In Namibia, the country’s Environment and Tourism Minister is recommending that large-scale jatropha production projects be limited to 500 hectares to reduce chances of competition with food production. The country has limited amounts of available arable land and planting jatropha would compete with national plans for ‘green schemes’ that would boost food supplies.
In Washington, the USDA announced that it will award $15 million to the Show Me Energy cooperative in Missouri, in a grant aimed to foster development of switchgrass and other perennial energy crops as biofuels feedstocks. 20,000 acres will be planted in 38 counties across Missouri and Kansas in the initial phase of the program, […]
In Washington, Advanced Biofuels Association President Mike McAdams, told the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power that “a consistent commitment by Congress will successfully transform America’s energy policy to cleaner and renewable sources. “Stable, long term, common sense government policies will expedite this transition by helping to provide the market with […]
In Washington, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Ia has introduced legislation that would see the 45-cent ethanol tax credit cut to 20 cents in 2012 and 15 cents in 2013 but it could swing as high as 30 cents depending on the price of oil. With $80 oil the credit would fall to 6 cents and at […]
In Brazil, Archer Consulting in Sao Paulo says the country’s attempt to regulate the national ethanol supply chain may not result in lower ethanol prices as intended. The only way to fix the problem is to invest heavily in production or it says next year’s inter-harvest period will be even worse.
In China, the central government has decided to limit alcohol, biofuel and other non-animal-feed projects that use grain and edible oils in order to ensure sufficient grain stocks.
In Brazil, an article in Valor Ecnomico reports that the Government will be announcing a decision to reduce the required 25% ethanol blend to 20% or even 18%. The decision is being based on the surging price of ethanol in Brazil. If the blend is dropped to only 20%, than President Dilma Rousseff can have […]
In Ireland, the Teagasc— the country’s agriculture and food development authority —blames the 4% national biofuel blending policy for destroying the country’s chances at a long-term biofuel industry. The way the policy was set up, it was cheaper for blenders to import biofuel rather than buy from domestic producers, which has led to the mothballing […]
In Washington, The American Council On Renewable Energy appointed retired Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn as President, and DOE Assistant Secretary Dan Reicher as Chairman.
In Washington, Center for Public Integrity has published a report showing Newt Gingrich received $312,500 from Growth Energy for consulting services during 2009 but Growth Energy says it didn’t pay Gingrich anything in 2010. The group says it needed help from “someone who knew how to get things done” in DC as those who founded […]
