In Washington, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz announced that the talks between the US and Brazil will focus on increased use of biofuels in the coming months. Moniz met with Brazilian authorities to discuss possible investment opportunities as the groundwork is laid for Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s visit to Washington in October. “We are […]
In Washington, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants that will be awarded to organizations to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic development. USDA is making $5.6 million available through the Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI), a program that generates economic activity in […]
In Washington, the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers have requested EPA to reduce the total 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) below 10 percent of gasoline demand. Brian Jennings, EVP at the American Coalition for Ethanol, commented: “This request to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) confirms that Big Oil lobbyists […]
In Washington, the EPA granted a single small refinery/small refiner waiver to the 2013 RFS blending mandate to Alon Energy’s Krotz Springs facility in Louisiana. According to the Wall Street Journal, four refineries applied for the waver because they were under 155,000 barrels per day, some of them far lower. But the Krotz Springs facility, […]
In Thailand, the Energy Policy & Planning Office is planning to boost biodiesel production to 7.3 million liters per day by 2021, up from its previous plan of 5.9 million liters and the current production of 2.8 million liters. That fuel is expected to come from palm oil. A target for advanced biofuels has been […]
In Canada, the city of Whistler is looking to invest $1.7 million that would convert the city’s composting facility, that currently produces topsoil, to produce biofuels instead. The business case is currently being developed, but a potential local market for the biofuel has already been identified: the cement industry has already moved to convert to […]
In the Russian Federation, bashinform.ru reports that Rustem Khamitov, the President of The Republic of Bashkortostan stated: “Today we have a number of enterprises, which work in the field of biotechnologies and issue biotechnological products. These are preparations for plants protection and land recultivation, biofertilizers, medical products for animal industries, fodder additives, and also waste […]
In Washington, the Navy says that biofuels prices are becoming more affordable faster than expected, thanks to cooperation with the DOE and USDA, with 2016 seen as a likely date for biofuels availability in commercial quantities. Recent contracts have been awarded for 170 million gallons of biofuel at $4 a gallon for 2016, much lower […]
In the Philippines, the Dept. of Energy is updating its coconut biodiesel specifications to bring the fuel into line with national and international fuel quality standards. The policy, which is meant to facilitate higher biodiesel blends in the future, includes changes to improve oxidation stability and sulfur content as well as dealing with carbon residue, […]
In India, the national sugar mills association says the country could save $1.3 billion annually in foreign exchange just by implementing the already mandated 5% ethanol policy. Bureaucratic hitches and failure to secure enough ethanol by the oil marketing companies has delayed implementation of the blend, which the country continues to import oil for its […]
