Biomass Week - February 1, 2013

Secretary Chu announces resignation In a letter to Energy Department employees today, Energy Secretary Steven Chu highlighted the tremendous progress of the last four years, and announced his decision to not serve a second term as Secretary. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass energy legislation introduced in Okla. Pending legislation in Oklahoma could result in the development of a state plan to utilize woody biomass for heat and power. The bill, HB 1656, is titled the "Oklahoma Woody Biomass Energy Initiative Act of 2013." READ MORE SHARE
	Scientists trick iron-eating bacteria into breathing electrons in Scientists have developed a way to grow iron-oxidizing bacteria using electricity instead of iron, an advance that will allow them to better study the organisms and could one day be used to turn electricity into fuel. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers use ionic liquid to pretreat biofuel feedstock mix Research has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for pre-treating individual biofuel feedstocks is also effective at pre-treating multiple different feedstocks that have been mixed and densified into a blend. READ MORE SHARE
EPA proposes rules for voluntary RIN integrity program On Jan. 31 the U.S. EPA published a proposed rule that creates a structured process for buyers of renewable identification numbers (RINs) to verify their validity. A 30-day comment period will allow member of the public to weigh in on the measure. READ MORE SHARE
Industry has mixed feelings on RFS volume standards for 2013 Groups representing the U.S. ethanol and advanced biofuel industries responded swiftly to the 2013 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volumetric requirements released Jan. 31, pointing out both positives and negatives. READ MORE SHARE
EPA proposes 2013 renewable fuel standards The U.S. EPA is proposing the 2013 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency's renewable fuel standard program (RFS2). The proposal announced today will be open for a 45-day public comment period. READ MORE SHARE
Ener-G announces biogas projects in Mexico, UK Ener-G Natural Power is set to begin construction on its second landfill gas management facility in Mexico, and recently announced it has partnered with a company based in Hartlepool, England, to develop three biogas projects. READ MORE SHARE
Northern Ireland sets support levels for biomass power Northern Ireland has announced new support levels for biomass and solar under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation, effective April 1., including an six-month extension of higher support levels for some combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plants. READ MORE SHARE
Alter NRG announces commissioning of biomass gasifier in China Alter NRG Corp. has announced that Wuhan Kaidi, which purchased a Westinghouse Plasma gasifier design, and plasma torch systems, from Alter NRG in 2010, has successfully completed the commissioning of the unit at its demonstration facility. READ MORE SHARE
EPA resolves air violations with Calif. biomass power plant The U.S. EPA has announced a $145,000 settlement with Thermal Energy Development Partnership, a biomass electric power plant in Tracy, Calif., for Clean Air Act violations for failure to properly operate and maintain emission monitoring equipment. READ MORE SHARE
Green Planet Power Solutions enters contract for 10 MW plant Green Planet Power Solutions entered a 15 year purchase contract with the state of Maryland to provide 10 MW of electricity generated from animal waste in Caroline County. The agreement is the result of the Clean Bay Power process. READ MORE SHARE
North American wood pellet exports up 70 percent 3Q 2012 Wood pellet exports in North America were up 70 percent in the third quarter of 2012, compared to the third quarter of 2011, according to a new report by the North American Wood Fiber Review. READ MORE SHARE
Versalis, Yulex partner to manufacture guayule-based biorubber Versalis and Yulex Corp. announced today they are forming a strategic partnership to manufacture guayule-based biorubber materials and will launch an industrial production complex in southern Europe. READ MORE SHARE
Power generation from woody biomass shows upward trend The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its latest Monthly Energy Review, which includes biomass power generation statistics through Oct. 2012. The report shows the use of woody biomass increased over the first 10 months of the year. READ MORE SHARE
Cal Poly wins $1.3 million DOE grant for algae biofuel project The U.S. DOE has awarded a $1.3 million grant to a multidisciplinary Cal Poly research team, the Algae Technology Group (ATG), for a project aimed at developing processes that turn waste resources and nutrients into algae biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
U.S. DOE allots $6 million to biomass supply chain technologies The U.S. DOE has made $6 million available for projects focused on developing and demonstrating supply chain technologies that will enable delivery of commercial-scale lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks to U.S. biorefineries. READ MORE SHARE
Linde licenses gasification technology to Finnish company Germany-based Linde Engineering Dresden GmbH has signed an agreement to license its Carbo-V biomass gasification technology to Forest BtL Oy, a Finnish biofuel developer for use in a new biomass-to-liquid facility. READ MORE SHARE
Court vacates 2012 RFS cellulosic biofuel volumes The D.C. Circuit court has issued a narrow, but mixed decision, striking down the 2012 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), but affirming the 2012 volume standard for advanced biofuels. READ MORE SHARE