A report from the Coordinating Research Council, (CRC) adds to the growing body of research that demonstrates biodiesel’s role as a low carbon fuel. Two of the report’s key conclusions find that carbon emissions from biofuels are declining relative to petroleum, and confidence in these results continue to grow as more research is released. According to the National Biodiesel Board …
Advanced #Biofuel Production in One-Pot
A strain of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), engineered by researchers at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory enables a “one-pot” method for producing advanced biofuels from a slurry of pre-treated plant material. The bacteria is able to tolerate the liquid salt used to break down plant biomass into sugar-based polymers. However, the salt solvent, called ionic liquids, interferes with later stages …
UCR Awarded $1.3 for Waste-to-Energy Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded two University of California Riverside (UCR) researchers with $1.3 million for waste-to-energy research focused on creating biofuels and biochemicals from waste plant materials. Charles Wyman, Distinguished Professor in Chemical and Environmental Engineering and holder of the Ford Motor Company Chair in Environmental Engineering at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), …
EPA Honors Biodiesel Leaders
Two long-time biodiesel leaders have been honored by the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) for their commitment to the environment – Harvard University Fleet Management Division and Medford Township Public Schools in Medford, NJ. Joe Biluck, Medford’s director of operations and technology, and David E. Harris Jr., Harvard’s director transit and fleet management, are the champions behind their fleets’ switch to …
EPA Gives OMB RFS Modification Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delivered a proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that would amend the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The “Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support Rule,” would resolve outstanding issues and provide clarification on certain RFS requirements. The rule would also allow for feedstocks partially converted at a facility other than a …
Long-Term Biodiesel Tax Incentive Bill Introduced
U.S. Representatives Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) have introduced legislation to extend the biodiesel tax incentive through 2019 and modify the program to become a domestic production credit. The $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax credit has been lapsed and reinstated multiple times. It is scheduled to expire yet again on December 31, 2016. This bill would extend the incentive three …
Research Develops Ultra Productive Biomass Crops
The University of Illinois and the University of Florida have been awarded a third round of ARPA-E funding (U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) to continue research work on the Plants Engineered To Replace Oil in Sugarcane and Sweet Sorghum (PETROSS) project. The funding is for projects that are focused on developing ultra-productive biomass crops for use in …
Montreal-Trudeau Airport for Biojet Pilot Program
The next step in Canada’s Biojet Supply Chain Initiative (CBSCI) has been determined. Air Canada has announced the three-year collaborative project will take place at the Montréal-Trudeau Airport. The goal of the program, that includes 14 stakeholders, is to use 400,000 litres of aviation biojet (biofuel) into a shared fuel system. Aviation fuel is not new to Air Canada. The …
USDA, DOE Invest $10M in Green Energy Research
A joint venture has been forged between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to help fund green energy research designed to develop more efficient biofuel production and agricultural feedstock improvements. The venture has been allocated $10 million from the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI). “Advancements …
Nebraska Celebrates Renewable Fuels Month
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May “Renewable Fuels Month”. The aim is to recognize the benefits the ethanol and biodiesel industries have provide the state. Nebraska is home to 25 ethanol plants making it the country’s second largest ethanol producing state behind Iowa. There is currently one biodiesel plant producing 50 million gallons with a second plant located in …