In Washington, president-elect Donald Trump has chosen Oklahoma’s attorney general to run the Environmental Protection Agency despite the AG’s long history of going to battle against the EPA on issues ranging from water to GHG emissions regulations. He is a known opponent to the Renewable Fuel Standard, says the policy is flawed and is in […]
In Pennsylvania, the state’s department of agriculture has opened up an application period through Jan. 6 for farmers interested in farming industrial hemp. Only 30 growers will be approved, individuals or research institutions, on a maximum of five acres. Some are concerned that the costs to participate are too high and will keep would-be farmers […]
In the Philippines, the Department of Energy has been monitoring gas stations to make sure they comply with the ethanol-blending mandate and found several locations where methanol is blended into gasoline contrary to the biofuel law. Most of those found to be blending methanol are independent retailers with just a single station. The Independent Philippine […]
In Brazil, a partnership between Braskem, NASA and MadeInSpace has developed a technology “hat is critical to future manned missions including Mars exploration” – and we are doing this with a bioplastic, Braskem “I’m green” polyethylene. In summary, the bioplastic is currently in use in the International Space Station where a zero-gravity 3D printer uses […]
In India, the issue of methanol blending is stuck while the ministry of petroleum and natural gas sorts out what the right blending level should be. The fuel has been identified as an alternative to expensive fossil fuels that make up the majority of transportation energy in the country. Ethanol blending has been slow to […]
In Belgium, Novozymes came out swinging against the European Commission’s 2030 biofuels proposals, saying it’s a move backwards rather than forward, while the Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels from Clariant to Dong Energy welcomed the policy, especially it’s binding target for advanced biofuels. The policy proposal would limit first generation biofuels to 3.8% by 2030 while […]
In the UK, the government has launched a consultation to seek the views of the public and stakeholders on proposed changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order (RTFO). In particular it concerns increases to the obligation level, the appropriate level for the contribution of renewable fuels created from agricultural crops, and increases to the […]
In Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s found that drivers in New South Wales paid an extra A$85 million during 2014/15 compared to other parts of the country due to the state’s ethanol blending mandate. Sydney drovers chose to fill up on premium unleaded rather than E10 during that period. During the third quarter […]
In Belgium, a petition for Carbon capture and use support was presented to Marie Donnelly, Director Renewables, Research and Innovation, Energy Efficiency, European Commission DG Energy; 86 renowned companies and leading universities have already signed. The authors asked for inclusion of the following mechanisms in the new legislation on the Renewable Package: • To fully […]
In Finland, the government decided to mandate 30% biofuel blending by 2030 but much of it will be double-counted thanks to the country’s preference for forest waste-based fuels. About 53% of the total mandate is expected to be double-counted compared to previous goals of 20% by 2020 and 40% by 2030. Current production from wood […]
