NBB Applauds Senators for #Biodiesel Tax Incentive Bill

Joanna Schroeder July 15, 2016

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) plus 12 co-sponsors have introduced legislation to extend the biodiesel tax incentive through 2019 that is set to expire at the end of this year. The bill would also reform the tax credit to apply only to domestically produced biodiesel. The bill follows similar legislation Sens. Grassley and Cantwell previously introduced, including last year when it cleared the Senate Finance Committee without objection. It also mirrors House legislation (H.R. 5240) introduced by Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.).

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) have introduced a new biodiesel tax credit bill.

The biodiesel tax credit has been the victim over the years of inconsistent support. The incentive expired on December 31, 2014, then was retroactively reinstated late in 2015 and is again set to expire on December 31 2016. According to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), under the current “blender’s” structure of the incentive, foreign biodiesel imported to the U.S. and blended with petroleum diesel in the U.S. is eligible for the tax incentive. Increasingly, foreign biodiesel producers are taking advantage of the U.S. incentive by shipping their product here. In 2015 alone, some 670 million gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel was imported to the U.S., making up nearly a third of the U.S. market.

However, the new bill would eliminate the credit for foreign produced biodiesel and push the expiration date out three years, rather than the one year extensions that have been historically passed giving the biodiesel industry, especially investors, more certainty.

NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel released the following statement in response to the legislation:

“Biodiesel and renewable diesel producers around the country are yet again facing what effectively amounts to a tax increase in less than six months. Congress can keep that from happening by passing this bill. It will give producers the certainty they need to hire and grow in the coming years. It will continue our success in diversifying the diesel market and reducing our dependence on petroleum. And it will help clean the air by cutting carbon emissions and other pollution.

It also will appropriately reform this incentive by applying it only to domestic biodiesel production, ending a growing practice where foreign producers are taking advantage of our tax system. Our tax law should not be incentivizing foreign fuel, and this bill fixes that loophole so that we’re stimulating jobs and economic development here at home.

On behalf of biodiesel and renewable diesel producers across the country, we want to thank Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., for their continued leadership on this issue as well as the additional cosponsors, Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). We urge Congress to take up this bill and pass it as quickly as possible so that we can continue expanding biodiesel’s role as the leading Advanced Biofuels in America.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Legislation, NBB

Ensyn to Build Forest Waste-to-Fuel Biorefinery

Joanna Schroeder July 14, 2016

Ensyn has broken ground on the first of its kind biorefinery in Quebec that will produce renewable fuel oil from forest residues. The Governments of Canada and Quebec will provide $76.5 million in funding to AE Côte-Nord Bioenergy for the Port Cartier project that when in full production, will convert forest residues into 40 million litres of renewable fuel oil per year. Production is anticipated to begin in 2017.

“We are pleased to initiate construction of the Côte-Nord project. Our RTP technology was born and developed in Canada, and we are proud to see that this important project, the first commercial facility designed and optimized for fuel production, will be established in Canada with the support of IFIT, SDTC and Investissement Québec,” said Dr. Robert Graham, chairman, Ensyn Corporation.

The project was kicked off at Port-Cartier by Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr, and Laurent Lessard, Quebec’s Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. In March 2016, to ensure the fibre supply for the project, the Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks reserved 170,000 green tonnes of residues from government forests for the plant.

The Government of Canada is supporting the project through a $27-million investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and $17.5 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program. In addition, the Government of Quebec is contributing $32 million to the project, including $10 million from Investissement Québec.

Jim Carr, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, said of the announcement, “Today’s announcement is an important step in advancing Canada’s bioeconomy. By increasing the commercial availability of renewable fuel oil, which can be used as a clean replacement for fossil fuels, this project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in the local economy. This investment demonstrates our leadership in supporting this strong example of clean-technology innovation.”

advanced biofuels, biomass

NCGA Calls for #RFS Policy Support with Lower Corn Demand

Joanna Schroeder July 14, 2016

Lincolnway Energy in Nevada, Iowa produces ethanol and distillers grains an animal feed, from locally produced corn. Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

According to new USDA forecasts, increases in corn acres, both planted and harvested in the U.S., led to higher production and lower prices. Despite a 30-million-bushel overall increase in demand, corn price forecasts for the 2016/2017 crop year fell ten cents to $3.40 per bushel. The 2016/17 season-average corn price received by farmers fell and is now projected to be between $3.10 to $3.70 per bushel. Corn prices are an important factor in determining cost per gallon of production for ethanol facilities so lower prices are good for the ethanol plants, but not necessarily good for corn growers.

“While NCGA is pleased with increased demand from the export sector, it is evident that far greater gains must be made in generating additional demand from all sectors if we are to ensure the continued profitability of U.S. family farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Maryland.

“To grow these markets, farmers need the help of our federal legislators and regulators. Farmers need the EPA to step up and comply with its statutory obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard,” stressed Bowling.

He continued, “We need Congress to help us push export demand even further by opening new markets by passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and lifting the Cuban Trade Embargo. We must work together to generate the demand America’s rural communities and farm families need to thrive.”

The USDA report projected increased export forecasts by 100 million bushels to 2.05 billion bushels. If realized, this would be the first time U.S. corn exports have exceeded two billion bushels since 2007/2008, says NCGA. This increase, in large part, reflects decreased competition by Brazil, for which USDA reduced old crop export estimates by 157 million bushels. This increase was, in large part, offset by decreased demand in the ethanol and feed sectors. Overall demand forecasts were thus only raised by 30 million bushels.

Both the number of planted and harvested acres were changed in light of the information released in the acreage report last month. With an additional 500,000 acres planted and 700,000 acres to be harvested, production forecasts increased despite steady yield forecasts. If achieved, corn production would set a new record at 14.5 billion bushels. Notably, the ending stocks forecasts was increased by 73 million bushels.

NCGA recently hosted an event, the Corn Utilization and Technology Conference that features emerging technologies that utilize corn and thus finding new avenues for corn producers.

Agribusiness, corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFS

Enginuity Worldwide Wins Grant for BioCoal Fuel

Joanna Schroeder July 13, 2016

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded a $250,525 grant to Enginuity Worldwide to develop its BioCoal Fuel. The Missouri-based company uses its patented rotary compression technology to produce the renewable fuel. The multi-phase grant will begin on July 1, 2016 and will end June 30, 2017.

“Through its innovative biotechnology, Enginuity Worldwide has provided Nebraska with an opportunity to introduce biomass as an alternative fuel source using the state’s current waste stream and vast agriculture industry,” said Jim Macy, Director of the DEQ. “As the DEQ develops its plan to meet waste management targets, we look forward to working with Enginuity to help us reach this goal.”

Enginuity’s rotary compression technology transforms waste streams such as eastern red cedar, corn stover, sorghum stover, animal manure and woody waste, into energy-dense, easily transportable biomass – better known as BioCoal Fuel. The company says the product can be used as a cost-effective solution for existing coal-fired power plants to meet carbon emission targets by simply co-firing the product alongside current coal supplies without making expensive facility alterations.

Nancy Heimann, Founder and CEO of Enginuity Worldwide, said of winning the DEQ grant, “BioCoal Fuel can help make a cleaner, more sustainable energy for consumers without raising electricity rates. This grant can ultimately help build on Nebraska’s $22.6 billion agriculture industry, and further provide a solution for the state’s 15 coal-fired power plants to meet emission targets. We are proud to work with the DEQ, who understands the economic and environmental potential of our technology, and is willing to lead in the country as an early adopter.”

Alternative energy, biomass

Power Energy Wins $1.44M #Ethanol Infrastructure Award

Joanna Schroeder July 13, 2016

Power Energy Corporation (PEC) has been awarded $1.44 million from the state of Illinois to assist them in building out the infrastructure at 20 retail gas stations to offer consumers higher ethanol blends choices at the pump. The grant was awarded from Illinois’ Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity as part of USDA’s Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) program.

The funding will be used to help install underground storage tanks and new dispensers that will offer E15, E30 and E85, as well as biodiesel. All stations are located within the Chicagoland area, an RFG market, that allows E15 to be sold year-round to consumers that drive 2001 and newer model year vehicles.

“I am very thankful for the efforts of USDA and the state of Illinois to expand retail infrastructure to support higher ethanol blends,” said PEC Owner Sam Odeh. “PEC is a strong supporter, and this effort will bring more fueling options to the Chicagoland area. I am also thankful for the leadership and continued relationship with Illinois Corn and RFA as we move forward.”

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) assisted PEC with station evaluations and recommendations on equipment configurations, and will continue to assist PEC throughout the grant execution process, equipment installation and product offering. PEC will utilize RFA’s Misfueling Mitigation Plan (MMP), the only EPA-approved MMP.

“We are pleased that PEC is helping to expand consumer access to higher ethanol blends,” said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White. “Sam understands the consumer benefits when there are more choices at the pump. We thank him for his leadership and look forward to more stations offering higher ethanol blends in the near future.”

PEC estimates these stations will generate an additional 3.1 million gallons in ethanol sales above today’s E10-only sales. Infrastructure work will begin immediately, with four to six locations open this year, and all stations open by next year.

Biodiesel, biofuels, blends, E15, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder July 13, 2016

Mark your calendars for the Biofuels Financial Conference taking place October 17-18, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Produced by Christianson & Associates and organized by BBI International, this year’s Biofuels Financial Conference is focused on the best ways to explore new options in today’s changing ethanol and biodiesel industries. By understanding risks associated with various technology and marketing initiatives, and by exploring various options for making the best use of capital and resources, attendees will learn how to create a well-managed plan for growth and change—a plan which maximizes profitability while ensuring future stability and meeting the expectations of all stakeholders.
Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmannen Aspen, a market leader in alkylate gasoline for two and four stroke small engines, have entered into a partnership on renewable isooctane for specialty fuel applications such as chain saws and lawn mowers.
Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it appointed two new members to its Board effective immediately: Joe Pivinski and Michael Nakamura. Joe Pivinski has served as CFO of Greenbelt for several years and has more than four decades of experience. Michael Nakamura has spent the past decade advising, growing and running multiple businesses. He currently owns and operates DOCNAK Inc.
Chicago-based R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, has announced that Jordan Sternhas joined the firm as Senior Vice President of Ethanol, operating out of Chicago. Stern will be focused on building out the firm’s futures, swaps and physical brokerage capabilities in ethanol and other biofuels beginningAugust 1.

Bioenergy Bytes

GRFA: #Ethanol Blame Reports Mislead Public

Joanna Schroeder July 13, 2016

A new article published in the journal of Global Change Biology – Bioenergy, argues that “good science is essential to inform decisions” and that the simplistic global analyses used in some studies “obscure the main drivers of local food insecurity and ignore opportunities for bioenergy to contribute to solutions.” “Reconciling Food Security and Bioenergy: Priorities for Action,” challenges previous studies that blame biofuels for food insecurity for relying on “faulty”, “questionable” and “subjective” assumptions to reach their conclusions.

“For several years there has been a troubling amount of misinformation surrounding the impacts of global biofuels production,” said Bliss Baker, president of the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA). “When done right, biofuels production promotes price stability, incentivizes investments in infrastructure where it is most needed and improves sustainability of non-biofuels crops.”

The report cites that best practices for the development of effective bioenergy policies have been published in papers by UNCTAD, FAO, and by FAO, IFAD and the WFP. In their conclusions, the authors of the report recommend policies for the increased production of flex-crops, promotion of stable prices and investment to build capacity and infrastructure to maximize the local benefits biofuels production.

“It is clear that biofuels are a key part of the global agricultural complex. The proper development of biofuels internationally will not only help to reduce global hunger but will also have a significant role to play in achieving the emission reduction targets established in the Paris Agreement reached at COP 21,” Baker concluded.

bioenergy, biofuels, food and fuel, Research

#Biobased Petro Alternative from #Soybeans

Joanna Schroeder July 13, 2016

As companies continue to focus on sustainability and the development of more “natural” products, they are looking to biobased chemicals and products as the platform for more Earth-friendly wares. One example is BioSynthetics Technologies who was featured during the 2016 Biobased Stakeholders Dialogue that recently took place at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The company is a USDA transfer partner and during the event spoke about their soy-based motor oil.

To learn more, Cindy Zimmerman spoke with Greg Blake who is the company’s director of strategic development. Blake explained that USDA developed a molecule that replaces the petroleum used in motor oils and other lubricants. The molecule is based on a biobased feedstock- soybeans. “So our challenge now is to take that technology, perfect it, commercialize it and get it out into the market,” said Blake.

The company’s base oil is the product they make and that goes in different types of lubricants, explained Blake who noted that the primary ingredient of their base oil is free fatty acid, more specifically, oleic acid from soybean oil. Blake said this is the largest ingredient in their product. They are using a fairly new soybean variety that produces more oleic acid, which Blake said has been a boon for them.

The United Soybean Board (USB) has been a great partner of BioSynthetics Technologies as the company moves from R&D to testing to commercialization. Blake said USB has helped in many ways including hosting events such as this, helping get them in front of potential customers that will help prove out the new technologies, help with funding of technical studies and assisting in demonstrating the viability of the product, and much more. The next step for the company is to build a plant somewhere near the Gulf Coast.

Learn more about BioSynthetics Technologies’ emerging soy-based bioproduct petroleum replacement here: Interview with Greg Blake, BioSynthetics Technologies

USB Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue photo album

Audio, automotive, biomaterials, bioplastics, bioproducts, Environment, Soybeans, USB

#Biofuels Industry Calls for Stronger Energy Policy

Joanna Schroeder July 12, 2016

The biofuels industry came out in force in support of renewable fuels as the comment period came to a close for the proposed renewable fuel volumes obligations (RVO) for 2017 as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), an energy policy passed in 2007. The consensus of the biofuels industry is that all categories of renewable fuels must be increased and in some instances, must be raised to statutory levels as in the case of first generation biofuels such as corn-based ethanol.

Below are some comments from various organizations along with links to full comments.

Chip Bowling, farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association: “The RFS is doing exactly what it was intended to do. It is successfully driving the adoption of renewable fuel alternatives to petroleum, supporting jobs across the country, and ensuring the United States remains a global leader in developing new renewable energy sources while decreasing GHG emissions here at home.” Click here to read full comments.

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy: “The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has been the most successful energy policy in the last 40 years. Biofuels, like ethanol, are cleaner burning and reduce harmful emissions that have been linked to cancer and smog. They provide consumers with a choice and savings at the pump, and the RFS promotes economic growth and energy security, helping to isolate America from the volatile price of oil from foreign, and often hostile nations. The comments filed today outline the case for why EPA must continue to move the RFS and, ultimately the development of biofuels forward. It is vital that EPA meet the statutory biofuel targets for America’s fuel mix and keep their promises to consumers, investors and the nation. The RFS always envisioned higher blends in the marketplace, such as E15, and currently ethanol producers, retailers and the current auto fleet are fully capable of providing consumers with a fair and open fuel marketplace and a true choice at the pump.” Click here to read full comments.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO): “Among other things, the RFS program has been seriously impeded by EPA’s unwarranted and unlawful expansion of its general waiver authority in setting annual Renewable Volume Obligations under the RFS statute. EPA’s approach to setting biofuel volumes violates the law and has undermined certainty and predictability for investors and other market participants, with negative environmental and economic consequences that run contrary to Congress’s purposes in enacting the statute. Biofuels policy provides the stability and economic driver needed to decarbonize our fuel supplies. That is why entrenched interests have worked aggressively to undermine the RFS and preserve the status quo. However, relying exclusively on oil as our only source of transportation fuel will never help us reduce human-made greenhouse-gas emissions or reduce pollution.” Click here to read full comments.

Jan Koninckx, Global Business Director, DuPont Industrial Biosciences: “Biofuels policy provides the stability and economic driver needed to decarbonize our fuel supplies. That is why entrenched interests have worked aggressively to undermine the RFS and preserve the status quo. However, relying exclusively on oil as our only source of transportation fuel will never help us reduce human-made greenhouse-gas emissions or reduce pollution.” Click here to read full comments.Read More

BIO, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Growth Energy, NCGA, RFS

NBB: Strengthen #Biodiesel, Advanced Biofuel Volumes

Joanna Schroeder July 12, 2016

As the comment period came to a close on the proposed rules for the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) called for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen biodiesel and advanced biofuel volumes. The organization says EPA is significantly underestimating biodiesel’s capacity to deliver more advanced biofuel over the coming years.

“We believe the evidence clearly shows that growing biodiesel and renewable diesel volumes will help achieve this Administration’s goals for strengthening the economy, reducing carbon emissions and other costly pollution, and diversifying and strengthening fuel markets that are now dangerously dependent on petroleum,” NBB wrote to the EPA in a letter accompanying the official comments filed. “The RFS and specifically the Biomass-based Diesel program do this in a cost-effective way that benefits consumers through lower costs at the diesel pump.”

“We can build on this success over the next decade,” the comments continue. “Unfortunately, this proposal, which calls for a Biomass-based Diesel volume of 2.1 billion gallons in 2018 and 4 billion gallons of overall Advanced Biofuels next year, fails to do so by severely underestimating the capacity for growth in the biodiesel and renewable diesel sector.”

Biodiesel has made up the vast majority of Advanced Biofuel production under the RFS to date. According to the EPA, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent to 86 percent compared with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel and renewable diesel – a similar diesel alternative – fall under the Biomass-based Diesel category of the RFS, which is an Advanced Biofuel category intended to ensure that the policy also addresses the diesel fuel market, not just gasoline. Under the law, Advanced Biofuels must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared to petroleum fuels.

The EPA proposal would establish a 2.1-billion-gallon Biomass-based Diesel requirement in 2018, up only slightly from 2 billion gallons for 2017. Citing unused capacity and data showing that Biomass-based Diesel consumption this year will significantly exceed 2.1 billion gallons, NBB is calling for at least 2.5 billion gallons for 2018.

The higher biodiesel volumes would also allow the EPA to establish higher overall Advanced Biofuels, which includes not just biodiesel and renewable diesel but other fuels such as cellulosic ethanol. NBB is calling for an Advanced Biofuel volume of 4.75 billion gallons instead the proposed 4 billion gallons.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, EPA, NBB, RFS

Page 388 of 1,946
←
1
...
387
388
389
...
1946
→