In Washington, both the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are announcing the next step toward reducing GHG emissions and fuel use from cars and light trucks. The agencies, in conjunction with the State of California, are also releasing an Interim Joint Technical Assessment Report associated with the NOI. For the upcoming rulemaking, […]
In Washington, the Biomass Program at the Department of Energy acquired a new, permanent chief, when Chevron’s Paul Bryan joined as as its new Program Manager. Paul spent 15 years at Chevron and for the last four years, he led their Biofuels Business Unit as Vice President of Technology, where he was responsible for building and […]
In Washington, looming deadlines to keep in mind for the US Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program are: November 30, 2010 – is the last day to submit final Part I applications and the first Part II applications for DOE’s Manufacture Commercial Technology Renewable Energy Systems and Components Solicitation (2010). Applicants who apply under the […]
In Oregon, a new study in the journal Bioscience shows that a “deep and thorny regulatory thicket” is getting in the way of advanced gene modification methods being properly utilized to get cellulosic ethanol development to commercial scale. The study says major regulatory reforms and possibly new laws are needed to allow cellulosic bioenergy to reach […]
In Utah, Governor Herbert has assembled an energy task force to develop a strategic plan to enhance Utah’s energy economy. As part of this effort, the Developing and Applying Technology and Science Subcommittee has been asked to provide baseline data on the development and application of energy technologies by universities, industry and other organizations. To […]
In California, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Rural Development and the California Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils are announcing twelve public meetings, throughout the state, to solicit public comments on the subject of biofuels. “USDA is working to expand energy opportunities by producing alternative forms of […]
In Washington, a group of trade associations and the Natural Resources Defense Council submitted a letter to the EPA opposing the approval of mid-level ethanol blends such as E12. The groups, which have been vigorously opposing the approval of E15 ethanol blends as well, expressed concerns regarding the lack of independent testing on “mid-level” ethanol […]
In the US, a Senate bill was introduced by Montana Democratic Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester which would allow the Department of Defense to sign US ethanol supply agreements for up to 20 years. The current policy limits the military to supply contracts of five years, but the senators argue that longer contracts would […]
In Brussels, the European organization of farmers’ associations, Copa-Cogeca, sent a letter to the European Commission highlighting the crucial role of biofuels in reducing EU oil dependency and greenhouse gas emissions, but warned that schemes to verify the sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive may not be implemented in […]
In Washington, the EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said that it expects to release its decision on E15 ethanol by October 15th. This decision would be limited to 2007 and later model vehicles. Jackson stated in testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee that vehicle testing on E15 for 2001 through 2006 model years will not be […]
