Category: Policy

Malaysian truck associations team up to oppose proposed B10 mandate

Malaysian truck associations team up to oppose proposed B10 mandate

August 8, 2018 |

In Malaysia, the Pan-Malaysia Lorry Owners’ Association 1987 as well as the Association of Malaysian Hauliers oppose plans to boost the biodiesel mandate to 10% next year from the current 7%. Both claim that the higher biodiesel blend would damage their trucks, requiring servicing more often and requiring upgrades to engines to allow them to […]

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Indian government calls for EOIs to study biomass power potential

Indian government calls for EOIs to study biomass power potential

August 7, 2018 |

In India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) intends to engage national/international level reputed consultants to undertake study to assess the Biomass Power Potential and Bagasse Cogeneration Power Potential in the country. The purpose of the study is to assess the latest Biomass Power Potential in the country in view of growth in […]

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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and EPA seek comments on CAFE  and GHG standards

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and EPA seek comments on CAFE and GHG standards

August 6, 2018 |

In Washington, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) propose to amend certain existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks and establish new standards, covering model years 2021 through 2026. The agencies are calling for stakeholders to submit comments […]

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EU offers farmers support after drought affects production

EU offers farmers support after drought affects production

August 5, 2018 |

In Belgium, the European Commission announced help for farmers dealing with European drought conditions that is affecting crop production and animal feed. First, “farmers will be able to receive up to 70% of their direct payment and 85% of payments under rural development as of mid-October,” instead of December in order to help farmers’ cash […]

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Nigeria promoting jatropha among farmers again

Nigeria promoting jatropha among farmers again

August 2, 2018 |

In Nigeria, the government’s Raw Materials Research and Development Council wants to revive interest in jatropha as potential feedstock for biodiesel. The council’s director general says as much as 200,000 ha of jatropha should be planted for biodiesel feedstock as well as for presscake that can be used for biogas feedstock. The council has been […]

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Indonesia to implement B20 for railroads and power plants by September 1

Indonesia to implement B20 for railroads and power plants by September 1

August 1, 2018 |

In Indonesia, Bloomberg reports that as of September 1, railroads and power plants will have to use 20% biodiesel just like the road transportation sector as the country seeks to shore up its currency and reduce expenditure of US dollars for things like fossil fuel imports. As a result of the mandate’s extension, fossil fuel […]

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NBB files opening brief objecting to EPA’s methodology for setting 2018 RVOs

NBB files opening brief objecting to EPA’s methodology for setting 2018 RVOs

July 31, 2018 |

In Washington, the National Biodiesel Board filed an opening brief July 27 in its lawsuit objecting to U.S. EPA’s methodology for establishing the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). NBB specifically disputes three issues with EPA’s final RFS rule for 2018, arguing: -EPA must account for all small refinery exemptions in the annual percentage standard; -the […]

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Philippine coconut authority and industry calling for B5 implementation

Philippine coconut authority and industry calling for B5 implementation

July 30, 2018 |

In the Philippines, the national coconut authority and the local industry are calling on the government to implement the B5 mandate in order to push farmgate coconut prices back about the cost of production. In some remote areas, prices have fallen below the cost of production, damaging rural economies and poor families. To implement the […]

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India lowers taxes on biofuel pellets to 5%

India lowers taxes on biofuel pellets to 5%

July 29, 2018 |

In India, the government held its 28th Goods and Services Tax Council meeting on Friday and as a result of the meeting, lowered taxes on various products across several sectors including a tax reduction on biofuel pellets from 18 percent to 5 percent. Fuel-cell vehicles GST was also lowered from 28 percent to 12 percent. […]

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House Energy and Commerce Committee talks RINs

House Energy and Commerce Committee talks RINs

July 26, 2018 |

In Washington, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held its fifth hearing on the Renewable Fuels Standard on Wednesday, focusing this time on educating members about RINs. The chairman of the committee said many of the members don’t understand RINs, so wanted an educational meeting to get them up to speed due to the importance […]

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