Biomass Week - May 15, 2015

Senators introduce bill to establish national RES program Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M, has introduced legislation that aims to establish a national renewable electricity standard (RES). The bill would require utilities to generate 30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. READ MORE SHARE
Wyden Introduces bill to boost biomass energy Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has introduced a bill that would spur the use of low-carbon biomass energy to heat and power homes and businesses, while reducing the risk of wildfires and creating jobs in rural areas. READ MORE SHARE
	2014-'15 RFS rule under review by White House OMB The U.S. EPA's proposed rule for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 renewable fuel standard (RFS) volume requirements is undergoing review by the White House Office of Management and Budget, marking a final step before the rule is released for public review. READ MORE SHARE
Hawaii set to be first state with 100 percent renewables goal According to the Hawaiian government, billions of dollars are diverted from the state’s economy each year because of its dependence on imported fossil fuels. A bill that sits on the governor’s desk will set a goal of 100 percent renewables by 2045. READ MORE SHARE
King bill establishes biomass emissions as carbon neutral Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, has introduced legislation that aims to ensure emissions generated from sustainably harvested biomass would be considered carbon neutral under the U.S. EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan. READ MORE SHARE
Dyadic Q1 results show revenue growth, improved gross profits Dyadic International Inc. recently released its financial results for quarter one of 2015, reporting an established market position with its licensee Abengoa and more recent collaborator Compagnie Industrielle de Matiere Vegetale for its products. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass advisory committee to meet in May The U.S. Department of Energy has published a notice announcing an open meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee on May 20-22 in Washington, D.C. READ MORE SHARE
German Pellets reports strong 2014, startup of Louisiana plant German Pellets has released 2014 financial results, reporting that despite somewhat difficult market conditions caused by mild weather and falling oil prices, the company ended the business year with an increase in turnover and operating results. READ MORE SHARE
Stobart reports continued biomass growth in recent fiscal results On May 14, the Stobart Group released its fiscal results for the 12 months ended Feb. 28, 2015, reporting its biomass division Stobart Energy supplied over 1 million metric tons of biomass, up 29 percent year-on-year. READ MORE SHARE
Metabolix Q1 results highlight portfolio of commercial activity On May 13, Metabolix Inc. released its first quarter financial results for the year, reporting a portfolio of opportunities the company is developing and commercializing for its PHA performance additives, pure PHA resins and PHA/PLA blends. READ MORE SHARE
Biofuel trade groups discuss RFS rulemaking, announce ad campaign On May 12, representatives of two biofuel trade organizations discussed the choice the White House and U.S. EPA face in proposing upcoming renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard. READ MORE SHARE
Rentech highlights Canadian pellet plant production in Q1 results On May 11, Rentech Inc. released its 2015 first quarter financial results, reporting both its Canadian industrial facilities are producing pellets; Atikokan production rates exceeding the external forecast and Wawa commissioning better than expected. READ MORE SHARE
Rural Energy launches biomass space heater Biomass heating specialists Rural Energy have launched the AIRMatic biomass space heater, an innovative new compact solution that packs a big punch, ideal for warehouses and large industrial units. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo Q1 results highlight isobutanol batches, jet fuel agreement On May 12, Gevo Inc. released financial results for the first quarter, with an update on recent corporate highlights, including successful isobutanol batches run at its Luverne, Minnesota, plant and the recent jet fuel agreement with Alaska Airlines. READ MORE SHARE
Lux Research: Biofuel developers can thrive despite cheap oil While alternative fuels like biofuels had obvious appeal when oil prices were well over $100 a barrel, the plummet in oil prices to $50 levels can threaten the cost-competitiveness of alternative fuels. READ MORE SHARE
SRS celebrates groundbreaking of biomass heating plant On May 11, senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Ameresco, Inc. gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the start of a new project for a biomass heating plant. READ MORE SHARE
Research highlights potential of double-cropping for food, fuel The use of double-cropping systems, a winter annual biomass crop is grown then harvested in the spring, followed by a summer annual crop, has been suggested as an option to produce biofuel feedstocks. READ MORE SHARE
Dyadic receives funding for new advanced biofuels program Dyadic International Inc. has announced details regarding 2G BIOPIC, a new advanced biofuels project funded by the European Commission's Horizon 2020 program. In the 2G BIOPIC project, Dyadic's subsidiary will develop a demonstration-scale facility. READ MORE SHARE
U.S. pellet exports increased during the fourth quarter Exportation of wood pellets from North America to Europe and Asia reached an all-time high rising 22 percent in 2014 from the previous year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. Shipments from the US were up 40 percent year-over-year. READ MORE SHARE
DONG Energy divests its last waste-fired CHP plant DONG Energy has entered into an agreement to divest the waste-fired combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plant near Holstebro, Mabjerg CHP Plant, to the Danish utility companies Struer Forsyning Fjernvarme A/S and Vestforsyning Varme A/S. READ MORE SHARE
UPS to purchase RNG from Clean Energy UPS has entered into an agreement to purchase renewable natural gas (RNG) for its delivery vehicle fleet from Clean Energy Fuels Corp. UPS fueling stations in Sacramento, Fresno and Los Angeles will utilize Clean Fuels's Redeem RNG fuel. READ MORE SHARE