The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for the 2018 rules under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) today and only called for a slight growth in biodiesel volumes. As a result, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is calling on the Obama Administration to strengthen the proposal that only calls for a 100 million gallon …
.@EPA 2017 #RFS Rules Sparks Inferno
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its draft of the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2017 and have sparked an inferno of unrest among the biofuels industry. EPA has proposed an RVO of 18.8 billion gallons (BG) of which 4 BG is advanced biofuels and 312 million gallons is cellulosic biofuels. The RVO …
Scientists Confirm #Biodiesel Provides CO2 Reduction
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 …
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 …
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 …
Argent Energy Biodiesel Plant Adds Wastewater Tech
Argent Energy’s new biodiesel plant located in Cheshire, UK will be adding new wastewater treatment technology. Once in production, the biorefinery will use waste fats, oils and greases (FOG) to produce biodiesel. By adding the WPL Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) wastewater treatment system, WPL says the plant will be able to reclaim more of the waste fats for conversion to …
Aemetis to Purchase Edeniq
Advanced renewable fuels companies Aemetis and Edeniq have entered into a definitive agreement for Aemetis to acquire all of Edeniq’s outstanding shares in a stock plus cash merger transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Aemetis expects to issue between one and two million shares of its common stock plus cash to be paid over the next five years in …