In Washington, US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack will speak at the National Press Club discuss the progress USDA and other federal agencies are making toward achieving the 36 billion gallon biofuel production goal mandated by the Renewable Fuels Standard and new efforts by the Obama administration to bolster the industry and reduce U.S. dependence on […]
In the Philippines, the national ethanol industry is asking the Department of Energy to impose an import tariff of 20% on ethanol to protect local producers. The industry says a 30% tariff would be optimal but a lower tariff would ensure a ‘minimal impact’ on consumers. The country’s largest ethanol producer San Carlos Bioenergy—whose plant […]
In California, the Green Technology Leadership Group (GTLG) announced the launch of an innovative new media campaign to oppose Proposition 23, an initiative on California’s November 2nd ballot that aims to suspend landmark environmental laws in the state. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and special guest David Arquette will host an evening reception to oppose Proposition 23, […]
In Washington and Canberra, more signs of an emerging trade war over clean energy surfaced when the US announced an investigation into Chinese supports for clean energy manufacturing, while Australia commenced an investigation into US biodiesel dumping. The United Steelworkers in the US filed the WTO complaint against China, saying that supports for wind and […]
In Washington, BIO executive vice president for BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section Brent Erickson, said that “The DOE loan guarantee program is at a critical juncture. Its rapid and successful implementation could help companies build pioneer plants and achieve the nation’s vision for near-term advanced biofuels commercialization and petroleum displacement.” U.S. Government Accountability Office auditors […]
In the Netherlands, WWF, Ecofys and Conservation International have released a new methodology they’re calling ‘Responsible Cultivation Areas’ as a tool to deter indirect land use change resulting from some biofuel production. RCA, which has been field tested in Indonesia and Brazil, works by setting up guidelines for the expansion of energy crop production in […]
In South Africa, the agriculture ministry is warming to the idea of using corn as a biofuel feedstock—something they had originally planned but got deterred by the food prices spikes and later food vs. fuel debate. South African farmers have over-produced about 3 million metric tons of maize this season but have no immediate markets […]
In Washington, the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association and the National Corn Growers Association have developed a joint, long-term policy roadmap for ethanol. The draft includes a one-year renewal of the 45-cent VEETC ethanol tax credit, a four-year production tax credit based on fossil fuel intensity, more support for blender pumps […]
In Wisconsin, BusinessNorth is reporting on difficulties Flambeau River advanced biofuels is having securing a DOE loan guarantee. CEO Butch Johnson and president Bob Byrne of Flambeau River said that the DOE is requiring for a loan guarantee that the project bring its equity component up to 40-50 percent, and requested a loan term of […]
In Switzerland, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels is considering policy alternatives in markets where ethanol blenders may have trouble sourcing a blend of fuels that meet the 50 percent reduction in GHGs (compared to fossil fuels) that is proposed as Criterion 3c of RSB principles. Under proposed RSB rules, producers may qualify under RSB so […]
