Study: EPA Lacks Transparency in Feedstock Approvals

John Davis

A study from a pair of University of Illinois researchers says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks “transparency and clarity” when it comes to approving new feedstocks for biofuels as new pathway determinations. In farmdocdaily.com, James McCubbins and Bryan Endres say that if it’s not biodiesel or corn ethanol, it seems to take a lot longer to get the agency’s …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Government, News, RFS, RINS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

Dyadic International’s President and CEO, Mark Emalfarb, is presenting at the World Biotechnology Congress 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts June 3-6, 2013 and the BIO World Congress, June 16-19, 2013 on Industrial Biotechin Montréal, Canada. He will be joined by James Moe, Chairman and Steve Hartig, General Manager, both with POET-DSM who will also be presenting at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop …

Bioenergy Bytes

Jordan to Get First Wind Research Plant & Lab

Joanna Schroeder

An agreement has been signed that will establish the first research plant and lab for wind energy in Jordan. The National Center for Research and Development of the Higher Council for Science and Technology has signed an agreement with Elsewedy for Wind Energy Generation (SWEG) to establish a pilot plant and research lab for wind energy in Al Fujaij, Al …

Electricity, Energy, International, Solar, Wind

Facts About Farmers and Farming

Joanna Schroeder

The Corn Farmers Coalition is educating policymakers in D.C. about how U.S. family farmers produce corn, (also used to produce ethanol) the top crop in the nation. Sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its state affiliates, the campaign showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become by introducing a foundation of facts about farmers and farmers. …

Agribusiness, corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Project Volt Gas Volt – A Breakthrough Program?

Joanna Schroeder

During the EU Parliament in Brussels, a “breakthrough” green renewable energy program coined Project Volt Gas Volt was called for to make fossil fuel and first generation biofuel use obsolete. The call was made by Corinne Lepage, Member of the European Parliament (also the former French Minister of the Environment) and American Professor of Management, Robert I. Bell. According to …

Alternative energy, biofuels, Environment, Solar, Wind

Biomass-based Diesel Imports Jump in March

John Davis

We’re seeing a big spike in the amount of biomass-based diesel imported into the U.S. Biodiesel Magazine reports the latest numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show gross imports at 17.3 million gallons in March… a more than eight-fold increase above February’s 2.2 million gallons, and it marks the first biomass-based diesel from Argentina in about four years and …

Biodiesel, International, NBB

Australian Co. Inks Deal, Will Re-Open Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Australia-based Lignol Energy Corporation announced it will re-open an approximately 35 million gallon a year biodiesel plant. The announcement comes as part of a deal that sees LEC agree to acquire an additional 2.67 million shares of Territory Biofuels Limited (“TBF”) for nearly $1 million (US) that makes LEC a majority shareholder in TBF: “We are excited to be working …

Biodiesel, International

Free Ethanol Seminars Coming in Nebraska

Joanna Schroeder

The next two Ethanol Safety Seminars will take place in Grand Island and Columbus, Nebraska on June 12, 2013 and June 13, 2013. The safety seminars are sponsored by the Nebraska Central Railroad and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The sessions are FREE to attend and open to the public. Attendees will receive in-depth information on proper training techniques that …

biofuels, Education, Ethanol, RFA

EPA’s 411 on RINs & RVOs

Joanna Schroeder

A recent “Today in Energy” brief published by the U.S. Energy and Information Administration takes a look at how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are the targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel, while RINS allow …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RINS

SEAD Searches for Most Energy Efficient EV

Joanna Schroeder

The Clean Energy Ministerial’s Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative is in search of the most energy efficient electric motor in the world. The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition will recognize the most energy efficient motors on the market as well as new technologies that have the potential to greatly reduce energy use in the future. According to the …

Alternative energy, automotive, Electric Vehicles