In Nepal, the government has decided to take another stab at biodiesel, specifically with a focus on giving jatropha another try, with a six-member expert panel establish to determine the viability of the policy plan. With more than half a million acres of underutilized land that could be converted to jatropha production to produce biodiesel, […]
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office announced a request for information today, seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders to support a “billion-ton bioeconomy.” This RFI asks for input about specific aspects in the development of large-scale supply systems and technologies […]
In the EU, the 5th Chamber of the General Court of the European Union has annulled the European Union’s 9.5 percent antidumping duty on all ethanol imported from the United States. The duty had been in place since February 2013. The EU General Court ruled that the five-year antidumping duty of $83.03 per metric ton […]
In Portugal, a new report from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) says methanol and ethanol are good potential alternatives for reducing both the emissions and carbon footprint of ship operations. As they are sulphur-free, use of methanol and ethanol fuels would ensure compliance with the European Commission Sulphur Directive. The EMSA commissioned a study […]
In the UK, the Low Carbon Vehicles Partnership has told MPs on the energy select committee that introducing E10 is the only way to meet the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive targets by 2020, despite concerns of higher pump prices and as many as two million older make cars potentially having problems with the fuel. Experts […]
In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy is soliciting nomination for members to fill vacancies on the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee. The deadline for Technical Advisory Committee member nominations is June 30, 2016. The Committee advises DOE and USDA points of contact with respect to the Biomass R&D Initiative (Initiative) and priority […]
In Australia, the Queensland premier has announced A$20 million in funding towards developing the state’s biofuels industry in hopes of converting the A$100 million sector into a A$1 billion sector in 10 years as the Asia-Pacific hub for biofuels. Currently 160 million liters of biofuel is produced in the state. The move is to compliment […]
In the UK, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative appointed top P&O Maritime executive Ian Petty as its first General Manager as the organization turns towards implementation of its 2040 Roadmap. Alastair Fischbacher, the SSI’s current CEO, will be appointed Co-Chair of the organisation, and will continue to have an oversight responsibility for the SSI. The Sustainable […]
In Switzerland, on May 31 Argentina also appealed the World Trade Organization decision regarding the EU’s anti-dumping duties on Argentina’s biodiesel exports to the trade bloc despite winning a majority of the issues during the dispute panel process. The European Union already appealed on May 20 the decision challenging three of the decisions while Argentina […]
In New York state, a councilman for New York City is pushing legislation that would boost blending of heating oil with biodiesel to 5% from the current 2% with an eye on eventually reaching a 20% blend. Environmental groups are supporting the bill. Achieving the 20% blend would reduce emissions by 40%, while the 5% […]
