In Oklahoma, a House Panel approved HB 2189, which would make commercial production of castor beans a misdemeanor, with a fine of $500 dollars. On one side are concerns that this would be a beneficial crop for biofuels, but because of the ricin they contain, there is a probability of contamination of any nearby food […]
In Hawaii, proposed legislation in the state’s House of Representatives would see the requirement to blend E10 eliminated. The reasons behind the push is an attempt to counteract rising gas prices in the state that have gone up 41 cents a gallon over this time last year in Honolulu and Wailuku and in Hilo. Prices […]
In Washington, the DOE will conduct a webinar documenting the outcomes of a recently held roadmapping workshop on advanced hydrocarbon biofuel production from lignocellulosic materials. The webinar is scheduled for tomorrow, February 9th, 2:30-5pm ET. The new roadmap will highlight research barriers to the commercial development of technologies that are necessary to generate carbohydrate and […]
In Brazil, the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) responded to allegations that a pre-existing VAT (value-added tax) on ethanol in the Brazilian state of São Paulo is equivalent to the return of Brazil’s tariff on imported ethanol, which was zeroed in 2010. The statement should be attributed to UNICA President and CEO, Marcos Jank. “Recent media […]
In Washington, the USDA received recommendations from Airlines for America (A4A) and Boeing regarding the commercial deployment of aviation biofuels. The recommendations called for support across the supply chain and at least two successful commercial-scale projects as a precursor to private investment. A4A Vice President John Heimlich indicated these recommendations were directed towards the recently […]
In Indonesia, Trade Minister Gita Wiyawan responded the EPA’s announcement against palm oil, stating, “We will convey our dissenting arguments on February 27 in accordance with the deadline for the filing of objections. We have already met business asociations to formulate our arguments regarding the US policy.” Another official, director general of foreign trade, Deddy […]
In Canada, a new report from the George Morris Centre funded by the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Meat Council shows that ethanol production and policies have contributed to increased feed grain prices in both eastern Canada—by C$15 to C$20 per ton—and western Canada up to C$10 per ton, […]
In Brazil, the government plans to keep the 20% ethanol blend rather than boost it back to its previous level of 25% when production re-starts in April despite complaints by producers that ethanol prices have gotten too low. The government believes that despite increased production expected in the coming season, demand will also increase so […]
In Brazil, the Sao Paolo state government is planning to reinstate the tariff on intrastate anhydrous trade on March 1 rather than June 1 as originally planned as 95% of ethanol imports are coming in from Santos port rather than from producers in other parts of the country.
In Washington, the EPA has shut down palm oil as a qualifying feedstock for renewable fuels, as predicted in Friday’s Digest. This comes as a blow to Southeast Asian markets as the Malaysian Palm Oil Board formulates its own calculations on carbon emissions. If the EPA findings are finalized, palm oil producers would be unable […]
