In Washington, the Union of Concerned Scientists is hailing the updated “Palm Oil Promise” from cosmetic giant Avon, which said that “Avon recognizes that palm oil is a significant cause of tropical deforestation and peatland depletion, which can result in the loss of natural habitats for endangered species, and also has known human rights issues.” […]
In Washington, representatives from Fuels America and other advocates for “clean, secure, American energy” delivered over 200,000 comments to the EPA in support of a strong final rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard. This show of grassroots support comes on the final day of the comment period, and after widespread grassroots voices have come out […]
By Corinne Young, Chief Advocate and Michele Jalbert, Chief Operating Officer of the Renewable Chemicals and Advanced Materials Alliance (re:chem) Special to The Digest While naysayers contend changing the US tax code is implausible, we at the Renewable Chemical and Advanced Materials Alliance (re:chem), see possibility – in fact, necessity – to ensure US global […]
In Spain, the government has announced a new plan to reach 8.5% blending of biofuels by 2020, short of the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s 10% mandate by that date. Since 2013 the country has blended a minimum of 4.1% in diesel and 3.9% in gasoline. The national renewable energy producers association has called the shift […]
In Washington, the Senate Finance Committee completed mark up of legislation to extend critical tax incentives. The legislation would extend for two years the important Research & Development Tax Credit, the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, the Special Depreciation Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property, and the Controlled Foreign Corporation Look-Through Rule. BIO […]
In Washington, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) led a bipartisan group of 36 senators in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the proposed volumes it set for biodiesel production under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “While the proposal is a positive step for […]
Douglas Schultz, Director of Loan Guarantee Origination at the US Energy Department posted a key update on project eligibility for the Loan Program. He writes: During the latest three solicitations issued by the Department’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) for approximately $24 billion in Title XVII loan guarantees for energy projects (Solicitation No. DE–SOL– 007791, 7154 and 6303), the LPO identified […]
In Italy, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced the city will leapfrog its efforts to protect the climate from harmful effects of diesel emissions by phasing out the use of petroleum diesel in the municipal fleet and replacing it with renewable diesel by the end of this year. Lee made the announcement in […]
In Washington, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley secured the inclusion of tax incentives for wind energy, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol in the bipartisan tax extenders bill the Finance Committee will consider on Tuesday. Cellulosic biofuels producer tax credit. Under the provision, facilities producing cellulosic biofuels can claim a $1.01 per gallon production tax credit on fuel […]
In Canada, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance announced that the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) has joined as its latest member. (UNICA) is the largest organization in Brazil representing sugar, ethanol and bioelectricity producers. It was created in 1997, following a consolidation process involving regional organizations in the State of São Paulo after government deregulation […]
