In Washington, the biofuel industry may want to rethink its position on president-elect Donald Trump’s support for the Renewable Fuel Standard after it was announced the next energy secretary would be former Texas governor Rick Perry, famous for opposing the RFS and attempting to get blending mandates reduced arguing poverty for Texas ranchers. The appointment […]
In India, a new study led by the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies says the country could save $6.12 billion in foreign exchange from avoided oil imports if instead it blended 20% of domestically produced ethanol through 2021/2022. Nearly 10.5 million metric tons of carbon would also be saved as a result of compliance […]
In Illinois, the EPA held a hearing on its proposed Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) Rule. The Growth Energy view Chris Bliley, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Growth Energ outlined Growth Energy’s concern regarding the impact of the REGs rule on the developing market for E15, a fuel mixed with 15 percent ethanol and […]
In Norway, the national government increased the biofuels content in fuets to 20% from 2020. Also, in their new budget, the government increased taxes on petrol to NOK 0,12 pr/l and NOK 0,35 pr/l. Tax increases were also imposed on new fossil-fuel vehicle, beginning in 2017. As reported in The Digest earlier this year, the […]
In Washington, a hearing was held last week by the Senate Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management to tackle concerns surrounding the Environment Protection Agency’s handling of biofuel blending mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard and recent reports from the White House’s General Accounting Office alleging that GHG emissions reductions goals won’t be achieved […]
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 […]
