Category: Policy

Pacific Biodiesel drops Maui prices as county scraps proposed tax hike 

Pacific Biodiesel drops Maui prices as county scraps proposed tax hike 

July 3, 2016 |

In Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel rolled back the retail price of its Maui pump station biodiesel by 9 cents per gallon – the amount of the on-road biodiesel fuel tax exempted by Maui County in its fiscal year 2017 budget, which also took effect today. Previously Maui County had increased the County Road Tax on biodiesel by 9 cents per gallon and […]

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Finnish economy minister says advanced biofuels key to achieving climate goals

Finnish economy minister says advanced biofuels key to achieving climate goals

June 30, 2016 |

In Finland, the country’s economic affairs minister and former European Commissioner Olli Rehn says that liquid biofuels for transport and especially second-generation biofuels are vital in order to achieve the country’s energy and environmental goals for 2030. They are seen as a main way to cut vehicle emissions in line with the aim to end […]

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City of Austin investigating possible “boondoggle” over biomass power plant

City of Austin investigating possible “boondoggle” over biomass power plant

June 29, 2016 |

In Texas, the City of Austin is looking into the waste wood-burning plant at Nacogdoches Operating Facility in East Texas operated by Austin Energy and Southern Power that is costing the utility’s customers $54 million per year but has produced hardly energy in the past four years. Lawyers have been contracted to investigate the contract […]

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Australian Renewable Energy Agency gives A$2.4 million grant for biorefinery project

Australian Renewable Energy Agency gives A$2.4 million grant for biorefinery project

June 28, 2016 |

In Australia, the country’s first biorefinery capable of producing renewable diesel and jet fuels from plant material could become a reality in Queensland with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. ARENA is providing A$2.4 million in funding support for Southern Oil Refining to develop and construct a state-of-the-art biocrude and biofuel laboratory in Yarwun, near […]

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UCO biodiesel trial picking up speed in Guatemalan capital

UCO biodiesel trial picking up speed in Guatemalan capital

June 27, 2016 |

In Guatemala, after a slow start, the capital city’s UCO collection program and biodiesel production trial has grown significantly, now with six collection units working to source the feedstock and more municipal departments requesting their vehicles to be part of the program. Now the Unidad de Innovación Ambiental is set to build a more commercial-scale […]

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39 US Senators calls for robust Renewable Fuel Standard as EPA finalizes 2017 volumes

39 US Senators calls for robust Renewable Fuel Standard as EPA finalizes 2017 volumes

June 26, 2016 |

In Washington, 39 senators sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, urging EPA to ensure the final 2017 Renewable Fuel Standard rule “promotes growth in the U.S. biofuel sector and capture economic opportunity rather than drive investment overseas.” The 2017 proposal calls on refiners to blend 14.8 billion gallons of conventional biofuels in 2017, […]

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European Parliament calls for improved policies for high GHG saving biofuels post-2020

European Parliament calls for improved policies for high GHG saving biofuels post-2020

June 26, 2016 |

In Belgium, the European Parliament has adopted an own-initiative report on the European Commission’s 2015 Renewable Energy Progress report. In the transport sector, which is now the single biggest emitter of GHG emissions in Europe, the Parliament notes that the target for 10% renewables by 2020 is “significantly lagging behind, partly owing to the challenges […]

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Thailand agrees to trial B20 in trucks and B10 for military and government use

Thailand agrees to trial B20 in trucks and B10 for military and government use

June 23, 2016 |

In Thailand, the energy ministry has agreed to subsidize the use of B20 in trucks under a trial program that will pay companies 11 cents per liter of biodiesel consumed for up to 50,000 liters. Biodiesel is currently 7 cents per liter more expensive than fossil diesel. The government will also study the use of […]

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Maine governor hits back at higher ethanol blends with executive order

Maine governor hits back at higher ethanol blends with executive order

June 22, 2016 |

In Maine, Governor Paul R. LePage has issued an Executive Order in an effort to better understand the human health risks and effects of emissions produced by the combustion of ethanol containing gasoline and the effect of increasing ethanol blends on emissions. The Executive Order follows federal mandates, which have resulted in increased domestic production […]

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Congressmen seek E15 reprieve from EPA following NMMA lobbying

Congressmen seek E15 reprieve from EPA following NMMA lobbying

June 21, 2016 |

In Washington, following a lobbying push by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 45 congressmen have sent a letter to the EPA administrator voicing concerns about the 2016 blending mandate under the Renewable Fuel Standard and necessity of E15 to comply with the law despite the agency saying that E15 was not appropriate for boats and […]

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