Biomass Week - July 3, 2015

July 3, 2015

Senators ask federal agencies to recognize biomass benefits A group of 46 senators, led by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., have sent a letter urging leaders of the U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Energy, and USDA to recognize the benefits of bioenergy in federal policy. READ MORE SHARE
United Airlines purchases stake in Fulcrum BioEnergy United Airlines has announced a $30 million equity investment in U.S.-based Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc., a pioneer in the development and commercialization of converting municipal solid waste into low-cost sustainable aviation fuel. READ MORE SHARE
	OMB weighs in on biomass language included in appropriations bill The White House Office of Management and Budget has published a statement detailing its opposition to several components of an appropriations bill pending the in the U.S. House of Representatives, including a provision related biogenic emissions. READ MORE SHARE
USDA publishes rule for revamped Biorefinery Assistance Program The USDA’s Rural Business Cooperative Service and Rural Utilities Service has published an interim final rule for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, formerly known as the Biorefinery Assistance READ MORE SHARE
Clean fuel standards face political attacks in Washington, Oregon Clean fuel standards under development in Oregon and Washington have been under attack by their respective state legislatures in recent weeks. While the threat against the Oregon program has passed, the Washington program could still be eliminated. READ MORE SHARE
DOE announces intent to fund innovative bioenergy technologies The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced its intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) targeting innovative technologies and solutions to help advance bioenergy development. READ MORE SHARE
U.K. GIB announces results, plans to raise private capital The U.K. Green Investment Bank has announced 2014-'15 results and a plan to raise private capital. The organization also noted that after 2.5 years of operations, it has reached profitability. READ MORE SHARE
Unlocking fermentation secrets opens the door to new biofuels University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reserachers have uncovered the complex interdependence and orchestration of metabolic reactions, gene regulation, and environmental cues of clostridial metabolism, providing insights for biofuel development. READ MORE SHARE
McInnis Cement, ACF - St. Elzear sign biomass agreement McInnis Cement and the Forestry Cooperative Association - St. Elzear have announced the signing of a cooperative agreement to study the feasibility of using forest biomass as an auxiliary fuel for the cement plant under construction in Quebec. READ MORE SHARE
Amyris announces update on SMA Industria Quimica joint venture Amyris Inc. has announced an update and clarification with respect to media reports regarding its inactive manufacturing joint venture with Usina Sao Martinho, SMA Industria Quimica S.A, or SMA., noting its Brotas facility is exceeding targets. READ MORE SHARE
G3P to develop waste-to-diesel plant in Florida BioPower Operations Corp. has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Green3Power Operations Inc. (G3P) has won an award to build a $175 million renewable energy facility that will convert waste into ultra-low sulfur synthetic green No. 2 diesel. READ MORE SHARE
EU approves funding for circular bioeconomy projects The Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium, has approved the funding of 10 projects totaling EUR 120 million ($132.66 million). READ MORE SHARE
Amyris: Volkswagen renewable diesel evaluation program complete Amyris Inc. has announced the successful completion of a diesel demonstration program with Volkswagen of America Inc. that was designed to test the commercial readiness of Amyris renewable diesel and its ability to enhance VW's diesel technology. READ MORE SHARE
Euronext launches wood pellet contract Euronext has announced that it will be launching a new wood pellet commodities futures contract in the autumn of 2015, subject to regulatory approval. The contract is aimed at producers, wholesalers and retailers and targets the heating sector. READ MORE SHARE
Amyris, Total proceed with jet fuel JV, restructuring plans Amyris Inc. has announced that it has agreed on key business terms with Total Energies Nouvelles Activites USA for restructuring its fuels joint venture to open the way for proceeding with commercialization of its jet fuel technology. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: Hawaii, Vermont set high RPS targets Two states have passed legislation requiring increases in renewable electricity generation. Hawaii has updated legislation setting a 100 percent renewable portfolio standard (RPS) by 2045.Vermont passed a bill creating a 75 percent RPS by 2032. READ MORE SHARE