Groups representing biofuels and farm interests are praising the Pentagon’s action to develop cheaper, drop-in biofuels. Michael McAdams, president of the Advanced Biofuels Association, says the $16 million awarded under the Defense Production Act is a significant step in supporting efforts to build commercial drop in fuels facilities: “Biofuels offer outstanding performance and environmental sustainability, while also providing a diversity …
PacificAg Created Through Merger
Sister companies Pacific Ag Solutions and Pacific PowerStock have merged to become PacificAg. According to the company, the merger creates the largest agricultural residue and hay harvesting business in the U.S. with operations in seven states and the largest fleet of biomass harvesting equipment in the country. “We have always served two important markets: demand for forage crops for livestock …
Ethanol Improving While Oil Gets Worse
The House and Energy Commerce Committee has released its third white paper on the Renewable Fuel Standard, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impacts.” Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Brian Jennings, responded with written comments that included but were not limited to feedback on the RFS role on the environment, agricultural sustainability and tailpipe emissions. “…petroleum …
EPA Proposes RFS Amendments
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) amendments and clarifications, which include new pathway determinations for advanced biofuels such as isobutanol and ethanol from crop residues. The EPA proposal also includes “various changes to the E15 misfueling mitigation regulations (E15 MMR) which are minor technical corrections and amendments to sections dealing with labeling, E15 surveys, product …
Foreign Fuels Reduction Act – Good for Biofuels?
A fancy title does not good biofuels policy make. Mixed emotions are emanating from the introduction of the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act,” introduced by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn). The legislation would allow only domestically-sourced fuels to be used to meet the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “It is time for America to create …
Advanced Biofuels Payments Go Out to Producers
Biofuels producers in 38 states recently received payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien made the announcement, pointing out these payments of nearly $14 million to 162 producers are still going out, even with the current budget cuts: “These payments represent the Obama administration’s commitment to support an ‘all of the above’ …
SGI Enters Into Algae Partnership with ExxonMobil
Synthetic Genomics (SGI), has entered into a new co-funded research agreement with ExxonMobil to develop algae biofuels. The new agreement is a science research program that focuses on developing algal strains with significantly improved production characteristics by employing synthetic genomic science and technology. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. “We look forward to working with ExxonMobil to undertake …
Ethanol, Biodiesel Groups Welcome New Energy Sec.
The U.S. Senate today confirmed Ernest Moniz to replace Steven Chu as the Nation’s Secretary of Energy. The 96-0 vote was welcomed by biodiesel and ethanol groups: “Throughout his career, Ernest Moniz has supported efforts to move beyond fossil fuels to a cleaner, more secure energy future in which renewable sources play a prominent role,” said Anne Steckel, vice president …
No Mandatory Energy Funding in House Farm Bill
The House Agriculture Committee passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) of 2013 by a vote of 36 to 10 late Wednesday night. While the bill does contain an energy title, an amendment to make funding of energy programs mandatory was defeated. “We thank the entire committee for reauthorizing the programs, but mandatory funding is vital to …
Enerkem Launches New Research Project
Waste-to-biofuels company Enerkem has launched a new research project with the Government of Canada. The project objective is to develop new catalytic processes for the conversion of waste into drop-in biofuels that can be used to replace conventional gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The Government of Canada is contributing $1.1 million to this project via Natural Resources Canada. “Enerkem’s core …