Biomass Week - May 1, 2018

Astec nears completion on Georgia, Arkansas pellet plants Astec Industries Inc. recently released first quarter 2018 financial results. During an April 24 investor call, the company provided an update on pellet plant construction activities in Georgia and Arkansas and discussed future plans. READ MORE SHARE
DuPont, ADM open biobased pilot facility in Illinois DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Archer Daniels Midland Co. announced the opening of the world’s first biobased furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) pilot production facility in Decatur, Illinois. READ MORE SHARE
	Biofuel industry criticizes EPA handout to Icahn Supporters of the biofuels industry are speaking out to condemn reports that the U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt granted an undisclosed small refiner “hardship” waiver to a refinery owned by billionaire Carl Icahn. READ MORE SHARE
EPA: 20.98 million cellulosic RINs generated in March The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for March, reporting that more than 1.56 billion RINs were generated during the month, including nearly 20.98 million cellulosic RINs. READ MORE SHARE
California bill on pipeline integration of RNG clears committee A proposed bill sponsored by the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas that seeks to accelerate the production and integration of green gas into California’s natural gas supply passed out of the State Assembly’s Utilities and Energy Committee April 26. READ MORE SHARE
Pruitt grilled on Capitol Hill while Cruz 'sideshow' held on lawn The debate in Washington, D.C., over RFS was in full force April 26 as U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt was grilled at a House committee hearing on his issuance of waivers while Sen. Ted Cruz stumped with refinery and steel workers on the lawn. READ MORE SHARE
Weltec builds 3 biogas plants in Northern Ireland, wins award Germany-based Weltec Biopower has announced it is building three 500-kilowatt anaerobic digestion plants in Northern Ireland. The plants are expected to commence operations this summer. READ MORE SHARE
Perdue questioned on RFS, waivers, E15 during hearing The Renewable Fuel Standard, Reid vapor pressure (RVP) relief and the U.S. EPA’s misuse of small refiner hardship waivers were among the topics discussed during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing held on April 24. READ MORE SHARE
Ameresco: Woodland Meadows landfill gas project now open Ameresco Inc. announced April 23 that the landfill gas to renewable natural gas facility at Waste Management’s Woodland Meadows Landfill has achieved EPA approval and is now in operation. The RNG facility was commissioned in November. READ MORE SHARE
EIA: Subsidies for renewables down as tax credits diminish Federal subsidies for renewable energy—including biofuels for transportation use and renewable generation of electricity—dropped to $6.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016, a 56 percent decline from FY 2013. READ MORE SHARE
Biofuels key to success of Canada’s Clean Fuel Standard Canada’s two largest biofuels stakeholders—Renewable Industries Canada and Advanced Biofuels Canada—released the results of a new study April 30 on the economic impact of Canada’s upcoming Clean Fuel Standard. READ MORE SHARE
Biomass Secure Power enters MOU to deliver biocoal Biomass Secure Power Inc. recently announced ithas entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a power company located in the U.S. for the delivery of biocoal. Shipments are currently scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2019. READ MORE SHARE
EPC contractor appointed for South African biomass project A consortium comprised of ELB Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd., KC Cottrell and the ELB Educational Trust have been appointed as EPC contractor for a 25 MW biomass project under development in South Africa. READ MORE SHARE
EIB launches financing initiative for bioeconomy, agriculture The European Investment Bank, the EU bank, announced the launch of a new financing initiative April 16 that aims to unlock close to EUR 1 billion of investment in the agriculture and bioeconomy sector. READ MORE SHARE
Global Bioenergies, SkyNRG announce collaboration Global Bioenergies and SkyNRG have announced plans to work together to accelerate the commercialization of Global Bioenergies’ approach to process isobutene into a jet fuel blending component. The effort includes working towards ASTM approval. READ MORE SHARE