Today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its 2010 Edition of the World Energy Outlook in which it reported that global fossil-fuel subsidies have amounted to more than US $312 billion in 2009. The number includes subsidies to fossil fuels used in final consumption and to fossil fuel inputs to power generation. However, the report did not include direct producer …
New Controversial Biofuels Report Released
According to a new study released this week, the European Union (EU) plans to increase its use of biofuels over the next 10 years and it will require 69,000 square kilometers of new land causing climate change to become worse. “Driving to Destruction” was commissioned by a coalition of environmental and development NGOs and the study reports that by 2020, …
Two Big Wins for Amyris
Amyris is having a busy week. Yesterday, they announced a partnership with Tate and Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc (a subsidiary of Tate and Lyle) for them to produce farnesene. Amryis will take the farnesene and produce farnesane, the company’s unique diesel molecule that forms the basis of its renewable diesel. The product will be manufactured in Tate and Lyle’s facility …
CEC Awards $9.6M in Energy Grants
Good news today for several California biofuel producers. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved eight grants worth more than $9.6 million along with $11,969,855 in private funds. Each winning project demonstrated its ability to reduce petroleum use, reduce pollution and provide jobs. The categories of industry that were eligible for funding included biofuels, manufacturers of electric vehicles and batteries, …
Ag Secretary Vilsack to Keynote Cellulosic Biofuels Summit
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Cellulosic Biofuels Summit on November 16, 2010 in Washington DC. His topics will focus on several recent announcements from the USDA that established five regional Biomass Research Centers, the funding of five new biorefineries and the final rules for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), a $525 million …
New Global Biofuels Alliance Announced
Five biodiesel companies have come together to launch an new biodiesel lobbying organization called the Global Biofuels Alliance, Inc. The effort was led by HERO BX, one of the country’s largest biodiesel producers. The first goal of the organization is to focus on reinstating the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit, which expired on December 31, 2009. According to Mike Noble, co-founder …
Biofuels Journal Ethanol Workshop A Success
The third annual BioFuels Journal Commercial Ethanol Technology and Research Workshop, in partnership with the American Coalition for Ethanol, was a success with nearly 100 attendees coming to St. Joseph, Missouri. This workshop is unique in that it focuses on bolt-ons for existing ethanol plants and new technologies for advanced biofuels. According to Myke Feinman, Publisher of BioFuels Journal, the …
White House Highlights Federal Energy Successes
Many of you remember the solar panels that were installed on the White House during the 70s when our country was focused on reducing its dependence on foreign oil. Many of you will also remember when President Reagan removed the solar panels and moved our government’s focus away from energy independence. The White House announced that it is moving forward …
Gen. Clarks Explains How to “Bring It Home”
General Wesley Clark brought his message about ethanol to the people through an article published in the October/November issue of Washington Monthly. In the article, Clark, who is a Co-Chairman for ethanol industry organization Growth Energy, discusses the staggering amount of money the United States sends to foreign countries for oil – $821 million EVERY day. This equates to $300 …
UNEP Releases Water & Bioenergy Paper
Water is becoming a growing global concern and according to a new issues brief released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), water could determine the degree to which bioenergy can contribute to combating climate change through renewable fuels. “Water and Bioenergy” was presented during the Convention on Biodiversity meeting (CBD COP10) in Nagoya, Japan. One element of great concern …