The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it included biodiesel from Argentina under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for obligated parties to use when meeting their volume obligations. Back in 2015, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) filed a petition with the EPA urging them to change their rulemaking …
Losing Topsoil? Plant Switchgrass.
Switchgrass, an energy feedstock that can be used for biofuel production, now has another benefit: it can improve soil quality and can be grown on farms that have lost fertile topsoil. According to new research from the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources has found that switchgrass may be a promising option for growers who …
Today in Energy Looks at RFS
With the final 2017 rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in place, a recent Today in Energy looks at a revised biofuels forecast through 2017 published by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) finds that the new rule will have the greatest impact on biomass-based diesel consumption. This category is expected to grow while ethanol …
Fuels America Sends Trump RFS Support Letter
The renewable fuels industry has come together, through Fuels America, to submit a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump congratulating him on his campaign and his vocal support of biofuels such as ethanol during his campaigning. The letter, signed by 17 organizations, also calls on the new administration to “stand strong against those who seek to undermine this vital program.” In …
Turf Feeding Kicks off Hydroponic #Biofuels Project
Turf Feeding Systems has been selected to design, build and manage a unique hydroponic biofuels project in Mexico for Zphere Works. The biojet fuel will be produced from Jatropha grown on an 80,000 acre Monarca plantation in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Turf Feeding Systems says this is the first project to bring together products and technologies to create a …
Green Fuels Lab Opens in Australia
A new advanced green fuels laboratory developed and constructed by Southern Oil Refining (SOR) has opened in Yarwun, near Gladstone in QLD Australia. The lab is one step in Southern Oil’s goal of completing a commercial-scale biorefinery in the country. The facility will research biocrude and biofuels technologies and came to fruition with the help of the Australian Renewable Energy …
Study Shows People Will May More for #Biofuels
A new study has found that consumers are willing to pay more for second generation biofuels, in fact up to an 11 percent premium over conventional fuel. The research, “Consumer Preferences for Second-Generation Bioethanol,” was conducted by Washington State University (WSU) and published in the November issue of the journal of Energy Economics. “We were surprised the premium was that …
BETO to Issue Integrated Biorefinery Optimization Funding
The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), a part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement called, “Integrated Biorefinery Optimization.” The funding will support R&D to increase biorefinery efficiencies that result in a continuous operation and production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower at competitive prices to fossil-based products. Suggested methods for accomplishing …
#Algae Food & Fuel Can Reduce GHG Emissions
New research has found that using microalgae to produce food and biofuel can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study was led by Michael J. Walsh, a research fellow in Bentley University’s Center for Integration of Science and Industry, and found that algal food and fuel coproduction can help to improve both land and water-use efficiency while reducing GHG …
NBB Welcomes 5th Edition of #Biodiesel Guide
In conjunction with the U.S. Clean Cities program, the Department of Energy (DOE) has released the fifth edition of its Biodiesel Handling & Use Guide. The publication serves as an educational tool for those who blend, distribute and use biodiesel, and is targeted to fleets, blenders, distributors and anyone involved in related activities. The guide offers basic information on the …