A study from a pair of University of Illinois researchers says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks “transparency and clarity” when it comes to approving new feedstocks for biofuels as new pathway determinations. In farmdocdaily.com, James McCubbins and Bryan Endres say that if it’s not biodiesel or corn ethanol, it seems to take a lot longer to get the agency’s …
Project Volt Gas Volt – A Breakthrough Program?
During the EU Parliament in Brussels, a “breakthrough” green renewable energy program coined Project Volt Gas Volt was called for to make fossil fuel and first generation biofuel use obsolete. The call was made by Corinne Lepage, Member of the European Parliament (also the former French Minister of the Environment) and American Professor of Management, Robert I. Bell. According to …
Free Ethanol Seminars Coming in Nebraska
The next two Ethanol Safety Seminars will take place in Grand Island and Columbus, Nebraska on June 12, 2013 and June 13, 2013. The safety seminars are sponsored by the Nebraska Central Railroad and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The sessions are FREE to attend and open to the public. Attendees will receive in-depth information on proper training techniques that …
EPA’s 411 on RINs & RVOs
A recent “Today in Energy” brief published by the U.S. Energy and Information Administration takes a look at how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are the targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel, while RINS allow …
Ethanol Supporters Disappointed in Florida Bill
A bill repealing Florida’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) was signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott to the disappointment of many ethanol and other biofuel supporters. State Representative Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach, led the opposition to the repeal of the requirement which was passed in 2008 when her late husband Stan Mayfield chairman of the Florida House energy …
Biofuels, Farm Groups Applaud Pentagon’s Move
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 …
New DoD Contract Looks to Crack $4/gal Biofuels
The Pentagon has handed out a series of contracts for aviation biofuels totaling $16 million. Bloomberg reports the three refineries in Illinois, Nebraska and California that won the Department of Defense awards hope to make the green fuels for less than $4 per gallon: The contracts will be matched by more than $17 million in investments by the contractors, Sharon …
New Algae-to-Biofuels Photobioreactor Designed
Researchers at a university in Spain believe they have a new photobioreactor that will make it easier to turn algae into biofuels. The University of Alicante announced a patent on the new device: The Research Group in Polymer Processing and Pyrolysis at the University of Alicante is the team that has designed and developed this device, consisting of a photobioreactor, …
Filling Up? Ethanol Will Save You Money
This Memorial Day, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is reminding drivers that ethanol can help save money at the pump. As national gas prices continue to rise, the national average today is $3.66 according to GasBuddy.com. For drivers living on the coasts, it’s not uncommon to see high gas prices. Yet the oddity this year is that the highest prices …
Needed: Summer Gas Loan
It’s that time of year when families hop in the car and begin summer vacations. It’s also the time of year when gas prices jump up and the cash in wallets jumps out. When I filled up my tank yesterday, I thought I might have to go the bank and take out a “summer gas loan” to help pay for …