Over 140 witnesses provided feedback to the Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday on the agency’s recent proposed volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, who both urged EPA to reconsider the advanced biofuels and cellulosic ethanol levels. “When you’re talking about the advanced biofuels, I think it’s a mistake to …
Industry Preparing for August 1 EPA Hearing
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on Tuesday, August 1 for the recently released proposed rule for volume levels of ethanol and biodiesel under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2018 and 2019. As with previous RFS hearings, all of the major stakeholders are planning to attend and let EPA know what they like …
Biofuels Stakeholders Comment on Oral Arguments
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) presented oral arguments to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Monday on the petition for review of the Renewable Volume Obligations for 2014-2016 filed by Americans for Clean Energy, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January 2016. The NBB challenged EPA’s interpretation and use of its waiver authority …
Biodiesel to Present Arguments Against EPA
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) will present oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation and use of its waiver authority regarding the 2014-16 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). David Salmons of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP will present NBB’s case, arguing against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s …
Enerkem Earns Lowest BC Carbon Intensity Value
Enerkem Inc., a waste-to-biofuels and renewable chemicals producer based in Canada, has received the lowest carbon intensity value ever issued by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines for its ethanol product. The confirmed carbon intensity of Enerkem’s waste-based ethanol is set at -55 gCO2e/MJ. As a comparison, gasoline has an intensity of +88 gCO2e/MJ. This approval under the …
Bon Voyage Biodiesel – Ship Sets Sail on B20
Biodiesel is taking to the high seas in a special ship traveling from Rhode Island to an ultimate goal of Cuba on 6,000 gallons of B20. The 200-foot Sailing School Vessel Oliver Hazard Perry fueled up with 20 percent biodiesel this week at Newport Shipyard in Newport, Rhode Island as it begins a voyage from New England to Florida, then …
Clariant Fleet Tests Cellulosic Ethanol in Germany
A 20 percent blend of cellulosic ethanol was tested in Mercedez Benz fleet vehicles in Germany over the past year and found to provide “excellent combustion characteristics without additional consumption.” Specialty chemicals company Clariant joined with Mercedes-Benz and Haltermann Carless to perform the fleet test using sunliquid® 20, a fuel produced by Haltermann Carless with a cellulosic ethanol content of …
Molecular Velcro Boosts Algae to #Biofuel
Researchers from Michigan State University have engineered “molecular Velcro into cyanobacteria with the result being a boost to the microalgae’s ability to produce biofuels and potentially other products. The MSU scientists designed a surface display system to attach the blue-green algae to yeast and other surfaces. Early results show that this technology may prove the efficiency of harvesting algae and …
Biodiesel Grows, Food Prices Fall
As Americans celebrate the holiday season, they are paying less for food according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Price Outlook. While biodiesel production is higher than ever, the Consumer Price Index for grocery store items is 2.3 percent less than 2015. “Food is a universal part of most holiday celebrations, and this year prices have dropped even as …
Flint Hills Resources Awarded EPA Pathway Approval
Flint Hills Resources ethanol facility located in Shell Rock, Iowa has been given U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its cellulosic production using Edeniq’s Pathway Technology. The 120 million gallon per year biorefinery is the second in the U.S. to receive EPA approval for cellulosic production using Edeniq technology. “We are greatly encouraged by the EPA’s rapid approval of …