NEC 2027

Ethanol Petition Comment Period Extension Requested

Cindy Zimmerman

epaMore than 30 organizations are requesting an extension of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comment period for a petition that would increase the permitted amount of ethanol in gasoline from its current 10 percent level to 15 percent. The organizations signing on to the request range from livestock and meat associations to food processors, environmental groups and representatives of boats and small engine makers.

In a letter addressed to the EPA Docket Clerk, the organizations expressed their appreciation of agency’s efforts in soliciting comments on this waiver application. However, “because of the complexity and highly technical nature of the application’s potential implications, a 60-day extension would be needed, given the diverse array of parties that would be impacted, as well as the limited time to review.”

The EPA Docket No: [EPA–HQ–OAR–2009–0211; FRL–8894–5], “Notice of Receipt of a Clean Air Act Waiver Application to Increase the Allowable Ethanol Content of Gasoline to 15 Percent; Request for Comment,” was published in the Federal Register on April 21, 2009.

Ethanol, Government

Corn Farmers Provides Facts About Land Use

Cindy Zimmerman

Last week’s ruling by the California Air Resources Board on a low carbon fuel standard that penalizes corn ethanol on the basis of indirect land use has mobilized corn growers to get the facts out about the environmental impact of the nation’s largest crop.

Corn Farmers Coalition“It’s a little known fact that we are growing five times as much corn as our grandfathers did in the 1930s on 20 percent less land,” says Mark Lambert, director of the Corn Farmers Coalition (CFC), a recently-formed alliance of the National Corn Growers Association and 10 state corn associations.

CFC is working on getting facts like that out to policy makers on the state and national level as the indirect land use issue gains traction in determining the use of renewable fuels like ethanol, especially as the EPA must take that into consideration when implementing the new Renewable Fuels Standard. National Corn Growers Association first vice president Darrin Ihnen says, “Let’s not make critical decisions like this without all the facts at hand and without a fair comparison of what it takes to make a gallon of gas to a gallon of ethanol.”

The CFC is providing input to EPA on both the RFS and increasing the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent. “All we ask is that they consider the facts,” Lambert says.

corn, Ethanol, Farming, Government, Indirect Land Use

African Nations Join Global Renewable Fuels Group

Cindy Zimmerman

Global RFAFourteen southern African nations are now members of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance.

The Southern African Biofuels Alliance has joined forces alliance to help “promote biofuels friendly policies throughout the world.”

Andrew Makenete, President of the Southern African Biofuels Association (SABA) called on other nations to speak out in favour of policies that would promote investment in biofuels particularly in developing countries.

South African biofuels“Biofuels represent an enormous opportunity for developing countries particularly those reliant on crude imports,” Makenete explained. “A sustainable biofuels industry utilizing multiple feedstocks will attract investments in agriculture, reduce our reliance on imported energy and improve income levels. This is a win, win, win for developing countries.”

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance represents over 65% of the global biofuels production from 43 countries including Canada, the United States, Argentina, 22 European countries and now 14 African nations. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible ecological footprint.

biofuels, Ethanol, International, RFA

Changes in New Engines Might Be Issue for Biodiesel

John Davis

I ran across an interesting article in Popular Mechanics about some issues that pure biodiesel might have in some new diesel engines.

Dave Hubbard, who follows developments in biodiesel and even makes the green fuel himself, writes that changes in environmental laws have actually made formerly B100-compatible engines unable to burn the pure form of the biofuel:

Until two years ago, all diesel engines were B100-compatible (biodiesel cannot run in gasoline engines because it needs an engine that ignites by compression). Then standards set by both the Environment Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board, phased in for 2007, required all passenger vehicles to meet the same, stricter emissions. That meant diesel manufacturers had to reduce emissions of NOX and particulate matter to meet those of gas-powered cars. These standards were created with good intentions—to look out for our health by improving the air that we breath. (After all, particulate matter is a known carcinogen.) But the way most manufacturers did this created a setback for those of us trying to use biofuels.Read More

Biodiesel, Car Makers

New ISA Building to Help Biodiesel Development

John Davis

A new office building for the Iowa Soybean Association will help the group in its efforts to promote biodiesel. And the ISA will be able to complete the construction of its Ankeny, Iowa building thanks to some help from the state legislature.

This story from MidwestAgnet.com says Iowa’s Governor Chet Culver went to the construction site to sign Senate File 342, legislation to ensure continuation of progress on the building project:

chetculver“This project fits well into our focus on infrastructure as we’re working to stimulate economic development. This building is a great visual,” Culver said. “With the passing of this bill, we’re encouraging a project that illustrates what we’re also trying to do around the state with the public infrastructure. Projects like this are critically important during this economic downtime. This is how we will literally work our way to recovery.”

During his visit, the Governor emphasized his ongoing commitment to agriculture. “It’s important with every legislative session to do all that we can for rural Iowa, for agriculture, for the biofuels industry. I want to continue to fight for rural Iowa and for Iowa’s farmers.”

As an example of his support, he noted that he has signed an executive order to have the state fleet use more ethanol and biodiesel.

“As co-chair of the Biofuels Governors Association, I’m working extremely hard with other governors to get the attention of the new Administration. For example, we have an E15 waiver pending at the EPA now. I’ll be in touch with the Administration to partner in granting that waiver. I’ve met with Senator Harkin and will also visit with Senator Grassley on that issue.”

Culver also noted that he he’s been talking with Amtrak officials about getting high-speed trains to run on biodiesel.

Biodiesel

Making Biodiesel From Petroleum’s Waste Water

John Davis

Researchers in New Mexico have found a good use for the millions of gallons of briney waste water produced from refining petroleum, which also keeps the mess from being injected back into the ground.
cehmm2
This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the Center of Excellence for Hazardous Materials Management (CEHMM) in Carlsbad has found that the waste water is perfect for growing oil-producing algae… which in turn, can be turned into biodiesel:

CEHMM told Biodiesel Magazine that it has indentified a wild, salt-water strain of algae suited for growth in the extremely “brine-laden” subterranean waters found in southeastern New Mexico. “We’ve discovered that we can mimic the characteristics of these waters in our ponds where we are growing algae,” he said. CEHMM has nevertheless been able to manipulate the water to create prime cultivation conditions, and, without using genetic technologies, enhanced the oil-making performance of the algae shortly before the material is harvested. Lynn, however, could not divulge the technique being developed as a trade secret and said only that it involves indentifying the “triggers” which are conducive to increased oil expression in the algae strain. These oils “show incredible purity and viability” for biodiesel refining, CEHMM stated.

The article also points out that using this waste water takes the issue of using water to make biofuels off the table.

Biodiesel

Y-12 National Security Complex Wins Energy Award

y12The Y-12 National Security Complex was a big winner in the Dept. of Energy’s program recognizing environmental sustainability. The complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a premier manufacturing facility dedicated to making our nation and the world a safer place.

Y-12 received three of the eight EStar awards presented this year. One of the awards was for use of mass transit, adding options for bikers and pedestrians, and other efforts — such as use of alternative fuels, such as E85 — to save energy on commuting and vehicle use at the Oak Ridge plant. Another award was for pollution prevention projects that eliminated more than 275,000 kilograms of waste and saved $542,000. The third award was for identifying historical railroad items and donating them to organziations for future use, rather than discarding them and creating additiional waste burdens at taxpayer expense. The project reportedly saved over $40,000 and preserved a number of historical artifacts.

More than 150 projects from the DOE complex were nominated for the awards.

E85, Energy, global warming, Government, News

Renewable Energy in First 100 Days Progress Report

Cindy Zimmerman

Secretary of Agriculture Tom VilsackU.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack counted progress toward energy independence among the Obama administration’s first 100 days accomplishments.

During a meeting in Washington DC with agricultural journalists this week, Vilsack said implementing the 2008 Farm Bill was his number one priority when he took the office of secretary. “The president gave me an instruction when he hired me to continue to promote renewable energy and biofuels, and for that reason we’ve been very focused on making sure that the energy title of the Farm Bill was accelerated in terms of rule making and in terms of making resources available to farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Vilsack.

Together with the Department of Energy, Vilsack said USDA has made $25 million available for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products.

Energy, Ethanol, Government, USDA

Farm Bureau Supports Increasing Ethanol Blend Level

Cindy Zimmerman

afbfThe American Farm Bureau Federation believes the federal government should increase the ethanol blend level up to 15 percent to help protect the environment, create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Lisa Jackson, AFBF president Bob Stallman said increasing the ethanol blend level up to 15 percent from the current level of 10 percent is critical to the sustained health and expansion of corn and cellulosic ethanol production in the United States. AFBF sent the letter to Jackson in response to a request for public comments by EPA on a proposed waiver of the Clean Air Act to raise the ethanol blend level.

“Increasing our use of domestically produced biofuels is key to helping improve our nation’s energy security,” said Stallman. “If recent events have taught us anything it is that our nation should develop energy resources right here at home. Increasing the blend ethanol level shows our nation’s commitment to renewable fuels as we work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

AFBF is the nation’s largest general farm organization, representing the interests of farmers and ranchers in all parts of the country.

Ethanol, Farming, Government

Record Crowd at Biomass Expo

Cindy Zimmerman

biomass expoThe 2009 International BIOMASS Conference & Expo this week in Portland, Oregon boasted a record crowd of more than 1,000 attendees representing 25 nations, according to organizer BBI International.

“Biomass will change the world’s energy future,” said Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International, who gave the opening remarks. “[Biomass-derived power] will do this in a way that does not create global conflict … as an ambassador for peace.”

The importance of biomass as a solution to ever-increasing energy demands was emphasized by each opening speaker. America’s dependence on foreign energy sources was a particular concern highlighted by all.

“Oil is the single-largest cause of inflation,” said Michael Grainey, the Oregon Director of Energy, who welcomed the crowd to Oregon and the conference. “We spend nearly a billion dollars a year on energy in the state of Oregon. But that bill would be nearly a billion dollars higher without the steps we have taken to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

The conference runs through Thursday April 30.

biomass, conferences