Biomass Week - December 4, 2017

EPA finalizes 2018 RFS RVOs, 2019 RVO for biomass-based diesel The U.S. EPA has finalized the 2018 RFS RVO at 19.29 billion gallons of renewable fuel, including 288 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel, 2.1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel, and 4.29 billion gallons of advanced biofuel. READ MORE SHARE
Drax Biomass: LaSalle BioEnergy begins pellet production Drax Biomass Inc. has begun start up production at its newest facility, LaSalle BioEnergy in Urania, Louisiana. The facility is the third pellet plant in DBI’s portfolio and has an annual capacity of 450,000 metric tons. READ MORE SHARE
	EPA: 19.23 million cellulosic RINs generated in October The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) data for October, announcing that nearly 1.68 billion RINs were generated during the month, including more than 19.23 million cellulosic RINs. READ MORE SHARE
Abbott asks EPA to waive portion of RFS RVO On Dec. 1, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting a waiver of Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements, claiming the program is negatively impacting the state’s economy and employment. READ MORE SHARE
EPA issues documents discussing periodic reviews of the RFS On Nov. 30, the U.S. EPA published documents describing its interpretation of statutory requirements to conduct periodic reviews of certain aspects of the Renewable Fuel Standard and prior actions the agency has taken to fulfill its obligations. READ MORE SHARE
Barrasso asks EPA to meet statutory RFS reporting requirements Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, is asking the U.S. EPA to complete studies assessing the impact of the Renewable Fuel Standard on air, water and land quality. READ MORE SHARE
Dutch firm invests $53 million in Estonia biocoal plant A subsidiary of Dutch private equity investment firm Momentum Capital has made a conditional investment of EUR 45 million ($53 million) in the development of a biocoal plant to be built in Vägari, Estonia. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers produce biochar, hydrochar from poultry litter Ben-Gurion University researchers believe poultry waste holds promise as a renewable fuel for heat and electricity. The scientists compared two processes that turned poultry droppings into fuel to determine which was more effective. READ MORE SHARE
Renewable Industries Canada unveils ‘Facts Don’t Lie’ ad campaign Renewable Industries Canada has launched a public awareness campaign on the environmental and economic benefits of biofuels mandates. Dubbed "Facts Don’t Lie," the campaign is designed to educate the public on the benefits of biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
ENCE awards SENER contract to build biomass plant in Spain Engineering and technology group SENER has signed a contract with ENCE Energía y Celulosa to build a new low-emission 40 MW biomass electricity generation plant in its energy complex in Huelva, Spain. READ MORE SHARE
Researchers develop new pathways to produce better biofuels An engineer at Washington University in St. Louis has stitched together the best bits of several different bacteria to synthesize a new biofuel product that matches current engines better than previously produced biofuels. READ MORE SHARE
Toyota facility to produce electricity, hydrogen from bio-waste Toyota Motor North America Inc. plans to build a carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station to support operations at the Port of Long Beach. The facility will use bio-waste sourced from California agricultural waste. READ MORE SHARE
EnviTec Biogas, Evonik strategic partnership celebrates 5 years Following the commissioning of 20 EnviThan gas upgrading plants in Germany, U.K., France, China and Denmark, EnviTec is looking back on a successful five-year partnership with Evonik, the technology leader for membrane-based gas separation. READ MORE SHARE
SWANA publishes new tips for safety at waste-to-energy facilities The Solid Waste Association of North America has released a new installment to its “Five to Stay Alive” series, featuring safety tips for waste-to-energy employees. The safety campaign includes flyers and posters that help keep safety front-of-mind. READ MORE SHARE
UC Riverside evaluates best ways to meet renewable energy targets Researchers at UC Riverside's Center for Renewable Natural Gas recently received a grant from SoCalGas to examine the proposed 100 percent RPS and explore options that can help achieve emission reduction goals more efficiently and at lower costs. READ MORE SHARE
BETO launches new Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium The U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office has established the Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium, a research and development consortium focused on biomass supply, preprocessing, and conversion technologies. READ MORE SHARE
RNG Coalition celebrates new projects, launches video The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas recently recognized six companies for their development roles in seven renewable natural gas (RNG) projects completed in 2017 across the U.S. heartland, and launched a new educational video. READ MORE SHARE