In Washington state, Governor Christine Gregoire claims that U.S. Congressional demands to block the federal government from buying biofuels for Department of Defense use threaten efforts by U.S. industry to build a leadership position in a key alternative fuel source for civil air transport. Governor Gregoire has criticized restrictions recommended by the House and Senate […]
In Washington, a Coast Guard ship completed its first biofuel-powered voyage last week on a 50/50 diesel and algae oil blend. The Coast Guard has been partnering with the Navy as it prepares for its Great Green Fleet demo in the Rim of the Pacific beginning on June 29. The Navy, who provided the fuel […]
In Washington, a bipartisan coalition of Senators rejected a series of amendments designed to reduce or eliminate the Farm Bill energy title, and passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, “I am grateful for the Senate’s progress toward providing a reformed safety net for producers in times of […]
In Washington, Mike Breen, Vice President of the Truman National Security Project, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations at their hearing entitled, “The Federal Green Jobs Agenda.” In his written testimony, Breen addressed the dangers of man-made climate change and the policy measures needed to secure America and strengthen […]
In Brazil, “end fossil fuel subsidies” has emerged as a theme at the Rio+20 Summit is underway, where a flash mob of protesters, organized by Earth Day, 350.org and youth groups attending the summit protested $1 trillion per year in subsidies that they said posed a significant barrier to the adioption of clean energy. Also […]
In Washington, the EPA is being sued jointly by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) over cellulosic blending requirements in the RFS. The lawsuit, filed through the D.C. Circuit Court, comes after the EPA denied a petition filed by the two organizations and the American Petroleum Institute […]
In Washington, the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urging them to defend reauthorization and significant mandatory funding for Farm Bill Energy Title programs as passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee. Several amendments have been offered during Senate floor debate of […]
In Washington, in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, leading environmental, science and advanced biofuels advocates urged Congress today to protect the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and extend expiring tax incentives for cellulosic biofuels. The letter, signed by […]
In Canada, BASF is set launch a new method to measure sustainability in Canada. The company’s new proprietary tool, AgBalance, uses a set of 69 indicators to calculate the social, economic and environmental impact of various farming practices. The results help growers identify the most impactful levers to improve their overall sustainability score. BASF is […]
In Washington, the House passed an amendment to the 2013 energy and water bill, offered by Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), preventing the DOE from subordinating its loan guarantees to private investors – a move which happened and was widely criticized in the Solyndra case. In addition, the House voted to bar funds to be used […]
