In Washington, the USDA sold 216,750 tons of sugar at a discount of almost 90% in the third large-scale sale undertaken this year to boost sugar prices after domestic processors defaulted on $136.9 million in loans at the end of September. As the processors defaulted, the USDA forfeited its stockpiles used as collateral. Buyers last […]
In Canada, Surrey is developing a district energy system that includes an organic biofuel facility slated to open by 2015. The fuel, derived from organic waste collected around the city, will be processed into renewable natural gas to power waste collection vehicles. The facility will be the only fully-integrated, closed-loop waste management system in North […]
In Tennessee, Genera Energy’s partnership with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture for bulk-handling and processing of switchgrass has come to a close after $5m in funding since 2009. The partnership was able to develop systems based on material characteristics such as weight, particle size, bulk density, moisture content, among other factors. The team […]
In Washington, the Agriculture Committee has still not reached an agreement on a new farm bill after House Chair Frank Lucas, House Ranking Member Collin Peterson, Senate Chair Debbie Stabenow, and Senate Ranking Member Thad Cochran met several times last week without reaching a compromise. Stabenow and Lucas had both stated that it was important […]
In Iowa, Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley, Representative Steve King, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey joined the RFS Coalition urging the Obama Administration and the EPA to restore stronger blending levels for 2014 at the “Defend the RFS” event at Lincolnway Energy. Branstad rallied the crowed, reminding attendees […]
In Brazil, Boeing and GOL Linhas Aerea Inteligentes S.A. have teamed up for aviation biofuel in Brazil, signing an MOU for biofuel collaboration at the Latin America and Caribbean Airt Transportation (ALTA) Airline Leaders Forum 2013. GOL plans to use sustainable biofuel on 200 flights during the major sporting events in Brazil in 2014, and […]
In New York, state senators have expressed their support for Eagle Creek Renewable Energy’s intentions to expand Ogdensburg’s combined heat and power plant by adding a biomass facility with plant owner Alliance Energy. State Senators Patricia Ritchie and George Maziarz have expressed their support for the $50m expansion, which helps to ensure the presence of […]
In Illinois, REG opened a new barge loading facility at its Seneca biorefinery, the latest in a series of enhancements costing the company around $4.5 million. The loading facility is supported by 2.5 million gallons of new terminal storage. “The barge berth at REG Seneca further enhances our lower-cost, efficient business model,” said Daniel J. […]
In Tennessee, the joint venture between TennEra and DuPont in Vonore remains in the demonstration scale with stagnating hope for commercialization. After four years, the 250,000 gallons per year refinery, which was one of the world’s first cellulosic ethanol demonstration facilities, feedstock guarantees remain the biggest issue facing the plant. Fortunately, DuPont has been able […]
In Scotland, Celtic Renewables will use whisky byproducts to produce biobutanol. Draff and pot ale, which account for roughly 90% of the raw material that goes into whisky-making, is generally disposed of as waste at considerable cost to producers. Tangney, the founder of Celtic Renewables, also works at the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier […]
