EM Biofuels LLC is rolling out RINPlus, a web-based platform that tracks the origin of Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN). The company says the platform will enable obligated parties to verify the genealogy of all RINs from feedstock to RIN generation and separation. RINPlus will document many areas including: Facility’s engineering review Corporate formation documents and operating permits Validity checks including co-product …
U.S. Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of RFS
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected a petition by the Chicken Council challenging the rule making of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). Upon filing of the petition, the ethanol industry took action. Today, Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis along with Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO …
Ball State Begins Final Phase of Geothermal System
Ball State is the home of the country’s largest geothermal system. This week the university began the second and final phase of converting to a geothermal ground-source heat pump system. The project began in 2009 and the first phase was completed earlier this year and now provides heating and cooling to nearly half the campus. Upon completion, the conversion should …
Wind O&M Market Forecast to Double
The wind operations and maintenance services (O&M) market is forecast to nearly double by 2025 from approximately $3 billion in 2012 to nearly $6 billion in 2025. Also according to a recent report from IHS Emerging Energy Research on U.S. Wind O&M Strategies, O&M is expected to account for over one-third of total capital expenditures over the next decade. In …
Consumers in Kansas Embrace E15
Consumers in Kansas have embraced E15. The Zarco 66 “Oasis” station in Lawrence became the first retail gas station in the country to offer E15 under the waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and consumers are buying the renewable fuel blend. On July 18, 2012, Zarco 66 Station owner Scott Zaremba held a pump promotion for two …
Ethanol Detractors Call for End of RFS
A coalition of livestock and poultry groups continue to attack the veracity of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) that mandates the amount of renewable fuels that must be used each year in the transportation fuel supply. The new campaign has been launched in tandem with a new economic study conducted by Farm Econ LLC focusing on the impact of corn …
Researchers: LCFS Would Help America
During a bipartisan briefing on Capitol Hill, researchers from six institutions advocated that adopting a national Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) would be a positive step for America. Renewable fuels, they said, will be cleaner, cheaper and “Made in America”. This consensus by the group of researchers was met after conducting an extensive series of peer-reviewed LCFS studies. The research …
RFA Continues Sturgis Sponsorship
The 72nd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD is August 6-12 and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is continuing its partnership with the Legendary Buffalo Chip. This is an opportunity for the organization to promote the use of ethanol to motorcyclists around the country. Often ethanol is mischaracterized as a problem for motorcycle engines. During the event, RFA staff …
Using Bacteria for Good
Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) are using the power of microbes from agricultural waste to create ethanol and hydrogen for fuel cells. The technology was developed by MSU microbiologist Gemma Reguera, who created bioelectrochemical systems known as microbial electrolysis cells or MECs. The process uses bacteria to break down and ferment ag waste into ethanol. The process produces 20 …
Offshore Wind Energy in Europe Doubles
Yesterday I wrote about the progress of an offshore wind project in the UK, the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration project. Today The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has said that 2012 could be the best year ever for offshore wind energy in Europe. Just this year 532.2 megawatts (MW) or 132 offshore wind turbines have been connected to the grid …