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Stay up to date with the latest stories, insights, and announcements.EPA approves pathway for Isobutanol as an advanced biofuel
By Dan McCue, Renewable Energy Magazine.
The approval is for a pathway for isobutanol produced at Gevo Inc’s Luverne, Minnesota plant to be an advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.
With a partial substitution of fossil based energy sources that are currently used at Luverne with green energy sources, such as biogas, Gevo said in news release on Thursday that it should be possible for it to achieve the 50 percent or greater greenhouse gas emissions reduction needed to claim the advanced D5 Renewable Identification Number according to the pathway approval.
By Dan McCue, Renewable Energy Magazine.
The approval is for a pathway for isobutanol produced at Gevo Inc’s Luverne, Minnesota plant to be an advanced biofuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program.
With a partial substitution of fossil based energy sources that are currently used at Luverne with green energy sources, such as biogas, Gevo said in news release on Thursday that it should be possible for it to achieve the 50 percent or greater greenhouse gas emissions reduction needed to claim the advanced D5 Renewable Identification Number according to the pathway approval.
A RIN is a serial number assigned to biofuels for the purpose of tracking their production, use and trading, as required under the RFS.
RINs can be sold and traded, and as a result carry a monetary value, which is linked to the biofuels that generate the RINs.
Gevo’s isobutanol from feed corn starch currently generates D6 RINs, and with this approval, Gevo’s isobutanol could generate D5 RINs as well. D5 RIN credits have historically had greater value in the marketplace than D6 RINs, potentially making Gevo’s isobutanol more valuable in the future.
Isobutanol, used as a gasoline blend stock, generates 1.3 RINs per gallon.
EPA denies petition to waive advanced biofuels requirements
By Chris Prentice, Reuters.
U.S. environmental regulators have denied a request from oil refiners to waive some of their advanced biofuels use requirements from 2016, in what is likely to be one of the Obama administration's final decisions on the controversial program.
The denial, published on Environmental Protection Agency's website on Wednesday, comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and as his nominee for EPA chief was being questioned in a Senate hearing.
By Chris Prentice, Reuters.
U.S. environmental regulators have denied a request from oil refiners to waive some of their advanced biofuels use requirements from 2016, in what is likely to be one of the Obama administration's final decisions on the controversial program.
The denial, published on Environmental Protection Agency's website on Wednesday, comes just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office and as his nominee for EPA chief was being questioned in a Senate hearing.
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program was signed into law in 2005 and designed to boost a renewable fuel industry annually. It requires oil companies to use increasing volumes of biofuels including cellulosic ethanol, which is produced of plant waste material.
AFPM and others from the oil industry have spent years lobbying EPA to lower the biofuels requirements, saying they are unachievable.
The EPA in a Jan. 17 letter to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) said it was denying the group's request to waive some of the volumes that previously the agency said would be required for use in 2016, citing short supplies.
Tax Rewrite Players? Five House Tax-Writers to Watch in 2017
By Kaustuv Basu, Bloomberg BNA.
Top House Ways and Means Committee members are jockeying for positions of influence as Congress eyes a tax overhaul in 2017.
The House GOP consumption tax-based blueprint is currently in the hands of committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and his staff as they work with fellow Republicans and the Trump team to shape a legislative proposal.
But there may be opportunities for House tax-writers to put their imprint on the bill, potentially even leading opposition to the plan’s border adjustability provision.
By Kaustuv Basu, Bloomberg BNA.
Top House Ways and Means Committee members are jockeying for positions of influence as Congress eyes a tax overhaul in 2017.
The House GOP consumption tax-based blueprint is currently in the hands of committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and his staff as they work with fellow Republicans and the Trump team to shape a legislative proposal.
But there may be opportunities for House tax-writers to put their imprint on the bill, potentially even leading opposition to the plan’s border adjustability provision.
Here are five Ways and Means Committee members to watch this year, former congressional tax aides, lobbyists and others tell Bloomberg BNA.
Tiberi
Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi (R-Ohio) challenged Brady for the Ways and Means chairmanship in late 2015.
Railroads, Truckers Join the Fight Against Changing the Renewable Fuel Standard
Via NACS Online.
WASHINGTON – The Association of American Railroads, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the American Trucking Associations, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have entered their opposition to changing the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). This week, the associations sent a letter to Gina McCarthy, administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking her to not move the point of obligation under the RFS.
The letter said that the EPA “has acted responsibly in denying previous petitions for a rulemaking to change the point of obligation and support EPA’s current regulatory action to deny similar petitions. The current petitions are proposing to move the point of obligation to entities that have never been obligated previously and that are not equipped to comply. Granting these petitions would disrupt the fuels markets, raise consumer fuel prices, and do so with no added benefit to the consumer or the program. We represent diverse interests but we are in agreement about this point.”
What to Expect in Environmental Regulation for 2017
By McGuire Woods.
The inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20 began a period of change expected to include the rollback of programs, withdrawal of regulations, and changes to policy that will affect all aspects of environmental regulation. While many questions linger regarding the priorities of the new administration, certain issues like the Clean Power Plan and “waters of the United States” definition are sure to rank high on the list.
Expect certain states, like California, to continue implementing a comprehensive environmental regulatory agenda, although federal action could threaten clean air programs in those states if the Trump administration withdraws the Clean Air Act waivers supporting them. There may also be an increase in lawsuits filed by nongovernmental organizations against both governmental and private actors in response to dissatisfaction with how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces the laws.
By McGuire Woods.
The inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20 began a period of change expected to include the rollback of programs, withdrawal of regulations, and changes to policy that will affect all aspects of environmental regulation. While many questions linger regarding the priorities of the new administration, certain issues like the Clean Power Plan and “waters of the United States” definition are sure to rank high on the list.
Expect certain states, like California, to continue implementing a comprehensive environmental regulatory agenda, although federal action could threaten clean air programs in those states if the Trump administration withdraws the Clean Air Act waivers supporting them. There may also be an increase in lawsuits filed by nongovernmental organizations against both governmental and private actors in response to dissatisfaction with how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces the laws.
The following are some of the more material areas to track in 2017.
Clean Power Plan (CPP)
CPP was promulgated by EPA on Aug. 3, 2015, as part of the Obama administration’s effort to address climate change through the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing fossil-fired (coal and natural gas) energy generating units (EGUs). First proposed in June 2014, CPP arose from EPA’s determination that greenhouse gases were a pollutant subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and that U.S. emissions of CO2 as the predominant greenhouse gas should be reduced, by 2030, to a level 32 percent below their 2005 levels.
To meet this ultimate goal and interim goals in 2022-2029, EPA applied what it called the best system of emission reduction and the three “building blocks” of efficiency, shifting from coal to gas and increased renewables to determine emission performance rates for all EGUs, dividing the country into three regions based on the nation’s electric grid. EPA then applied those standards to come up with CO2 reduction goals for each state, with each state having the option to meet its goals through an emission standards plan or a state measures plan, as well as emissions trading among sources and states.
Renewable biogas proposal continues greening of GM powertrain plant
By Paul Forsyth, Niagara This Week.
ST. CATHARINES — It’s a sleek, state-of-the-art facility with gleaming robotics whirring about in rooms that are almost surgically clean, but in addition to cutting-edge technology the General Motors powertrain plant in St. Catharines is also being touted as a model of environmental sustainability.
The latest investment in greening being proposed at the massive plant along the Welland Canal will be a renewable biogas cogeneration project that would utilize landfill gas to make the 2.08-million square-foot facility more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a whopping 5,000 tonnes a year
By Paul Forsyth, Niagara This Week.
ST. CATHARINES — It’s a sleek, state-of-the-art facility with gleaming robotics whirring about in rooms that are almost surgically clean, but in addition to cutting-edge technology the General Motors powertrain plant in St. Catharines is also being touted as a model of environmental sustainability.
The latest investment in greening being proposed at the massive plant along the Welland Canal will be a renewable biogas cogeneration project that would utilize landfill gas to make the 2.08-million square-foot facility more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a whopping 5,000 tonnes a year.
The project, which could be up and running as early as 2018 if approvals are obtained in time and GM decides to forge ahead with it, is part of a major push by GM to dramatically reduce energy consumption, waste production and chemicals at its Canadian plants.
Politicians at the Region on Jan. 11 supported the biogas project in principle and agreed to urge the province to expedite the application process. City of St. Catharines politicians recently did the same.
Tammy Giroux, manager of government relations for GM of Canada, said the biogas project would involve piping treated gas underground from the Walker Environmental Group landfill near Thorold Stone Road to the cogeneration plant.
The use of landfill gas from the breakdown of materials such as green bin organics, paper and wood may be the first such industrial cogeneration project in Ontario, said Giroux.
Pruitt's political operation becomes a weapon for Dems
By Elana Schor, Politico.
As Democrats look for an opening to derail Scott Pruitt's nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, they're zeroing in on his leadership of a group of Republican attorneys general with close ties to fossil-fuel companies he'd have to regulate for Donald Trump.
After initially focusing on Pruitt's resistance to climate change science, Democrats have pivoted to decrying his past chairmanship of the Republican Attorneys General Association, slamming him for raising money from the fossil-fuel industry while filing lawsuits against regulations that companies opposed. And Democrats point to Pruitt's history of litigation as Oklahoma's attorney general — 14 legal challenges against the agency he's now set to helm — to ask whether he'll be able to impartially handle many of those same cases as a defendant after taking over EPA.
By Elana Schor, Politico.
As Democrats look for an opening to derail Scott Pruitt's nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, they're zeroing in on his leadership of a group of Republican attorneys general with close ties to fossil-fuel companies he'd have to regulate for Donald Trump.
After initially focusing on Pruitt's resistance to climate change science, Democrats have pivoted to decrying his past chairmanship of the Republican Attorneys General Association, slamming him for raising money from the fossil-fuel industry while filing lawsuits against regulations that companies opposed. And Democrats point to Pruitt's history of litigation as Oklahoma's attorney general — 14 legal challenges against the agency he's now set to helm — to ask whether he'll be able to impartially handle many of those same cases as a defendant after taking over EPA.
“I think they have decided that the Republican Attorneys General Association is part of their farm team,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said. ”They’re funding it accordingly and are systematically trying to advance their agenda at the state level at the same time as identifying people who will do their bidding at the federal level.”
“It’s a problem for the country that you have chief law enforcement officers of individual states who are now operating as partisans,” Schatz added.
Jessica Mackler, chief of the Democratic super PAC American Bridge, summed up the party's case against the Oklahoman. "The only explanation for Pruitt's eagerness to lead the EPA is that he hopes to continue his track record of taking fossil fuel money then using his influence to help polluters maximize their profit margins while the American people pay the price," she said in a statement.
RAGA’s ascendancy came with a boost from Pruitt, who helped the group come into its own as a political force during his chairmanship. RAGA fundraising leapt from $4.5 million in 2010 to $6.9 million in 2012, when Pruitt took over, to $16 million in 2014.
Trump EPA pick says backs biofuels program, but open to tweaks
By Valerie Volcovici, Timothy Gardner, & Chris Prentice, Reuters.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Present-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said on Wednesday he would honor the intent of the U.S. biofuels program, but remained open to tweaking it.
The Renewable Fuel Standard requires the EPA set annual quotas for the use of ethanol and biodiesel in transportation fuels. More than a decade old, the standard is fiercely defended by the U.S. corn industry that provides most of the ethanol, but it has been a source of frustration for oil refiners. They say the goals are unrealistic without an overhaul in automobiles and infrastructure, and are calling for changes.
Pruitt said during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he was committed to Congress' plan, laid out in 2007, to annually increase the amount of ethanol and other renewables blended with petroleum fuels. He said the waivers that EPA has already used to set requirements below those targets to accommodate market conditions should be used "judiciously".
By Valerie Volcovici, Timothy Gardner, & Chris Prentice, Reuters.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Present-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said on Wednesday he would honor the intent of the U.S. biofuels program, but remained open to tweaking it.
The Renewable Fuel Standard requires the EPA set annual quotas for the use of ethanol and biodiesel in transportation fuels. More than a decade old, the standard is fiercely defended by the U.S. corn industry that provides most of the ethanol, but it has been a source of frustration for oil refiners. They say the goals are unrealistic without an overhaul in automobiles and infrastructure, and are calling for changes.
Pruitt said during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that he was committed to Congress' plan, laid out in 2007, to annually increase the amount of ethanol and other renewables blended with petroleum fuels. He said the waivers that EPA has already used to set requirements below those targets to accommodate market conditions should be used "judiciously".
He explained his view that the EPA should not use those waivers to "undermine commitments" from Congress but that they are needed in some cases, including when there is lower-than-expected fuel demand.
The comments quelled some concerns from within the industry over the nominee, who as Oklahoma's attorney general had described the program as "flawed" and "unworkable."
IKEA installs fourth biogas-powered fuel cell system at its San Diego store
By Bioenergy Insight.
Home furnishings giant IKEA has announced that it has completed installation of its fourth biogas-powered fuel cell system at its San Diego store.
Furthering the Swedish retailer’s investment in fuel cell technology, this project complements the company’s focus on other renewable energies such as solar and wind. IKEA already owns three fuel cell systems at stores in California, with one more planned.
With the San Diego fuel cell system installed, commissioned and operational, IKEA is on track to generate—in total—1.5 MW of energy via fuel cells, supplementing onsite solar arrays atop all these stores.
Read more...
Sioux City, Iowa, approves $9.3 million renewable natural gas project
By Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal.
SIOUX CITY | Sioux City Council members gave favorable reviews Monday to a $9.3 million project that will allow the city to capture, clean and compress gas at its wastewater treatment plant, then sell it as renewable fuel.
The council voted 4-0 Monday to enter into an agreement with a West Des Moines-based firm for engineering and planning services for the project.
That vote followed approval of a similar agreement for planning on a project that will include about $16 million in other maintenance and upgrades that will eventually increase the capacity of the treatment facility.
By Justin Wan, Sioux City Journal.
SIOUX CITY | Sioux City Council members gave favorable reviews Monday to a $9.3 million project that will allow the city to capture, clean and compress gas at its wastewater treatment plant, then sell it as renewable fuel.
The council voted 4-0 Monday to enter into an agreement with a West Des Moines-based firm for engineering and planning services for the project.
That vote followed approval of a similar agreement for planning on a project that will include about $16 million in other maintenance and upgrades that will eventually increase the capacity of the treatment facility.
"This is a huge deal," Mayor Bob Scott said of the renewable fuel project.
The project, which would take about two years to complete, will put in place a system to capture, clean and compress a gas created as a byproduct during the anaerobic digestion process the city uses to break down raw sludge to turn it into biosolids.
Once the proposed project is complete, the gas would either be used in the city's fleet of vehicles or be channeled into a nearby MidAmerican Energy or Northern Natural Gas pipeline to be sold as renewable fuel.
Mark Simms, Sioux City's utilities director, said the wastewater treatment plant in Des Moines, Iowa, also cleans its gas, along with about a dozen facilities around the nation.
"We’re not first in line for this, but we would be one of the few in Iowa or the region that would be doing this," Simms said.
Simms told the council the gas would have about 10 times the market value of natural gas, and the project would pay for itself in about 2 years based on forecasts.
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