Biomass Week - July 22, 2016

EPA publishes updated standards, guidelines for MSW landfills On July 14, the U.S. EPA issued final new source performance standards for new, modified and reconstructed municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. The agency has also issued revised guidelines for reducing emissions from existing MSW landfills. READ MORE SHARE
Ocean Park Advisors to market Abengoa’s cellulosic ethanol plant On July 18, Ocean Park Advisors announced it has been retained by Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas LLC to market its cellulosic ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas, under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. READ MORE SHARE
	New research finds likely cause, solution for pellet-derived CO Clarkson University researchers believe they have figured out the cause of wood pellet-derived carbon monoxide, and a potential solution involving the treatment of wood fiber with ozone. The researchers expect to scale-up the study later this year. READ MORE SHARE
Billion-Ton Update authors discuss report findings On July 19, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute held a briefing to discuss the U.S. Department of Energy's 2016 Billion-Ton Update, its methodology and data collection strategies, findings and goals. READ MORE SHARE
DOE issues report on reducing commercial aviation GHG emissions The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recently released a report focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from commercial aviation, focusing on large single- and twin-aisle planes that transport more than 100 people. READ MORE SHARE
Report features data on EU pellet, biogas markets A report recently filed with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network provides an overview of the European Union’s biofuel market, including data on wood pellets and biogas. READ MORE SHARE
DOE to fund projects combining biofuel and engine research The U.S. Department of Energy has announced its intent to issue a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled “Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines.” The initiative’s approach combines the previously independent areas of biofuels and combustion. READ MORE SHARE
Bill aims to create tax credits for carbon utilization, storage Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., recently introduced the Carbon Capture and Utilization Act of 2016, which aims to spur investment in next-generation carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies. READ MORE SHARE
AAFC invests $37.6 million in projects, including one for AD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently announced that the federal government will invest $37.6 million in a number of projects, including the installation of an anaerobic digester at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre. READ MORE SHARE
Government to launch app to aid renewable energy exports The U.S. Departments of State, Commerce and Energy are inviting suppliers and providers of clean energy, smart grid and energy efficiency solutions to participate in an interactive directory of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions. READ MORE SHARE
Canadian, Quebec governments invest $76.5M in bio-oil facility The governments of Canada and Quebec announced in July they will provide a combined $76.5 million in funding to AE Cote-Nord Bioenergy Canada Inc. for the production of renewable fuel oil from forest residues at its Port-Cartier facility. READ MORE SHARE
ARG invests in Amyris and Cosan joint venture Novvi American Refining Group Inc. has committed to a 33.3 percent equity investment in Novvi LLC, a joint venture of Amyris, Inc. and Cosan S.A. Both Amyris and Cosan will continue to hold share ownership stakes in Novvi, together with ARG. READ MORE SHARE
ABC: Bill signals building support for nutrient recycling, biogas Last week, Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Pat Robert, R-Kan., introduced new bipartisan legislation that aims to help farms deploy new nutrient recovery and biogas systems to recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products. READ MORE SHARE
Lux Research: Biojet could account for significant emissions cuts Biojet fuels will be key to achieving the aviation industry’s pledge to cut CO2 emissions to 200 million tons in 2050, half the 2005 figure, as opposed to the staggering 2.1 billion tons projected by current growth rates, according to Lux Research. READ MORE SHARE
Scientists harness CO2 to consolidate biofuel production process Carbon dioxide has emerged as a new secret ingredient in the recipe for making ethanol, and that addition represents a major step forward in streamlining the biofuel production process. READ MORE SHARE
DOE funds study on biorefinery waste use, renewable bioproducts The U.S. Department of Energy has granted $2.5 million for a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study to find ways to use biorefinery waste to make new, marketable products. Much of the study will focus on ways to make plastic materials from lignin. READ MORE SHARE
Emerson automation aids waste-to-energy project in Poland Automation technology and services from Emerson Process Management, a global business of Emerson, have helped ensure the successful startup and operation of a waste-to-energy plant in Bydgoszcz, Poland. READ MORE SHARE
Evoqua awarded contract to support P&G green energy plant Evoqua has been chosen by energy developer DCO Energy LLC to provide equipment and services for a new $200 million 50 MW biomass/wood waste-to-energy cogeneration project for Procter & Gamble Co. in Albany, Georgia. READ MORE SHARE
Subsidies, rebates to install wood heat available in Vermont Residents of the Northeast Kingdom region of Vermont who switch to modern wood heating systems are currently eligible for subsidies and rebates of up to $10,500, including funding from the state and Northern Forest Center. READ MORE SHARE
Walker signs bill to support Alaska timber industry Alaska Gov. Bill Walker recently signed into law a bill designed to meet the growing demand for timber in southeast Alaska, after the lack of federal timber threatened the industry’s survival in the state. READ MORE SHARE
Ford, Jose Cuervo team up to develop agave-based bioplastics Ford Motor Co. is teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer’s agave plant byproduct to develop more sustainable bioplastics to employ in Ford vehicles. READ MORE SHARE
DOE announces $15 million to advance algae biofuels, bioproducts The U.S. Department of Energy has announced up to $15 million for three projects aimed at reducing the production costs of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts through improvements in algal biomass yields. READ MORE SHARE
IKEA to install biogas-powered fuel cell systems at 4 more stores IKEA recently announced it is furthering its renewable commitment with plans for biogas-powered fuel cell systems at four more of its California stores. A year ago, IKEA completed installation of such a project at a San Francisco-area store. READ MORE SHARE