Biomass Week - June 5, 2015

Proposed rule for EPA’s Clean Power Plan undergoes OMB review On June 1, U.S. EPA's proposed rule for the Clean Power Plan was delivered to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, marking a final step before the release of a final rule. READ MORE SHARE
Enviva releases first quarter results, responds to criticism Enviva Partners LP has released first quarter financial results, reporting the revenues of $114.3 million on a pro forma basis. The company closed its initial public offering (IPO) on May 4. READ MORE SHARE
	USDA announces restart of BCAP On June 1, the USDA announced that incentives will resume this summer for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners interested in growing and harvesting biomass for renewable energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. READ MORE SHARE
Bluesphere breaks ground on 3.2 MW biogas plant in Rhode Island On May 28, Bluesphere Corp. held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 3.2-MW waste-to-energy (WTE) project in Johnston, Rhode Island. Once operational, the facility will sell the electricity it generates from food waste to the national grid. READ MORE SHARE
EPA to hold public hearing on RFS proposal June 25 in Kansas The U.S. EPA has announced it will hold a public hearing on June 25 in Kansas City, Kansas, on its recently released proposed rule for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 renewable fuel standard (RFS) and 2017 RFS proposal for biomass-based diesel. READ MORE SHARE
USDA publishes final VAPG rule, opens comment period In May, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service published a final rule for the Value-Added Producer Grant program and opened a 60-day comment period that closes on July 7. The program can support the production of E85 and biogas. READ MORE SHARE
EPA seeks input on RIN quality assurance plan ICR The U.S. EPA recently published a notice soliciting public comments on a proposed information collection request (ICR) related to the voluntary renewable identification number (RIN) quality assurance program under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
N.Y. funds biotech accelerator, along with pellet and AD projects New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced funding for the Central New York Biotech Accelerator. Separate initiatives recently announced by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will support pellet and biogas projects. READ MORE SHARE
Dinneen, Coleman talk RVO numbers, EPA at FEW The first full day of FEW kicked off June 2 with rousing speeches on the U.S. EPA's recently released proposal for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) RVOs for 2014, 2015 and 2016, with speeches by Bob Dinneen of RFA and Brooke Coleman of AEC. READ MORE SHARE
FEW panel optimistic on ethanol outlook, despite EPA rule If the ethanol industry unites behind a common goal, "we will be undefeatable," Big River Resources CEO Ray Defenbaugh told the opening session at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop underway in Minneapolis. READ MORE SHARE
Infinis Energy results yield increased LFG revenue, gross profit On May 28, Infinis Energy plc released its preliminary results for the 12 months ending March 31, reporting its landfill gas (LFG) business exported 1,842 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity and high levels of engine fleet reliability at 95 percent. READ MORE SHARE
Two free ISCC events coming up in Miami The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification group is holding two free events in the United States in late June, including a Global Risk Assessment Services workshop and a regional stakeholder meeting. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo’s wood-derived jet fuel to be used in test flight Gevo Inc. has announced its patented technology to make jet fuel from cellulosic wood waste will be used in demonstration flight sponsored by Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance and major North American airline. READ MORE SHARE
EIA publishes updated wood, biomass waste SEDS data On May 29, the U.S. Energy Information Administration updated the wood and biomass waste data associated with its State Energy Data System, which is the source of the EIA's comprehensive state energy statistics. READ MORE SHARE
BESC, Mascoma develop revolutionary yeast for biofuel production Biofuels pioneer Mascoma LLC and the Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center have developed a revolutionary strain of yeast that could help significantly accelerate the development of biofuels from nonfood plant matter. READ MORE SHARE
Clemson receives grant to research crops for energy use A new public-private partnership led by Clemson University and a worldwide biomass and bioenergy producer will research the use of crops that can both open new markets for South Carolina landowners and support the growing demand for renewable energy. READ MORE SHARE
Kingdom Biofuels unveils new DIY pellet storage bins Kingdom BioFuel of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has announced the launch of its DIY Pellet Storage Bin, the first in a line of products to be unveiled throughout this year. The company serves pellet fuel customers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. READ MORE SHARE
Solvay opens biotechnology laboratory in Brazil Solvay has opened in Brazil its first fully dedicated Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory to boost the development of innovations and solutions based on sustainable chemistry, used in a growing range of end-markets. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers successfully dual crop camelina, soybean In the United States, federal mandates to produce more renewable fuels, especially biofuels, have led to a growing debate: Should fuel or food grow on arable land? Recent research shows farmers can successfully, and sustainably, grow both. READ MORE SHARE
FCStone to supply corn for Gevo’s Luverne plant Gevo Inc. recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with FCStone Merchant Services LLC to originate and supply corn for Gevo's plant in Luverne, Minnesota. READ MORE SHARE
Alaska Airlines plans biofuel test flight in WSU partnership Washington state's hometown airline is teaming up with the Washington State University-led Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance to advance the production and use of alternative jet fuel made from forest residuals. READ MORE SHARE
Virent BioFormPX paraxylene used for entirely plant-based bottle Virent has announced that its BioFormPX paraxylene was used in the world's first demonstration-scale production of a PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant-based materials. The bottles were showcased by The Coca-Cola Co. at Expo Milano 2015. READ MORE SHARE
RSB approves new low ILUC risk standard The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials kicked off its annual General Assembly meeting with a delegation vote on the new "Low iLUC Risk Biomass Criteria and Compliance Indicators." The standard was approved by consensus. READ MORE SHARE
EDF contributes funding to U.K. biomass district heating project EDF Energy has announced that it is contributing £1 million ($1.52 million) to fund energy efficient heating measures in three Manchester tower blocks, which were recently launched collectively as "Tribe." READ MORE SHARE
Scottish companies cooperate on bioenergy for industrial market U.K.-based Cochran Ltd., a supplier of industrial steam and hot-water boiler plants, and Scotland-based Scot Heat & Power Ltd., s supplier of biomass fuel, have signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of industrial biomass projects. READ MORE SHARE