Biomass Week - June 26, 2019

EPA finalizes ACE rule, biomass co-firing not a compliance option The EPA released its final rule for its Affordable Clean Energy program June 19. The program replaces the Clean Power Plan and aims to reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants. Biomass co-firing is not a compliance option under the ACE rule. READ MORE SHARE
FutureMetrics criticizes treatment of biomass in EPA’s ACE rule FutureMetrics has released a statement criticizing the U.S. EPA’s Affordable Clean Energy Program for its treatment of biomass and calling the program’s discussion of how to measure CO2 emissions “misguided.” READ MORE SHARE
	EPA opens Section 610 review of RFS The U.S. EPA published a notice in the Federal Register June 24 announcing it has opened a review of the Renewable Fuel Standard under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A public comment period is open through Aug. 22. READ MORE SHARE
EDA-funded infrastructure improvements to aid Enviva pellet plant The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is awarding $1.4 million to a project in Lucedale, Mississippi, that will benefit a proposed 1.4-million-metric-ton-per-year wood pellet plant under development by Enviva. READ MORE SHARE
Bill aims to extend biofuel, bioenergy tax credits through 2020 Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., introduced the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 on June 18. The bill extends several biofuel- and bioenergy-related tax credits through 2020. The legislation was scheduled for markup on June 20. READ MORE SHARE
EPA updates SRE data, 38 SRE applications now pending for 2018 Another small refinery exemption (SRE) application for the Renewable Fuel Standard’s 2018 compliance year has been declared ineligible or withdrawn, according to updated SRE data posted to the U.S. EPA website on June 24. READ MORE SHARE
NBB: SREs are harming demand for biodiesel, renewable diesel The National Biodiesel Board sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler June 21 highlighting the economic damage that Renewable Fuel Standard small refinery exemptions (SREs) are causing the biodiesel and renewable diesel industries. READ MORE SHARE
Amp Americas sells ampCNG unit, develops 2 dairy RNG projects Amp Americas has sold 20 ampCNG fueling stations to American Natural Gas for $41 million. Amp Americas will continue to own and operate its Indiana biogas operations and plans to break ground on two additional dairy RNG projects this year. READ MORE SHARE
46 MW biomass plant in Spain begins final testing phase A 46-megawatt (MW) biomass power plant under development by Ence Energía y Celulosa S.A. in Huelva, Spain, has begun the final testing phase of its equipment. Commercial startup is expected later this year. READ MORE SHARE
CalBio, dairy farmers partner with Chevron on dairy RNG projects Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and California Bioenergy LLC announced June 18 a joint investment in a holding company with California dairy farmers to produce and market dairy biomethane as a vehicle fuel in the state. READ MORE SHARE