Biomass Week - June 13, 2018

WM unveils $30 million RNG facility in Louisville, Kentucky On June 5, Waste Management unveiled the latest technology at its Outer Loop Recycling and Disposal Facility in Louisville, Kentucy. The technology converts waste from the landfill into usable, renewable natural gas (RNG). READ MORE SHARE
Trump rejects RFS deal, fight for year-round E15 will continue On June 5, Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, broke news that President Trump has rejected a deal on the RFS that would have allowed year-round E15 sales, but also allowed RINs from exported biofuels to be used to meet RVOs. READ MORE SHARE
	Senate’s 2018 Farm Bill reauthorizes Energy Title programs The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry released its version of the 2018 Farm Bill on June 8. The bill reauthorizes Energy Title programs, but provides insufficient funding to ensure their success, according to the AgEC. READ MORE SHARE
EPA to change how it considers costs, benefits of regulations On June 7, the U.S. EPA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking, announcing the agency is soliciting public input on whether and how to change the way it considers costs and benefits in making regulatory decisions. READ MORE SHARE
Veolia renews contract to operate waste-to-energy plant in France Veolia recently announced that it has been awarded a contract that will allow it to continue to operate a 180-gigawatt-hour-per-year waste-to-energy in France for an additional six and a half years. READ MORE SHARE
FEW general session focuses on RVP and RIN waivers A panel of industry leaders discussed Reid vapor pressure (RVP) relief and small refiner exemptions during the general session of the 2018 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha on June 12. READ MORE SHARE
Skor to FEW: Battles ahead are tough, but we can win Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor delivered the keynote address at the 2018 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo in Omaha, telling attendees that no other industry can hold a candle to the pace of growth of the ethanol industry. READ MORE SHARE
FEW recognizes Moore, Walker for contributions to fuel ethanol Kristin Moore and Graeme Walker were recognized June 12 for their contributions to ethanol industry during the 2018 Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in Omaha. Moore was presented with the High-Octane Award and Walker received the Award of Excellence. READ MORE SHARE
Carbon utilization bill could create value for CO2 emissions Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., has introduced legislation would allow carbon utilization technologies and biogas production to access USDA loan guarantees, research programs and rural development loans. READ MORE SHARE
Valmet to deliver boiler, equipment to biomass plant in Japan On June 7, Valmet announced it will supply a biomass-fired 75 MWe CFB boiler and flue gas cleaning system to Air Water & Energia Power Onahama Corp.’s Onahama Plant in Japan. The plant will be primarily fueled by wood pellets and palm kernel shells. READ MORE SHARE
EU researchers develop biomass torrefaction process A new steam drying technique for wood developed through the EU-funded SteamBio project could significantly reduce transportation costs for biomass, according to the German-based Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology. READ MORE SHARE
RNG Coalition provides thought leadership for G7 Summit The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas has been selected by Climate Change—The New Economy to write the lead statement on the role of policy in promoting sustainable energy practices for this year’s G7 Summit in Canada. READ MORE SHARE
Unilever installs biomass boiler at factory in South Africa Unilever has installed a R50 million ($3.75 million) biomass boiler at its historic Maydon Wharf Factory in Durban, South Africa. The boiler is fueled by wooden pallets, waste wood and off-cuts from local furniture and door manufacturers. READ MORE SHARE
Researcher wins DOE grant to study sustainability of biofuels A researcher at the University of Idaho was awarded $750,000 by the Department of Energy to study the sustainability of biofuels. The grant is part of a larger project to create a new generation of bioproducts and bioenergy. READ MORE SHARE
Neste, IKEA to produce PP and PE bioplastics IKEA and Neste are now able to utilize renewable residue and waste raw materials, such as used cooking oil, as well as sustainably-produced vegetable oils in the production of plastic products. The pilot at commercial scale starts during fall 2018. READ MORE SHARE
RDIF, JBIC to develop wood pellet project in Russia A coalition that includes the Russian Direct Investment Fund and JBICIG Partners have agreed to consider potential investments in Russia’s wood pellet industry. Construction on a 135,000-tom-per-year facility is expected to begin this year. READ MORE SHARE
Preem, RenFuel to construct lignin plant for biofuels in Sweden Preem and RenFuel are assessing, in collaboration with Rottneros, the construction of a lignin plant for biofuels at the pulp mill in Vallvik, Söderhamn, Sweden. The plant is expected to be complete in 2021. READ MORE SHARE
Drax moves closer to coal-free future with unit four conversion Drax Power Station June 6 took a step closer to achieving its coal-free ambitions by taking its fourth coal-fired power generating unit offline as part of a planned outage program as it prepares to convert it to run on sustainable biomass. READ MORE SHARE
NREL finds easier ways to deconstruct biomass Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory are working to develop a one-step process to deconstruct biomass. READ MORE SHARE