Researchers from the University of Manchester are using synthetic biology to explore a more efficient way to produce the next generation of biobased jet fuels—partly made from a type of bacteria that grows in seawater.
The Argonne National Laboratory's 2019 GREET (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation) models include changes and updates to carbon calculations for land use change from the production of biofuels.
Representatives of the biofuels industry expressed frustration with the EPA's bait and switch regarding its supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking on SREs during an Oct. 30 hearing in Michigan and called on the agency to fix the flawed proposal.
An innovative clean energy start-up company, G4 Insights Inc., has successfully demonstrated in a field trial that forestry industry residues can be turned into RNG. The G4 demonstration unit in Edmonton, Alberta, has been operating for six months.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing Oct. 29 on the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2019. Testimony primarily focused on the U.S. EPA's mishandling of SREs.
The U.S. EPA has posted call-in information for its Oct. 30 hearing on the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking released Oct. 15 that seeks comments on how the agency should project the volume of SREs in future annual RFS rulemakings.
The USDA and U.S. Department of Energy have announced a memorandum of understanding to promote rural energy and the development of technologies that will support and advance rural and agricultural communities and domestic manufacturing.
Neste Corp. released third quarter financial results on Oct. 25, reporting a comparable operating profit of €435 million, the company's highest quarterly result ever. Neste's renewable products segment also reported near-record results.
Clemson University College of Science professor Hong Luo has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop genetically improved and more robust turfgrass and switchgrass.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for September, reporting that nearly 1.61 billion RINs were generated during the month, including nearly 35.25 million cellulosic RINs.
Valero Energy Corp. released third quarter financial results on Oct. 24, reporting a loss for its ethanol segment, but a profitable quarter for renewable diesel. The company also discussed plans to develop new renewable diesel production capacity.
Pearson Fuels has announced it is now blending its ethanol fuel with World Energy's renewable naphtha to create an advanced 85 flex fuel that is almost entirely renewable and is up to 55 percent cleaner than gasoline.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change has announced plans to hold a legislative hearing on Oct. 29 focused on the U.S. EPA's mismanagement of the Renewable Fuel Standard.
The board of the East Bay Clean Cities Coalition has selected Neste, the leading provider of renewable diesel fuel in California, to receive its 2019 Clean Air Champion Award. Neste was presented with the award on Oct. 16.
The EPA's actions regarding SREs were addressed during an Oct. 21 meeting at the White House. Trump directed the EPA to “make sure the small refineries are happy� while USDA indicated farmers will be fine with the plan once they see it implemented.
U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Oct. 17 announced plans to resign from his post, effective later this year. The White House has not yet announced a nominee to replace Perry following his departure.
On Oct. 15, the EPA issued a proposed rule that contradicted a promise to reallocate waived gallons from the RFS and instead released a new proposal to adjust how it sets refinery targets, representing a significant setback to the biofuels industry.
The U.S. EPA published updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data on Oct. 17 that shows the agency has received five SRE applications for compliance year 2019. All five applications are listed as pending.
Representatives of the Iowa biofuels industry held a press briefing Oct. 16 to explain their outrage over the EPA's Oct. 15 release of its SRE relief rule, explaining the rule did not accurately represent the deal they were briefed on Oct. 3.
The EPA approved a RFS fuel pathway filed on behalf of Texmark Chemicals and Neste that will allow renewable diesel produced at Neste's biorefinery Finland to be shipped to Texmark's plant and fractionated into renewable jet fuel and diesel bottoms.
SkyNRG officially launched its Board Now program on Oct. 3. The program allows participating companies to reduce air travel emissions why contributing to the development of a new production facility for sustainable aviation fuel.
Vanguard Renewables has selected Kinsley Energy Systems to supply high-efficiency CHP for for a groundbreaking renewable energy project. Kinsley will provide an 800 kW TEDOM CHP system to power a new RNG production facility in Salisbury, Vermont.
The Biodiesel Production Technology Summit will take place in Minneapolis June 15-17, 2020. Organized by BBI International and produced by Biodiesel Magazine, the event is a new forum for biomass-based diesel producers. Abstracts are being accepted.
The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service is soliciting applications for the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. Applications for the current cycle of the loan guarantee program are due April 1.
The supplemental rulemaking referenced by the U.S. EPA in an Oct. 4 announcement regarding its plans to reallocate RFS volume obligations waived through future SREs appears to be under White House Office of Management and Budget review.
Velocys announced plans Oct. 10 to capture and store carbon dioxide generated at its proposed Mississippi biorefinery, enabling the production of carbon-negative biofuel. The company also recently announced its technology will be deployed in Japan.
Production of biofuel by gasification of biomass residues was successfully validated in the EU's COMSYN project in September. The process performance was verified with bark in an 80 hour-long test run at VTT.
Neste has opened a new office in Hoofddorp, in greater Amsterdam which will serve as the global hub for the growing Renewable Aviation business. Neste is now also launching Neste MY Renewable Diesel to climate-conscious fleet customers.
The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has announced that industry veteran Jim Greenwood will step down as president and CEO of the world's largest biotechnology organization after the 2020 election.
Individuals and companies seeking outlets for selling agricultural residues have a new option at their fingertips. Access is available to a new web-based resource, called the Midwest Biomass Exchange, created and supported by the USDA Forest Service.
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