In Ethiopia, the government says that the country’s ethanol blending policy—at first 5% for the Addis Ababa region, then later boosted to 10% for the region—has saved the country $20.5 million in fuel imports since the policy began in 2008. The country has so far produced 32.86 million liters of ethanol at the Fincha and […]
In Washington, state governors are rallying around an E15 action plan in the state level as Gov. Terry Brandstad (R-Iowa), Gov. Pat Quinn (D-Ill) and Gov. Sam Brownback (R-Kan) sent a letter to the other midwestern governors on the Midwestern Governors Association. The letter calls on the state governments to coordinate their agencies, ensure that […]
In New York, emissions from forest fires and other biomass burning has a greater impact on global warming than previously understood, according to a new study. Carbonaceous aerosol emissions from forest fires and other biomass burning have long been known to include both dark particles that absorb heat, known as black carbon, as well as lighter […]
In New Hampshire, a bill has been proposed in the state legislature that would limit the state’s ability to participate in any Low Carbon Fuel Standards like the one in California by prohibiting participation when there are quotas, caps or mandates on transportation fuels, fuels used for industrial purposes or fuels used for home heating […]
In Washington, in retaliation to the EPA’s cellulosic ethanol quota under the RFS2 where the oil industry has made a fuss over not having sufficient supply access to fulfill blending requirements, Representative Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has introduced the Phantom Fuel Reform Act (H.R. 6047) that would require the EPA to set quotas based on existing production.
In Maryland, Rodney R. Hailey was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and violating the Clean Air Act, in a biodiesel RIN fraud case, and faces up to 484 years in prison. The 33-year old was convicted of selling $9 million in fraudulent RINS, and faces sentencing on October 11th. RIN fraud cases have created […]
Any way you look at it, this hasn’t been a good year for biofuel feedstocks. In the US rising crop costs have squeezed both farmers’ and producers’ margins, while in Brazil high sugar prices have made ethanol uncompetitive with subsidized gasoline, Europe is awash in biodiesel amid shrinking production and low demand, and in the […]
In South Africa, the Department of Energy is expected to publish its final regulations on biofuel blending next month. Both ethanol and biodiesel blends will be set with rules on who gets paid what, from cane farmer to retailer including a financing mechanism that is meant to support the development of the industry. More on […]
Business Confidence with the RFS Under Attack In Florida, Biofuels Digest and BIO have launched the latest Bioenergy Business Outlook Survey. What is your level of confidence in the industry, now that petroleum refiners have launched a multi-million dollar pr campaign against the biofuel industry? Has your confidence been shaken? Do you see opportunity beckoning […]
In Washington, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced a bill that would see Master Limited Partnerships expanded to allow MLPs to own and finance renewable energy and biofuel projects, a move which some say could substantially reduce the cost of financing renewables that currently rely on the participation of the tax equity market. More on the […]
