Category: Thought Leadership

Views from Napa Valley: A Peek at California’s Low Carbon Fuels Program

Views from Napa Valley: A Peek at California’s Low Carbon Fuels Program

October 11, 2015 |

By Michele Rubino, Special to The Digest A few years ago, when it was fashionable to consider California a failed State with a bankrupt, dysfunctional government and outrageously high taxes (only the latter is actually true), the State of Nevada started running ads in different California media markets to convince businesses to relocate. The response […]

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A Message For EPA: Get Real on emissions and clean fuels!

A Message For EPA: Get Real on emissions and clean fuels!

October 7, 2015 |

By Doug Durante, Executive Director, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, special to The Digest In the aftermath of revelations of how Volkswagen had their thumb on the scale as they cheated not just the EPA, but all of us who breathe the air, it raises serious and significant questions as to how we go about the business […]

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Carbon Offset Trading – Managing Risk in a Time of Regulatory Uncertainty

Carbon Offset Trading – Managing Risk in a Time of Regulatory Uncertainty

October 5, 2015 |

By Joshua Belcher and David McCullough, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan – Special to The Digest. Over the past decade, the market for carbon offsets has waxed and waned with the likelihood of a mandatory greenhouse gas reduction program being passed into law. Carbon offsets are credits that are generated through avoiding the emission of greenhouse gases—primarily by protecting […]

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Displacing petroleum and fossil fuels with sustainable bio-based feedstock: time to get smarter

Displacing petroleum and fossil fuels with sustainable bio-based feedstock: time to get smarter

October 4, 2015 |

By Michele Rubino, Special to The Digest Displacing the use of petroleum and other fossil fuels embedded in everyday products with bio-based, renewable resources is – and has been for a long time – a necessity for human societies. It is also the goal of an entire industry. A recent toxic combination of low oil […]

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Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 3

Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 3

October 1, 2015 |

Part 3 – Project Execution By Mark Warner, PE, Founder, Warner Advisors LLC, Special to The Digest In the second release of the Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization series, the mechanics of taking the detailed concept and turning it into steel in the grounds was covered, culminating in a facility that is ready to be started up and […]

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Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 2

Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 2

September 30, 2015 |

Part 2 – Project Execution By Mark Warner, PE, Founder, Warner Advisors LLC, Special to The Digest In the first release of the Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization series, the overall commercialization process was outlined and a detailed review of the project development phase presented. It covered early concept development and preparation of sufficient engineering detail to […]

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Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 1

Understanding Advanced Biotechnology Commercialization, Pt 1

September 29, 2015 |

Part 1 – Overview and Project Development By Mark Warner, PE, Founder, Warner Advisors LLC, Special to The Digest When I reflect on the characteristics of successful advanced biotechnology companies that have achieved commercial scale, and the longer list of companies that haven’t, the difference between success and failure is often not the core technology alone, […]

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California’s Legislature Drops Petroleum Reduction to Pass SB 350; Approves Escalating State Procurement of Very Low Carbon Fuels; and Leaves Nearly $1B of Cap and Trade Revenue on the Table

California’s Legislature Drops Petroleum Reduction to Pass SB 350; Approves Escalating State Procurement of Very Low Carbon Fuels; and Leaves Nearly $1B of Cap and Trade Revenue on the Table

September 21, 2015 |

By Graham Noyes, executive director, Low Carbon Fuels Coalition Special to The Digest The first year of California’s legislative session ended dramatically with a mix of successes and setbacks for the low carbon fuel industry. California leads the nation on policies to combat climate change resulting in dramatic proposals like Governor Jerry Brown’s and Senate President […]

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Does EPA’s Left Hand Know What Its Right Hand Is Doing on Octane and CO2?

Does EPA’s Left Hand Know What Its Right Hand Is Doing on Octane and CO2?

September 7, 2015 |

By Brent Erickson, Executive Vice President, BIO The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun to examine boosting gasoline octane ratings to achieve greater greenhouse gas emission control standards for passenger vehicles after 2025. Higher octane ratings would enable increased fuel efficiency in cars that have high-compression engines, giving American drivers better performance at the lowest […]

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Scorching Summer Drives California Innovation and Biofuels

Scorching Summer Drives California Innovation and Biofuels

August 31, 2015 |

By Graham Noyes, Low Carbon Fuels Coalition Special to The Digest In contrast to DC’s swamp-like conditions, California’s capitol is known for its dry triple digit heat. This August, politicians and citizens alike are breathing Central Valley air scorched by dry heat and periodically thickened by wildfire smoke. The four year drought has deprived both […]

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