In Washington, Malaysia and Indonesia are protesting the EPA’s report from last December against palm oil-based biodiesel, saying that EPA data does not correctly reflect the state of the industry at present. Malaysia’s plantation industries and commodities minister and an Indonesian palm oil official went to Washington to meet personally with EPA officials to educate […]
In South Africa, the government is planning to require that at least 25% of the feedstock used to fill the country’s upcoming ethanol and biodiesel blending mandate by supplied by small-scale farmers. The policy could affect up to 28,800 small-scale farmers, but there are concerns that the government is continuing to delay inclusion of corn […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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%.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
