) Faced with an uncertain future in the U.S., ethanol proponents have mounted a public push north of the border, urging Canada to raise its own renewable-fuel levels for gasoline. Environment and Climate Change Canada, the
May 09, 2017 Read Full Article
Government Mind Games are Driving Investors Away from Biofuel & Other Bio-Based Projects
by Colin Ley (AgFunder News) The closer you get to the commercialization of a development, the harder it becomes to raise capital, and recent government activities around the world are not making life easier for innovators, speakers at the World
April 14, 2017 Read Full Article
The Time Seems Right For Aviation To Embrace Biofuels
by Bob Orr and Geoff Murray (Forbes/Oliver Wyman) ... But with stricter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions set to come into effect in the next few years, further reductions may require bolder action. It may be time for aviation to embrace renewable
March 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Australia’s Productivity Commission Says Biofuels a Bad Deal All Around
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, the federal government’s economic advisor—The Productivity Commission—has called on New South Wales, Queensland and commonwealth governments to drop biofuel blending, saying the polices unnecessarily increase fuel prices for consumers. It also dismissed out
March 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Greener Diesel Regulation
(Ontario, Canada government) Learn about environmentally friendly diesel fuels and the new laws that apply to diesel supply companies in Ontario. By law, Ontario requires fuel companies to provide more environmentally friendly diesel fuels, known as bio-based diesel fuels. This helps:
January 06, 2017 Read Full Article
California Here I Come: The Digest’s 2016 Multi-Slide Guide to California Low-Carbon Markets
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) California, the land of milk and honey when it comes to markets for biofuels. What’s up now, what’s coming, what’s working? Low Carbon Fuels Coalition chief Graham Noyes gave this illuminating overview at ABLC Next
December 22, 2016 Read Full Article
Paradigm Shift in Fuels as Carbon Intensity Surpasses Biofuel Volumes as Key Metric
(Lux Research/MarketWired) Renewable diesel and conventional electricity lead the race to meet new emissions reduction goals, and diversified energy companies are well-placed, says Lux Research -- Traditionally policies to promote greener transportation fuels have focused on mandating volumes of
December 06, 2016 Read Full Article
Open Consultation -- Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation: Proposed Changes for 2017
(UK Department for Transport) This consultation seeks the views of the public and stakeholders on proposed changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order (RTFO). In particular it concerns increases to the obligation level, the appropriate level for the contribution
November 30, 2016 Read Full Article
Martin County Wants to Beef up Regulation for New Biofuel Producers
by Lidia Dinkova (TC Palm) The county is following through on its promise to up safety regulation over biofuel producers after a fire and explosion in a local facility last year. According to the county, new rules would set where biofuel producers could
November 25, 2016 Read Full Article
New Project Aims to Create Equal Market Access for Bio-Based Products: Start of STAR4BBI - STAndards and Regulations FOR the Bio-Based Industry
(Bio-based News/nova-Institut GmbH) Project STAR4BBI has been created as a means to develop a practical, effective, sustainable and harmonized regulatory network in order to support Europe’s innovative transition to a bio-based economy by removing legislative barriers to create equal market
November 07, 2016 Read Full Article
Derisking: A Strategy for Growing the Biobased Economy
by Neil A. Belson (LeafPro Bioproducts/Biofuels Digest) ... Despite its potential benefits and some very real achievements, the biobased economy has overall progressed more slowly than many had hoped. There are several reasons for this slow progress. Technological challenges involved in
October 28, 2016 Read Full Article
A Bridge from City to Country Made of Algae: An Algae Biomass Summit Preview
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... As algae developers struggled to bring down costs within venture timelines, and then as global commodity prices plunged — algae companies began a steady re-focusing on the higher prices available from nutraceuticals and, in the
October 24, 2016 Read Full Article
White Biotechnology Market to Reach $487.08 Billion By 2024: Grand View Research, Inc.
(Grand View Research/PR Newswire) The global white biotechnology market is expected to reach USD 487.08 billion by 2024, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising awareness and emphasis for the adoption of greener and environment-friendly technologies in various
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Understanding Biofuel Standards
By Angela Fivga and Zsuzsa A. Mayer (Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc./Biofuels Digest) The analysis and standardization of biofuels are in constant development, therefore in many studies they follow a historic view or borrow unsuitable methods from fossil fuel analysis. An
October 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico Releases Ethanol Blending Regulation
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Energy Regulatory Commission of Mexico (CRE) published Monday their recently-passed fuel regulation (NOM-016-CRE-2016) in the Mexican federal register, allowing for the blending and sale of up to 5.8 percent ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply outside
August 31, 2016 Read Full Article
Sustainable Alternative Aviation Fuels – The Way Forward
(CORE-Jetfuel) The Core-JetFuel Final International Conference titled Sustainable Alternative Aviation Fuels – The Way Forward took place on the occasion of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) on 16-17 June 2016 in Brussels, and followed up on a series of
August 03, 2016 Read Full Article
Petrol Station Owners Face $1 Million Fines for Mis-stating Ethanol Octane rating
by Anne Davies (Sydney Morning Herald) Service station owners are facing a double whammy over E10 ethanol petrol after the Department of Fair Trading issued warnings they faced fines up to $1 million if they did not start advertising its
December 17, 2015 Read Full Article
Algae Underfunded in Energy Hunt
By Kazuaki Nagata ( The Japan times)...While the technology itself is not new, Japanese scientists say they believe oil from aquatic algae could become an important raw material as biomass technology improves and the world looks for oil sources other than
July 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Summer Means No E15
by Cindy Zimmerman (Domestic Fuel) ...“The Environmental Protection Agency’s outdated interpretation of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulations is preventing the sale of E15 in most of the country during the busy summer driving season, adding billions to travelers’ fuel costs,”
June 09, 2014 Read Full Article
Algae Biomass Organization Hails New Publication that Identifies Most Promising Locations for Commercial Algae Production Projects
(Algae Biomass Organization) Analysis can reduce time, cost associated with site development The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today (March 10, 2014) lauded a new publication from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in partnership with
March 11, 2014 Read Full Article
International Regulation of Microorganisms for Biofuel or Chemical Production: North and South America and Africa
by David Glass (DGlassAssociates.com) ... The use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMOs) in manufacturing will likely face a fairly straightforward regulatory process in most countries, because such “contained” uses will generally pose far fewer hypothetical concerns about environmental or public
March 19, 2013 Read Full Article
We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Proposes Historic Fuel Economy Standards to Reduce Dependence on Oil, Save Consumers Money at the Pump
(US Environmental Protection Agency) Next phase in national program for light-duty vehicles will save consumers thousands of dollars at the pump while saving billions of barrels of oil, curbing pollution, enabling long-term planning for automakers Building on President Obama’s historic national
November 16, 2011 Read Full Article
EU Aviation Standards: Algae Oil’s Threshold Market
by Riggs Eckelberry (OriginOil/Algae Industry Magazine) ...Almost a decade after the start of Kyoto deliberations, Europe will become the first major power to enforce emissions standards for aviation. Emissions trading emerged as the EU’s strategy after five years’ review of
November 16, 2011 Read Full Article
Federal GHG Reporting Tool Opens for Business
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA announced Aug. 22 that its electronic tool for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, dubbed e-GRRT, is finally ready for use. The agency is requiring participants of the Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse
August 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Witnesses Blast EPA Decision to Allow Higher Ethanol Blends
(US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology) Today the Energy & Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the science behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant a waiver permitting the use of mid-level ethanol blends of up
July 08, 2011 Read Full Article
In Search of A Biofuel El Dorado: The Quest for Brazil’s Energy Independence Future
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) In 1568, a Spanish Conquistador by the name of Pedro Maraver de Silva led his men on a mission to capture Incas who had escaped with their gold. Journeying north of Peru, they encountered
June 20, 2011 Read Full Article
California's Clean Fuel Push Opens Door To Brazilian Ethanol
by Ben Lefebvre (Dow Jones News Wires) California's push to reduce fuel emissions in the next decade could lead to Brazilian ethanol makers making new inroads into the U.S. The Golden State is attempting to reduce the carbon intensity of its transportation
June 15, 2011 Read Full Article
Holden Seeks US Rules for Flex-Fuel Test
by Ron Hammerton (GoAuto) Canberra to talk on emissions test rules that threaten to leave E85 out in the cold GM HOLDEN will ask the Australian government to adopt the American cold-start emissions testing regime for E85 ethanol-powered vehicles instead of
June 14, 2011 Read Full Article
Truckers Want Limits on Biodiesel
by Dana Flavelle (The Star) Canadian truckers say new biofuel requirements for diesel that come into effect July 1 will cost taxpayers $2.5 billion over the next 25 years and do little to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Similar to earlier legislation
May 31, 2011 Read Full Article
The Comprehensive Certification and Documentation of Biodiesel
(UFOP) From the field into the tank and back again According to legislation in effect since the beginning of 2011, biofuels can only be sold in the German market if it can be demonstrated that the energy plants from which the