The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $8.8 million in funding to boost advanced biofuel production and assist in sustaining jobs at renewable energy facilities in 39 states. The funds, provided through USDA’s Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, tie in to several USDA programs also aimed at increasing advanced biofuel production including the Farm Bill’s bio-refinery program, the Green Fleet …
BioEnergy Bytes
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association has changed its name to Renewable Industries Canada (RICanada) to reinforce its 32 year mission to promote the use of value-added products made from renewable resources. In making the announcement, RICanada President Andrea Kent emphasized the evolution of the renewable fuels industry and the diversity of companies that operate within Canada’s bioeconomy. According to a …
AUFC Releases Polluter Impunity Report
June 2, 2016 marked the second anniversary of the Clean Power Plan (CPP), a historic piece of legislation that requires power plants to lower emissions and convert to renewable energy sources. As the CPP remains under fire, Americans United for Change (AUFC) has released a new report, “Polluter Impunity,” intended to expose behind the scenes coordination of opponents and details …
Nebraska Ramps Up Bio-based Partnerships
Nebraska is ramping up its bio-based partnerships. According to a recent Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), bioscience companies employ more than 16,000 people in the state with the industry growing at a faster pace than the national average. For instance, several global and national companies are already located in Nebraska, including: NatureWorks (corn-based plastics), Novozymes (enzyme technology), Purac (lactic …
MGPUB Announces Flex Fuel Video Contest
The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) has launched its Drive Flex Fuel video contest to kick off its 2016 Maryland Drive Flex Fuels advertising campaign. Winning-worthy videos will be 30 seconds and educate and encourage drivers to choose ethanol fuels including E15 and E85 at the pump as well as to purchase flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) when they are …
Western Plains Energy Joins RFA
Western Plains Energy has joined the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The ethanol facility is located in Oakley, Kansas and produces 50 million gallons per year of ethanol from both corn and grain sorghum. The ethanol refinery produces more than 400,000 tons per year of wet distillers’ grains. “We are thrilled to announce that Western Plains Energy has joined our organization,” …
BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winner Is…
And the BioenergizeME Infographic Challenge Winner is…Smithtown High School located in St. James New York. The students beat their competitors with the winning infographic entitled, “Cellulosic Ethanol: Fueling the Future”. The student team won the Director’s Prize for Excellence in Content, Design and Social Media Promotion and have been invited to present their infographic during the Bioenergy Technololgies Office’s (BETO) …
#RFS Comment Period Opens
The comment period for the latest proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for years 2017 & 2018 has opened. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed 2017 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) proposal would reduce corn ethanol volumes by approximately 200 million gallons while other categories were slightly raised, but not yet at statue levels. The comment period goes through July 11, 2016, …
NFU & NDFU Defend #RFS
The National Farmers Union (NFU) and the North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) have responded to comments made by U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) suggesting that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) should be allowed to expire in 2022. The two farmer organizations noted that the #RFS has a positive impact on rural economies, especially those in Rep. Cramer’s home state of …
ICM’s SMT Technology Proven Process
IMC says its Selective Milling Technology (SMT) has proven its success. Today the technology is installed at nearly 15 percent of U.S. ethanol plants and has enabled ethanol plants to produce more than 300 million gallons of ethanol since its installations. ICM says the SMT process has collectively produced more than 45 million gallons of ethanol per year as well …