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 …
Hearing Addresses #RFS Management
The Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing yesterday examining two reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) released this week. The hearing included testimony from Frank Rusco, GAO Director Natural Resources and Environment and Janet McCabe, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation …
#Biodiesel Supporters Share Stories on the Hill
More than 30 biodiesel supporters from multiple states shared their stories and the benefits on biodiesel in the halls of Congress this week. “We have a great message to share with our elected officials,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO, Donnell Rehagen. “We want our messages and our success story to be top of mind now and when any tax extenders …
Finnish #Climate Report Phases out Coal, Ups #Biofuels
On November 30, 2016, the Finnish Government began discussing its approved National Energy and Climate Strategy that was released on November 24th. “National Energy and Climate Strategy to 2030,” outlines the country’s strategies and gives detailed actions that will be undertaken for the country to reach European Union (EU) climate objectives through 2030 as well as to help Finland to …
Biogreen Diesel Wins #Biofuels Company of the Year
Biogreen Diesel has been awarded the 2016 South Africa Biofuels Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan for its work in the biofuel industry producing biodiesel from waste cooking oil. Biogreen began processing between 3,000 to 5,000 litres each month in Cape Town and today is processing between 20,000 to 25,000 litres per month. The company has announced plans …
Biodico Begins #Biodiesel Delivery to UCSB
Biodico is now delivering biodiesel to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), that was produced from used cooking oil collected at UCSB. The biodiesel will be used to fuel tractors and other diesel-powered equipment on campus. The renewable fuel was produced at Biodico’s “Zero Net Energy Farm” that went online in December of 2015 in the San Joaquin Valley. …
Research Develops Cold Tolerant #Bioenergy Grass
University of Illinois agronomist D.K. Lee has developed a bioenergy grass that is tolerant to freezing. Current bioenergy crops such as Miscanthus and switchgrass grown in the Midwest are prone to freezing. When Lee discovered one morning in Mid-April that the only grass not frozen was prairie cordgrass he and his team began to research what molecular changes keep cordgrass, …