Biomass Week - April 10, 2019

EPA to propose rule on biomass carbon neutrality this summer U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently informed federal lawmakers that the agency is working on a rulemaking that will define biomass as carbon neutral. A proposed rule is expected to be released this summer. READ MORE SHARE
Wheeler addresses SREs, RVO reallocations during recent hearings U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told federal lawmakers April 3 it would be difficult for the agency to reallocate biofuel volumes waived by small refinery exemptions (SREs), even if Congress provided a legislative mechanism to do so. READ MORE SHARE
	EIA: 790,000 tons of densified biomass sold in December The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently released data showing U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 710,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in December, with sales reaching 790,000 metric tons. READ MORE SHARE
Sustainability requirements in Japan could increase pellet demand The Japanese government is reportedly considering enacting a policy that would require palm kernel shells (PKS) to be meet sustainability criteria. A new FutureMetrics whitepaper predicts the policy could increase demand for wood pellets. READ MORE SHARE
Minnesota offers funding for bioenergy, biochemical pilot plants The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is offering funding to help advance bioenergy and biochemical production technologies to the pilot scale through its AGRI Bioenergy/Biochemical Pilot Project Grant. READ MORE SHARE
DOE offers $59 million for advanced vehicle technologies research The U.S. Department of Energy has opened a $59 million funding opportunity that aims to accelerate advanced vehicle technologies research. Clean Cities coalition-led alternative fuels projects are eligible to apply for a portion of that funding. READ MORE SHARE
Finkenauer introduces House bill to extend biodiesel tax credit Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Iowa, introduced the Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act, a two-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit. Congress had previously extended the tax credit retroactively for 2017 but left it expired for 2018 and beyond. READ MORE SHARE
Andritz to supply biomass handling system for Brazil power plant International technology Group Andritz has received an order from Eldorado Brasil to supply a biomass handling system for its new Onça Pintada plant in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2020. READ MORE SHARE
Brightmark Energy launches Washington dairy biogas project Brightmark Energy recently launched a biogas project in Yakima County, Washington, that will convert 150,000 gallons per day of dairy waste from up to 7,000 cows into 160,000 MMBtu of renewable natural gas (RNG). READ MORE SHARE
Biogas groups sponsor 2 teams at Honda Indy Grant Prix of Alabama The American Biogas Council and GESS International sponsored IndyCars driven by Colton Herta with Harding Steinbrenner racing and Patricio O’Ward with Carlin Motorsport at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. READ MORE SHARE