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Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.Bioenergy Technologies Office Announces Notice of Intent for the Optimization of Integrated Biorefineries
Via U.S. Bioenergy Technologies Office.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) entitled, “Integrated Biorefinery Optimization.”
This FOA will support research and development to increase the performance efficiencies of biorefineries resulting in continuous operation and production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower at prices competitive with fossil-derived equivalents. This could be accomplished by improvements in ensuring reliable, continuous, robust handling and feeding of solid materials into reactors under various operating conditions; decreased capital and operating expenses by improved separation processes; production of higher-value products from waste or other undervalued streams; and analytical modeling of handling and feeding of solid materials into reactors.
Applications that address these challenging operations and convert woody biomass, agricultural residues, dedicated energy crops, algae, municipal solid waste, sludge from wastewater treatment plants, and wet wastes into biofuels, biochemicals, and bioproducts will be considered under this funding opportunity.
Gov. Scott Walker Announces Need for Biogas Systems in Wisconsin's Agriculture Sector
By Jim Lundstrom, Peninsula Pulse.
An air of mystery surrounded Gov. Scott Walker’s Nov. 17 visit to Heritage Farm in Kewaunee.
Robert Weidner, chair of the Kewaunee County Board, was informed that the governor was visiting but was not told why.
“I knew it was ag-related, but that’s all they told me,” he said.
“It was kind of shrouded in secrecy,” said Rep. Joel Kitchens. “They didn’t even tell me what it was about. They just said they have an announcement.”
In his surprise visit, Walker announced that he had requested the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to collaborate on recommendations by Dec. 1 that, according to a press release from the Governor’s office, “propose a tangible private sector response linking the application of digester technology to environmentally sensitive areas of Wisconsin, specifically areas with high concentrations of dairy cattle. A Request for Proposal (RFP) laying the groundwork for actionable items should be ready to release publically [sic] in January.”
Walnut, Mississippi to get Air Liquide biogas purification plant
By The Daily Journal.
WALNUT – Air Liquide plans to construct and operate a landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas purification plant in Walnut that will enable the conversion of the methane emitted by waste to a renewable energy capable of heating about 4,500 homes per year.
Air Liquide, based in Paris, France will design, build and operate its first LFG-to-RNG purification plant in the U.S. at the Northeast Mississippi Landfill, which is owned by the Northeast Mississippi Solid Waste Management Authority. It is operated by national solid waste company Waste Connections Inc. and receives approximately 350,000 tons of waste per year.
Why You Should Care about Low Carbon Fuels and Vehicle Initiatives
By Tammy Klein, The Energy Collective.
When I talk about “low carbon fuels and vehicles” (LCFV) initiatives what am I really talking about and why should it matter to you? If you’re a first-gen biofuels, advanced biofuels or advanced alternative fuels producer, why should you care about fuel economy or electric vehicles? If you’re an electric vehicle producer or infrastructure company, why should you care about biofuels? If you’re a refiner or in upstream E&P, why should you care about air pollution, car bans or connected, autonomous driving? If you’re an automaker, why should you care about any of the above? Let me back up and explain, drawing from my November report to my clients, because it’s critical for all these stakeholders.
By Tammy Klein, The Energy Collective.
When I talk about “low carbon fuels and vehicles” (LCFV) initiatives what am I really talking about and why should it matter to you? If you’re a first-gen biofuels, advanced biofuels or advanced alternative fuels producer, why should you care about fuel economy or electric vehicles? If you’re an electric vehicle producer or infrastructure company, why should you care about biofuels? If you’re a refiner or in upstream E&P, why should you care about air pollution, car bans or connected, autonomous driving? If you’re an automaker, why should you care about any of the above? Let me back up and explain, drawing from my November report to my clients, because it’s critical for all these stakeholders
Despite a prolonged period of low crude oil prices, citizens and policymakers in many countries have never been more serious or committed to combating climate change in all sectors, including transport. We know this. The Paris Agreement entered into force in what seemed like a record time – less than a year after it was negotiated. Transport currently contributes 23% of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 20% of energy use and is expected to double by 2030, according to IEA. Passenger transport accounts for nearly 60% of total transport energy demand, and 60% of this is in OECD member countries right now.
Decarbonizing transport is a major challenge with some strong and powerful advocates calling for a single one-shot solution (electrification). That’s something that needs to be watched closely by all the stakeholders. The reality is that multiple strategies will be required to achieve decarbonization with the understanding that fossil fuel demand will remain in place for some time, especially in emerging economies, and that it could get “cleaner.”
California Releases Initial Plan to Achieve Ambitious 2030 Climate Goals
By California State Air Resources Board.
SACRAMENTO - Moving to limit the state’s dangerous dependence on oil and exposure to toxic air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released its initial draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 – the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state’s successful efforts to reach its more immediate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and outlines the most effective ways to reach the new 2030 goal, including continuing California’s Cap-and-Trade program.
California is reducing emissions through a series of actions, innovative solutions and advances in technology, including cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and zero emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, Cap-and-Trade regulations, waste diversion from landfills, water conservation and improvements to energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The result is improved public health, a growing economy with more green jobs and better clean energy choices for Californians.
By California State Air Resources Board.
SACRAMENTO - Moving to limit the state’s dangerous dependence on oil and exposure to toxic air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today released its initial draft plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 – the most ambitious target in North America. The plan builds on the state’s successful efforts to reach its more immediate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and outlines the most effective ways to reach the new 2030 goal, including continuing California’s Cap-and-Trade program.
California is reducing emissions through a series of actions, innovative solutions and advances in technology, including cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and zero emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, Cap-and-Trade regulations, waste diversion from landfills, water conservation and improvements to energy efficiency in homes and businesses. The result is improved public health, a growing economy with more green jobs and better clean energy choices for Californians.
“Now more than ever, the nation – and the world – are looking to California for leadership on climate change and air quality. Denial is not an option. We must plan, invest and transform,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “This draft plan builds on California’s decade-long success in transforming the state’s economy. It sets in place a public process to develop the policies that will create continued opportunities for innovation and investment, benefit disadvantaged communities and ensure California continues to lead the fight against the global threat of climate change.”
Assembly Bill 32, signed in 2006, set California’s initial goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and directed CARB to develop a climate change scoping plan – to be updated every five years – detailing the specific measures needed to reach the target. Today’s draft plan, required by the Governor’s April 2015 Executive Order, updates the previous scoping plan to account for the new 2030 target codified in Senate Bill 32 and reflects input from 18 public workshops and community meetings, numerous state government agencies and CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.
The draft plan analyzes continuing the Cap-and-Trade program, which is currently being used to reach the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. The analysis shows how Cap-and-Trade provides more certainty that the state will meet the 2030 goals even if other measures fall short. The Cap-and-Trade program funds the California Climate Change Investments program, which provides funds for community, local, regional and statewide projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions – with at least 35 percent of proceeds to be invested in disadvantaged communities. To date, approximately $3.4 billion has been invested.
More than 60 businesses testify against extending Ohio's freeze on renewable energy
By John Funk, The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- The two-year battle over green energy standards has slammed the development of wind and solar, cost businesses a lot of money initially invested here and driven some companies out of the state, a crowd of green business proponents told Ohio lawmakers Tuesday.
More than 60 witnesses showed up to testify before the Ohio Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. All were opposed to Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican.
By John Funk, The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS -- The two-year battle over green energy standards has slammed the development of wind and solar, cost businesses a lot of money initially invested here and driven some companies out of the state, a crowd of green business proponents told Ohio lawmakers Tuesday.
More than 60 witnesses showed up to testify before the Ohio Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee. All were opposed to Senate Bill 320, sponsored by Sen. William Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican.
Committee chair Troy Balderson, a Zanesville Republican, limited witnesses to speaking for just two minutes. Written versions of the testimony can be found on the committee's website.
Opponents say the bill and its companion legislation, House Bill 554, would, in effect, extend for three more years the two-year freeze on green standards that lawmakers imposed in 2014 after the state's utilities complained.
The legislation would require that green energy would account for 12.5 percent of the electricity power companies sell in Ohio by 2027. The renewable energy could come from Ohio or contiguous states.
The standard in Ohio today is 2.5 percent, the same as it was in 2014, when the legislature intervened to freeze the annually increasing mandate.
Because Gov. John Kasich has threatened to veto an extension of the freeze, the GOP leadership has written the legislation so that it makes compliance with the standards a voluntary goal for the next three years, continuing to stall wind and solar development.
EPA: Cellulosic RIN generation reaches 17.79 million in October
By Erin Voegele, Ethanol Producer Magazine.
The U.S. EPA has released renewable identification number (RIN) generation data for October, reporting that nearly 1.66 billion RINs were generated during the month, including nearly 17.79 million cellulosic RINs.
Nearly 17.56 million D3 cellulosic biofuel RINs were generated during the month, bringing the net total for the first 10 months of the year 142.82 million. Nearly 3.05 million D3 RINs have been generated for ethanol, with 85.47 million generated for renewable compressed natural gas and 56.14 million for renewable liquefied natural gas. Nearly 129.16 million D3 RINs have been generated domestically, with 15.5 million generated by importers.
Connecticut's first food waste biogas plant nears completion
By Anna Simet, Biomass Magazine.
A Connecticut biogas plant is nearing the finish line and will start up by the end of the year, according to Brian Paganini, vice president of Quantum Energy.
After about three years of development, Quantum will begin startup by the end of the year, Paganini said, potentially reaching fully operations in March. “The plant meets some of the state’s goals with its program to divert food out of the waste stream, and it meets a critical infrastructure gap in Connecticut, which has a goal to reduce, reuse and recycle 60 percent of its food waste by 2024.”
Canada announces plans for national low-carbon fuel standard
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
On Nov. 25, the government of Canada announced plans to develop a low-carbon fuel standard that would require reductions in the carbon footprint of fuels supplied in the nation based on lifecycle analysis.
A statement issued by the government notes a clean fuel standard would be flexible and would promote the use of clean technology and lower carbon fuels. It would also promote alternatives, such as electricity, biogas, hydrogen and renewable fuels. The primary objective of the program is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 megatons per year by 2030. The statement indicated this level of reduction would provide a significant contribution towards achieving Canada’s commitment to reduce emissions 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and is equivalent to removing more than 7 million vehicles from the road for a year.
By Erin Voegele, Biomass Magazine.
On Nov. 25, the government of Canada announced plans to develop a low-carbon fuel standard that would require reductions in the carbon footprint of fuels supplied in the nation based on lifecycle analysis.
A statement issued by the government notes a clean fuel standard would be flexible and would promote the use of clean technology and lower carbon fuels. It would also promote alternatives, such as electricity, biogas, hydrogen and renewable fuels. The primary objective of the program is to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 megatons per year by 2030. The statement indicated this level of reduction would provide a significant contribution towards achieving Canada’s commitment to reduce emissions 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and is equivalent to removing more than 7 million vehicles from the road for a year.
According to the Canadian government, the proposed clean fuel standard would feature a performance-based approach by setting requirements to reduce the lifecycle carbon intensities of fuels supplied in a given year, based on lifecycle analysis. Unlike renewable fuel mandates, the approach would not prescribe particular low-carbon fuels or technology that must be use. Rather, it focuses on emissions reduction.
A statement published by the Canadian government also states the standard is expected to encourage the use of cleaner fuels in a variety of sectors of the economy, including fuels used in transportation, homes and buildings and those that power industry. It is expected to address a broad suite of fuels, including liquid fuels, gaseous fuels and solid fuels.
The government also noted the standard will be designed to provide flexibility to fuel suppliers, and said it could include provisions to take into account regional differences, similar to those under existing renewable fuel regulations.
EPA chief: Trump can’t halt U.S. shift to clean energy
By Brady Dennis, The Washington Post.
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday gave an impassioned defense of the Obama administration’s energy and environmental policies and insisted the nation’s shift from fossil fuels will continue no matter who occupies the White House.
“The inevitability of our clean energy future is bigger than any one person or one nation,” Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a speech at the National Press Club that was twice interrupted by protesters. “It must be guided by a simple but profound truth: We don’t have to choose between economy or environment. We can and we must choose both.”
By Brady Dennis, The Washington Post.
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency on Monday gave an impassioned defense of the Obama administration’s energy and environmental policies and insisted the nation’s shift from fossil fuels will continue no matter who occupies the White House.
“The inevitability of our clean energy future is bigger than any one person or one nation,” Administrator Gina McCarthy said in a speech at the National Press Club that was twice interrupted by protesters. “It must be guided by a simple but profound truth: We don’t have to choose between economy or environment. We can and we must choose both.”
McCarthy mostly deflected specific questions about worries over President-elect Donald Trump, who has been a blistering critic of the EPA. Trump has vowed to scrap what he sees as onerous regulations the agency has put in place in recent years, from tighter methane controls on domestic drillers to the administration’s signature effort to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants. He also has vowed to end the “war on coal,” expand oil and gas leasing across federal lands and waters, and “cancel” U.S. participation in an international climate agreement aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
But McCarthy, a Boston native who became the EPA head in 2013 after a lengthy confirmation fight, repeatedly suggested that trying to slow the country’s move away from coal and other fossil fuels and toward cleaner energy sources ultimately would be foolish and futile.
“Science tells us that there is no bigger threat to American progress and prosperity than the threat of global climate change,” she said. “And if you take nothing else from my speech today, take this: The train to a global, clean-energy future has already left the station. We have a choice. We can choose to get on board, to lead. Or we can choose to be left behind.”
McCarthy ticked off statistics detailing what she called the rapid progress of recent years: Vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient. Power plants have reduced mercury pollution. Many companies are on their way to meeting the requirements of the Clean Power Plan — even as its fate remains in federal court — and dozens of states are hitting lower emissions targets years ahead of schedule. U.S. leadership on climate action has compelled other nations around the world to follow suit.
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