Category: Policy

DOE announces $4 billion loan guarantee solicitation for renewables: drop-in biofuels targeted

DOE announces $4 billion loan guarantee solicitation for renewables: drop-in biofuels targeted

April 17, 2014 |

In Washington, the Department of Energy issued a draft loan guarantee solicitation for innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects located in the U.S. that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gases. When finalized, the solicitation is expected to make as much as $4 billion in loan guarantees available to help commercialize technologies that may be […]

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NASA signs aviation biofuels agreement with Germany and Canada

NASA signs aviation biofuels agreement with Germany and Canada

April 15, 2014 |

In Washington, NASA has signed separate agreements with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to conduct a series of joint flight tests to study the atmospheric effects of emissions from jet engines burning alternative fuels. The Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS II) flights are set […]

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UK announces rules for small-scale biodiesel producers

UK announces rules for small-scale biodiesel producers

April 14, 2014 |

In the UK, the Environmental Agency has released rules that will allow an operator to operate a Part A low impact installation for the production of biodiesel at a specified location. Permitted raw materials and wastes are limited to new and waste vegetable oils and rendered animal fat. The total quantity of raw materials and […]

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EPA releases strategic plan to combat climate change

EPA releases strategic plan to combat climate change

April 14, 2014 |

In Washington, the EPA has issued its fiscal year (FY) 2014 to 2018 Strategic Plan today, which provides a blueprint for advancing EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment across the country.The plan prioritizes environmental justice, continuing to focus on urban, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities, to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, […]

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Indonesian biodiesel producers not suffering from new export tax

Indonesian biodiesel producers not suffering from new export tax

April 9, 2014 |

In Indonesia, most biodiesel exporters say that the new 2% export tax hasn’t had a negative effect on their trade, especially has less than half of the 14 domestic producers export. Apparently the tax was foreseen and already priced into April cargoes, prices that are even $20 per ton cheaper than in March basis FOB. […]

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Minnesota seen delaying B20 implementation until 2018

Minnesota seen delaying B20 implementation until 2018

April 8, 2014 |

In Minnesota, the delay in implementing B10 has also delayed the implementation of B20. B20 was planned for 2015, but B10 will only now be implemented in July this year. Therefore, Rep. Clark Johnson has proposed a bill that would delay B20 until 2018, giving three extra years to get blending facilities and gas stations […]

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India boosts ethanol prices for sugar mills

India boosts ethanol prices for sugar mills

April 7, 2014 |

In India, the Inter-Ministerial Group has agreed to change the formula used to calculate the price sugar mills get for their ethanol, meaning that they will receive between 1 and 5 rupees per liter more during the next tender to supply from the crush starting in October. Mills have been holding back from participating in […]

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National Biodiesel Board supports Senate’s move to extend biodiesel tax incentive

National Biodiesel Board supports Senate’s move to extend biodiesel tax incentive

April 7, 2014 |

In Washington, after the Senate Finance Committee passed a package of tax provisions including an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive, the National Biodiesel Board called on Congress to move quickly. The package renews the $1/gallon incentive for biodiesel which expired at the end of 2013. The bill passed in committee Thursday would reinstate the […]

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Senate committee approves tax break extension but seeks permanence

Senate committee approves tax break extension but seeks permanence

April 3, 2014 |

In Washington, the Senate Finance Committee has approved the extensions to biofuel tax credits, but the committee’s chairman has said that the industry must make its case to Congress in order to secure permanent tax credits because he won’t let his committee approve any more temporary extensions.

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Senate Finance Committee to look at extending biofuel tax breaks

Senate Finance Committee to look at extending biofuel tax breaks

April 2, 2014 |

In Washington, the Senate’s finance committee will take a look at the cellulosic biofuels and biodiesel tax breaks on Thursday as part of the “tax extenders package”. The 50% depreciation tax reduction on cellulosic biofuels would be reinstated and extended while the $1.01 per gallon production tax credit would be retroacted and extended through 2015.

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