In Washington, US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, and US Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel provided a rousing opening to the DOE’s annual BIOMASS congress in Washington. Opening the conference, DOE Biomass Program Manager Paul Bryan noted that “Two years ago, we could have been called the […]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels. USDA has allocated approximately $45 million for contracts that range between less than five years up to 15 […]
In Texas, Celanese Corp. announced it would produce low-cost ethanol for US motorists using natural gas if US policy makers end subsidies for corn-based production and amend the law that allows only renewable sources of the fuel additive. Celanese currently produces ethanol from natural gas for approximately $60 a barrel, one-third less than the corn-based […]
In Illinois, a University of Illinois study focused on biobutanol has drawn attention to the need for changes in the regulatory processes of the US’s approach to biofuels. The study, conducted by Kesan and Timothy A. Slating of the UI Energy Biosciences Institute, indicated that the current US regulatory process does not foster commercialization or […]
In Illinois, a study finds that Regulatory hurdles hinder the commercialization of emerging liquid biofuels. The authors focused on biobutanol, arguing that regulatory innovations are needed to keep pace with technological innovations in the biofuels industry. One example cited was though it might be legal to blend 16 to 17 percent biobutanol with ordinary gasoline […]
In Pennsylvania, a state representative is introducing legislation that would eliminate ethanol blending in gasoline, claiming that the reasons behind introducing blending in the first place such as energy independence and helping the environment haven’t happened. Though if the bill passes it won’t have any effect since ethanol blending is a federal issue, State Rep. […]
In Fiji, the government has recently approved a voluntary blend of 5% biodiesel and 10% ethanol with an eye on a mandate within the next 12 months. Oil companies are pulling out of the country because they’re finding that supplying islands so far from oil sources isn’t profitable. Therefore the country is looking for alternative […]
In Belgium, the European Commission has given the green light to seven voluntary certification programs that would ensure that biofuels certified under those schemes would qualify for EU biofuel targets under the Renewable Energy Directive. The seven programs include Bonsucro, Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, Roundtable on Sustainable Soy, ISCC, Abengoa’s RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance and […]
In Washington, a bill to promote Alternative Fuels has passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Alternative Fuels Vehicles Competitiveness and Security Act, introduced by US Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.), will increase energy security and reduce dependence on foreign oil by giving support to manufacturers of alternative fuel […]
In Washington, the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) launched the first in a series of online advertisements promoting the successful uses of advanced biofuels across the United States. ABFA President Michael McAdams said of today’s launch, “As Washington confronts our nation’s energy and economic challenges, we must demonstrate that advanced biofuels are real and successfully being […]
