EPA Submits Final RFS Rules to OMB for Review

Joanna Schroeder November 3, 2015

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has transmitted its Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rules to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review as one of the final steps before publishing the final 2014, 2015 and 2016 final RFS rules for renewable volume obligations (RVOs). While the details are not public, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) is calling on the EPA to correct its course and stop undermining the goals and requirements of the statute. The uncertainty, the organization said, is undercutting much needed investments in advanced and cellulosic biofuels as well as raising greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation fuel sector.

Many cellulosic and advanced biofuel companies are members of the organization including several companies who have brought commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefineries online in the past year including Abengoa Bioenergies in Hugoton, Kansas; DuPont in Nevada, Iowa; and POET-DSM in Emmetsburg, Iowa. In addition, several leading advanced biofuels companies focused on waste feedstocks have also seen commercial scale success including INEOS Bio in Vero Beach, Florida; Enerkem in Alberta, Canada; GranBio in Alagoas, Brazil; and ZeaChem in Boardman, Oregon. All of these companies, along with those companies still in development stages, have a significant vested interest in achieving increased mandated volumes for second generation biofuels.

According to BIO, its members are improving conventional biofuel processes, commercializing advanced and cellulosic biofuel production technologies and speeding the development of new bioenergy dedicated crops.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section, said after hearing the news that the final rules were sent to OMB for review, “The RFS has been a critical piece of our nation’s energy and climate policy. It has driven the investment of billions of dollars in the development and commercial deployment of ultra-low-carbon biofuels. It has spurred innovation beyond biofuels to the development of greener technologies and manufacturing processes while curbing our dependence on foreign oil.”

“Unfortunately, Erickson continued, “as we explained in our official comments on the proposed rule, EPA’s new interpretation of its statutory authority to waive the requirements of the RFS statute has already chilled investment for advanced biofuels and has increased U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. If EPA issues a final rule that adopts the approach set forth in the proposed rule, the result will be continued market uncertainty and market constraints that will further undermine sustained investment in advanced biofuels.”

The deadline for the release of the final RFS rules in November 30, 2015. Should the RVO’s not be returned to at minimum, mandated levels, the biofuels industry has voiced intent to sue the EPA.

advanced biofuels, BIO, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, EPA, Ethanol, RFS

Renewable Industries Call on Secy of State for Support

Joanna Schroeder November 3, 2015

COP 21 is fast approaching and the U.S. will be in the spotlight for its efforts to reduce climate change impacts. In anticipation of the worldwide climate event, leaders of the U.S. biomass, geothermal and hydropower industries are urging Secretary of State John Kerry to support a “pan-renewable technologies approach”. The National Hydropower Association, Biomass Power Association and Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) said in the letter that today these technologies provide 86 percent of the world’s renewable power and this amount is anticipated to grow in the coming years.

“As baseload renewable power technologies, our industries are particularly critical to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and we encourage Secretary Kerry to recognize the contributions our industries are making to fight climate change,” said Linda Church Ciocci, executive director of the National Hydropower Association.

The letter highlighted some of hydropower, biomass and geothermal benefits:

Hydropower was the leading renewable power technology in each of the top five renewable electricity producing countries: China, U.S., Brazil, Canada and Russia.
Biomass provides a significant percentage of renewable power around the world, and was the leading renewable electricity source in Germany in 2014, providing 10% of the country’s electricity.
Geothermal provides power in 24 countries, including 51% of in-country power supply in Kenya, where these additions are credited with reducing consumer bills by over 30%.

Karl Gawell, GEA executive director, called on the Administration to increase its support of renewable electricity generation. “We are asking for a U.S. approach that recognizes hydropower, biomass power and geothermal power are also important contributors to avoiding fossil fuel emissions today and will be important contributors to meeting future climate goals.

The group stressed in the letter, “. . .[P]ower grids will continue to be a vital means for electricity delivery. Therefore, enhancing the grid and grid-connected technologies is important.

Bob Cleaves, president, Biomass Power Association, added, “Biomass power is recognized the world over for its many environmental and economic benefits. As a baseload power source, it’s an essential part of any renewable energy mix that uses low-value materials that often have no other use. Biomass will play an important role in reducing the use of fossil fuels.”

biomass, Climate Change, Electricity, Geothermal, Hydro

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder November 3, 2015

Center for Resource Solutions recently released two reports on the U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan, which directs states to implement greenhouse gas emissions limits for existing electricity generators. Renewable Energy in the EPA Clean Power Plan. Part 1: Introduction to Emission Rate Credits gives an overview and explanation of Emission Rate Credits (ERCs), which can be used by regulated generators to lower their reported emissions rates. Renewable Energy in the EPA Clean Power Plan. Part 2: Interactions With and Impacts on RECs and Renewable Energy Markets explains the interplay of ERCs and emissions allowances with renewable energy certificates, existing state renewable portfolio standards, and the voluntary renewable energy market.
Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, a not-for-profit generation and transmission electric cooperative, has announced that it has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with Exelon Generation for 153 MW of new wind generation in Michigan’s Thumb region. The wind power will be supplied from the Michigan Wind 3 project, which will be located in Sanilac County, Michigan. Exelon is scheduled to begin construction on the project in spring 2016 and begin commercial operation by December 2016.
OneRoof Energy, Inc. has announced it has appointed Brian Alexson, formerly CEO for CS Operating, Inc., to the newly created role of chief operating officer (COO). The addition of the COO role is part of strengthening the Company’s sales and operations to drive the Company’s strategic Solar 2.0 initiative aimed at leveraging the scale and low-cost sales capabilities of “non-traditional” residential and retail sales channels with the goal of lowering the cost of customer acquisition.
ArcLight Capital Partners has announced the closing of the transaction between its newly formed portfolio company, Leeward Renewable Energy and Infigen Energy to acquire Infigen’s U.S. wind assets. The current portfolio comprises equity interests in eighteen U.S. wind farms with a total installed capacity of approximately 1,557 MW, of which Infigen’s interests comprise 1,089 net MW. In addition, the acquisition includes Infigen’s U.S.-based asset management and operations business.

Bioenergy Bytes

Indy Zoo Cages Oil Beast with Biodiesel

John Davis November 3, 2015

Petroleum can be a real beast for consumers and the environment, but a place that knows a bit about keeping wild beasts in check is using biodiesel to cage its oil usage. This story from WFYI says the Indianapolis Zoo is turning leftover cooking oil into the green fuel.

At the Zoo’s café, Manager Pat Cummings drops an order of fries into the deep fryer. “The oil we actually use, we turn into the zoo and they use to power their vehicles,” Cummings said.

That’s the gist of a new program that’s fueling the zoo’s conservation mission. It has been working with Cummins for about five years to create the biodiesel initiative, and just recently produced its first couple batches to fuel the small utility vehicles it uses.

Nora Fletchall, supervising VP of operations for the Indianapolis Zoo, says the project is in line with the zoo’s mission to encourage people to live greener lives.

“We want to be a model for that, so this is a program that helps us to talk to the public about what we are doing but also engage them in conversations about what they can do as well,” Fletchall said.

Behind the scene’s at the zoo’s fuel station, Jack Bow, Indy Zoo’s director of facilities, says the process is pretty simple.

“We’ll pump it into our processor, we’ll add our catalyst to go with it, basically methanol and potassium hydroxide, it’s heated up and then eventually it will turn into the biofuel we’re using,” Bow said.

The zoo uses about 4,000 gallons of diesel right now. The project could replace 500 gallons of that with biodiesel.

Biodiesel

Vertimass Gets US Gov’t OK for Biofuel Tech

John Davis November 3, 2015

A California company received U.S. government approval for its technology that will be able to blend more biofuels with gasoline, diesel and jet fuels. This news release from Vertimass says the technology validation allows the company to get a new award of $2 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technology Office.

Vertimass technology was originated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where scientists invented novel catalysts that convert a wide range of alcohols including ethanol and butanol into hydrocarbon blend stocks that can be used in existing gasoline, diesel and jet engines without modifications. Additionally, this process can produce renewable chemicals including benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Thus, Vertimass technology offers a new pathway that can enhance use of biomass-derived renewable fuels that lower greenhouse gas emissions and decrease U.S. reliance on foreign sources of oil. Co-production of BTX and other chemicals can enhance profitability.

“We are excited to clear this critical milestone with the Department of Energy and can now take the next step toward scaling up this novel technology,” said Dr. Charles Wyman, Vertimass president and chief executive officer. “This technology validation further proves the effectiveness and novelty of this technology, and through this DOE award, we intend to work with Technip to ready the technology for introduction into existing and emerging ethanol facilities within two years, thereby significantly expanding the market for renewable transportation fuels.”

“We are very pleased to receive third-party validation of this technology as part of the DOE award so we can now rapidly move to commercialization,” said Bill Shopoff, Vertimass chairman. “We believe this technology will have significant impacts in the renewable plastics and fuels spaces, especially in contributing to attaining Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) targets for advanced fuels and Federal Aviation Administration goals of one billion gallons of renewable jet fuel by 2018.”

Vertimass officials point out their simple, one-step process can be easily bolted onto existing ethanol production facilities, resulting in low capital costs.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Ethanol Producer Green Plains to Buy Texas Refinery

John Davis November 3, 2015

Nebraska-based ethanol producer Green Plains says it will buy an ethanol refinery in Texas owned by fuel retailer Murphy USA. This news release from Green Plains says it will pay Hereford Renewable Energy, LLC approximately $93.8 million, including $78.5 million for the ethanol production facility with the balance for working capital.

The facility is a Lurgi-designed, ICM-modified ethanol plant with approximately 100 million gallons per year of production capacity, a corn oil extraction system and other related assets.

“The Hereford facility has many strategic and financial advantages over other destination plants because of its location, leading to both export and domestic market opportunities for ethanol and distillers grains,” commented Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains. “Because it is located near the largest concentration of cattle in the world, with over a million head of cattle fed within a 50-mile radius, the plant can produce a low carbon intensity fuel which is typically sold for a premium to ethanol produced at most other plants.”

Andrew Clyde, president and CEO of Murphy USA, added, “The Hereford facility has become a high-performing facility and we want to recognize the commitment of the Hereford employees who executed the two-year turnaround plan and established a track record of consistent, strong performance. Their commitment created the opportunity for us to attract a prominent, long-term focused buyer such as Green Plains who can build on the progress demonstrated to date at Hereford. This transaction reinforces Murphy USA’s strategic intent of selling our non-core assets in a manner that captures the most value for our shareholders.”

The facility uses a shuttle unload technique that can unload 40,000 bushels of corn per hour, a double-loop track that holds two unit trains at a time and a grain handling system with more than 4.8 million bushels of storage. The plant also has 4.5 million gallons of ethanol storage capacity.

Ethanol, Ethanol News

CBC to EPA: Commit to the RFS

Joanna Schroeder November 2, 2015

Sixteen members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today calling on the agency to get back on track with the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and strengthen the biofuels volume requirements. The rules are due to be finalized on November 30, 2015 and the biofuels industry is calling on the EPA to uphold the law and bring the RFS back into compliance with renewable volume obligations (RVOs).

The CBC members point out in the letter the benefits of the RFS to the environment and economy, as well as how renewable fuel including cellulosic and advanced biofuels are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As Politico points out, there is dissension among the Congressional Black Caucus ranks. Last year the Caucus sent a letter urging the EPA to lower the amount of corn-based ethanol. Today, 16 members have broken from their group and are now calling on more renewable fuel to be blended under the RFS. The members include: Rep. Payne; Rep. Clarke; Rep. Holmes Norton; Rep. Hastings; Rep. Bishop; Rep. Lee; Rep. Brown; Rep. Davis; Rep. Cleaver; Rep. Rangel; Rep. Johnson; Rep. Adams; Rep. Kelly; Rep. Butterfield; Rep. Carson; and Rep. Clyburn.

Click here to read the letter.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Ethanol, RFS

NBB’s Jobe Talks State of Biodiesel

Joanna Schroeder November 2, 2015

The National Advanced Biofuels Conference kicked off last week with a heated discussion about the state of advanced biofuels in the U.S. with a focus on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Following the panel I had a chance to speak with Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board NBB) who was joined on the panel by Micheal McAdams, President of the Advanced Biofuels Association, and Monte Shaw, Executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

Jobe said the panel was heated because biodiesel represents the only commercially available, nationwide advanced biofuel in the market today. He made reference to one group who said that the RFS is no longer the solution but has become part of the problem. “We are very much opposed to the sentiment,” said Jobe. “We believe biofuels groups need to stay together and not segment and bash each other.”

The RFS is poised to get on track despite two years of stumbling said Jobe. The final RVOs (renewable volume obligations) are due from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the end of November and Jobe said at least then the industry will have some guidance. It will also aid their argument that increasing the biomass based diesel and advanced biofuels categories will help strengthen the RFS overall. He’s optimistic.

Jobe also stressed the need to get the biodiesel tax incentive reauthorized and put in place for the next few years. In addition, he spoke about one of the topics that will be of great interest in their upcoming conference in Tampa, Florida at the end of January: the next level of discussion on energy policy and that’s carbon policy.

Listen to my interview with NBB’s CEo Joe Jobe here: Interview with Joe Jobe, NBB

advanced biofuels, Audio, Biodiesel, NBB, RFS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder November 2, 2015

Solenis has been named one of “America’s Safest Companies” by EHS Today magazine, a foremost publication covering safety leadership, risk management, industrial hygiene, sustainability and corporate responsibility topics. Solenis was recognized for its excellence in creating a world-class safety culture following the principles and ethics of Responsible Care for environmental health, safety and security, which are essential elements in its business success.
Amyris has been recognized by the East Bay Chapter of the United Nations Association (UNA) with a Global Citizen Award during the UN’s 70th Anniversary celebration and the UNA’s 10th Annual Global Citizen Awards dinner held on October 25, 2015, at the University of California, Berkeley. Amyris received the award based on its contributions toward several aspects of the UN’s overall Millennium Development Goals, which are aligned toward reversing the global poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people.
Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. (SESI) has announced that Virginia and Maryland were selected as one of 20 projects in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) to give $100 million in grants to install ethanol refueling infrastructure in 21 states. SESI was integral in developing the grant proposal and has worked closely with the states on ethanol infrastructure and education in the region. Maryland and Virginia will partner with private sector companies to add 41 or more ethanol refueling stations and nearly 200 additional pumps throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Worldwatch Institute has launched the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) Baseline Assessment and Report. Submitted to the Energy Unit of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), with input from all 15 member countries and support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the report is a first-of-its-kind regional assessment of the existing energy situation in the Caribbean. It suggests ambitious targets for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate mitigation and outlines concrete steps for how they can be achieved.

Bioenergy Bytes

Survey Says Consumers Consider Buying EVs

Joanna Schroeder November 2, 2015

According to a new survey, 54 percent of Americans have a positive view of electric vehicles (EVs) while 31 percent say they will consider buying an EV for their next car purchase. This despite only one percent of vehicles sold in the U.S. today are EVs. The survey was released by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).

“While the current market penetration of EVs is small, there are currently 12 automakers currently offering a wide variety of EVs, so these consumers already have choices,” said Jack Gillis, CFA’s Director of Public Affairs and author, The Car Book and the new Snapshot Guide to Electric Vehicles.

The survey also found that the more information a consumer knew about EVs, the more likely he/she would consider purchasing an EV. However, only 6 percent of respondents said they new a great deal of about EV and 21 percent said they knew a fair amount. The survey also found that wealthier respondents and those with more education said they knew more about EVs and were more likely to express an intention in purchasing as were males and older adults.

“Clearly, there is a tremendous opportunity for EV sellers to take advantage of this interest as long as they engage in the same effective marketing that has moved millions of gas powered vehicles,” said Mark Cooper, CFA’s director of research. Our research shows a clear, statistically significant, correlation between knowledge about EVs and positive attitudes towards EVs. The more one knows about EVs, the more positively one feels about these vehicles. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant correlation between positive attitudes about EVs and a willingness to purchase them—those who feel positively about EVs are more likely to consider purchasing one.”

In light of automakers dedicated millions of dollars into developing and launching EVs, and the need for more consumer education about the vehicles, Gillis has written a free guide, The Car Book’s Snapshot Guide to Electric Vehicles.

“Our goal is to expose the public to the options available and thereby increase interest in learning more about these vehicles. With battery prices coming down, disruptive innovators like Tesla and Apple entering the EV market, and consumers looking for ways to reduce their dependence on the gas pump, there is no question that EVs are poised to become the next big thing in the automotive marketplace,” Gillis added.

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles

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