After a House vote of 44-9, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed a bill that exempts biomass-derived carbon dioxide emissions from regulation under certain air pollution laws.
U.S. Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Reps. Ted Poe, R-Texas, and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., have announced the reintroduction of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act, which aims to level the playing field for renewables.
On June 25, the U.S. EPA held a hearing to address its proposed rule for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 renewable fuels standard (RFS) in Kansas City, Kansas. More than 250 people were scheduled to testify at the event.
SynSel Energi AS has entered into an IH2 process demonstration license agreement with CRI/Criterion Catalyst Co. Ltd. The technology is a continuous catalytic thermo-chemical process that converts biomass material into hydrocarbon fuels.
On June 17, the House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2016 Agricultural Appropriations bill. The proposed legislation funds a variety of agricultural and food programs, including rural development and farm services programs.
The U.S. EPA has posted a notice to its website providing call-in information for the June 25 hearing scheduled to address the agency's proposed rule for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 renewable fuel standard (RFS).
The U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded $30 million to six projects under its Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture program, which aims to accelerate energy crop development for biofuels.
Researchers use alternative breeding methods to produce switchgrass with a high amount of biomass per acre and low levels of lignin. Switchgrass with the improved traits is specifically designed to improve biofuel production.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for May, reporting that nearly 1.5 billion RINs were generated during the month, including more than 9.51 million cellulosic RINs.
U.S. EPA Acting Administrator Janet McCabe fielded dozens of hard questions and endured heavy scrutiny during a June 18 hearing held to discuss the agency's management of the federal renewable fuel standard (RFS).
Advanced Biofuel Association President Michael McAdams discusses the U.S. EPA's renewable fuel standard renewable volume obligation proposal.
University of Illinois economists Scott Irwin, Darrell Good continue analysis of the implications of the EPA's proposed RVO, this time through 2022.
First- and second-generation ethanol leaders discussed challenges, priorities and successes at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis.
Gevo Inc. has received a key endorsement for the use of its renewable isobutanol by the marine industry, following support and recommendation for the use of isobutanol by the National Marine Manufacturers Association as an alternative to ethanol.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the release of a new report that shows the U.S. biobased industry is generating substantial economic activity and American jobs. It builds on the "Why Biobased?" report released by the USDA in October.
On June 17, Fuels America hosted a press call during which farmers and representatives of the biofuel industry discussed how legislative changes to the renewable fuel standard would threaten America's security, consumers, climate and rural economy.
On June 16, the European Commission published a progress report on 2020 renewable energy targets, reporting that the EU is on track to meets its 20 percent renewable energy targets. Biomass accounted for 47 percent of renewables in the EU last year.
The Department of Energy has announced several new and expanding initiatives as part of the administration's Clean Energy Investment Summit, including the launch of a Clean Energy Impact Investment Center.
While biofuels have proven to be an effective, renewable, low-carbon alternative to gas and diesel, jet fuels pose unique challenges. These challenges have now been met with a technique developed by researchers at the Energy Biosciences Institute.
The USDA's Commodity Credit Corp. has announced that all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., may now apply for up to $100 million in grants under the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership.
The USDA has announced its intent to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) to assess the potential environmental consequences associated with proposed discretionary changes to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
The U.S. EPA's Science Advisory Board has announced the SAB Biogenic Carbon Emissions Panel will hold three teleconferences over the next several months to review the EPA's biogenic carbon emissions framework.
Penn State plant scientist Daniel Cosgrove has devoted decades to studying the cell walls that make plant matter resistant to chemical conversion. His research aims to overcome that challenge and enable greater energy production.
On June 11, Fuels America hosted a conference call to discuss a memo from the U.S. EPA that demonstrates the renewable fuel standard (RFS) does not increase retail gas prices. Rather, it can decrease them.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have used a gene editing tool known as CRISPR/Cas to modify the genome of a tree species for the first time. Their research opens the door to more rapid and reliable gene editing of plants.
The U.K.-based Renewable Energy Association recently announced employment in the country's renewable energy sector grew by 9 percent in 2013-'14, reaching 112,026 workers. Biomass heating was the highest performing renewable energy sector.
On June 10, the U.S. EPA published its proposed rule to set 2014, 2015 and 2016 renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) in the Federal Register, officially opening the public comment period on the proposal.
Ensyn Fuels Inc. has signed a contract with Youngstown Thermal LLC for the supply of RFO, Ensyn's advanced cellulosic biofuel. Ensyn Fuels is to provide Youngstown Thermal up to 2.5 million gallons of RFO per year.
In the United States, federal mandates to produce more renewable fuels, especially biofuels, have led to a growing debate: Should fuel or food grow on arable land? Recent research shows farmers can successfully, and sustainably, grow both.
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