In Estonia, the Baltic Course reports that Estonia has increased its biofuel blending mandate to 10% in line with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive with a minimum of 6.4% of biofuel in any given liter of fuel. Although the new policy has just come into effect, already amendments to the law have been approved […]
In Zimbabwe, the Herald newspaper reports that the government has asked researchers to identify possible alternative oilseed feedstocks that will allow it to restart the originally jatropha-based biodiesel project on Mt. Hampden. Limited production from soybeans has been done, as well as using jatropha from plantations developed in the early 2000s. Another 6,000 ha has […]
In Washington, the Algae Biomass Organization said that a record amount of federal funding for algae research, development and commercialization projects in 2020. Strong Congressional support signals that algae technologies will continue to make remarkable headway. A breakdown of the 2020 funding includes $40 million to be directed to the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office […]
In Washington, Platts reports that RIN price volatility is expected to continue in 2020 as the battle between farmers and biofuels interests against the oil industry drags on following the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to use a three-year average for recuperation of “lost gallons” resulting from small refinery exemptions. The Department of Energy had recommended […]
In Pakistan, the Express Tribune reports that the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has recommended that provincial governments should ban the burning of wheat straw in fields and as a fuel. Wheat straw is used in pulp and paper production but is being used for alternative fuel recently which is leading to shortages of wheat […]
In India, Cogencis news agency reports that the government’s plan to boost use of rice held in national stores as feedstock for ethanol production may backfire because the price it is likely to set will be more expensive than what distillers can secure on the spot market. Currently, nearly 25 million metric tons of rice […]
In Thailand, the Bangkok Post newspaper reports that the planned price cut on B10 and E20 meant to be a Christmas gift to drivers has been postponed to a New Year’s gift after the energy ministry building caught fire. The start of the two week discount period was delayed by a day, starting Thursday instead […]
In India, All India Radio reports that the cabinet has given the green light to sign a memorandum of understanding with Brazil to further develop bioenergy. The Brazilian president is set to visit the country soon where ethanol will be among the main discussion points as well as how it can collaborate with India to […]
In Indian, the Economic Times newspaper reports that the transport minister is looking to push through legislation that will allow for increased blending of methanol in gasoline to further reduce fossil-based gasoline imports. Already the Indian Oil Corporation is produce a 15% methanol blend. Methanol production costs less than half of what ethanol costs to […]
In Washington, Bloomberg reports that following earlier confirmation from the White House’s economic advisor that the draft proposal of the blending mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2020 would be finalized without changes, the Environmental Protection Agency has gone ahead and done just that. The original proposal to make up for missing gallons of […]
