Archives

December 1, 2017

Neste Announces Partnership With California Fuel Distributors

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On November 22, 2017, Neste, a member of BRAG, announced exclusive partnerships with four California fuel distributors that will provide public and private fleets access to a consistent and high-quality supply of Neste MY Renewable Diesel.  Through the partnerships with IPC (USA), Inc., Ramos Oil Company, Van De Pol Petroleum, and Western States Oil, Neste renewable diesel will be available to customers in Southern California, Northeast California, the...
December 1, 2017

EPA Denies Industry Request To Shift Point Of Obligation

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On November 30, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing its decision to deny several petitions requesting that EPA initiate a rulemaking to change the point of obligation for compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.  Under the RFS program, refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel fuel are identified as “obligated parties” responsible for compliance with the RFS...
November 17, 2017

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

The Hill, “Senate Moves Toward Confirming Trump EPA Air Nominee” Bloomberg Politics, “U.S. Subpoenas Icahn Over Biofuel Action While Trump Adviser” Newsweek, “Scientists Work To Make Better Plastics From Sunlight” University of Delaware, “Research Aims To Help Renewable Jet Fuel Take Flight”...
November 17, 2017

Grain, Ethanol Industry Send Letter To U.S. Trade Representative On Brazil Ethanol Tariff

By Kathleen M. Roberts On November 14, 2017, the Governors' Biofuels Coalition announced that grain and ethanol industry stakeholders, including the U.S. Grains Council, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy, sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer to request that the U.S. suspend Brazil’s designated country status as a result of a 20 percent tariff on ethanol exports to Brazil.  The tariff is to be assessed on all current and future...
November 17, 2017

Neste Announces Collaboration With American Airlines

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On November 13, 2017, Neste, a member of BRAG, announced it has entered into an agreement with American Airlines to explore opportunities to reduce the airline’s environmental footprint.  To achieve this goal, the companies are evaluating in-flight and on-the-ground opportunities to utilize Neste’s renewable fuels.  One aspect of the collaboration will involve complementary efforts to facilitate acceptance and commercialization of High Freeze...
November 17, 2017

DOC Announces Affirmative Final CVD Determination For Argentina And Indonesia

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On November 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) issued affirmative final determinations in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia.  Following a nine month investigation, DOC determined that Argentina and Indonesia are providing unfair subsidies to its producers of biodiesel at rates from 71.45 to 72.28 percent and 34.45 to 64.73 percent, respectively.  As a result, U.S. Customs and...
November 17, 2017

EPA Close To Issuing In Final 2018 And 2019 Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On October 31, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent its final rule to set the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2018 and 2019 to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.  Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA must issue a final rule to set standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel by November 30, 2017.  Typically, OMB review is...
November 10, 2017

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Bob Goodlatte, “House Lawmakers Tell EPA to Acknowledge Negative Impacts of RFS” Reuters, “DuPont to Sell Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Blow to Biofuel” ExxonMobil, “ExxonMobil and Renewable Energy Group Report Progress in Cellulosic Biodiesel Research” Michigan State University, “Better Together: A Bacteria Community Creates Biodegradable Plastic with Sunlight”...
November 10, 2017

DOE Awards $4.8 Million In Funding For BIRD Energy Projects

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On November 1, 2017, DOE, along with Israel’s Ministry of Energy (MOE) and the Israel Innovation Authority, awarded $4.8 million in funding to five Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy projects.  The five projects represent the ninth selection of BIRD Energy projects and span the fields of hydrogen storage, advanced biofuels, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency.  Despite the diversity among the topic areas, all...
November 3, 2017

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

Forbes, “These Sustainably Produced Cleaning Wipes Herald A Manufacturing Revolution” Bloomberg, “California Cars Are Running On Restaurant Grease” The Independent, “Planes Across Europe To Start Running On Vegetable Oil And Animal Fat In Bid To Tackle Climate Change And Toxic Air” Washington State University, “Slash And Build: Study Aids Forestry Biofuel Industry”...