Photo: UPM Biofuels
February 7, 2019
BY UPM Kymmene Corp.
The Finnish Parliament approved a law Feb. 6 that sets a gradually increasing 30 percent biofuels target for 2030. Furthermore, the law sets a world-leading advanced biofuels target of 10 percent in 2030.
UPM welcomes the Finnish government’s ambition to take transport decarbonization seriously.
“UPM is a leading producer of advanced biofuels as defined by the EU Renewable Energy Directive, and we consider this move by Finland as a bold step forward in setting concrete measures for transport decarbonization," said Sari Mannonen, vice president of UPM Biofuels.
UPM produces wood-based UPM BioVerno renewable diesel at the Lappeenranta Biorefinery in Finland. UPM is also studying opportunities for growth in the biofuels industry and has recently concluded an environmental impact assessment for a potential 500,000 ton-per-year biorefinery in Kotka, Finland.
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“We salute the decision by the Finnish Parliament and welcome the fact that many other countries, such as Sweden and Norway, are also walking the talk on climate change mitigation in the transport sector,” said Marko Janhunen, director of public affairs for UPM. “Transport decarbonization requires utilization of the whole toolbox—we need all financially and technologically feasible means, from sustainable biofuels to electrification and engine efficiency improvements to be deployed.”
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The Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition and Green Marine are partnering to accelerating adoption of sustainable biofuels to improve air quality and reduce GHG emissions in Michigan and across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Iowa, on April 10 reintroduced legislation to extend the 45Z clean fuel production credit and limit eligibility for the credit to renewable fuels made from domestically sourced feedstocks.
Representatives of the U.S. biofuels industry on April 10 submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Treasury and IRFS providing recommendations on how to best implement upcoming 45Z clean fuel production credit regulations.
Lawmakers in Wisconsin on April 3 announced their intent to introduce legislation that would create a $1.50 per gallon production tax credit for SAF. The bill is currently circulating for co-sponsorship support and will be formally introduced soon.
A group of 16 senators, led by Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., on April 8 sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency to increase RVO and account for SREs in the agency’s upcoming RFS rulemaking.