Event encourages biofuels program development in Central America

U.S. Grains Council

October 18, 2018

BY U.S. Grains Council

A recent seminar in Costa Rica planted seeds for further regional cooperation and biofuels policy development throughout Central America.

The Council organized the one-day seminar, Cultivando Energia (Cultivating Energy), in San Jose, Costa Rica, in late September to increase awareness among key government officials and industry about the economic, environmental and technical benefits of using ethanol in fuel. Forty-eight attendees from Central America and the Dominican Republic attended the event.

“This regional seminar allowed the Council and its partners to provide valuable information to policy makers and local industry,” said Juan Sebastian Diaz, USGC Latin America regional ethanol consultant. “This conference also provided a space to discuss common issues in the region related to the implementation and represented a great opportunity to develop synergies between countries to establish biofuels programs in the region.”

Advertisement

As the host country, Costa Rican representatives delivered details of its biofuels program, planned to start by the second half of 2019. Costa Rica is considered one of the world’s “greenest” countries and has committed to an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 44 percent by 2030.

Government officials consider ethanol blending one of the most effective pathways for achieving this commitment, and the speakers during the seminar stressed their arguments confirming this position. The Council is strongly supporting this initiative and has engaged with Costa Rican government officials to expedite the adoption of blends above 10 percent with consideration for ethanol imports.

Other topics covered at the event included supply chain technical requirements, car performance under different ethanol blends and discussions of ethanol policies throughout Latin America. Outside of formal presentations, the seminar also allowed attendees to network and share their own experiences with biofuels policy development.

Advertisement

“Attendees suggested these events allow them to meet counterparts from the region and utilize current regional resources to establish cross-country policies targeted at increased use of biofuels,” Diaz said. “These events, which follow the successful Ethanol Summit of the Americas, continue to yield positive attitudes and policy developments related to global ethanol adoption.”

Learn more about the Ethanol Summit of the Americas and resulting follow-up activities here.

 

 

Related Stories

U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.

Read More

XCF Global Inc. on July 8 provided a production update on its flagship New Rise Reno facility, underscoring that the plant has successfully produced SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha during its initial ramp-up.

Read More

The U.S. exported 31,160.5 metric tons of biodiesel and biodiesel blends of B30 and greater in May, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on July 3. Biodiesel imports were 2,226.2 metric tons for the month.

Read More

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is implementing multiple changes to the Camelina pilot insurance program for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. The changes will expand coverage options and provide greater flexibility for producers.

Read More

EcoCeres Inc. has signed a multi-year agreement to supply British Airways with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The fuel will be produced from 100% waste-based biomass feedstock, such as used cooking oil (UCO).

Read More

Upcoming Events

Sign up for our e-newsletter!

Advertisement

Advertisement