The U.S. EPA in May approved a fuel pathway under the Renewable Fuel Standard for a biomass gasification plant under development in McFarland, California, that will produce renewable natural gas (RNG) for sale into the transportation fuel market.
The U.S. EPA on May 21 released updated small refinery exemption (SRE) data, reporting that two additional SRE petitions have been filed with the agency; one for compliance year 2019 and one for compliance year 2020.
A group of 15 republican senators sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on May 19 urging the agency to grant petitions filed by six state governors last month that seek a waiver of 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements.
Biofuel feedstock reimbursement act introduced in US Senate
By Ron Kotrba
May 20, 2020
Legislation was introduced May 19 in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar, which would provide assistance to biofuel producers adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic fallout from the health crisis.
The U.S. EPA's proposed rule to extend the sales deadline for Step 1 wood heaters, rulemaking to classify biomass as carbon neutral and issues associated with the RFS and SREs were among the topics discussed during a May 20 Senate hearing.
Weltec Biopower builds biogas plant for Greek abattoir
By Weltec Biopower
May 19, 2020
In the summer of 2020, the German plant manufacturer Weltec Biopower will start building a biogas plant in Veria, northern Greece. The 500-kilowatt plant is set to begin operations as early as November.
US Gain becomes largest RNG supplier in Oregon
By U.S. Gain
May 19, 2020
U.S. Gain has announced it is now the largest renewable natural gas (RNG) supplier in Oregon through supply agreements with Salem Area Mass Transit District, Gresham Sanitary, Heiberg Garbage & Recycling and Pride Disposal.
The American Coalition for Ethanol is pleased to announce its 33rd annual conference will be held in conjunction with the rescheduled International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo hosted by BBI International on Aug. 25, in Omaha, Nebraska.
The EPA has released a proposed rule that aims to establish consistent requirements and procedures for the issuance of guidance documents. The agency said the rule will increase transparency and improve its process for managing guidance documents.
The U.S. House of Representatives on May 15 voted 208 to 199 to pass a fourth COVID-19 stimulus package. The bill, known as the HEROES Act, would provide dedicated relief for biofuel producers by establishing the Renewable Fuel Reimbursement Program.
The Supreme Court on May 18 announced it has denied a petition filed by Valero Energy Corp. asking the court to determine whether the U.S. EPA is required to consider petitions to change the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on May 11 requesting that the agency exercise its waiver authority to reduce Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements.
The U.S. EPA has delivered its proposed rule to set 2021 renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard and the 2022 RVO for biomass-based diesel to the White House Office of Management and Budget.
The U.S. EPA on May 14 officially opened the public comment period on its recently announced proposed rule to streamline and modernize its existing fuels regulations. Comments must be received by June 29.
Eric McAfee, chairman and CEO of Aemetis Inc., discussed steps the company is taking to produce pharmacopeia- and food-grade alcohol and provided updates of the company's advanced biofuel projects during a first quarter earnings call held May 14.
SCS approved as verification body for California LCFS
By SCS Global Services
May 13, 2020
SCS Global Services is now approved by CARB as a verification body for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. CARB recently added third-party verification requirements to the LCFS to ensure data completeness, accuracy, and conformance with the regulation.
Patrick Gruber, president and CEO of Gevo Inc., said on May 12 he expects the company's biorefinery in Luverne, Minnesota, to remain idle for the remainder of the year. The company's plant in Silsbee, Texas, however, continues to operate.
Lystek: Food waste-to-energy project shows positive results
By Lystek International Ltd.
May 12, 2020
Lystek International Ltd. has announced its multi-year food waste-to-energy demonstration project in Goleta, California, has been showing positive results. The project includes Simcon de-packaging technology and skid-mounted anaerobic digesters.
The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to impact U.S. electricity consumption. The EIA's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released on May 12, predicts total U.S. electric power sector generation will decline by 5 percent in 2020.
A fourth COVID-19 stimulus package known as the HEROES Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 12. The bill includes dedicated relief for biofuels producers by establishing the Renewable Fuel Reimbursement Program.
The Biogenic CO2 Coalition is asking lawmakers to direct the U.S. EPA to promptly publish a rule that states neither agricultural biomass nor woody biomass contribute to excess greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.
Leaders of the Governors' Biofuels Coalition sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on May 8 urging the agency to reject a recent request from five oil state governors to waive 2020 Renewable Fuels Standard blending obligations.
RNG Producer Making A Mark
May 07, 2020
In less than four years, Brightmark has made major inroads in the U.S. renewable natural gas market. It's successes include multiple, concurrently developed RNG projects across the the country, which include partnerships with 20-plus dairy farms.
FuelCell Energy Inc. announced on May 4 that site construction has begun on its 1.4 megawatt SureSource 1500 biofuels fuel cell project with the City of San Bernardino Municipal Water Department in California.
A bipartisan group of 24 senators sent a letter to President Trump on May 7 urging him to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard and immediately reject the RFS waiver requests filed with the U.S. EPA by several oil state governors last month.
From Open-Air Composting to Efficient Anaerobic Digestion
By Jim McMahon
May 05, 2020
After 35 years of open-air composting, Zurich's recently-opened anaerobic digestion facility can process 25,000 tons of organic municipal solid waste annually, producing biogas for power generation and high-grade organic fertilizer.
British Columbia-based Greenlane Renewables Inc. released fourth quarter 2019 financial results on April 28. In its Q4 report, the company discussed its operations and potential growth in the renewable natural gas (RNG) industry.
FortisBC announced April 30 it is teaming up with REN Energy to offer RNG produced from wood waste to its customers. The company also recently announced it will purchase and inject RNG generated from Hartland Landfill into its pipeline system.
RFA, ACE, NCGA and NFU sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on May 1 opposing the American Petroleum Institute's April 6 petition that requests the agency reconsider the 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard final rule.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration could soon begin publishing data related to the production of biogas and RNG. The agency has proposed to modify an existing information collection focused on natural gas to include these renewable fuels.
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