In Belgium, the European Commission has sent to Portugal a reasoned opinion urging the Member State to ensure the full compliance of its biofuel legislation with the Renewable Energy Directive. The Directive sets the objective of reaching a 20% share of renewable energy in the EU’s final energy consumption in 2020 which includes individual national […]
In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association reviewed the California Air Resources Board’s quarterly update on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and found regulated parties have reduced the carbon intensity of the state’s transportation fuels by a cumulative 16.55 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases (GHG) since enforcement began in 2011. While that’s an […]
In Iowa, the Iowa Legislature voted 94 – 0 in the House of Representatives and 49 – 0 in the Iowa Senate to secure another year of funding for the state’s very successful biodiesel and ethanol blender pump program, the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The IRFA recently reported interest amongst Iowa retailers in offering […]
In Iowa, the state’s senate has unanimously approved a bill to extend incentives for ethanol and biodiesel blending through 2024 rather than ending in 2017 as planned, with the house voting 88-6 in favor. The bill now goes to the governor for signature. The bill extends the E85 tax credit, E15 credit, the B5 credit […]
In India, the national transport minister has received a letter from Mercedes-Benz India saying their buses ad trucks can run on 100% biodiesel, including that produced against the country’s standards. The government has hit out against SUVs and high-end cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC or more in an effort to reduce emissions in […]
In Norway, the government has changed the way it regulates biodiesel produced from PFAD, or palm-fatty-acid-distillate, so that as of Jan. 1, 2017 it will be classified as a byproduct feedstock rather than a waste, meaning that it will then be subject to the European Union’s sustainability criteria. Neste in particular uses PFAD as a […]
In Belgium, using biodiesel for transport was supposed to reduce CO2 emissions but instead it’s set to increase Europe’s overall transport emissions by almost 4%, according to a new analysis of the European Commission’s latest study on biofuels. These extra emissions are equivalent to putting around 12 million additional cars on Europe’s roads in 2020, […]
In Malaysia, a recent study published by Dr. Christopher Teh found that one-third of palm residues could be removed from plantations without negative impacts on soil erosion, nutrient balance, and soil carbon loss. The study reviewed different types of palm residues, including palm fronds, trunks, and empty fruit bunches, and concluded that empty fruit bunches, […]
In Washington, seven Republican US Representatives led by Randy Weber of Texas have submitted a bill to disallow certain biodiesel and alternative fuel tax credits for fuels derived from animal fats which has since been sent to the House Committee on Ways and Means as it deals with the tax code. While animal fat biodiesel […]
In India, biofuel blending mandates and demand for ethanol from the industrial sector have finally found a balance with domestic production going towards the 5% blend while cheaper Brazilian and US imports will satisfy the chemical market. For this first time in three years that the 5% blending mandate has been in place, the country […]
