The California Energy Commission has approved $11 million for clean energy demonstration projects, including those for biofuels, renewable gas and microgrids. One project focuses on catalytic biogas reforming, while two others focus on gasification.
The U.S. EPA released updated data on small refinery exemptions (SREs) May 16, reporting one of the 40 SRE applications filed for compliance year 2018 was withdrawn or declared ineligible. The 39 remaining SRE petitions for 2018 are still pending.
The U.S. EPA reportedly changed its small refinery exemption (SRE) evaluation process at least four months before a 2017 court ruling the agency often cites as the reason for its changed process. The policy change has financially benefited refiners.
Leaders of the Senate Finance Committee announced the formation of several bipartisan taskforces May 16 to examine 42 temporary tax provisions that expired or will expire by the end of 2019, including those related to biofuels and bioenergy.
The Canadian government has announced it invested $200,000 in Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, a not-for-profit business accelerator based in Sarnia, Ontario, to support the development of a national bioeconomy strategy.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture were awarded a grant for nearly $1 million to determine the key parameters for high-quality, year-round woody biomass feedstock logistics systems for commercial biorefineries.
The viability of Anellotech's Bio-TCat technology has now been proven by achieving commercially-targeted yields in its TCat-8 pilot unit in Silsbee, Texas, during six months of continuous process operations.
Aemetis Inc. released first quarter 2019 financial results May 9, reporting progress with its advanced biofuel projects, including its proposed cellulosic ethanol plant and its dairy digester project to produce renewable natural gas (RNG).
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has kicked-off its 2019 Environmental Champions Grant initiative, announcing the company is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations focused on clean air, clean energy and renewable natural gas.
The Oakland wastewater treatment plant in Topeka, Kansas will generate up to 530 SCFM of pipeline-ready RNG each year with SUEZ Methanis membrane biogas upgrading. The project marks the first North American installation of Methanis.
Gevo Inc. released first quarter 2019 financial results May 8, highlighting efforts to decarbonize its Luverne, Minnesota, biorefinery and predicting the company could be become profitable during the next 18 months.
U.S. Gain ha announced the completion of its sixth renewable natural gas (RNG) landfill development project located in Church Hill, Tennessee. The project will generate enough RNG to displace nearly 1.5 million gallons of diesel annually.
A bipartisan group of 35 representatives, led by Reps. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler May 7 urging the agency to stop issuing SREs to large or unqualified refiners.
The U.S. EPA has delivered a proposed rule to set 2020 RVOs under the RFS to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The proposed rule also includes the 2021 RVO for biomass-based diesel and “other changes� to the RFS program.
A federal district court ruled April 6 that the U.S. EPA's failure to implement and enforce a 2016 regulation limiting landfill methane emissions is unlawful. The ruling requires EPA to develop a federal plan within six months.
The DOE has opened a $79 million funding opportunity for bioenergy research and development that aims to reduce the price of drop-in biofuels, lower the cost of biopower and enable high-value products from biomass or waste resources.
The U.K. Committee on Climate Change published a report May 2 that recommends the government set a goal to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. Drax and the U.K. Renewable Energy Association say bioenergy can help meet that goal.
TransLink and FortisBC announced April 24 a partnership that will source RNG for TransLink's natural gas bus fleet. TransLink is now the first public transportation authority in Canada to use RNG to help fuel its natural gas powered buses.
The Canadian government announced April 25 a federal investment of up to $11.2 million to the Bioproducts Cluster under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in an effort to help provide opportunities for farmers and grow the clean economy.
REG released first quarter 2019 results on May 2, reporting a significant increase in biofuel gallons produced. The company also reported it has identified a buyer for its Life Sciences division, and is working to expand renewable diesel capacity.
The RFS Power Coalition has added four supporting organizations, including the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 25x25, the California Biomass Energy Alliance, and the California Rice Commission
Dane County, Wisconsin, celebrated the opening of its biogas upgrading project on April 25 with a ribbon cutting. The county's project converts trash and cow manure into RNG that is injected into the pipeline for use as transportation fuel.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced legislation May 2 that aims to overhaul the federal tax code and consolidate the current 44 energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions. Several biofuel and bioenergy groups support the bill.
At a carbon intensity level equal to or even less than electric vehicle power, FortisBC's RNG has been approved by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources for inclusion within the province's low carbon fuel standard.
The U.S. EPA has denied two requests to extend the comment period for its proposed E15/RIN market reform rule. The agency said “extending the comment period would hinder the agency's ability to make a decision in a timely manner.�
The comment period on U.S. EPA's E15/RIN market reform rule closed April 29. Several biofuel trade groups filed comments in support of E15, but expressed opposition to the agency's proposed RIN market reforms.
Valero Energy Corp. released first quarter 2019 financial results April 25, reporting significantly reduced income for its ethanol segment. The quarterly report was also the company's first to address its newly established renewable diesel segment.
The ABFA filed a motion April 24 for a preliminary injunction to prevent EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler from granting any additional small refinery exemptions (SREs) until the resolution of its pending lawsuit against EPA.
The BPA partnered with six renewable energy trade groups April 25 to send a letter to Congress opposing deep cuts in FY 2020 funding proposed by the Trump Administration for the Department of Energy's EERE, ARPA-E and NREL.
The 12th annual International Biomass Conference & Expo drew nearly 900 attendees to Savannah, Georgia.
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