In China, the country may be walking into an energy boom, according to a new report issued by Solidiance, an Asia-Pacific focused consultancy. The report indicated that China needed to address its biofuels challenge, while highlighting several drivers for renewable energy in China, including a reduction in the use of coal for energy production, and […]
In the UK, Green Fuels has received a royal warrant from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, a distinction that can be granted to companies that have consistently supplied goods for at least five years to the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales. Green Fuels can now use the phrase […]
In Illinois, miscanthus and other biofuels crops actually reduce the escape of nitrogen into the environment, according to a study performed at the University of Illinois. The study compared miscanthus, switchgrass, and mixed prairie species against a traditional corn and soybean rotation, and discovered that certain perennial crops quickly reduce nitrate in the soil. The […]
In the EU, EU officials are set to consider changes to energy taxes in favor of clean fuel, according to Reuters. While fuel is currently taxed based on volume, an internal European presidency note dated January 9 regarding minimum rates for energy products suggests that taxing fuels according to carbon dioxide emissions and energy content. […]
In New York, the Dow Jones ended 2012 down 1.14%, but with the single commodity index for soybeans shooting up 23.85% in year-end returns. Soybean meal also skyrocketed 48.94%, and on the downside, natural gas ended the year down 30.70%. More on the story.
In Texas, Dalek Renewables is purchasing a biodiesel facility for $5.3M from EQM Technologies, with the deal closing by January 23rd. EQM is exiting the biodiesel production business for good after acquiring Vertterre Corproration, an engineering services provider that specializes in biomass-to-energy solutions, last year for $1.5M. Dalek will take over the facility in Cleburne, […]
In Brazil, GraalBio’s $150M commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant was highlighted in a recent article discussing the ethanol industry in Brazil. The 22 mgy plant is expected to be completed sometime this year, and the company is already planning on expanding to build 5 more of these plants by 2017, with the Brazilian government helping to […]
In Vietnam, the Dong Xanh ethanol plant, which opened in September 2009, has gone bankrupt. The plant produced 100,000 tons of biofuel per year at full capacity, but only produced 12,000 in 2010. The company owes approximately $32m to various banks. More on the story.
In Norway, a study warns that biofuels actually worsen a type of air pollution caused by poplar, willow, and eucalyptus trees that all emit high levels of isoprene as they grow. This chemical forms toxic ozone when mixed with other pollutants in sunlight, and could due the cause of 1400 deaths in Europe by 2020. […]
In Switzerland, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) has released a press release expressing their concern regarding the extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. “This would be an irresponsible move at the best of times, but is scandalous when Americans are preoccupied with a ballooning budget deficit,” said Mark Halle, vice-president of IISD, a […]
