Biomass Week - October 11, 2017

EPA issues proposed rulemaking notice to repeal Clean Power Plan U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has begun the process to repeal the Clean Power Plan. An Oct. 10 notice of proposed rulemaking states that the EPA has proposed to determine that the Obama-era regulation exceeds the agency’s statutory authority. READ MORE SHARE
EIA predicts a rise in heating costs this winter The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released the October edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook and Winter Fuels Outlook, predicting average household expenditures for all major home heating fuels will rise this winter. READ MORE SHARE
	National wood chip heating fuel standard open for comment A revised draft of the proposed national wood chip heating fuel technical quality standard for the U.S. is now open for stakeholder feedback and comment. Comments are limited to recent proposed changes and must be submitted by Dec. 4. READ MORE SHARE
Senators urge Pruitt to issue strong 2018 RFS RVOs A bipartisan group of 38 senators have sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, asking him to ensure the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements promote growth in the U.S. biofuels sector and the U.S. economy. READ MORE SHARE
Gevo collaborates with national labs on fuel, ETO projects On Oct. 9, Gevo Inc. announced two collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy’s national labs. One collaboration aims develop missile fuel while the other aims to optimize Gevo's ethanol-to-olefins catalyst performance. READ MORE SHARE
NYC proposes to expand food waste separation requirements The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) recent published a proposed rule that aims to expand organic waste source separation requirements for large commercial food retailers and food service establishments. READ MORE SHARE
Share of renewables in electricity generation sets record in UK The U.K. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has released energy statistics for the second quarter, reporting that the renewables’ share of electricity generation reached a record high 29.8 percent during the three-month period. READ MORE SHARE
Velocys discusses future plans in financial report Velocys plc has released financial results for the first half of 2017, providing an overview of key milestones and a discussion of its new strategy as a renewable fuels company that aims to produce jet fuel and diesel fuel. READ MORE SHARE
DOE awards Danforth Center $16 million to enhance sorghum The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center recently announced a 5-year $16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The research aims to accelerate development of elite energy sorghum varieties for production under marginal environments. READ MORE SHARE
Ames Laboratory announces new science in converting biomass Scientists at Ames Laboratory are experimenting with chemical reactions that decompose lignin models at low temperatures and pressures. The team is combining the decomposition and stabilization processes into one multi-functional catalyst. READ MORE SHARE
WSU, PNNL convert biofuel waste into commodity A method of converting a biofuel waste product into a usable and valuable commodity has been discovered by researchers at Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. READ MORE SHARE
UW scientists part of $6 million biofuel, carbon capture project Agricultural economists at the University of Wyoming will generate models of what economies in the Upper Missouri River Basin might look like if raising biofuels and carbon capture technologies were implemented. READ MORE SHARE
St1 progresses with plans for advanced biofuels St1 recently announced it plans to begin producing renewable diesel at its refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2020. The company also said it continues to develop advanced ethanol production technologies with a focus on lignocellulosic feedstocks. READ MORE SHARE
UBC researchers take the 'stink' out of wastewater treatment Researchers from UBC's Okanagan campus have developed a new way of making wastewater treatment systems using anaerobic digestion dramatically safer and better smelling by using common and inexpensive chemicals. READ MORE SHARE
E.ON completes battery installation at biomass power plant E.ON has completed the installation and grid connection of its 10 MW battery at the Blackburn Meadows biomass plant near Sheffield in the U.K. The new energy storage project will help keep power supplies stable. READ MORE SHARE
Biotech Energy announces acquisition, name change Biotech Energy Inc. recently announced that it has been acquired 100 percent by its North American management team, and is changing its name to Biothermal Technologies Inc. READ MORE SHARE
Energy Conference focuses on profitable energy independence Competitive landscape, innovative technologies and emerging energy policy were hot topics as a diverse group of nearly 150 thought leaders, industry representatives, researchers and suppliers convened at the Energy Conference in Iowa Sept. 11-13. READ MORE SHARE