Biomass Week - June 19, 2015

EPA renewable fuel standard management scrutinized at hearing U.S. EPA Acting Administrator Janet McCabe fielded dozens of hard questions and endured heavy scrutiny during a June 18 hearing held to discuss the agency’s management of the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS). READ MORE SHARE
Farmers, biofuel industry call on Congress to leave RFS alone On June 17, Fuels America hosted a press call during which farmers and representatives of the biofuel industry discussed how legislative changes to the renewable fuel standard would threaten America’s security, consumers, climate and rural economy. READ MORE SHARE
	Wastech opens British Columbia landfill gas plant Wastech has officially commenced operations of a landfill gas-to-energy plant at the Cache Creek Landfill in British Columbia, Canada, a disposal site that serves the Metro Vancouver area. Construction of the 4.8-MW project began in last summer. READ MORE SHARE
USDA accepting applications for biofuels infrastructure funding The USDA's Commodity Credit Corp. has announced that all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., may now apply for up to $100 million in grants under the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership. READ MORE SHARE
Viridis Merchants announces European supply agreement Viridis Energy Inc. recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Viridis Merchants Inc., has secured a European supply agreement for up to 20,000 metric tons of ENplus certified premium wood pellets per year. READ MORE SHARE
Comment period open on proposed discretionary changes to BCAP The USDA has announced its intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) to assess the potential environmental consequences associated with proposed discretionary changes to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. READ MORE SHARE
Veolia appointed operator of biomass power plant in Ireland Veolia, through its subsidiary in Ireland Veolia Energy Services, has been awarded a 15-year contract to operate a biomass power plant in Killala, Co. Mayo, in Ireland, by Mayo Renewable Power. READ MORE SHARE
DOE initiatives launch as part of Clean Energy Investment Summit The Department of Energy has announced several new and expanding initiatives as part of the administration's Clean Energy Investment Summit, including the launch of a Clean Energy Impact Investment Center. READ MORE SHARE
Everbright International secures biomass project in China China Everbright International Ltd. recently announced that it has signed an investment agreement with the People’s Government of Rugao City of Jiangsu Province for the investment, construction and operation of a biomass power generation project READ MORE SHARE
EBI researchers develop process for drop-in aviation biofuel While biofuels have proven to be an effective, renewable, low-carbon alternative to gas and diesel, jet fuels pose unique challenges. These challenges have now been met with a technique developed by researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute. READ MORE SHARE
USDA publishes final rules on biobased products The USDA's Office of Procurement and Property Management has published final rules in the Federal Register amending regulations for the voluntary labeling program for biobased products and the designation of biobased products for federal procurement. READ MORE SHARE
Genomatica advances development of feedstock for biochemicals Genomatica announced progress in harnessing cellulosic biomass for commercial production of high-quality chemicals rather than just fuels. Genomatica's work sets the stage to increase the range of feedstock choices for making biobased chemicals. READ MORE SHARE
NMMA endorses use of Gevo’s isobutanol in marine fuel market Gevo Inc. has received a key endorsement for the use of its renewable isobutanol by the marine industry, following support and recommendation for the use of isobutanol by the National Marine Manufacturers Association as an alternative to ethanol. READ MORE SHARE
Bioproducts industry contributes $369 billion to U.S. economy Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the release of a new report that shows the U.S. biobased industry is generating substantial economic activity and American jobs. It builds on the "Why Biobased?" report released by the USDA in October. READ MORE SHARE
Capstone Turbine releases fourth quarter financial results On June 15, Capstone Turbine Corp. released its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, reporting three, big headwinds contributed to a challenging year, but the company is moving forward. READ MORE SHARE
Report highlights EU progress in reaching 2020 renewables goals On June 16, the European Commission published a progress report on 2020 renewable energy targets, reporting that the EU is on track to meets its 20 percent renewable energy targets. Biomass accounted for 47 percent of renewables in the EU last year. READ MORE SHARE
BPA highlights letter of biomass support from Congress to EPA U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., and Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Airzona, sent a bipartisan letter of support for biomass power to the U.S. EPA. READ MORE SHARE
Illinois economists examine long-term trajectory of proposed RVO University of Illinois economists Scott Irwin, Darrell Good continue analysis of the implications of the EPA's proposed RVO, this time through 2022. READ MORE SHARE
BIOFerm, Viessmann selected for biogas project in New York North Elba, New York, has selected BIOFerm Energy Systems/Viessmann Group as the anaerobic digester technology provider for a community organic diversion project expected to begin this year. READ MORE SHARE