Biomass Week - November 16, 2012

Industry pleased with RFS waiver request denial The wait is over. The U.S. EPA announced Nov. 16 that it would not waive the renewable fuel standard (RFS), as had been officially requested in mid-August. The EPA had been considering the request for more than 90 days following its submission. READ MORE SHARE
U.S. EPA maintains renewable fuels standard U.S. EPA today announced that the agency has not found evidence to support a finding of severe "economic harm" that would warrant granting a waiver of the renewable fuels standard (RFS). The decision is based on economic analyses and modeling. READ MORE SHARE
	Direvo introduces BlueCon platform for biofuels, biochemicals Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH is commercializing its BluCon platform for complete, one-step conversion of non-food feedstocks to carbohydrates used in the production of fuels and chemicals. The platform is feedstock and product flexible. READ MORE SHARE
Q3 report shows continued improvement for Dynamic Fuels Syntroleum Corp. has issued its financial results for the third quarter of 2012. During a call to discuss the results, the company provided an update Dynamic Fuels renewable diesel plant, which operated at 71 percent capacity during the quarter. READ MORE SHARE
IFC supports Pakistani biogas project IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is advising a Pakistan-based biogas company on the development of a waste-to-energy plant in the Karachi area, turning a serious environmental problem in to a renewable energy resource. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva's borrowing announcement shows banking industry confidence Enviva LP has announced it closed on a $120 million senior secured credit facility that will help complete the construction of two 500,000 metric ton pellet mills, and expand the company's deep-water port terminal in Virginia to 100,000 metric tons. READ MORE SHARE
Propel, Solazyme make algae biofuel available to the public Algae-based fuel is now available to members of the general public in California. On Nov. 13, Propel Fuels and Solazyme Inc. celebrated the first retail sales of algae-derived fuel. The fuel is being offered through a 30-day trial in the Bay Area. READ MORE SHARE
ACORE webinar features biofuel policy update The American Council on Renewable Energy hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 focused on biofuel policy. The seminar, titled "Beyond the Talking Points: The Truth About Biofuels," addressed many issues, including tax credits and the renewable fuel standard. READ MORE SHARE
Viaspace Giant King Grass planted in the Virgin Islands Viaspace Inc. has announced that Giant King Grass is now growing in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The initial small shipment of Giant King Grass was received and planted by Tibbar Energy USVI LLC which is developing a 6 MW biomass energy project. READ MORE SHARE
Military biofuels report prompts urges for congressional support The U.S. military's plans to expand its use of biofuel would generate at least $10 billion in economic activity and create more than 14,000 jobs by 2020, according to a new report commissioned by Environmental Entrepreneurs. READ MORE SHARE
Italian refiner to produce green diesel with Ecofining process UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, has announced that Italian energy company Eni S.p.A. will implement Honeywell's UOP/Eni Ecofining technology at is Venice facility to produce renewable diesel. The 100 MMgy facility will begin production in 2014. READ MORE SHARE
Ag Energy Coalition joins groups calling for Farm Bill passage The Agriculture Energy Coalition has joined 235 farming, livestock, rural development, nutrition, conservation and renewable energy organizations in sending a letter to Congress, asking for the passage of a new, five-year Farm Bill. READ MORE SHARE
Report: Europe to remain biomass power leader A new report by ecoprog GmbH says that while China, India and the U.S. will experience the most biomass power growth over the next five years, Europe will continue to possess the largest market and higher investments due to stricter standards. READ MORE SHARE
IEA Energy Outlook: Global energy map is changing The International Energy Agency has released a report that shows the global energy map is changing significantly. By 2020, IEA's, "World Energy Outlook 2012," indicates, that the U.S. will become the largest oil producer in the world. READ MORE SHARE
KiOR begins commercial-scale production of bio-oil Advanced biofuel producer KiOR Inc., has commenced operations at its commercial-scale facility in Columbus, Miss. The company is now producing bio-oil for use in renewable gasoline and diesel. Work is also continuing to improve the catalyst platform. READ MORE SHARE
DBI, DNREC partner in biofuel education project As part of a five-year, $50,000 grant supporting state greenhouse gas reduction projects, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute has partnered with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on a biofuel education project. READ MORE SHARE