Biomass Week - December 28, 2012

Georgia torrefied pellet producer to ship samples to Europe Georgia-based torrefied pellet developer, Vega Biofuels, has announced plans to ship samples to European power companies for testing by the end of January. The company first announced its plans to ship torrefied pellets to Europe in March. READ MORE SHARE
Conditional use permit approved for Calif. biomass power plant The Placer County Planning Commission has voted to approved a conditional use permit for the 2 MW Cabin Creek Biomass Facility and certify the environmental impact report for the proposed plant. The facility will be located near Lake Tahoe, Calif. READ MORE SHARE
	Kansas ethanol plant poised to start up anaerobic digester soon Western Plains Energy LLC is preparing to start up an anaerobic digestion system. When full capacity is reached in March, the digesters will produce enough methane to completely refire the plant's thermal oxidizer and boiler. READ MORE SHARE
Research targets cells to reduce lignin, boost fermentable sugar Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers are exploring new ways to meet the challenge of recalcitrant cellulosic feedstocks and lower the cost of biofuels. They recently published two papers detailing their work to genetically modify xylan and lignin. READ MORE SHARE
N.Y. governor announces $250 million for renewable power projects New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced $250 million in funding for biomass-based electricity generation projects and other renewable energy installations as part of the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS). READ MORE SHARE
EPA Administrator Jackson announces resignation U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced she will resign following President Obama's State of the Union address, which is scheduled for Jan. 24. Jackson did not cite a reason for her departure. READ MORE SHARE
Clemson, ArborGen testing poplars as bioenergy sources Researchers at Clemson University's Pee Dee Research and Education Center and ArborGen Inc. have collaborated to plant thousands of poplars at the Pee Dee center to determine if certain varieties of the tree are suitable for bioenergy stock. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers look to unlock secrets of cellulose production Work to understand cellulose production at the University of Virginia School of Medicine that may help hospitals battle bacterial infections could also have a significant impact on advanced biofuel production. READ MORE SHARE
Forest Products Society journal publishes special biofuels issue A series of articles published as a special issue on biofuels by the Forest Products Journal highlights the relative impact of 15 different uses of biofuels on reducing CO2 emissions and increasing energy independence. READ MORE SHARE
Cardia wins contract in China to supply biobased waste bags Australia-based Cardia Bioplastics Ltd. has announced an exclusive annual supply contract with the Shanghai Pudong City District in China to supply an estimated $1.2 million worth of its Biohybrid waste bags to 20 percent of area households. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers decipher biogas plant microbe genetics Day after day, legions of microorganisms work to produce energy from waste in biogas plants. Researchers from Bielefeld University's Center for Biotechnology are taking a close look to find out which microbes do the best job. READ MORE SHARE
Amyris gains more financing, begins Biofene production in Brazil Amyris Inc. announced it has completed a $42.25 million private placement of its common stock. In addition, the company announced its purpose-built industrial fermentation facility in Brazil has successfully begun production of renewable farnesene. READ MORE SHARE
Court rules in favor of Taylor Biomass Energy Three court proceedings challenging several state and local approvals permitting the development and operation of Taylor Biomass Energy's 21 MW biomass gasification facility in Montgomery, N.Y., have been dismissed. READ MORE SHARE
DOE opens bio-oil funding opportunity The U.S. DOE has opened up a funding opportunity for bio-oil research activities. The funding will focus on three barriers to bio-oil production: carbon efficiency, hydrogen efficiency and separations efficiency. READ MORE SHARE