Calls for a waiver to the renewable fuels standard (RFS) are not helpful to the nascent advanced biofuels sector, said industry representatives who participated in an Aug. 28 press conference organized by the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
The U.S. EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation finalized new fuel efficiency standards on Aug. 28. The new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards will increase fuel economy to 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by model year 2025.
Enzyme giant to market advanced biofuel yeast strain
By LUKE GEIVER
August 29, 2012
A C5 yeast strain developed by Terranol for use in advanced biofuel production may soon be available worldwide thanks to Novozymes. The yeast is optimized to convert C5 sugars and works under standard ethanol fermentation temperatures.
Letters supporting the renewable fuel standard (RFS) and those asking for a waiver are continuing to fly fast and furious. Publication of the official notice of RFS waiver requests is expected Aug. 30. It was supposed to be published Aug. 26.
The community of Oshawa, Ontario is taking action against the recent approval of a proposed ethanol plant. On Aug. 9, the Oshawa Port Authority announced its approval for FarmTech Energy Corp. to build and operate a 210 million liter ethanol plant.
Waste Management, Renmatix announce joint development agreement
By Waste Management Inc.
August 28, 2012
Waste Management Inc. and Renmatix announced they have entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) to explore the feasibility of converting post-consumer waste into affordable, sufficient-quality sugars for manufacturing biobased materials.
The newly formed Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council sent a letter to President Obama Aug. 27, cautioning against granting a waiver to the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The letter was signed by the leaders of eight biofuel trade groups.
Although provisional countervailing duties still haven't been adopted, the European Commission has decided to proceed with registration of U.S. ethanol imports, according to information published Aug. 24 in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Kudos to Chemtex
August 27, 2012
In one of those interesting ironies of renewable fuels, Chemtex's North Carolina proposed cellulosic ethanol project puts a sector of the hog industry rooting for the success of advanced biofuels.
Trade groups react to Romney's support of the RFS
August 27, 2012
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney recently announced his support for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). His energy policy noted he will "support increased market penetration and competition among energy sources by maintaining the RFS."
University of Georgia plant gene discovery benefits biofuels
By University of Georgia
August 27, 2012
University of Georgia researchers have identified a previously uncharacterized gene that plays a major role in cell wall development of Arabidopsis plants, a discovery that promises to help turn plants into biofuel more efficiently.
California issues 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan
August 24, 2012
California has released its 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan, which is designed to accelerate clean energy development, job creation, and protection of public health and safety. The plan was developed by state agencies and outside experts.
On Aug. 22 three state governors sent letters to the U.S. EPA about the renewable fuel standard, one requesting that the RFS remain in effect and two asking for a waiver. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's letter supported maintaining the RFS.
The USDA Economic Research Service has published a new report addressing the Chinese export market for distillers dried grains. The report is titled "China's Market for Distillers Dried Grains and the Key Influences on Its Longer Run Potential."
Brazil's ethanol industry will be closely following the launch of a new company created by Brasilinvest. Announced this week the country's leading investment banks, BOB-Brasilinvest Oil, Gas and Biofuel, will be under new leadership.
Syngenta recently announced that two more ethanol plants, Siouxland Ethanol LLC and Golden Grain LLC, will conduct trials of its corn specially engineered for the ethanol industry. Enogen corn features alpha amylase enzyme built into the grain.
NCGA study to assess GHG impact of ethanol more accurately
By National Corn Growers Association
August 22, 2012
The National Corn Growers Association has supported a study that will be released this fall, reporting that supplementing cattle feed with corn stover actually decreases the amount of greenhouse gases created during corn ethanol production.
Chemtex International Inc. received a conditional USDA loan guarantee to build a 20 MMgy cellulosic ethanol facility in eastern North Carolina's Sampson County. The plant, named Project Alpha, plans to use energy grasses as feedstock.
EPA opens comment period on RFS waivers
August 21, 2012
The U.S. EPA is requesting public comments on the renewable fuel standard (RFS) waiver requests that were filed by Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe and North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue in mid-August. The comment period will be open for 30 days.
E15 Sold at Second Retail Station in Kansas
By Renewable Fuels Association
August 21, 2012
The sale of E15 fuel has expanded to Ottawa, Kan., at the Zarco 66 station located at 2518 east Logan. This is the second retail gas station to offer E15 in the United States. A grand opening promotion will be announced soon.
Poet LLC and Agrivida Inc., a feedstock and feedstock processing company, announced an agreement Aug. 21, with the goal of significantly reducing the capital and operating costs of commercial cellulosic ethanol production plants.
Writing the biofuels story
August 20, 2012
Writing is a craft and an art. Fast Company's website recently ran a story that demonstrates both, written by Daniel Grushkin on a company in the advanced biofuels sector – Amyris.
Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc. is holding an event on August 23 to celebrate the five-year anniversary of its Shenandoah, Iowa plant. The event aims to thank the Shenandoah community for the five years of support it has offered to the plant.
Peru-based Maple Energy plc has completed its first export sales of ethanol to Mitsui & Co. Ltd. under and existing sales and distribution agreement. According to Maple Energy, the first sale consisted of approximately 1.56 million gallons.
Western New York Energy selects ICM Selective Milling Technology
By ICM Inc.
August 17, 2012
ICM Inc. is pleased to announce that Western New York Energy LLC has purchased its Selective Milling Technology which includes the license fee, equipment and installation of ICM's platform technology.
The ethanol industry responded swiftly and positively to the fact that legal challenges of the U.S. EPA's partial waiver approval of E15 were rejected. The opinion was issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Drought sparks intense fight over RFS waiver
August 17, 2012
Many are calling it the worst drought in 50 years, and there's no doubt the ethanol industry is feeling the pinch. Talk of a possible RFS waiver request became a reality in mid-August, when the U.S. EPA was officially petitioned.
European producer announces plant restart
August 16, 2012
European ethanol producer Ensus Ltd. announced it will restart its 400 MMly (106 MMgy) plant in Teesside, U.K. The plant began operations in January 2010, but has been idle for the past 15 months. The facility is Europe's largest wheat ethanol plant.
AdvanceBio supplies SuPR2G reactor to Brazilian laboratory
By AdvanceBio Systems LLC
August 16, 2012
AdvanceBio Systems LLC recently announced that CTBE, the Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory selected AdvanceBio Systems' SuPR2G Laboratory Scale Pretreatment Reactor to conduct basic research and development work.
Iowa State reserachers grow high-protein fungus with stillage
By Iowa State University
August 16, 2012
Initial studies show a fungus grown in stillage resulting from ethanol production could be a good energy feed for pigs and chickens. In separate feeding trials, nursery pigs and chickens have eaten high-protein fungi produced in a pilot plant.
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