In Europe, five national biofuels associations have signed a joint statement refusing the European Commission’s ILUC proposal. The associations from Spain, Italy, Poland, the UK and Germany say that they support policies to reduce negative impacts from land use change and on food security but says the ILUC proposal ignores the positive impacts of first […]
In Washington, Growth Energy welcomed United Wisconsin Grain Producers as its newest member, bringing total plant membership to 79, with another 78 associate members. UWGP, located in Friesland, WI, began producing in 2005 and now has the capacity to produce approximately 58 million gallons of ethanol per year, 200,000 tons of distillers grains and they purchase […]
In Washington, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and and Congressman Peter DeFazio introduced the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the Food and Drug Administration to clearly label genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they eat. More than one and a half million Americans have filed […]
In Brazil, the government has cut the PIS/Cofins – payroll and social security taxes – on ethanol and reduced interest rates on loans in an attempt to spur investment in the industry. UNICA says the measures will cost the government about $480 million in lost revenue this year, and is a “step in the right […]
In Brussels, the biofuel industry across Europe is struggling with the draft opinion presented by the European Parliament’s rappateur for ILUC, French MEP Corrine LePage. Her proposal suggests the introduction of ILUC factors which the entire industry has been against since ILUC negotiations began as well as a tighter cap on biodiesel production from oil […]
In India, the Tamil Nadu government wants to see the development of an ethanol distillery in Thanjavur, co-located at the Aringar Anna Sugar Mills. It has already ordered the development of a 450,000 liter ethanol distillery at Cheyyar Co-operative Sugar Mills. The government has boosted the sugarcane price for farmers in hopes of encouraging them […]
In Washington, Israeli academic and industrial biofuels research scientists and innovators are visiting Washington to explore opportunities for cooperation with the US for development of advanced biofuels. Following the meetings in Washington, they will travel to DOE labs in Oak Ridge Tennessee and in California to meet with more than 50 U.S. scientists and energy […]
In Florida, the Florida Legislature is considering HB4001, which, if adopted would repeal the Renewable Fuels Standard set in 2008. With a federal mandate for 10 percent ethanol in gasoline, this legislation will have no material impact on the makeup of gasoline in Florida. Just as our economy is starting to recover and just as […]
In New Mexico, the state’s Petroleum Marketers Association plans to seek a third waiver of the B5 blending mandate next week. The waiver would be on the books for six months following the current waiver that expires April 30. The Department of Agriculture can choose to suspend the mandate even if no one seeks it. […]
In Lithuania, the president and prime minister both agree on the need to rein in the biofuel monopolies. Draft resolutions are meant to be under development by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy that would require heat producers who receive state support to buy biofuel at biofuel exchange. Currently those buying biofuels for […]
