In Canada, the federal government is considering amending its Renewable Fuels Regulations to permanently exempt home-heating fuel following complaints from industry. The current legislation requires at least two per cent renewable energy for home-heating fuel but higher renewable fuel costs have stressed suppliers and increased heating bills for consumers. The amendment would also give an […]
Three key tax credits extended for cellulosic biofuels, biodiesel and renewable diesel; playing field leveled for algae; Farm Bill provisions extended In Washington, the US House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 257-167, a bill to avert a set of automatic tax increases that would have, according to economist consensus, sent the US spiraling […]
In Washington State, in an effort to streamline legislative processes, the House Environment Committee will now address all energy-related issues, including renewable energy standards and production. As a national leader in the promotion of renewable energy technologies, the state looks to spur economic growth while protecting the environment. Most recently, the Legislature has taken on […]
In Brussels, the six-month Irish EU Presidency begins on January 1, 2013. The Irish presidency will be tasked with hosting several key energy meetings on whether or not the EU will set new deadlines for renewable energy by 2020, and on the sustainability of biomass. The Irish government will also likely be pressured to prevent […]
In Nevada, Sen. Byron Dorgan will give the keynote address at the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Las Vegas. The Senator has retired from public office, but has recently been discussed in the media as a prospect for the Secretary of Energy, should Secretary Chu step down. More on the story.
In Washington, the Obama Administration announced the resignation of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, effective with the beginning of the President’s second term in office. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen said: “Administrator Jackson put into action the Obama Administration’s commitment to ethanol and other biofuels. During her tenure, she cleared the way for E15 giving […]
In Spain, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism has modified the law passed in April that assigned biodiesel import quotas to include any origin, allowing Argentina and Indonesia to participate in the national market. Imports from Argentina in 2011 reached 719,473 metric tons.
In the Philippines, the Department of Agriculture has asked the Department of Energy to study raising the blending policy to B5 from B2 in light of high copra prices. The coconut industry has also requested a higher blend to help support coconut oil prices.
In Zimbabwe, despite Green Fuel changing its ownership structure from a private company to a government joint venture that would ensure the implementation of a domestic biofuel blending policy within two months, the policy has to be put into place. The plan is for an initial E5 policy, moving up to E10 and reaching E20 […]
In Washington, the House has approved the NDAA in a 315-107 vote, with provisions to allow the Pentagon to continue its work with biofuels. The Senate must approve the $633 billion bill when they return, sometime after Dec. 27. Earlier this year, the House had attempted to block the biofuels strategy by disallowing the purchase […]
