by Jarrett Renshaw, Richard Valdmanis (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with representatives of the oil refining industry and their legislative backers to discuss the nation’s biofuels program, according to two sources briefed on the matter. The White House meeting
Transportation Fuels Policy
Back TO HOMEGovernment of Ontario Expands Biofuels Support to Tackle Climate Change and Drive Clean Growth
by Rony Delucia (Advanced Biofuels Canada) The government of Ontario announced today new initiatives to strengthen the biofuels sector in the province, improve the environmental performance of fuels, and encourage the production of emerging advanced biofuels. Proposed changes to biofuels regulations include
December 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Austrian NGO Slams Aviation Biofuels as “Dangerous” Greenwashing
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Austria, Finance and Trade Watch argue in their new report that aviation biofuels and other cleaner initiatives by the aviation industry to reduce their environmental footprint is just green washing because they say the goals set are
December 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Environmental Groups Criticise ICAO over Lack of CORSIA Transparency and Threat to Biofuel Sustainability Criteria
(GreenAir Online) ICAO has come under fire from two environmental groups over a perceived lack of transparency on decisions concerning its CORSIA global carbon offsetting scheme and fears that sustainability criteria for the use of biofuels qualifying under the scheme are
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels, Electrification, Efficiency: All Necessary in Transport Sector Decarbonization
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Global leaders will need to decide on and implement deep decarbonization strategies for every major sector – energy, transportation, agriculture and forestry, buildings, and industry. And the longer we dally, the more
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Mah: Endorsing Palm Oil Biofuel Ban a Step Backwards for Malaysia-EU Trade Ties
(Malay Mail Online) The vote on Nov 28, 2017 by the Industry, Research & Energy Committee (ITRE) of the European Union’s (EU) Parliament to endorse the ban on palm oil biofuels in Europe, under EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is a step backwards for
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Major Countries Agree To Develop Sustainable Biofuels Targets And Scale Up Low Carbon Bioeconomy
Countries representing half of the global population and 37% of the global economy today (November 16, 2017) agreed to scale up the low carbon bioeconomy and develop collective targets prescribing the contribution of sustainable bioenergy to final energy demand and as
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Should Vancouver Be Betting on Biodiesel? Peter Brown Believes the City Is primed to Produce Biofuel
by Dameon Pesanti (Columbian) With the earnestness of a missionary, Peter Brown will proselytize about the eco-friendliness of biodiesel and methane digesters — or extol their virtues with the already converted. In his mind, Vancouver could be to the green-energy movement
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
OPEC's Next Move Is Being Closely Watched by Sugar Traders
by Agnieszka De Sousa (Bloomberg) Any oil price move could have knock-on effect in sugar market; That’s because biofuel made from cane competes with gasoline -- As energy minsters meet in Vienna this week to discuss oil-supply cuts, the sugar world will also be keeping
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Copersucar Partners with BP on Ethanol Complex in Brazil
(Reuters) Brazil’s Copersucar, one of the world’s largest ethanol merchants, and BP’s Brazil unit said on Thursday they will form a 50-50 logistics joint venture in the country. The venture will operate Copersucar’s recently built ethanol storage complex in the Brazilian city
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Ron Paul: Why Trump Must Tackle the Renewable Fuel Standard
by Ron Paul (Campaign for Liberty/Fox News) ... While I am sure many Republicans would love to see the RFS repealed entirely – myself included – some have proposed a simple compromise that would seemingly benefit even the ethanol lobby: allow
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Finalizes RFS Volumes for 2018 and Biomass Based Diesel Volumes for 2019
(Environmental Protection Agency) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program for 2018, and biomass-based diesel for 2019. "Maintaining the renewable fuel standard at current levels
November 30, 2017 Read Full Article
MEPs Raise Ambition on Transport with ‘Sustainable’ Biofuels
by Paola Tamma (EurActiv) Contrary to the European Commission’s initial proposal, the European Parliament voted on Tuesday (28 November) to increase targets for sustainable energy and reintroduce a sub-target for transport, by using “sustainable” biofuels. ... Boost to renewables in transport MEPs also reintroduced a
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil Lower House Passes Bill Aimed at Boosting Biofuels Use
(Reuters) Brazil’s lower house of Congress approved on Tuesday a bill to set up a program to boost the use of biofuels, a move that could sharply change the way fuel distributors operate in the country. ... The program, called RenovaBio, will give
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
EPA Administrator to Host Town Hall in Iowa
by Ben Nuelle (Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network) Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is expected to visit Iowa Friday. Sources say Pruitt will host an “invite only” farmer meeting beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Nevada. A spokespearson at EPA says media is also allowed to
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Targets on Renewables and Energy: Progress Slowing Down
(Netzwerk Biotreibstoffe) The European Union (EU) and most of its Member States are on track to reach their 2020 targets on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Increases in energy consumption are slowing down progress. The share of renewables continues to grow,
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
USGC: Chinese, US Delegations Discuss Fuel Ethanol during Forum
(U.S. Grains Council/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Delegates from U.S. and Chinese government agencies, biofuels companies and research institutes discussed fuel ethanol production, use and policy during the recent Sino-U.S. Advanced Biofuels Forum in Arlington, Virginia. The forum follows a September 2017 joint release
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
European Parliament Sets Stage for a Battle over Biofuels
(ePURE) Industry Committee vote falls short of what is needed to fix the Commission’s RED II proposal -- The report adopted today by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee sets the stage for a real clash with EU Member States
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
From Conventional to Advantaged: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Aemetis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Aemetis owns and operates 110 million gallons per year of ethanol and biodiesel facilities in the US and India, and is upgrading the plants using patented technology to produce lower carbon, higher value advanced biofuels and
November 29, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Seeks to Head off New Aircraft Emissions Dispute
by Julia Fioretti (Reuters) UN aviation agency adopted emissions standards last year; EU Commission wanted EU to be able to go further; EU member states want EU to stick to UN-agreed ones; Member states, European Parliament meet on Wednesday More than 18 months after global regulators
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Commission’s Biofuels Proposal May Kill Future Investment, Industry Warns
by Samuel White (EurActiv) The biofuels industry has hit out at the European Commission’s proposal to reduce the cap on crop-based biofuels in the EU’s transport fuel mix, saying it would undermine the EU executive’s renewable energy policy and slash investment in
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
NBB Members Head to the Hill to Urge Reinstatement of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive
(National Biodiesel Board) Starting today, nearly 100 members of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) are in Washington, D.C., to participate in their biannual fly-in to the Nation’s Capital. NBB members plan to storm the Hill to encourage reinstatement of the biodiesel
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
TO-SYN-FUEL Project: First Consortium Meeting in Rotterdam, Netherlands
(TO-SYN-FUEL) Members of twelve SME, industrial, and scientific partners, co-ordinated by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, and representatives of the European Commission participated in the first consortium meeting in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on the 26th of October 2017. Discussions took place regarding the progress
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Estonia’s Eesti Gas to Start Selling Biomethane Next Year
(Bioenergy Insight) Estonian natural gas distributor Eesti Gaas has signed a contract with renewable fuels provider Rohegaas to buy around 11 million m3 of biomethane from the company over the next two years to sell at its compressed natural gas (CNG) stations. ... Rohegass
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If our gasoline composition is right then ethanol can work," said Alfonso Martinez, undersecretary of protection of the environment and natural resources in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in a phone interview with S&P Global Platts. "We have nothing against ethanol, we
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Feature: Mexican Ethanol Optimism Returns after States Ask for Ban Repeal
by Josh Pedrick (Platts) The Mexican ethanol market could have more room to grow as the states of Nuevo Leon and Jalisco have asked for a repeal of a ban on ethanol blending in their principal cities of Monterrey and Guadalajara, respectively. ... Mexico
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
‘Address Ethanol Availability Issues’
by Andhra Pradesh (The Hindu) Chairman of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas Pralhad Joshi on Thursday wanted the State and Union governments to address the issues related to availability of ethanol for selling ethanol-blended petrol. Addressing the inaugural of an
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Drivers May Bear the Brunt of U.S. Biofuel Quotas
by Laura Blewitt (Bloomberg) With higher blend credit prices come stronger gasoline margins; Refiners likely to pass higher costs at the pump: Wells Fargo -- ... Despite the petroleum lobby’s efforts, the Environmental Protection Agency last week rejected a petition from independent refiners including Valero Energy
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Lead, Squabble or Waffle Away: Shuffling the Deck on Global Bioenergy
by Gerard Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) ... In the U.S., fighting between Big Ag and Big Oil over first-generation biofuels is slowing the deployment of advanced biofuels projects. This further undercuts the industry in a depressing frittering away of
November 28, 2017 Read Full Article
Make Ethanol from Surplus Food Grains: Draft Policy
(The Economic Times) The government plans to allow foodgrains during surplus production years to be used for production of ethanol that can be blended with petrol, in a bid to widen the availability of raw materials needed for making biofuel, according
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Industrial Biotech Sector Calls for an Ambitious Revision of EU Bioeconomy Strategy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Brussels, on the EU Bioeconomy Policy Day, EuropaBio called for an ambitious revision of the European Bioeconomy Strategy. Such a revision would help tackle climate change and meet the needs of a growing population whilst boosting
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
European Bioeconomy Stakeholders Manifesto: The Digest’s Special Guide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) We, representatives from large and small companies, NGOs, biomass producers, regions, and academia from all over Europe as members of the European Bioeconomy Stakeholders Panel, have prepared this manifesto based on the Building Blocks document, prepared
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Assured Offtake by OMCs to Boost Ethanol Supply
(Financial Express) Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday emphasised the need for offtake guarantee by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to increase ethanol supply for blending with fuel. Speaking at a consultative workshop of stakeholders to chalk out a path for biofuel in
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Technology Key to Ensuring Sustainable Bioenergy and Biofuel Production
(EU Science Hub) Bioenergy is the most common renewable energy source in Europe - and it's expected to continue to make up a significant part of the energy mix in the future. However, its climate performance can vary significantly depending on the
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Scania Ethanol Truck Brings Triple Benefits for French Haulier
(Scania) First came Nicolas, then Jérôme and finally Sophia. Today, the Faramia triplets have reached the age of 31 and are all active in the family transport business that bears their initials, Transports NJS Faramia. With the motto “The environment lies at
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Is E25 Legal in the Mini Cooper?
by Dave VanderGriend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM/Urban Air Initiative) ... In an over-simplified explanation, the EPA has claimed the legal authority to regulate ethanol blends under section 211(f) of the Clean Air Act, known as the “sub-sim” law. Under EPA’s current interpretation
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil to Launch Ambitious Biofuels Program
by Leticia Phillips (UNICA/Ethanol Producer Magazine) RenovaBio will help Brazil meet its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent of 2005 levels by 2030. -- Building, in part, on the successes and lessons learned from two signature American policies, Brazil is
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Who’s Been Naughty and Who’s Been Nice?
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) With the holiday season in full swing, we know Santa’s working on his list; who’s been naughty and who’s been nice? This is Washington, D.C., so you know there’s been a leak. We’ve
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuels Score Victory: EPA Rejects Petitions to Change Point of Obligation in RFS
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rejected several petitions to change the point of obligation in the Renewable Fuel Standard in a notice released on Wednesday ahead of a posting in the Federal Register. In the
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Sweden Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Sales Hit Record in Q3 as Other Biofuels Drop: Svebio
(UkrAgroConsult) Third quarter sales of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) diesel in Sweden increased by 24% on the year, the Swedish Bioenergy Association (Svebio) said Thursday. This was at the expense of other biofuels used for transport, with consumption for B100 FAME falling
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Rockin’ the Cassava: The Shareef Don’t Like It but Nigeria Does
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kebbi State Government to build an 84 million litres per annum capacity fuel-ethanol project. The Sugarcane and Cassava-Fuel Ethanol Project in Kebbi State
November 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Energy Destiny? Think Energy Density.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Density matters, that’s how we see it. Super-dense fuels are superfuels and they have a real place in our economy — not to mention our advanced bioeconomy. They have functional advantages that matter. There are fuels that have
November 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Charting a Cellulosic Path -- Enzyme Advances Hold Promise in Corn Ethanol
by Todd Neeley (DTN The Progressive Farmer) Cellulosic technology companies have invested time and millions of dollars to explore ways to convert biomass into cellulosic ethanol for the better part of 20 years. Most technologies have fallen victim to high capital and
November 22, 2017 Read Full Article
Katter’s Australian Party Offers A$400 Million to North Queensland Bioenergy Corp if It Wins Election
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Australia, Katter’s Australian Party has offered an A$400 million loan towards the A$640 million North Queensland Bioenergy Corp. project proposed nearly a decade ago if it’s able to keep its balance of power in the upcoming state
November 22, 2017 Read Full Article
GRFA: IEA World Outlook Confirms Need for Biofuels
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Bliss Baker, the president of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance, recently responded to the IEA’s latest World Energy Outlook by highlighting the clear need for the increased blending of biofuels in global transport fuels illustrated
November 21, 2017 Read Full Article
New Documentary Shows How Biofuels Lobby Played Parliament
by Peter Teffer (EU Observer) ... The documentary tells the story of how the EU decided to embrace the use of biofuels, only to find out that it had not properly considered all the negative consequences. ... The film, seven years in the
November 21, 2017 Read Full Article
UN Conference Closes with Renewed Urgency for Greater Ambition to Tackle Climate Change
(UN News Centre) ... The 19 Member countries of the 'Biofuture Platform,' including Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Morocco, Mozambique, also announced on Thursday formal agreement on the development of targets for biofuels and to construct an action plan to
November 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazilian Mills Run Corn-Cane Biofuel Plants
(Western Producer/Reuters) Ethanol producers in Brazil are evaluating the adoption of a plant concept that uses cane, and alternatively corn, to produce the biofuel, a move that would allow them to extend operations beyond the current cane harvest period. Almost all ethanol
November 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Does Regulating Indirect Land Use Change Work? The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to ILUC Reform
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana professor Madhu Khanna has been raising issues with including an indirect land use change factor for compliance with low carbon fuel standards. Why, since ILUC is a required calculation for the Renewable Fuel
November 20, 2017 Read Full Article
For First Time, Biodiesel Leadership Weighs In With President Trump on RFS, Calls out Contradictions in Refiners' Arguments
(National Biodiesel Board) NBB's Governing Board Members Emphasize That Growth in RFS Volumes is Needed -- Today the executive leadership of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) sent a letter to President Trump regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In the letter, the
November 16, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Refutes PMAA’s ‘Grossly Overstated’ Claims in Letter to Senate EPW Chairman
(Renewable Fuels Association) The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA)’s recent claims that underground storage tanks at fueling stations cannot legally store gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) are “grossly overstated” and the group’s conclusion that Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements
November 16, 2017 Read Full Article
Germany Consumed More UCO Biodiesel Last Year than RME
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Germany’s Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) has published an evaluation and progress report for 2016 in which it shows that, for the first time, consumption of biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO) in Germany exceeded
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Divided on Biofuel Phase-Out, Parliament Looks for Compromise
by Paola Tamma (EurActiv) The lawmaker in charge of steering the EU’s biofuels reform in the European Parliament is looking for compromise after MEPs last week rejected his proposal to phase out crop-based biofuels entirely by 2030 and ban palm oil in
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Industry Focuses on RVP Waiver for E15
by Ken Anderson (Brownfield Ag News) Giving consumers year-round access to E15 fuel is a major focus of the ethanol industry. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, says getting the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver extended to E15 is the key. “You give
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Ottawa Looking at 15 Per Cent Ethanol Blend in Gasoline
by Maura Forrest (National Post) Currently, gasoline in Canada can contain up to 10 per cent ethanol, but a proposed amendment could raise the maximum to 15 per cent in early 2018 -- Ottawa is currently developing a clean fuel standard, intended
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Struggling Philadelphia Refiner Sells Biofuel Credits, Raises Cash: Sources
by Jarrett Renshaw, Chris Prentice (Reuters) Oil refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) has raised tens of millions of dollars in cash by selling U.S. biofuels credits in recent weeks, according to sources familiar with the transactions, an unusual move for a company
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Analysis: Automakers Approve E15 in Nearly 90% of New 2018 Vehicles
by Rachel Gantz (Renewable Fuels Association) Nearly 90 percent of new 2018 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to the results of an annual analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
Cruz to Iowa: Come to the Table or Northey Gets It
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Ted Cruz, having seemingly failed to secure a meeting with Midwestern senators brokered by the White House, has turned to newly fledged Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to try and bring corn-staters to the table.
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
RenovaBio Is Presented in Congress as a Bill
(NovaCana (Google translation)) Taken by Deputy Evandro Gussi (PV-SP), the national biofuels policy will be processed as PL 9086/2017 -- As the NovaCana reported earlier this afternoon , the RenovaBio program, which encourages the production of biofuels, was presented to the National Congress as
November 15, 2017 Read Full Article
The Dismal Prospect of Advanced Biofuels in the EU
by Zoltán Szabó (EurActiv) Advanced biofuels are proposed as the fuels of the future to replace oil, but the EU regulatory environment is fuzzy and uncertain to lure investors and some questionable solutions may benefit the most – in addition to oil,
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Delaware, Regional Leaders Take on Trump's EPA
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/DelawareOnline) Delaware City Refinery rally to call on President Trump to fix the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and protect well-paying jobs for East Coast refiners and manufacturing workers. Area oil refineries, union leaders, a Republican lobbying firm
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Governors Announce New Collaboration to Reduce Transportation Emissions
(Union of Concerned Scientistst) Statement by Ken Kimmell, Union of Concerned Scientists -- Leading environmental, health, scientific and business organizations today applauded the announcement by seven states and Washington, D.C. of plans to develop a regional policy to reduce carbon pollution from
November 14, 2017 Read Full Article
States Agree Not to Set Targets as ICAO Unveils Its Long-Term Vision on Sustainable Aviation Fuels Deployment
(GreenAir Online) ICAO concluded its second Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/2) held in Mexico City with an agreement on a long-term vision for the development, production and supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) through to 2050. Delegates from Member
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Growth Energy Driving Ethanol Podcast from National Association of Farm Broadcasting
(Energy.AgWired.com) CEO Emily Skor attends National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention The Growth Energy Driving Ethanol podcast this week comes from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting 74th annual convention in Kansas City last week. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor spoke with
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
U.N. Aviation Agency Recommends Weaker Rules for Biofuels: Sources
by Allison Lampert (Reuters) The United Nations’ aviation agency on Friday recommended scaling back criteria for biofuels used on international flights as part of a compromise with developing countries who felt the rules would be too stringent, two sources familiar with
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Risk Has Arrived for RFS Advanced Pool
by Michael McAdams (Biomass Magazine/Advanced Biofuels Association) On Oct. 4, the U.S. EPA published a Notice of Data Availability soliciting input on lowering the renewable volume obligation (RVO) mandates even further than the proposed 2018 volumes released this summer. ... Let me be
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Potential in China -- Ethanol Policy Changes in China May Bring Opportunities to US Corn
by Lin Tan (DTN The Progressive Farmer) New government policy recently set a target to roll out the use of ethanol in gasoline nationwide in China, according to a plan jointly released by 15 ministries, such as the National Development and
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Former Army Captain: Ethanol Industry a ‘Natural Fit’ for Veterans
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) ... What most Americans may not know, however, is that thousands of veterans have continued to make our nation stronger and more secure by choosing careers in the ethanol industry after leaving military service. In fact,
November 13, 2017 Read Full Article
Rally with Governor John Carney on the Renewable Fuel Standard
(CGCN GROUP) Please join Governor John Carney (D-DE), Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ), other elected officials, union leaders, and employees of PBF Energy, Monroe Energy, and Philadelphia Energy Solutions on Monday, November 13th to call on President Trump to fix the Renewable
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Can California Eliminate Gas Cars?
by Anne C. Mulkern, ClimateWire (Scientific American) State leaders are discussing banning the sale of cars that run on gasoline or diesel -- ... Switching to all clean cars would require a herculean transformation in the Golden State. They accounted for less than
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Is Cellulosic Ethanol Dead? Despite Setbacks, Signs of Progress
by Jessie Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... Several factors have hindered the production of the volumes originally envisioned: extracting energy from cellulose proved much more difficult than extracting it from corn starch, challenges of collecting, moving and storing significant
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil's Biodiesel Output to Grow 31 pct Next Year -Abiove
(Reuters) Brazil’s biodiesel output was forecast to rise by 31 percent in 2018, industry group Abiove said on Thursday, after the government advanced a much anticipated increase in the amount of the biofuel required to be mixed with diesel. Currently, 8 percent
November 10, 2017 Read Full Article
Mail Call! Thanks, Mr. President!
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) A group of advanced biofuel producers, including ethanol giants Archer Daniels Midland and POET, sent a letter to Trump thanking him for past support of the ethanol industry and asking him to make sure
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
From Seed ... to Sky: Delmarva Energy Beet-to-Jetfuel Project Summary Published
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA has added a summary of the findings of its USDA-funded feasibility study based on 2016 energy beet project at University of Maryland Eastern Shore. New charts and graphs based on the data developed for
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
U.S. Subpoenas Icahn Over Biofuel Action While Trump Adviser
by Miles Weiss, Jennifer A Dlouhy, and Mario Parker (Bloomberg) U.S. Attorney for Southern District of N.Y. seeks information; Icahn Enterprises discloses request in securities filing -- Federal investigators have issued subpoenas for information on Carl Icahn’s efforts to change biofuel policy while
November 09, 2017 Read Full Article
USDA ERS Publishes Report on Ethanol, DDGS Export Opportunities
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) In October, the USDA Economic Research Service published a report on global ethanol mandates that outlines the opportunities for exports of U.S. ethanol and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). According to the report, more than
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Carper Leads Letter Requesting FTC Investigate and End RIN Market Manipulation
(Office of Senator Tom Carper) Bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers assert market volatility hurts East Coast refineries like PBF in Delaware City -- Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, along with a bipartisan, bicameral group of
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Clariant Eyes Expansion into China's Growing Biofuel Market
(Xinhua Net) As China encourages the use of renewable energy for sustainable growth, it is creating a huge biofuel market that Swiss specialty chemical company Clariant does not want to miss out on. The chemical maker is looking for Chinese partners to
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
Diamond Green Diesel Initiates Engineering Review for Proposed Expansion to 550 Million Gallons Annually
(Darling Ingredients Inc./PR Newswire) Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) and Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO) ("Valero") announced today that in anticipation of growing demand for renewable diesel due to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and global low carbon markets, they will
November 08, 2017 Read Full Article
RNG Coalition Adds Biofuel Policy, Government Affairs Experts
(Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas /Biomass Magazine) The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) recently announced the addition of four senior government affairs and biofuels policy experts to run its Washington, D.C., operations. Manning Feraci, Anne Steckel, Larry Schafer and Sandra
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
New England Power Generators Association/Environmental NGO Letter on Regional Transportation Emissions
(New England Power Generators Association) NEPGA letter – with the Acadia Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists – calling for a regional approach to lowering transportation emissions in a market based manner. READ MORE Excerpts from
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Stop Me if You've Heard This Before -- Kathleen Hartnett White's Nomination
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Two corn-state Republican EPW senators - Deb Fischer and Joni Ernst - are publicly undecided about Kathleen Hartnett White's nomination to run the White House Council on Environmental Quality after meeting with her over past
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
China's SDIC to Build 600,000-Tonne Ethanol Plant in Heilongjiang
(Times of India/Reuters) China's State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC) signed a framework agreement to build a 600,000-tonne ethanol plant in northeastern Heilongjiang province, state media said on Tuesday, as the company pushes to dominate the country's growing ethanol industry. The 3
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
EU Renewables Directive Sparks Mixed Feelings among Players
(ICIS) ... Charles-Albert Peers, CEO of ethanol producer Alcogroup and chairman of the European trade group for renewable ethanol ePURE, criticised what he called a “U-turn” in EU policy. “RED II removes one of the best options for decarbonising transport. I don’t see how
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
The Public Pulse: Investing in Biofuels Pays off
by Brendan Sullivan, Kyle J. Nixon (World-Herald) Novozymes was honored to have Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts join us earlier this year to announce a $36 million expansion in Blair, Nebraska, where we’re pioneering technologies that will accelerate Nebraska’s leadership in renewable
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol-Based Fuel Becomes Top-Selling Petrol in France
by Sybille de La Hamaide (Reuters) Gasoline containing up to 10 percent of ethanol has become the top-selling petrol in France, its largest market in the European Union, helped by a tax break that made the crop-based fuel more attractive to drivers,
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
Sabah Chooses New Palm Oil Certification to Cater to Europe’s Needs
by Jason Santos (Malaysian Insight) SABAH’s move for a full compliance of the Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) by 2025 is to ensure the survival of the sector, state forestry director Sam Mannan said. The move will also make Sabah the first in
November 07, 2017 Read Full Article
US EPA Sends Final RFS Volumes to White House for Review
by Brian Scheid (Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency has sent for review the final renewable fuel volume standards for 2018 and biomass based diesel volume for 2019, making it likely that the agency will release the volumes by the statutory
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Why Palm Biodiesel Producers Should Keep Pushing R&D and Make Palm Oil Biodiesel More Environmentally Friendly
by Yamin Vong (The Sun) ... The European Union is campaigning against palm bio-diesel and the European Parliament appears to be determined to ratify the Palm Oil and Deforestation of the Rainforests resolution that it passed on April 4. It's in this environment
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Team Ethanol Fires Back
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) If Trump watches the ads on Fox & Friends, then he's getting an earful on the Renewable Fuels Standard these days. Starting today and through the Nov. 20, Fuels America, an umbrella group of
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
RFA Statement on Pennsylvania Governor RFS Waiver Request
by Emily Druckman (Renewable Fuels Association) In a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Thursday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) asked the agency to waive Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the Northeast region to no more
November 06, 2017 Read Full Article
Nigeria's NNPC Signs MoU to Build Biofuel Plant
(Platts) Nigeria plans to build a 65 billion liters/year biofuel plant to boost supply of clean fuels in the country, state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. said Wednesday. NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest Ondo state government to build the project, which
November 02, 2017 Read Full Article
Planes across Europe to Start Running on Vegetable Oil and Animal Fat in Bid to Tackle Climate Change and Toxic Air
by Ben Chapman (Independent) With long-distance electric-powered transport still a long way off, can advances in renewable fuel made from vegetable oil and waste fill the gap to combat climate change and clean up our toxic air? Planes across Europe will soon
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Chinese Ethanol Drive to Boost Imports of the Biofuel - and Corn Too
by Mike Verdin (Agrimoney) China’s plans to bump up ethanol consumption will create scope for fresh imports of the biofuel, Archer Daniels Midland said, seeing scope for purchases of US corn too. China’s plans to roll out so-called E10 – a
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
NATSO Statement on Biodiesel Tax Credit Letter
(PR Newswire/NATSO) On October 31, a diverse group of biodiesel producers, fuel retailers, and trucking interests sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee in support of extending and phasing out the biodiesel blenders' tax credit,
November 01, 2017 Read Full Article
Presentations from BETO’s Annual Conference Now Online!
(U.S. Department of Energy) On July 11–12, 2017, BETO hosted its 10th annual conference—Bioeconomy 2017: Domestic Resources for a Vibrant Future! More than 300 attendees from industry, government agencies, the national laboratories, and academia gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing
October 31, 2017 Read Full Article
Our Editorial: End the Ethanol Mandate
(Detroit News) ... His (Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)) defense of the mandates was as a jobs program. That’s a poor basis for energy policy, and the president was wrong to cave.. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had proposed only a modest reduction in the
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel and the Ever-Changing Political Landscape
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Industry stakeholders and legal experts discuss the recent RFS court ruling, the ongoing U.S. trade cases against Argentina and Indonesia, and the biodiesel tax credit in context of U.S. EPA’s Notice of Data Availability. -- ... According
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Ending Food Waste Not Biofuels Should Be Food Security Priority
by Alex Brinkley (National Newswatch) Groups concerned that using grains to make biofuels threatens food security should be paying more attention to the impact of waste on the food supply, says Andrea Kent, Vice-President of Government and Public Relations at Greenfields
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Governments, International Agencies Affirm the Need to Massively Increase Bioenergy and Byproducts to Fight Climate Change
(BioFuture Platform) According to projections of international energy agencies, the use of bioenergy as a share of the world’s energy usage needs to more than double by 2030 if the world is to avoid temperature rises above 2º C. “We simply
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Is Fulfilling His Promises on Ethanol
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Wall Street Journal) President Trump is faithfully sticking to his campaign promise to “do all that is in my power as president” to achieve the goals of the Renewable Fuel Standard. -- Regarding your editorial “Trump Caves
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
If You Build It, They Will Come: Biofuels Industry Sees Renewable Chemicals as New Strategy
by Jesse Stolark (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) To create additional value in the biobased economy, companies and investors are turning toward the production of renewable chemicals and products. They argue that in prioritizing higher-value chemicals and products, advanced biofuels will
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
Pruitt Wants RIN Fraud Crackdown
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt called for "some reforms" to the program under the Renewable Fuel Standard through which companies buy credits to comply with biofuels mandates during a Sunday radio interview . "There's lots of
October 30, 2017 Read Full Article
EP Committee on Environment Denies Prospects for Domestic Biofuels
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants) The Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) expresses its disappointment in the result of the vote in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment on Monday this week concerning
October 29, 2017 Read Full Article
Study: Utilities Should Get in the Drivers Seat on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
by Kari Lydersen (Midwest Energy News) ... But a recent study by the global consulting firm Deloitte argues that utilities should embrace electric vehicles even more aggressively, treating them almost like power plants and “batteries on wheels,” incorporating them into the fabric of their
October 29, 2017 Read Full Article
The Brazilian Conference on Science and Technology BioEnergy and the Progress in the BioEconomy in Brazil
by Laís F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Held in Campos do Jordão on 16-19 October 2017, the Third Edition of the Brazilian BioEnergy Science and Technology Conference (BBEST) highlighted the theme "Designing a Sustainable Bioeconomy". [caption id="attachment_89735" align="alignleft" width="300"] BBEST--Brazilian BioEnergy
October 28, 2017 Read Full Article
The Royal Seeds of a Biofuel Revolution
by Yuthana Praiwan (Bangkok Post) The late King laid the groundwork for Thailand's path toward energy independence. -- ... Although biofuel took longer to develop because it required more deliberate scientific research and experimentation compared with other agriculture projects, it has now become
October 28, 2017 Read Full Article
The Energy 202: Trump Administration Stuck between Two GOP Sides on Ethanol
by Dino Grandoni (Washington Post) The Environmental Protection Agency, in its ambitious effort to roll back the previous administration's energy and environmental policies, has had a significant stumble with Republicans lawmakers. On both sides of the ethanol debate. ... On Thursday, nine Republican senators
October 27, 2017 Read Full Article
Lake Erie's Toxic Algae: Does Ethanol Mandate Make it Worse?
by Mary Kuhlman (Public News Service) The huge algal bloom in Lake Erie is receding, but clean water advocates say the annual problem won't go away without changes in federal policies. One measure raising concerns is the ethanol mandate, which requires a
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Good Day for Bioenergy, Bad Day for Crop-Based Biofuels, as European Parliament’s Environment Committee Votes on RED II Proposals
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Policymakers in the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) have voted in support of a proposal for a total phase out of crop-based biofuels by 2030 and have backed the use of biomass for electricity production. The ENVI
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
Alliance Launches New Initiative To Slash U.S. Transportation Energy Use By Half By 2050
(Alliance to Save Energy) Audi’s Scott Keogh and National Grid’s Dean Seavers Lead “50 by 50” Commission -- Today the Alliance to Save Energy chartered a national commission of business, government and civil society leaders that will work together to develop a pathway and recommendations to reduce energy use in
October 26, 2017 Read Full Article
MEPs Propose Upgraded, Nationally Binding Targets for Renewables
(New Europe Online) EU should aim for 35% renewables in its energy consumption in 2030 -- The Environment Committee voted on its opinion on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive for the period 2021 – 2030. ... “I am delighted that the Parliament
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
E4Tech Report Shows Opportunity for Advanced Biofuels in UK but Policy Framework Needed
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the UK, the Department for Transport published a new report commissioned from E4Tech showing that advanced biofuels can play a key role in decarbonizing transportation by 2030. Gasification combined with Fischer Tropsch are seen as the rising
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
California Cars Are Running on Restaurant Grease
by Robert Tuttle (Bloomberg Technology) Renewable diesel use surges amid low-carbon fuel program; Second-biggest source of low-carbon fuel credits after ethanol -- California’s battle against climate change is being fought more fiercely in fast food restaurants than in Tesla Inc.’s car factory in Fremont. Seven
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Letter from Washington: The Grand Alliance Flashes V for Victory in Renewable Fuels Fight
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) It’s been a very busy week in Washington DC, the high point being a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who took significant (and as of a few days ago,
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Opinion: Biofuels Sustainable, Essential To Aviation’s Future
by Adam Klauber, Isaac Toussie, Steve Csonka and Barbara Bramble (Aviation Week & Space Technology) To some, biofuels conjure negative images of industrial-scale agriculture with cornstalks as far as the eye can see, or worse, displaced orangutans squatting dejectedly beside burning
October 25, 2017 Read Full Article
Feature: Mexican Ethanol Blending Faces Legal Hurdles Following Injunction
by Josh Pedrick and Silvia Struthers (Platts) A future that once looked rosy for climbing ethanol blends with gasoline in Mexico could be in jeopardy as legal challenges to a new fuel regulation have found traction in court. A Mexican federal judge has issued
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Brazil's Biofuel Push Is Threatened by Too Much Cheap Oil
by Vanessa Dezem and Fabiana Batista (Bloomberg Technology) Brazil leading international effort to expand industry; Biofuel investments worldwide are down 25% this year ... Brazil is positioning itself as a global biofuels ambassador, fighting climate change by spurring demand for ethanol. It will be
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
A Dozen Global Cities Commit to Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets
(Next-Gen Transportation News) The mayors of London, Paris, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Quito, Vancouver, Mexico City, Milan, Seattle, Auckland and Cape Town have signed the C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration. Under the declaration, the city leaders have pledged to procure only zero-emission buses from 2025
October 24, 2017 Read Full Article
Ottawa Looking into Low-Carbon Fuels as It Develops New Clean Fuel Standard
by Maura Forrest (National Post) A major question the government appears to be grappling with is where a new supply of low-carbon fuels will come from -- The federal government is looking into the potential for low-carbon fuels in Canada as it
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner co-authored a Biofuels Digest article with some ideas that show the benefits bioenergy could bring to Africa: "Africans should strive for sustainable fuels from native feedstocks in a modern infrastructure and thriving economy ... Renewable diesel
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Growing the African Biofuel Sector: What’s Not to Like?
by Gerard Ostheimer and Doug Faulkner (Biofuels Digest) ... (I)n Sub-Saharan Africa a thriving indigenous bioenergy industry can play a positive and productive role in modernizing economies and improving the quality of human life. One challenge for African bioenergy development though
October 23, 2017 Read Full Article
Putting Major RFS Concessions into Writing
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Sen. Joni Ernst released a letter late Thursday from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt outlining a number steps the agency intends to take on the Renewable Fuel Standard that will be music to the ears
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
New York City Submits Strong Comments to EPA Supporting Biodiesel
(NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services/Biodiesel Magazine) New York City submitted comments to the U.S. EPA Oct. 19, protesting any rollback of the Renewable Fuel Standard, which calls for minimal use levels for renewable fuels like biodiesel. Biodiesel has proven a
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
NBB Holds Firm In Its Request for 2.5 Billion Gallons of Biomass-Based Diesel, 4.75 Billion Gallons of Advanced Biofuels
(National Biodiesel Board) EPA Letter Does Not Include a Commitment to Raise Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes -- Yesterday the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) responded to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Notice of Data Availability (NODA), focusing on the advanced biofuel standard for
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Four Swedish NGOs Write MEPs Demanding a Shift in Biofuels Policy
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Sweden, a group of four NGOs have written an open letter to members of European Parliament urging them to rethink the proposals for the second version of the Renewable Energy Directive, claiming that Swedish
October 20, 2017 Read Full Article
Marketing Sustainability: How Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) Are Planning to Take Flight
By Michael Eggleston* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Flying in Formation: Since the first test flight almost 10 years ago, there have been over 40,000 commercial flights supported by four international airports supplying SAFs. Michael Gill, Executive Director of the cross-industry Air
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
ExCo79 Workshop Publication ‘The Role of Industrial Biorefineries in a Low-Carbon Economy- Summary and Conclusions’
(International Energy Agency) Biorefineries are generally expected to play an important role in decarbonising the energy and transport sectors with bioenergy and biofuel products. In addition, national and regional economies would benefit the most from a production portfolio that favours high-added
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
US Grains Council : Ethanol Summit Of The Americas Enlivens Discussions Of Global Ethanol Use
(4-Traders) Industry and government officials from more than 15 countries in the Western Hemisphere are meeting this week at the Ethanol Summit of the Americas to discuss current and future opportunities for ethanol in the region. The event is underway until Friday
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Obstacles Hinder the Switch to E5 Biofuel
(Vietnam.net) There are only two months left until January 1, 2018, the date set for the nation to switch from RON A92 petrol to bio-fuel E5, but the plan is facing problems. -- According to calculations by the Ministry of Industry and
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Trump Tells EPA to Boost Biofuels After Iowa Uproar
by Jennifer A Dlouhy , Jennifer Jacobs, Ari Natter (Bloomberg) Market for biofuel credits rebounds after lawmakers weigh in; Iowa governor says Trump affirms commitment to biofuel program President Donald Trump intervened personally with the Environmental Protection Agency amid pressure from Republicans in the politically important state of
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Sen. Tammy Duckworth Blocks Key EPA Nominees, Cites Ethanol Stance and Ties to Koch Industries
by Ben Wolfgang (The Washington Times) Citing one nominee’s stance on the federal ethanol mandate and another’s supposed ties to Koch Industries, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat, on Wednesday placed holds on two key nominations for top-level jobs at the Environmental Protection Agency. The move
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Ethanol Producers Work with UN to Accelerate Shift to Low Carbon
(Ethanol Europe Renewables, Ltd./EurActiv) EERL partners with UN Climate Change for COP 23 -- Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Bonn (COP 23, 6-17 November), Ethanol Europe Renewables Ltd (EERL) and UN Climate Change have partnered to boost the deployment of
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Heard on the Floor at ABLC Next 2017: Fulcrum Prices Bonds, GOP Governors’ Pro-Biofuels March on DC
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In the biggest news sweeping the floor at ABLC Next 2017 and perhaps the biggest industrial biotechnology update of 2017, the long-awaited financing is approaching completion for Fulcrum Bioenergy’s highly-anticipated waste-to-fuels project in Nevada, that
October 19, 2017 Read Full Article
Wide Range of Issues Covered at Argus Biofuels Conference
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) New ethanol market developments, legislation and trading were just some of the themes analysed at this year’s Argus Biofuels conference. The conference, which is taking place in London at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower over three days, focused on
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
More than Half of EU Biodiesel Made from Imported Crops, Study Finds
by Samuel White (EurActiv) Some 53% of EU biodiesel is made with imported feedstock, according to a recent analysis of European Commission data by NGO Transport and Environment, and almost half of imported palm oil is burned in car engines. “EU car
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Countries Reject Plans for the Expansion of Aviation Biofuels
(Transport & Environment) Today, 25 countries convened by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) rightly rejected the 2050 Vision on Sustainable Aviation Fuels that included volume-based targets as originally proposed by the ICAO Secretariat. Brad Schallert, Deputy Director at World Wildlife Fund and a
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Industry Helps Drive American Manufacturing
(National Biodiesel Board) Biodiesel is a driving force in America’s manufacturing sector, supporting more than 64,000 good paying, clean energy jobs across the country. These jobs are contributing to a vibrant manufacturing sector, reinvigorating rural economies and driving innovation. “Manufacturing Day 2017
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Low Carbon Demand Regears Biodiesel Inputs
by Niamh Boyle (Prima Markets/Biodiesel Magazine) Prima Markets provides a comprehensive summary of the growing international demand for low carbon fuels, including U.S. policy drivers and waste feedstock consumption, along with a detailed overview of the international trade of low carbon
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Industry in Full Court Press on DC Priorities
by Donnell Rehagen (National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ... Our big three in D.C. remain the Renewable Fuel Standard, the trade case and the biodiesel tax incentive. All three issues require a comprehensive, multifaceted approach made up of advocacy efforts in Congress, various
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
30% Ethanol Blend Plan Coming for County’s Vehicle Fleet
by Shannon Marvel (Farm Forum) Brown County officials will develop a plan to use a 30-percent ethanol blend in the county’s vehicle fleet. The move, discussed at Tuesday’s county commission meeting, is in response to Glacial Lakes Energy’s E30 Challenge. Watertown-based Glacial Lakes
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
A Vote for Bill Wehrum Is a Vote against the RFS
by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) (The Hill) There is a reason that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), our nation's policy governing the production and sale of biofuels, has broad bipartisan support in Congress. This policy is helping us revive rural economies,
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Grassley Says Midwestern Senators Who Are Upset over EPA's New Renewable-Fuel Proposals Could Hold up Agency's Nominees
by Joseph Morton (Omaha World-Herald) The head of the Environmental Protection Agency sought Tuesday to calm Midwestern senators who could block his nominees if the agency sets renewable fuel mandates too low. All four GOP senators from Iowa and Nebraska attended Tuesday’s
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Farmers Push for Support of Renewable Fuels
(Public News Service) Farmers in North Dakota and across the country are pushing policymakers in Washington to support renewable fuels. The National Farmers Union, in conjunction with the North Dakota Farmers Union and counterparts in other states, wants Congress and the Trump
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Pruitt's Charm Offensive Has Few Actual Promises
by Anthony Adragna (Politico's Morning Energy) Seven corn-state Republican senators emerged smiling from what they deemed a "good" meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on Tuesday but they got no concrete policy promises on the Renewable Fuel Standard from him, Pro's
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Biofuel Palm Oil Ban ‘Has Little Impact on Reducing Deforestation’
(Biofuels International) A general ban on palm oil in biofuels in Europe punishes the wrong producers while having little impact on reducing deforestation, according to Jaboury Ghazoul, a professor of ecosystem management at ETH Zurich. He claims in an article published
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Oil Firms Float Country's Biggest Ethanol Purchase Tender
by Ajay Modi (Business Standard) Oil marketing companies — IndianOil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum — have floated the country’s biggest ethanol procurement tender to buy 3.13 billion litres. The value of ethanol desired by companies for blending with petrol is estimated at
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Think Transportation GHG Emissions Targets Can Be Reached without Biofuels Mandates? Think Again.
by Gordon Quaiattini (Biofuels Digest) Governments serious about climate change should be wary about eliminating the mandate for renewable fuels, and those promising a low carbon fuel market without it. Earlier this month Canada’s Environment Commissioner urged MPs to push the government from
October 18, 2017 Read Full Article
Airbus Exec.: EU ‘Bonus’ for Aviation Biofuels May Be Too Little
by Frédéric Simon (EurActiv) The European Commission’s proposal to incentivise the production of biofuels for aircraft with a 20% “multiplier” goes in the right direction, says Thierry Nowaczyk from Airbus. The question is whether this is enough to fill the price
October 17, 2017 Read Full Article
Republican Governors Express Concern to President Trump Over EPA Actions on RFS
(National Biodiesel Board) “We Were Drawn to Your Explicit Promises to Our Farmers… But Now We Are Concerned” -- Today four Republican Governors sent a letter to President Trump with concerns on the recently proposed changes to America’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS),