Category: Policy

US Senate Armed Services Committee votes down anti-biofuels amendments

US Senate Armed Services Committee votes down anti-biofuels amendments

June 17, 2013 |

In Washington, the US Senate Armed Services Committee narrowly voted down amendments aimed at curtailing the military’s biofuels program and lifting a ban on the purchase of carbon-intensive fuels last night. The Truman Project’s Operation Free spokeswoman Stephanie Dreyer commented:  “We were initially disappointed to see that House lawmakers chose to launch another attack on DoD’s […]

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California Air Resource Board proposes phases for debut of alt diesel

California Air Resource Board proposes phases for debut of alt diesel

June 17, 2013 |

In California, the California Air Resource Board discussed its proposed new regulations for alternative diesel fuels as well as conventional diesel fuels.  There are a wide range of issues on the table which can best be reviewed on the CARB website for the proceeding.  Of particular interest to the advanced biofuels community, CARB is proposing a phased […]

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Green Investment Bank publishes market report on anaerobic digestion

Green Investment Bank publishes market report on anaerobic digestion

June 13, 2013 |

In the United Kingdom, the Green Investment Bank has published its first market report on anaerobic digestion. The report gives an overview of the issues facing the market and identifies the opportunities, and barriers, for investment. The findings of the report will be used to inform GIB’s strategy on the potential for debt investment in […]

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Chevron Predicts Increased Gasoline Prices due to Ethanol Mandate

Chevron Predicts Increased Gasoline Prices due to Ethanol Mandate

June 12, 2013 |

In California, Chevron Corporation’s CEO, John Watson, predicts that refiners may increase gasoline exports as a way to circumvent the Renewable Fuels Standard’s (RFS) ethanol mandate, causing gasoline prices to rise. Refiners complain that E15 adds to their costs and can only be used by 5% of U.S. cars, citing a November 2012 AAA automobile […]

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US Senate passes Farm Bill, 66-27

US Senate passes Farm Bill, 66-27

June 11, 2013 |

In Washington, the United States Senate passed the Farm Bill, known formally as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, by a vote of 66-27. The bill was hailed by its sponsors as a model of bipartisanship and cost-cutting, but maintaining a focus on critical programs for food, nutrition, renewable energy and rural economic development. The […]

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Two Senate Committees Seek Control over Renewable Fuels Standard

Two Senate Committees Seek Control over Renewable Fuels Standard

June 10, 2013 |

In Washington, D.C., the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee are competing over control of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The Energy and Natural Resources Committee has primary jurisdiction over energy and fuel-related issues, whereas the Environment and Public Works Committee has oversight of the Environmental Protection […]

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Ag Energy Coalition hails introduction of Rural Energy Investment Act

Ag Energy Coalition hails introduction of Rural Energy Investment Act

June 10, 2013 |

In Washington, the Agriculture Energy Coalition expressed support for legislation introduced by Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) to provide robust mandatory funding and extend eligibility to renewable chemicals in Farm Bill Energy Title programs. AgEC also thanked the legislation’s original co-sponsors, including Reps. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Donna Christensen (D-V.I.), […]

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Operation Free critique US House action in restricting DoD energy security investments

Operation Free critique US House action in restricting DoD energy security investments

June 6, 2013 |

In Washington, Operation Free co-founder Michael Breen responded to passage of a series of amendments to the House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act that constrains the Department of Defense (DoD) from investing in energy security initiatives. The amendments from Rep. Conaway of Texas were: 1) A repeat of the Senate amendment from last […]

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House holds RFS2 hearing – digest of key comments

House holds RFS2 hearing – digest of key comments

June 6, 2013 |

In Washington, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements, held a hearing on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the blend wall. Witnesses were called from the Energy Policy Research Foundation, the Turkey Federation, the American Petroleum Institute, the EPA, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. […]

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Vilsack lays out vision for USDA and climate change mitigation

Vilsack lays out vision for USDA and climate change mitigation

June 6, 2013 |

In Washington, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said that the Federal government must increase collaboration with producers, researchers and industry to develop the next generation of solutions that will help agriculture mitigate and adapt to modern climate challenges. “Our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are the most innovative on earth, and they’re up to the […]

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