Policy News

From now, biofuel obligations in Germany will be based on a greenhouse gas (GHG) saving rather than a volume basis. EU-approved Voluntary Sustainability Schemes, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), will play a key role in the new system. The German government presented important details about the new requirements in December. A biofuel blender in Germany can meet their…
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To achieve the renewable energy target of 72,000 MW by 2022, India must invest approximately $46.22 billion (€39 billion) into the industry, reports Research and Markets. India will also have to make investments to upgrade the transmission and distribution infrastructure, as well as old renewable plants. In total, India will have to invest $83.35 billion in the renewable energy market till…
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A new report by Allied Market Research, a market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics, called 'Global Second Generation Biofuels - Size, Industry Analysis, Trends, Opportunities, Growth and Forecast, 2013 – 2020', states that the global second generation biofuels market will reach $23.9 billion (€20 billion) by 2020, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)…
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Leaders of Sustainable Biofuels (LSB), an industry coalition to promote advanced biofuels, met on 4 December at the European Parliament with Members of the European Parliament, Commission representatives, and stakeholders in Brussels. LSB, which is chaired by UPM's Marko Janhunen, is pushing for a strong EU-wide sub-target for advanced biofuels in the context of ILUC directive. Marie Donnelly,…
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An alliance comprising of the UK's airlines, airports, manufacturers and air navigation service provider NATS, has unveiled its latest road map, looking at the possibilities for sustainable aviation fuels. Sustainable Aviation's (SA) research indicates the potential for a 24% reduction in aviation carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and the creation of £265 million.The industry now seeks the…
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USDA is making $5.6 million in grants to 220 producers across the US to support the production of advanced biofuels. The Department of Agriculture will also award over $4 million in additional grants in a bid to advance the bioeconomy and reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil. 'Producing advanced biofuel is a major component of the drive to take control of America's energy future by…
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The Obama administration has further delayed its decision on whether to lower the amount of ethanol contained in the US's fuel supply.After months of delay, a final decision was due to be delivered by the end of the year, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed that this will not be made until 2015.In 2014 the EPA suggested reducing the amount of ethanol in fuel for the first…
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The American Soybean Association (ASA) emphasises the industry's support for the establishment of a tax extenders package. It is calling for its members to contact their senators and representatives to extend the $1 (€0.80) per gallon biodiesel tax credit, bring back the  maximum $500,000 expensing, which was available in 2013, and restore the expired 50% bonus depreciation for…
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A new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reveals that biofuels now make up 1% of global energy use. The State of the Biofuels Market: Regulatory, Trade and Development Perspectives is a global overview of the progression of biofuels. It provides an update to the agency’s first report released in 2006. The report focuses on industry activity over…
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India is planning to increase the promotion of biofuels to reduce its crude oil import bill. Current estimates suggest India has the potential to produce 1,200,000 million tonnes, but at present the country only produces 60,000 tonnes, of which 80% is exported. To lift this figure, the country will encourage the production of non-edible oil seeds that lead to biofuel production. Nitin Godkari,…
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As biofuels now account for 1% of global energy use, a report on the 'State of the Global Biofuels Market' released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says second generation technologies, climate change concerns and economic pressures are carving the future of the growing biofuels sector. 'While alternative energy sources are growing faster than any other source,…
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Italy has become the first member of the European Union to mandate the use of renewable fuel made from inedible crops. The law states that as of January 2018, petrol and diesel must contain at least 1.2% advanced biofuel. By 2020, this will increase to 1.6% and two years later, a minimum 2% biofuel blend will be adopted. The European Council in June proposed capping the amount first generation…
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As the first African Sustainable Transport Forum took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 28 October, Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), which promote biofuel friendly policies internationally, called on forum attendees to adopt biofuels friendly policies and regulations that would encourage the increased use of sustainable biofuels in Africa’s transport sector. Earlier in the year, the GRFA…
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Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP), Galva, Iowa, has received EPA certification to generate D3 Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for cellulosic ethanol produced using Cellerate process technology. Delayne Johnson, CEO, QCCP, says the move will prevent the biofuels industry from arguing a lack of D3 RINS are present to justify Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume obligation requirements. A…
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