USGC helps open Japanese market to US ethanol
By U.S. Grains Council
January 16, 2019
The U.S. Grains Council utilized Market Access Program funds to promote U.S. corn-based ethanol in the Japanese market with the potential of up to 1.3 billion gallons of U.S. ethanol use if an E10 blending level is achieved.
On Jan. 16, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler confirmed that the agency currently plans to complete a rule allowing year-round E15 by June 1, but cautioned it will be unable to meet that deadline if the government shutdown continues.
Yoshinobu Kusano has joined FutureMetrics as a policy advisor regarding the Asian wood pellet markets. He will provide FutureMetrics with updates and analysis on current and evolving policy in the high-growth regions of northeast and southeast Asia.
The U.S. EIA has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, predicting that the total share of renewable electricity generation will reach 18 percent in 2019 and 20 percent in 2020, up from 17 percent in 2018.
With less than five months before the start of the summer driving season, the RFA has launched an awareness campaign to educate consumers and policymakers about the benefits of E15 in anticipation of the blend being available year-round.
On Jan. 14, the Pellet Fuels Institute continued its ongoing effort to eliminate the inclusion of minimum pellet fuel requirements in the New Source Performance Standard by submitting written comments to the U.S. EPA prior to the comment deadline.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the January edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, maintaining its December forecast for 2019 ethanol production levels and offering its first short-term forecast for 2020 production.
Researchers from NREL, PNNL, and ANL have identified an approach to improve the efficiency and reduce costs of biofuel production by demonstrating improvements in bio-oil yield through catalyst and process development.
The IRFA has announced Nathan Hohnstein as its new policy director. His responsibilities will include overseeing state policy, supporting IRFA's political and PAC programs, and working on state and federal regulatory affairs, among other duties.
European ethanol producer CropEnergies AG recently released financial results for the first nine months of its fiscal year, reporting reduced revenues and earnings when compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
The U.K. government has released its Clean Air Strategy. The U.K. REA said it welcomes the ambitions of the strategy, but called on the government to take into account contemporary evidence on the role of bioenergy in meeting carbon targets.
Equipment associated with the former Ineos Bio Energy 8 MMgy cellulosic ethanol plant and 6 MW bioenergy plant in Vero Beach, Florida, are being sold piecemeal via a timed auction ending Jan. 15, according to the Maas Companies.
In Brazil, a waste-to-energy pilot plant that produces biogas and fertilizer was recently installed in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Rio press office said the plant is located at the municipal company of urban cleaning (Comlurb).
A decade since its last purchase of U.S. DDGS, the largest poultry producer in Peru imported U.S. DDGS again following direct engagement by U.S. Grains Council staff in the Western Hemisphere.
Equipment associated with the former Ineos Bio Energy 8 MMgy cellulosic ethanol plant and 6 MW bioenergy plant in Vero Beach, Florida, are being sold piecemeal via a timed auction ending Jan. 15, according to the Maas Companies.
FuelCell Energy Inc. has announced progress with the development of two biogas fuel cell projects in California, including one in Orange County that will convert landfill gas into renewable electricity and hydrogen.
Seneca Resource Recovery recently commenced a three-year contract to supply high-spec biomass fuel to Templeborough Biomass Power Plant in Rotherham. The fuel is manufactured using waste wood recovered from construction and commercial waste.
In Brazil, the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) has announced an agreement with Logum LogÃstica SA under which it will provide R$1.81 billion ($487.8 million) in financing to expand ethanol pipeline and storage infrastructure.
Canada has officially become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada becomes the Agency's 160th member to join the global intergovernmental organization dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
The U.S. Grains Council is rolling out the good news that a warm and moist growing season resulted in near-record yields and good quality for the 2018 corn crop. The 2018/2019 Corn Harvest Quality Report is the USGC's 8th annual corn quality survey.
On Jan. 9, President Trump formally nominated Andrew Wheeler to serve as administrator of the U.S. EPA. Wheeler has held the post of acting administrator since July 9, 2018, following Scott Pruitt's resignation earlier that month.
Iowa ethanol plants saw another record-breaking year in 2018, producing 4.35 billion gallons. This was up from 4.2 billion gallons in 2017. While a record, 2018 production was below the 4.5 billion gallon capacity of Iowa's ethanol producers.
ACE has announced its 11th annual Washington, D.C. Fly-in and Government Affairs Summit will take place April 2-3. Fly-in attendees with meet with Trump administration officials to discuss E15, the RFS and high-octane fuels.
The European Commission has approved, under European Union state aid rules, a scheme in Portugal to support biomass energy installations located close to forest areas regarded as critical due to the risk of fires.
Canada-based pellet producer Pinnacle Renewable Holdings Inc. recently announced it has changed its name to Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc. Pinnacle currently operates eight wood pellet production facilities in western Canada and one in Alabama.
On Jan. 9, President Trump formally nominated Andrew Wheeler to serve as administrator of the U.S. EPA. Wheeler has held the post of acting administrator since July 9, 2018, following Scott Pruitt's resignation earlier that month.
Members of the public who wish to weigh in on the U.S. EPA's proposed rule to amend new source performance standards (NSPS) for residential wood heaters have less than a week to do so. The public comment period closes Jan. 14.
The U.S. Grains Council recently conducted a market assessment mission to Nigeria and Ghana gauging the potential for U.S. ethanol exports to these countries.
Global Bioenergies welcomes the French deputies' vote for the country's 2019 finance bill, which stipulates an increase in the minimum amount of biofuels to be incorporated into motor vehicle fuel. The minimum will reach 8.2 percent in 2020.
Japan Airlines has announced plans to operate select flights from San Francisco to Tokyo with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by supplied by Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K. The flights are expected to begin later this month.
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