Biomass Week - December 2, 2016

GAO RFS reports paint incomplete picture of advanced biofuels The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued two reports Nov. 28 suggesting that the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program is unlikely to meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and expanding the U.S. renewable fuels sector. READ MORE SHARE
EU publishes clean energy policy package for heating, cooling This week, the European Commission released a package of policy proposals aimed at boosting the EU’s competitiveness as the world transitions to a clean energy mix. AEBIOM and REA express support and concern over certain aspects of the legislation. READ MORE SHARE
	California’s Tajiguas Landfill to construct AD project in 2017 In July, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved a resource recovery project at the Tajiguas Landfill. Project developers are currently finalizing agreements between the cities it would serve and hope to begin construction in 2017. READ MORE SHARE
DOE to fund renewable energy projects on Indian land The U.S. DOE has announced plans to provide up to $6 million in funding to support the deployment of energy efficiency and clean energy on Indian land. Applications are due Feb. 7. An informational webinar is planned for Dec. 1. READ MORE SHARE
Canada announces plans for national low-carbon fuel standard On Nov. 25, the government of Canada announced plans to develop a low-carbon fuel standard that would require reductions in the carbon footprint of fuels supplied in the nation based on lifecycle analysis. READ MORE SHARE
Vermont launches wood, pellet stove change-out program A new wood and pellet stove change-out program in Vermont aims to help residents update existing systems with cleaner, more efficient models. READ MORE SHARE
New Hampshire biomass plant celebrates 10 years of operations After a decade of generating clean energy for customers throughout the region, the Northern Wood Power biomass unit at Eversource’s Schiller Station in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, continues to be an engine for the state’s forestry industry. READ MORE SHARE
Blue Sphere provides biogas project updates As of mid-November, Blue Sphere’s 5.2-MW biogas plant in Charlotte, North Carolina is connected to the grid, and all three generators are now operating, the company recently reported. READ MORE SHARE
Colombo Energy becomes 17th qualified into PFI Standards Program On Nov. 30, the Pellet Fuels Institute qualified Colombo Energy of Greenwood, South Carolina, into its Standards Program, which now represents 17 pellet manufacturing companies, among them 29 facilities. READ MORE SHARE
New chemical enhances biodiesel, ethanol production BASF is introducing a new version of its Lutropur brand of methanesulfonic acid (MSA) with higher active concentration for multiple applications in biodiesel and ethanol processing. BASF's new Lutropur MSA-XP features 94 percent active concentration. READ MORE SHARE
Finland outlines energy, climate actions to 2030 and beyond The Finland government approved the national energy and climate strategy to 2030 on Nov. 24. The strategy will be submitted as a government report to the Parliament, where discussion on it started Nov. 30. READ MORE SHARE
ISU scientists explore advantages of horticultural bioplastics New bioplastic materials may enable gardeners to tend their plants more sustainably and could even help plants “self-fertilize” and grow healthier roots, according to research conducted by Iowa State University horticulturists. READ MORE SHARE
Active Energy scores plant funding, provides testing update Active Energy announced that it has achieved certain milestones in line with its strategy to commercialize its CoalSwitch technology, which utilizes low-value wood, timber, forestry and pulp mill/ saw mill byproducts to produce drop-in biomass fuel. READ MORE SHARE
Grant funds test of market potential for jet fuel research Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities have been awarded a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant to explore the market potential of their biojet fuel research. READ MORE SHARE