Study: EPA Lacks Transparency in Feedstock Approvals

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epa-logoA study from a pair of University of Illinois researchers says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks “transparency and clarity” when it comes to approving new feedstocks for biofuels as new pathway determinations. In farmdocdaily.com, James McCubbins and Bryan Endres say that if it’s not biodiesel or corn ethanol, it seems to take a lot longer to get the agency’s approval… twice as long in some cases… and that affects the biofuel producer’s ability to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs):

Under the RFS2 pathways process, EPA assess biofuels based upon an energy balance equation that considers a biofuel’s feedstock, process, and type of fuel produced. EPA requires that if a particular fuel type, process, or feedstock varies significantly from any of the already modeled pathways found in the regulations, then companies seeking to develop biofuel through non-modeled pathways must petition EPA to determine the energy balance of that biofuel production process. Before conducting an assessment of the new pathway, EPA also will consider how close the new pathway is to actual production. Based upon priority, EPA will then determine the energy balance of the new fuel, feedstock or process, and assign it an applicable D-code that categorizes the biofuel as renewable, advanced, cellulosic or biodiesel. The D-code assignment allows producers of the biofuel, using approved pathways, to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to a batch of biofuel, for the purpose of tracking its production, use, and trading.

The length of time between filing of the petition and final determination suggests that there may be a lack of transparency and clarity of the data EPA needs to conduct its assessment, especially for petitions involving substances or processes other than biodiesel or corn ethanol.

The study goes on to say that going forward, the EPA must develop clear guidance on the pathway approval process. If more hurdles are removed, the researchers contend that more advanced biofuels could meet RFS2 mandates.

BioEnergy Bytes

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  • BioEnergyBytesDFDyadic International’s President and CEO, Mark Emalfarb, is presenting at the World Biotechnology Congress 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts June 3-6, 2013 and the BIO World Congress, June 16-19, 2013 on Industrial Biotechin Montréal, Canada. He will be joined by James Moe, Chairman and Steve Hartig, General Manager, both with POET-DSM who will also be presenting at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis, Missouri June 10-12, 2013.
  • Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits has unveiled its new website. It is designed to provide information of the company’s products as well as educational and technical service offerings for the Fuel and Beverage Alcohol industries.
  • Dr. Jeremy Martin, a senior scientist in the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program, will testify before members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday, June 5 on proper implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). He will discuss the importance of expanding the production of biofuels, the flexibility Congress granted EPA to manage the goals of the RFS, and how the agency can use its existing authority to set ambitious but realistic goals for production goals in the coming years.
  • The 5th annual All-Energy Australia is taking place in Melbourne October 9-10, 2013. The focus of the event is the country’s clean energy sector and is co-located with Australian Sustainability and Waste Expo.
  • Platts 2nd annual Biomass Power Generation conference will take place in London on September 23 & 24, 2013. The agenda has been finalized, and registration is open.

Jordan to Get First Wind Research Plant & Lab

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Wind Energy in JordanAn agreement has been signed that will establish the first research plant and lab for wind energy in Jordan. The National Center for Research and Development of the Higher Council for Science and Technology has signed an agreement with Elsewedy for Wind Energy Generation (SWEG) to establish a pilot plant and research lab for wind energy in Al Fujaij, Al Shobak, having a 1.65 MW capacity at a cost of €2.92 million.

This agreement is part of a project to develop a national industry in concentrated solar energy and wind energy that is financed by the European Union and European assistance program to Jordan for renewable energy. The project aims to provide Jordan with technical assistance on running feasibility studies for the renewable energy system, calculate the cost of electricity generation from wind energy and help the country in pricing the cost of energy generation based upon the practical operation of these plants to boost investment in the renewable energy market in the Kingdom.

Facts About Farmers and Farming

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Pillar_2The Corn Farmers Coalition is educating policymakers in D.C. about how U.S. family farmers produce corn, (also used to produce ethanol) the top crop in the nation. Sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its state affiliates, the campaign showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become by introducing a foundation of facts about farmers and farmers. The campaign will also benefit consumers, who according to a recent ZimmPoll, ag marketing is “not so good”.

“This has always been a crucial time of year in Washington to make sure our lawmakers and those who influence them remember the importance of corn farming to our nation and our economy,” said Pam Johnson, NCGA president and a corn grower in Iowa. “Our state corn checkoff programs have seen the importance of this program each year for educating a very important audience about this essential crop  and its high value.”

TwoSheets_3The campaign launched June 1, 2013 with a major advertising presence in Washington that puts prominent facts about family farmers in front of thousands on Capitol Hill, starting with “station domination” at Union Station through the month of June. The large-format ads will travel to the Capitol South Metro station for July. In addition, online advertising will appear influential Hill publications. Continue reading →

Project Volt Gas Volt – A Breakthrough Program?

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During the EU Parliament in Brussels, a “breakthrough” green renewable energy program coined Project Volt Gas Volt was called for to make fossil fuel and first generation biofuel use obsolete. The call was made by Corinne Lepage, Member of the European Parliament (also the former French Minister of the Environment) and American Professor of Management, Robert I. Bell.

According to Lepage and Bell, renewable energy can now “keep the lights on” without disruption due to new technology and long term financing proposal for the project allowing surplus energy from wind and solar to be stored. Project Volt Gas Volt (VGV) offers a reliable, safe, Project Volt Gas Voltphase-out of nuclear power and fossil fuels with the possibility of enhancement rather than a reduction in life style.

“With Project VGV, industry and government have the solution for a successful energy transition, to optimize wind and solar energy,” said Lepage and Bell.

An element of the program would rely on new technology that converts surplus electricity generated by wind farms and solar parks to methane, that can then be stored for months in the existing natural gas grid. Bell and Lepage say the methane would become the “battery” for renewable energy while simultaneously making fracking obsolete.

“We will use the surplus energy from nuclear, now largely wasted at night, to help pay for the exit from nuclear. And we will use the CO2 generated from burning waste, biomass and from steel mills and cement plants to generate the methane,”  explained Bell.

Lepage added, “From now on, the question of exiting from nuclear while maintaining a continuous and sufficient production of electricity should not be a taboo, but a realistic political choice, one which will determine the employment of tomorrow.”

Biomass-based Diesel Imports Jump in March

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eiaWe’re seeing a big spike in the amount of biomass-based diesel imported into the U.S. Biodiesel Magazine reports the latest numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show gross imports at 17.3 million gallons in March… a more than eight-fold increase above February’s 2.2 million gallons, and it marks the first biomass-based diesel from Argentina in about four years and the first time ever for the green fuel from Indonesia:

The two major biodiesel-exporting countries supplied the EU with much of the continent’s imported biodiesel in 2011 and 2012 until the trade war that began last year culminated late last month with the European Commission levying provisional tariffs on Argentine and Indonesian product. In March, Argentina shipped approximately 6.3 million gallons of biomass-based diesel to the U.S., while Indonesia exported about 2.1 million gallons to the U.S.

“We’re clearly seeing some small volumes of imports starting to come in given market economics with the tax incentive,” said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, “but we expect the vast majority of production will continue to be from domestic producers. We have always advocated that the biodiesel tax incentive be structured for producers instead of blenders, and we will continue to push for that change.”

Another 5.5 million gallons of biomass-based diesel was imported from Germany, and more than 3.3 million gallons came from Canada.

The EIA defines “biomass-based diesel” as “biodiesel and other renewable diesel fuel or diesel fuel blending components derived from biomass, but excluding renewable diesel fuel coprocessed with petroleum feedstocks.”

Australian Co. Inks Deal, Will Re-Open Biodiesel Plant

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Lignol Energy logoAustralia-based Lignol Energy Corporation announced it will re-open an approximately 35 million gallon a year biodiesel plant. The announcement comes as part of a deal that sees LEC agree to acquire an additional 2.67 million shares of Territory Biofuels Limited (“TBF”) for nearly $1 million (US) that makes LEC a majority shareholder in TBF:

“We are excited to be working with the TBF team and adding our support as the majority shareholder in planning the re-start of the Darwin refinery,” said Ross MacLachlan, CEO and Chairman of LEC. “Our goal is to have the refinery come back on line in Q4 2013, and incorporate upgrades to process lower cost feedstocks that will enhance profitability in 2014. This is an important milestone for our company and represents the potential for us to accelerate our transition to commercial operations with a majority equity stake in a world scale biofuels project.”

Not only is the Darwin refinery able to crank out 35 million gallons a year of the green fuel, it is also the only glycerine refinery in Australia.

Free Ethanol Seminars Coming in Nebraska

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NEB 2013 Ethanol Safety SeminarsThe next two Ethanol Safety Seminars will take place in Grand Island and Columbus, Nebraska on June 12, 2013 and June 13, 2013. The safety seminars are sponsored by the Nebraska Central Railroad and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The sessions are FREE to attend and open to the public.

Attendees will receive in-depth information on proper training techniques that first responders and hazmat personnel need to effectively respond to an ethanol-related emergency. Certificates of Completion will be awarded at the completion of each safety seminar.

There will be two sessions each day: 9:00am-2:00pm and 5:30pm-10:00pm. Lunch and dinner will be provided. To register, please visit www.rfa.traincaster.com.

EPA’s 411 on RINs & RVOs

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A recent “Today in Energy” brief published by the U.S. Energy and Information Administration takes a look at how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors Renewable Identification Numbers (RIN) and Renewable Volume EPA rincycleObligations (RVO) as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). RVOs are the targets for each refiner or importer of petroleum-based gasoline or diesel fuel, while RINS allow for flexibility in how each of them may choose to comply.

The 2013 RFS target is 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuels including targets for cellulosic biofuels, biodiesel, advanced biofuels in addition to an overall target. Volumes for the four RFS targets are assigned to obligated parties, refiners and importers, by way of RVO percentages that are calculated by dividing each RFS target by the total estimated supply of nonrenewable gasoline and diesel fuel in each year.  For 2013, the four proposed RVO targets are:

  • cellulosic biofuels – 0.008 percent;
  • ethanol equivalent for biomass-based diesel – 1.12 percent;
  • advanced biofuels – 1.6 percent; and
  • total renewable fuels – 9.63 percent.

Obligated parties must cover their RVOs by surrendering RINS within 60 days after the end of each calendar year.

RINS are used by the EPA as both a way to keep records and build flexibility into the RFS for meeting RFS volumes. Each gallon of fuel is assigned a unique 38 character code and is valid for the year in which it was generated; however, up to 20 percent of a year’s mandate can be met with RINs generated in the previous year.

In addition to monitoring compliance, RINs also add value to each gallon of biofuel to which they are attached. The value of RINs provides an economic incentive to use renewable fuels. If RIN prices increase, blenders are encouraged to blend more renewable fuels. However, when the biofuel is more costly than nonrenewable fuels but is still needed to meet RFS standards, the RIN value should increase to a point at which firms will increase biofuel blending.

And there you have it: EPA’s 411 on RINs and RVOs. Click here for more information.

SEAD Searches for Most Energy Efficient EV

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The Clean Energy Ministerial’s Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) initiative is in search of the most energy efficient electric motor in the world. The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition will recognize the most energy efficient motors on the market as well as new technologies that have the potential to greatly reduce energy use in the future.

SEAD Global Efficiency MedalAccording to the International Energy Agency, electric motors account for over 40 percent of world electricity consumption. They are by far the largest consumers of end-use electricity and are responsible for more than 6,000 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually–equivalent to the yearly emissions of more than 1 billion cars.

“Electric motors are in everything from small appliances to large industrial equipment,” said Kavita Ravi, SEAD initiative lead. “The competition will allow manufacturers to distinguish themselves as producers of the most energy-efficient products and help consumers save energy and cut back on electric bills.”

By recognizing and promoting the world’s most energy-efficient electric motors, the SEAD competition will help buyers make informed purchasing decisions that can lower energy bills and spur greater innovation among manufacturers. SEAD Global Efficiency Medals will be awarded in four regions:  Australia, India, North America and Europe. Winners will be announced September 1, 2014.

BioEnergy Bytes

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  • BioEnergyBytesDFSustainable Energy Strategies (SESI), an organization providing consulting services to the alternative fuel industry, has hired David J. Gelman as the new vice president. In his role Gelman will focus on expanding support services for federal clients.
  • Aquinergy, developers of 250kW to 20MW wind and solar projects, have appointed Natural Power in partnership with Rev1 Renewables as the provider of remote monitoring services and access control on two single turbine projects located in the towns of Kingston and Ipswich, Massachusetts.
  • Collaboratev LLC., announced that it has appointed Collaboratev Co-Founder and long-time EV industry veteran, Jason Wolf, as its first CEO. Most recently Wolf served as Vice President of North America for Better Place.
  • The 5th Palm Oil Summit will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia August 20-21, 2013. This year, sessions will be dedicated to addresses sustainability issues that have been raised by government agencies, environmental groups and others. Discussion topics will include best practices for POME treatment, fertilization and mechanization.
  • Capstone Turbine Corporation has received an order from CleanWorld partners for its Capstone 800 Microturbine and Capstone Clean Cycle 125 kW waste heat-to-electricity generator. The grid-connected system will be installed in a combined heat and power application for a organic-waste-to-renewable energy facility.

Growth Energy Promotes Frohlich

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Growth Energy has promoted Michael Frolich to Director of Communications. He joined the ethanol organization in May 2012 as the press secretary. In his new role, he will continue to serve as the primary spokesperson and media contact.

Michael Frolich Growth EnergySince its inception, Growth Energy has advocated for increasing the use of ethanol in the American fuel system by promoting ethanol’s benefits among the general public. “The appointment of Michael to Director of Communications will help strengthen and focus the strategic vision of our efforts to communicate the numerous benefits of renewable fuels to the economy, the environment and to consumers,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

Prior to joining Growth Energy, Frohlich served as Director of Media Relations with the National Association of Manufacturers as well as Director of Federal Communications at the National Biodiesel Board. He is a native of Rochester, N.Y. and earned his bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College.

Iowa Retailer Says Big Oil Disrupting E15 Sales

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An Iowa congressman and a fuel retailer in his state are claiming that the oil companies’ fuel distribution monopoly is forcing the discontinuation of 15% ethanol blended fuel (E15) sales during the summer.

braleyRepresentative Bruce Braley (D-IA) joined Linn Coop Oil Company service manager Jim Becthold and Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw for a press conference at Bechtold’s station Monday morning.

“I’ve said on multiple occasions that there is a war on renewables being funded by Big Oil,” said Braley. “Consumers who want a higher grade ethanol blend (E15) are being denied that choice” due to oil companies refusing to ship the blendstock for E15 that is necessary during the summer months.

Braley, who is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), says that is exactly why Congress passed the RFS in the first place, “to make sure that we were providing a cleaner burning fuel that would help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and provide consumers greater choices at a lower cost.”

Bechtold, who faced the same situation last summer as he was preparing to offer E15, said he actually had to bag his E15 pumps over the weekend. “We’ll be able to sell it again on September 15, but through the summer months with the high gas prices, we can’t offer that fuel,” he said. “Really can’t see why we can’t do that. We can sell E10, E85, E30, but we can’t sell E15.”

The E15 blend was approved by the EPA for use in 2001 and newer vehicles, while E30 and E85 can only be used in flex fuel vehicles. Earlier this year a number of Iowa’s E15 retailers sent a letter to the oil refiners supplying Iowa asking them to provide the proper summertime gasoline blendstock for E15. The letter noted that such fuels are already transported by the pipeline servicing Iowa. Yet, as of the June 1st summertime deadline, no oil refiner allowed Iowa retailers access to the necessary fuel. That refusal forced Linn Coop Oil Company and Iowa’s other E15 retailers to stop selling E15 as a registered fuel to 2001 and newer vehicles.

“We’re not asking for something that doesn’t exist,” said Monte Shaw. “The gasoline blendstock we need to make E15 in the summer is available, it flows through the very pipeline system that services Iowa, but they will not let us take it out of the pipeline here.”

Listen to press conference here: Iowa RFA E15 press conference

Students Win Clean Air & Biodiesel Poster Contest

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Cleanairchoicelogo2The American Lung Association in Minnesota and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council recognized three Minneapolis students for their entries in the Clean Air & Biodiesel Lesson & Poster Contest. This Biodiesel Magazine article says the contest, open to 5th and 6th graders, helped demonstrate how biodiesel helps to protect clean air and protects our health:

The winners are in Leif Vanhala’s 6th grade science class. Two students, Fardowsa Jama and Samantha Martinson tied for first place honors; Logan Couillard was awarded 2nd place for his poster. First place class prize is a $50 gift card. Second place class prize is a $25 gift card. All three classrooms that participated will receive a $50 gift card for classroom supplies.

“It is exciting to have students play a role in promoting the sustainable energy solution offered in biodiesel fuels,” Leif Vanhala said. “Students took pride in helping to expanding the public’s knowledge of the health and environmental benefits of using biofuels compared to traditional fuels.”

Officials with the American Lung Association in Minnesota applauded the students’ efforts of showing how cleaner-burning fuels like biodiesel make Minnesota air cleaner and healthier.

Cold-Growing Algae Shows Biodiesel Promise

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yellow-greenalgaeA new strain of algae found growing in the snowy Rocky Mountains could provide a promising feedstock for biodiesel. This story in Science Daily says heterococcus sp. DN1, a new variety of yellow-green algae, grows at near freezing temperatures and accumulates large amounts of lipids, working best at high light at the low temps:

Algae that can grow in extreme conditions and accumulate lipids are of great interest to industry. The team found that as H. sp. DN1 produces the highest quantity of lipids when grown undisturbed with high light in low temperatures, it is a potential source of lipids for human nutrition when grown undisturbed, and it has an ideal lipid profile for biofuel production when stressed.

davidnelson“We have isolated and characterized a new cold-tolerant lipid-producing strain of algae from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, US,” said Dr. David Nelson [Department of Plant Biology at the University of Minnesota]. “This may have implications for the commercial production of algal lipids at northern latitudes where the culture of other algal species is limited or impossible.”