By Ron Miller Managing Director and co-founder of Prisma Advisors, LLC former CEO, Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. “Hunger, despair for millions” reads the headline in a national newspaper looking to link high food prices with the growth of renewable fuels. Anti-ethanol factions oftentimes cite food costs in the ongoing food versus fuel debate but they […]
In Colorado, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed SB 47, which will transfer an expected $2 million in income tax from the cleantech and bioscience industries to the Clean Technology Discovery Evaluation Grant Program. The money is to be used as seed money for start-up companies and inventions. Senator Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, the Bill’s sponsor, stated when […]
By Brent Erickson, Digest columnist, Executive VP, Industrial Environmental Section, BIO To carry out military and humanitarian missions around the world, U.S. forces require reliable fuel supplies and secure supply lines. The military is as much at the mercy of high oil and gasoline prices as the average consumer. And, oil often comes from regions […]
In Namibia, the national Government has banned jatropha biofuel projects in the north east area of the country in both the Caprivia and Kavango regions, until such time as a study can be completed, addressing a number of issues. The Government’s initial plan called for as much as 63,000 hectares being planted by 2013, but […]
In the UK, the National Farmers Union is criticizing NGOs for downplaying the benefits of biofuels while focusing on supposed negative aspects, forgetting that increased demand for crops from biofuels encourages on-farm investment and R&D that leads to increased net food production. More on the story.
In Texas, Darling International announced that Diamond Green Diesel LLC, its previously announced joint venture project with Valero Energy Corporation, has secured financing for the planned construction of its renewable diesel facility in Norco, Louisiana. Financing will be provided internally by a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation. With this, the company abandoned a lengthy quest […]
In Iowa, former governor Mitt Romney and former House speaker Newt Gingrich have set themselves aside from other Republican candidates such as Tim Pawlenty by saying that they support subsidies for ethanol. Pundits are saying that ethanol support is helping to make Romney a real contender, after failing to capture the 2008 caucus in Iowa […]
In Washington, the Department of Defense would be permitted to increase long-term contracts with biofuel producers from 5 years to 15 years under the Domestic Fuel for Enhancing National Security Act of 2011. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington sponsored the measure as Senate Bill (S-1079), mirroring the introduction of the bill as […]
In Iowa, the Iowa Biodiesel Board praised comprehensive legislation signed by Governor Terry Branstad, who has signed Senate File 531. The legislation extends the Iowa biodiesel retailer credit, at 2 cents per gallon for blends of 2 percent biodiesel in 2012, and 4.5 cents per gallon for 5 percent biodiesel in 2012 through 2017, makes […]
In Washington, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies has voted to eliminate funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP). The programs are the mechanism by which the USDA has been stimulating the production of dedicated energy crops for […]
