Category: Policy

Illinois bill would incentivize blender pumps, E20 fuels

Illinois bill would incentivize blender pumps, E20 fuels

March 27, 2012 |

In Illinois, legislation introduced in the state’s House of Representatives would encourage gas stations to install more blender pumps by offering a 10% sales tax credit on E20 blends of up to $20 million per year. That savings would translate to $20 million in grants, with $15 going for R&D by ethanol producers and $5 […]

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Spain may ban Argentine biodiesel

Spain may ban Argentine biodiesel

March 26, 2012 |

In Spain, El Mundo reports that biodiesel imports from Argentina may receive a ban as a part of dispute over the Argentine unit of Repsol YPF. An order to block these imports, an industry that brings in up to USD$995m for Argentina per year, was drafted and signed by the government last year, but was […]

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Spanish biodiesel producers say government is dragging feet on quotas

Spanish biodiesel producers say government is dragging feet on quotas

March 23, 2012 |

In Spain, the biofuel arm of the national renewable energy producers association APPA is accusing the national government of deliberately delaying the publication of a rule that would impose quotas for use of domestic biodiesel as part of its blending policy as a result of political pressure from the Argentine government. The local biodiesel industry […]

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Michigan bill proposes stricter ethanol labeling

Michigan bill proposes stricter ethanol labeling

March 22, 2012 |

In Michigan, legislation has been proposed in the state’s House of Representatives that would require labeling on all pumps that include ethanol, with the level of ethanol blend clearly indicated. Current law only requires labeling when ethanol blends are higher than 10%.

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India price-establishing woes cause miss on renewable fuel targets

India price-establishing woes cause miss on renewable fuel targets

March 21, 2012 |

In India, just 60% of the demand for the national E5 policy has been contracted for 2011/12 primarily because the national fixed price policy hasn’t been straightened out yet. Five states didn’t receive any offers for ethanol supply at all. An oil industry official said challenges still remain from inconsistent availability of ethanol, restrictions, and […]

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US Senate nixes biodiesel, cellulosic biofuels tax credit extansion

US Senate nixes biodiesel, cellulosic biofuels tax credit extansion

March 20, 2012 |

In Washington, the Senate voted down the attempted amendment to the transportation bill that would have extended the $1 per gallon tax credit on biodiesel that expired in December. The Senate also put the kabosh on the $1.01 per gallon tax credit for cellulosic ethanol producers. The Senate did pass an amendment that would allow […]

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Seattle: the new nexus for aviation biofuels?

Seattle: the new nexus for aviation biofuels?

March 19, 2012 |

In Washington state, officials have been working to make the Seattle region a center for aviation biofuels, given the local hubs for Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and various research labs across the state. Governor Chris Gregoire on Thursday signed a bill that would enable private aviation biofuel plants in the state tap financing through lower-interest revenue […]

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Mabus defends biofuels as path to effective naval operations

Mabus defends biofuels as path to effective naval operations

March 15, 2012 |

In Virginia, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is defending again his decision to create a market for renewable jet fuel despite criticism against the high costs associated with the fuels. Critics have said that the Navy should focus on building ships rather than looking for energy alternatives, but Maybus says that’s a “false choice”, saying that […]

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European Commission harmonizes biofuels rules with new regulations issue

European Commission harmonizes biofuels rules with new regulations issue

March 14, 2012 |

In Belgium, the European Commission has published a customs Regulation to harmonize the classification of ethanol/petrol blends that are imported into Europe. From April 3 onwards, all imported ethanol/petrol blends that contain 70% ethanol blended with 30% petrol must be classified by EU customs authorities as denatured ethanol. ePURE, the European Renewable Ethanol Association, welcomed […]

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Zimbabweans demand ethanol equity as “indigenization”

Zimbabweans demand ethanol equity as “indigenization”

March 12, 2012 |

In Zimbabwe, members of the Zanu-PF party are demanding free shares of the Chisumbanje ethanol project under the auspices of “indigenization” which local media reports is threatening the future of the newly launched facility. Allegedly the Zimbabwean project developer who owns 51% of the project, but is white, is being targeted for his shares. Fears […]

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