NRC's Analysis of Biofuels (5 Oct 11)   A new National Research Council (NRC) report concludes “absent major technological innovation or policy changes, the ... mandated consumption of 16 billion gallons of ethanol-equivalent cellulosic biofuels is unlikely to be met in 2022."

Biomass Exchange Fund (4 Oct 11)  A new biomass exchange fund is scheduled to go live in November 2011. The exchange will initially focus on non-cleared products where the physical settlement is arranged bilaterally by the counterparties, allowing market participants to trade standard contracts in a transparent environment. Clearing services for biomass contracts will be developed and implemented in 2012. Contracts offered for trading include three months contracts, three quarters and three calendars. 

Carbon Sequestration (8 Sep 11) The EPA has proposed a new rule that promotes the use of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, carbon dioxide (CO2) streams will be excluded from hazardous waste regulations if they are injected into wells specifically designed for geological sequestration.

Government Funding Opportunities (17 Aug 11) President Obama announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will invest up to $510 million during the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation.  The initiative responds to a directive from President Obama issued in March as part of his Blueprint for A Secure Energy Future, the Administration's framework for reducing dependence on foreign oil. The biofuels initiative is being steered by the White House Biofuels Interagency Work Group and Rural Council, both of which are enabling greater cross-agency collaboration to strengthen rural America.

Gene Discovery (11 Aug 11)  Researchers at the Department of Energy's (DOE) BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) have discovered the exact, single gene that controls ethanol production capacity in microorganisms. This discovery could be the missing link in developing biomass crops that produce higher concentrations of ethanol at lower costs. The invention is available for licensing through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  

Global Pulp Capacity? (4 Aug 11)  The Inter-American Development Bank announced the Plata Group will invest $200 million to build a pulp mill in Punta Pereira, Uraguay. The proposed $2 billion mill will include the country's largest bioenergy facility: a 160-megawatt biomass plant will generate electricity for both the mill’s operations and for local power use.

Diesel Going Mainstream? (25 July 11)  Chevrolet will add a diesel engine option to its popular compact Cruze lineup in North America beginning in 2013.  While GM says that details on the diesel version’s performance will be released later, the Cruze Eco with a standard six-speed manual transmission, is touted as the most fuel-efficient gas-powered/non-hybrid vehicle in America, with an EPA-rated 42 mpg on the highway.  

World’s Largest Biomass Boiler (11 July 11)  The Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC) in Gainesville, Florida has approved the addition of a 100 MWe biomass boiler island. The new biomass power plant installation, which is considered to be one of the world's largest, will supply Gainesville Regional Utilities, the city-owned utility of Gainesville, with renewable electric power under the terms of a thirty year power purchase agreement.

Europe’s Expanding Biomass Needs  (11 July 11)  Meeting Europe’s 2020 for renewable energy capacity will require a 44% increase in lignocellulosic biomass. The increase in biomass demand will most likely come from imports.  

The Return of US Manufacturing?  (4 July 11)  Bob Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors, in his book Car Guys vs Bean Counters: The Battle for the Soul of American Business, suggests that we are at the start of a major resurgence in US-based manufacturing. Competitive cost structures, the weak dollar and the drive for competitiveness are cited as key drivers. "The country has to get back to work and create wealth through mining, agriculture or manufacturing."

Impact of Biofuels (4 July 11)  In Technology Roadmap: Biofuels for Transport, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that biofuels could provide up to 27 percent of total transport fuel worldwide by 2050. The use of transport fuels from biomass, when produced sustainably, can help cut petroleum use and reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, especially in heavy transport. Sustainable biofuel technologies, in particular advanced biofuels, will play an important role in achieving this roadmap vision.  

Bio-based Jet Fuel  (4 July 11)  Revisions to ASTM D7566, Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons, officially allow commercial airlines to a blend conventional jet fuel with up to 50 percent biofuels.  

Energy Efficiency Standard  (4 July 11)  The Department of Energy recognized the publication of ISO 50001, a new global energy efficiency and energy management voluntary standard, that will help organizations worldwide save money in their buildings and industrial facilities.

Fuel Efficiency (27 June 11)  Proposed Federal regulations for motor vehicle fuel efficiency in the United States targets an average of 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025. The new average is almost double current fuel efficiency standards for domestic cars and trucks. The new standards are being developed through a cooperative multi-agency effort led by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Food for Fuel? (27 June 11)  In a New York Times OpEd former counselor to the secretary of the Treasury, Steven Rattner writes that " Washington has managed simultaneously to help drive up food prices and add tens of billions of dollars to the deficit, while arguably increasing energy use and harming the environment." He suggests that the idea of putting an end to agricultural subsidies is gaining traction in the halls of Congress.

Pulp Capacity (27 June 11)  Fibria Cellulose SA intends to invest nearly $10 billion to double its current pulp capacity. The capital investment will increase Fibria's total pulp output to 10 million tons per year by 2025.

Funding for Innovative Manufacturing Processes (27 June 11)  President Obama announced that the Department of Energy will provide up to $120 million over the next three years to develop transformational manufacturing technologies and innovative materials that enable industrial facilities to increase their energy efficiency. 

Patent Reform (20 June 11)  Bills that will shift the United States from a system that gives a patent to the person who is the first to conceive of an invention to a system that rewards the person who is first to file a successful patent application have cleared both the Senate and House. The House bill was spearheaded by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) who issued a statement saying, "after 6 years of working towards patent reform, we are near the finish line." 

Oil Supply (20 June 11)  The US DOE will release 30 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserves to offset disruptions to world crude supplies.

Loan Guarantees for Solar (20 June 11)  California-based Prologis received a partial guarantee for a $1.4 billion loan from the US DOE to install 733 MW of solar power units on company-owned commercial properties.