Other News

The ‘climate protection rate’ in Germany is set to rise this year from 3.5 to 4% and biofuels is set to benefit from this, according to Germany’s biofuels trade association Verband der Deutschen Biofuelindustrie (VDB). According to this rise, oil companies will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their fuels by 4% from this year, for example, by adding biodiesel or…
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China will invest 2.5 trillion yuan ($361 billion) into renewable power generation by 2020, as it moves away from coal to renewable energy.  The investment will create more than 13 million jobs in the sector, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said in a document that lays out its plan to develop the nation's energy sector during the five-year 2016 to 2020 period. The NEA said installed…
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Crude oil prices ended the 2016 year above $50 per barrel, according to figures from the US Energy Information Administration. Although the annual average West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price in 2016 was $43/b—down $5/b from 2015—the WTI price ended 2016 at $53/b, $16/b higher than at the end of 2015. Similarly, Brent ended the year up $17 from the end of 2015, at $54/b, but…
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US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is concerned about the future of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the federal mandate that requires ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the nation's fuel supply, according to media reports in the Des Moines Register. President-elect Donald Trump nominated two RFS opponents to key agencies: Former Texas Governor Rick Perry is slated to lead…
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The US Enviornmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will extend the public comment periods for its Renewable Enhancement and Growth Support proposed rule and its proposed denial to change the point of obligation under the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The original 60-day comment period on the proposed REGS rulemaking was set to close 17 Jan, 2017.  According to the EPA, it…
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US cellulosic and biorefining technology company Edeniq has announced that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved Flint Hills Resources’ registration of its 120 MGPY Shell Rock, Iowa, ethanol plant for cellulosic ethanol production using Edeniq’s Pathway Technology. Shell Rock is the second plant to receive a cellulosic ethanol registration from the EPA after…
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Australia’s Queensland government is encouraging motorists to use E10 fuel when driving over the Christmas break. “During the festive season Queenslanders frequently get on the road to visit families and friends, as well as to take a well-earned holiday,” Queensland’s Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Mark Bailey said in a statement. He added: “When…
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Students in the US state of Iowa are being encouraged to enter a ‘Fuel the Future’ by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) video contest for a chance to win $1,000 (€961,000). Students have until 13 January, 2017, to create and submit a video that highlights the benefits of choosing renewable fuels such as E15 and biodiesel. In addition to the $1,000 grand prize, second…
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Germany-based multinational chemical company Linde and US industrial gas company Praxair have agreed to the outline of a deal that will combine the companies in a merger of equals under Linde’s name. Current Linde and Praxair shareholders will each hold about 50% of the merged company under the terms of the deal. Linde and Praxair confirmed that they had resumed negotiations on a…
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US ethanol producer and marketer Pacific Ethanol has announced a series of agreements to refinance debt and acquire ownership in a grain elevator in Nebraska. The company is refinancing its $155.1 million (€ 146.1m) principal term debt, due in September 2017. The deals include a new $64-million five-year term amortising loan from CoBank and First Farm Credit plus a revolving credit line…
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A majority of American voters believe that shifting the point of obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) from refiners to wholesalers and fuel retailers would harm the US economy, according to a survey released today by NATSO, the national trade association representing truckstops and travel plazas, the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), and the National…
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As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to cut carbon pollution and create clean energy jobs, US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has announced new steps with Western states to encourage the development of renewable power, efficiently deliver that electricity to market, and meet growing consumer demands for clean energy.  Under a Memorandum of Understanding…
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Chevron Products Co., a division of US oil and gas firm Chevron USA , and Novvi has announced that Chevron has made an equity investment into Novvi , a joint venture of Amyris , Cosan S.A., and American Refining Group. Novvi’s products and technology are recognised by the global lubricant market to deliver sustainable, high-performance solutions in a range of lubricant applications. Since…
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