Biomass Week - October 7, 2016

EPA proposes major updates to RFS regulations On Oct. 3, the U.S. EPA released its proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support rule, which aims to enhance the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program and related fuel regulations to support the growth of ethanol and other renewable fuels. READ MORE SHARE
Study finds biomass harvesting techniques with minimal impacts A set of newly published studies evaluated nearly 40 years of data on the impacts of biomass utilization on soil, tree, and plant recovery and found minimal impact using certain forest harvesting techniques. READ MORE SHARE
	USDA: Biobased products industry has major impact on economy On Oct. 3, the USDA released a new report showing that the biobased products industry contributed $393 billion and 4.2 million jobs to America’s economy in 2014. From 2013 to 2014, the sector created new 220,000 jobs and grew by $24 billion. READ MORE SHARE
UK DBEIS publishes Q2 2016 energy statistics The U.K. Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy published Energy Trends, Energy Prices publications, covering new data for the second quarter of 2016. Bioenergy and waste production saw the largest percentage change on a year earlier. READ MORE SHARE
Graanul seeks SBP certification for 2 Estonian pellet plants Graanul Invest’s Imavere and Ebavere Estonia-based pellet plants are moving toward Sustainable Biomass Partnership certification. The first evaluation audits to be carried out by NEPCon Estonia are expected to take place in December. READ MORE SHARE
Alabama Power issues RFP for renewable power Alabama Power has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for renewable energy sources. Certain biomass facilities are among those eligible to apply. Projects must range in size from 5 MWac and 80 MWac and be located in the state of Alabama. READ MORE SHARE
BIO analysis finds no link between blend wall, RIN price spike The Biotechnology Innovation Organization recently released a white paper that analyzes U.S. EPA data, challenging the widely accepted assumption that the blend wall caused the 2013 spike in renewable identification number (RIN) prices. READ MORE SHARE
Vermont to publish energy compliance standards The Vermont Department of Public Service has published its draft recommendations for regional and municipal energy planning and standards for issuing a determination of energy compliance. Final documents are required under Act 174 of 2016 by Nov. 1. READ MORE SHARE
10-year anniversary videos offer unique glimpse inside REG Renewable Energy Group Inc. is quietly celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a series of videos being released to commemorate the company's—and the biodiesel industry's—significant growth and maturation over the past decade. READ MORE SHARE
Everbright International announces biomass projects In late September, China Everbright International Ltd. announced it commenced construction of 14 projects during the third quarter of this year, including six biomass projects and five waste-to-energy projects. READ MORE SHARE
Agenda, experts set for Biofuels Financial Conference Oct. 17-18 Produced by Christianson & Associates and organized by BBI, the event, taking place in Minneapolis, focuses on the best ways for biofuels producers to become more familiar with the latest financial options in today's ethanol and biodiesel industries. READ MORE SHARE
Toyota develops DNA technology that benefits feedstock production Toyota Motor Corp. recently announced that it has developed a new deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis technology is capable of improving the efficiency of identifying and selecting useful genetic information for agricultural plant improvement. READ MORE SHARE
Mercurius Biorefining, UC Davis develop FDCA production process Mercurius Biorefining has furthered its partnership with the University of California, Davis to develop first-of-its-kind technology for production of furan-2,5- dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). READ MORE SHARE
Verdezyne signs distribution agreement with Aceto Verdezyne Inc. and Aceto Corp. recently announced an agreement for sales and distribution of Verdezyne's BIOLON DDDA (biobased dodecanedioic acid). BIOLON DDDA will be produced by Verdezyne and will be distributed in the U.S. by Aceto. READ MORE SHARE
New Biomass Energy obtains majority interest in Mississippi plant New Biomass Energy recently announced that it has acquired the majority interest in the Mississippi torrefaction plant and plans to continue the production of torrefied biomass. Initial production will be supplied to Portland General Electric. READ MORE SHARE
NREL lowers biofuel cost Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently installed a recirculating regenerating riser reactor (R-Cubed) in its pilot-scale Thermochemical Process Development Unit, allowing for catalytic upgrading of biomass pyrolysis vapors. READ MORE SHARE
Anellotech announces equity investment, begins commissioning Anellotech has received an equity investment of $1.5 million from a new, confidential strategic investor. The new investor joins existing announced partners, Axens, IFP Energies nouvelles, Johnson Matthey, Suntory and Toyota Tsusho. READ MORE SHARE
Monarca biojet project adds 33,000 hectares of jatropha Mexico-based Monarca has announced plans to add 33,000 hectares of jatropha production to produce seed oil for biojet production at U.S. refineries. The company currently has 33,000 acres of production to enable biojet production in Mexico. READ MORE SHARE
DOE BETO hosts biorefinery optimization workshop Oct. 5–6 U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted a Biorefinery Optimization Workshop Oct 5-6 in Chicago. The event focused on integrated biorefineries working to produce biofuels, biochemicals, and bioproducts. READ MORE SHARE
Biochar improves crop growth, climate A project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF recently studied the impact of the biochar on ecosystems and nutrient cycles, finding use of biochar in agriculture improves soil fertility mitigates greenhouse gas emissions. READ MORE SHARE
High Plains Bioenergy to upgrade biogas with Bioferm system High Plains Bioenergy, a subsidiary of Seaboard Foods, recently announced plans to upgrade its biogas to renewable natural gas using a Carbotech Pressure Swing Adsorption system from BIOFerm Energy Systems part of Viessmann Group. READ MORE SHARE
Green Biologics selects Caldic as its EU distribution partner Green Biologics Inc. recently announced a agreement with Caldic B.V. to distribute its biobased, high-purity chemicals, including n-butanol, acetone and other associated product to customers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. READ MORE SHARE
Ocean Park to assist American Airlines with bio-jet evaluation American Airlines recently announced that it has retained Ocean Park to assist with evaluating alternative jet fuels and identifying the most promising companies and technologies. READ MORE SHARE