For example, in Illinois, Power Mart Express Corp., DBA PME, is receiving a $2.9 million grant to increase ethanol sales by 17.5 million gallons per year. This project will replace 293 dispensers and 30 storage tanks at 15 fueling stations in Chicago, Maywood, Cicero, Des Plaines, and Wilmington.
The USDA initiatives are aimed at assisting in the development, transportation, and distribution of low-carbon fuels, better market access for producers, and the availability of more affordable and cleaner fuels. (Source: USDA, PR, 12 April, 2022)
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Biofuel, SAF,
As previously reported, mangrove forests can absorb four to five times more carbon emissions than landed tropical forests. The effort is in line with Jakarta's goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, or sooner. (Source, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, PR, Reuters, WHBL, 20 Jan., 2022)
Contact: Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, pusdata@dephut.cbn.net.id, www.landportal.org/node/13158
More Low-Carbon Energy News Mangrove, Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change,
These qualifying technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, micro-hydroelectric and biomass/bioenergy. Up to 20 pct of awarded funds may also be used for community energy planning, capacity building, technical assistance, energy efficiency and weatherization.
Download program details HERE .
(Source: USDA, Website PR, 19 Jan., 2022) Contact: USDA Rural Developments, www.rd.usda.gov, www.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news, Renewable Energy news, Energy Efficiency news,
The initial six funded projects include:
USDA Climate Hubs are a collaboration across the Department's agencies. They are led by the Agricultural Research Service and Forest Service located at 10 regional locations, with contributions from other USDA agencies including the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the Risk Management Agency. The Climate Hubs link USDA research and program agencies in their region with the delivery of timely and authoritative tools and information to agricultural producers and professionals. (Source: USDA, PR, Jan., 2022) Contact: USDA Climate Hubs, www.climatehubs.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news, Climate Hubs news, Climate Change Mitigation news, Climate Change news, Carbon Emissions news,
Blue Biofuels' CTS technology is a near-zero-carbon footprint system that can convert virtually any plant material -- grasses, wood, paper, farm waste, yard waste, forestry products, fruit casings, nut shells, and the cellulosic portion of municipal solid waste -- into sugars and lignin. Sugars are subsequently processed into biofuels. Lignin may be further converted into biodegradable bioplastics or used in ion exchange resins.
Blue Biofuels believes that biofuel originating from its CTS process will be eligible for roughly $3 per gallon in D3 cellulosic Renewable Fuel Credits (RINs) , an incentive offered to all domestic cellulosic transportation fuel producers.
The EPA's newly proposed revised mandate for cellulosic ethanol for 2020 is 510 million gallons, for 2021 is 620 million gallons, and for 2022 is 770 million gallons. (Source: USADA, Blue Biofuels, Green Car Congress, Dec., 2021) Contact: Blue Biofuels, Ben Slager, 561-359-8222,
www.bluebiofuels.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News King Grass, Biofuel Feedstock, Blue Biofuels, USDA ARS,
Of the total, $700 million will provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic.
The remaining $100 million is earmarked to significantly increase the sales and use of higher blends of bioethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from agricultural products. (Source: USDA, 15 Dec., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news, Biofuel news,
FCCP will assess climate benefits through the estimation of carbon sequestration potential through site monitoring that will assess seedling health and survival rate. FCCP will also be exploring innovative carbon monitoring methods such as remote sensing and field plot data.
The funding is through the USDA RCPP, a sector of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which promotes the coordination of conservation activities with partners that can substantially benefit NRCS efforts.
The MSU FCCP stems from the Department of Forestry. Its goals are to increase understanding and implementation of climate-conscious forestry practices.
Download the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program Climate Action and Reforestation in Northern Michigan details HERE .
(Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PR, Website, Dec., 2021)
Contact: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, www.nrcs.usda.gov; Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program, www.canr.msu.edu/fccp
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Climate Change, Afforestation, Reforestation, Climate Change,
The new, lower interest rate debt financing is expected to fund Aemetis initiatives that reduce the carbon intensity of renewable fuels (sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel), carbon sequestration, and upgrades to the Keyes, California, ethanol plant.
Cash and grants of more than $32 million have already been invested in the Aemetis Phase I, 45 million gpy carbon -zero renewable jet and diesel plant in Riverbank, California.
A $125 million USDA 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program guaranteed loan has been signed by Aemetis and an additional $100 million under the USDA Renewable Energy for America Program is in process, according to the release. (Source: Aemetis, PR, 23 Nov., 2021) Contact: Aemetis, Andy Foster, (408) 213-0940, Fax: (408) 252-8044, www.aemetis.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Aemetis, Renewable Diesel, SAF,
The RVOs for 2022 are due by November 30th, 2021, an annual deadline set by Congress in the RFS. As of today, 28 days before that statutory deadline, EPA has not even issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish those obligations. Additionally, the final "set" rulemaking was due on November 1, 2021, and EPA has not issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for that, either. The notice gives EPA 60 days to issue the 2022 RVO and the set rulemakings according to Growth Energy.
For 2023 and later, EPA, in coordination with the DOE and the USDA, is required to set these renewable fuel volume requirements through one or more rulemakings, taking into consideration six statutory factors, including environmental, economic, and energy security factors. EPA is required to set volume requirements at least 14 months prior to the calendar year in which they are to take effect. In addition, EPA is constrained by statute to ensure that, for each year starting in 2023, the volume of advanced renewable fuel is at least the same percentage as the volume of the total renewable fuel requirement established in 2022.
(Source: Growth Energy, PR, 3 Nov., 2021) Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Ethanol Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS,
AIM for Climate is focused on dramatically increasing public and private investment for innovation in climate-smart agriculture and food systems.
The initiative was announced by U.S. President Joe Biden and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at President Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate in April, this year.
AIM for Climate will focus on three main investment channels: scientific breakthroughs via basic agricultural research; public and private applied innovation and research for development; and the development and deployment of practical, actionable research and information. (Source: AIM, PR, 5 Oct., 2021) Contact: AIM for Climate, www.aimforclimate.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, AIM for Climate, Climate Change,
The University initially grew and dried miscanthus and combined it with coal which was burned for power production. But this year the University sent its harvested miscanthus crop to Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Convergen Energy which incorporates miscanthus and non-recyclable paper as ingredients in fuel pellets to be burned for power production. The pellets are EPA-designated as a non-waste alternative fuel with reduced emissions over traditional fuels.
Fast-growing giant miscanthus can grow in marginal soil and produces twice the biomass of switch grass, according the USDA. (Source: University of Iowa, Gazette, 21 Sept., 2021] Contact: University of Iowa,
Convergen Energy, 920 432 3200, info@convergenenergy.com, www.convergenenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Miscanthus, Biomass Pellet, Convergen Energy,
The funding was part of a total grant package of $464 million that include $129 million to 48 states and Puerto Rico, as well as distributed $335 million to build or improve 1,432 miles of power line through the Electric Loan Program.
The funding was distributed through the USDA Rural Development office. (Source: USDA, PR, Farm & Dairy, 15 Sept., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development, www.usda.gov, www.rd.usda.gov; Rural Energy for America Program, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Rural Energy for America Program, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency ,
The U.S. exported ethanol to more than 30 countries in July with Canada being the leading importer followed by South Korea and the Netherlands.
Ethanol exports totaled $138.82 million in July, down from $189.11 million in June, but up from $129.47 million in July 2020.(Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Website, Sept., 2021)
Contact: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, www.fas.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Ethanol,
The announcement marks the one-year anniversary of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. To date, USDA has invested $66.4 million for projects that are expected to increase biofuels sales by 1.2 billion gallons annually.
Through this program, USDA helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends to customers by sharing the costs to install fuel pumps, equipment and infrastructure.
In California, AltAir Paramount LLC will use a $1.5 million grant to install a pump, safety infrastructure and piping at its fuel distribution facility. Funds will also be used to retrofit and upgrade a biodiesel storage tank. This project is expected to increase biodiesel sales by 135 million gallons per year.
In Ohio, United Dairy Farmers Inc. will use a $634,000 grant to replace 21 dispensers and four storage tanks at four fueling stations. The company also will install 13 dispensers at two more fueling stations in Ohio and Kentucky. This project is expected to increase ethanol sales by 4 million gallons per year.
In North Carolina, Zenith Energy Terminals Holdings LLC will use a $614,930 grant to install a truck rack biodiesel blending system at a fuel distribution facility. This project is expected to increase biodiesel sales by 24 million gallons per year.
The National Biodiesel Board notes the funding for 12 projects from California to Connecticut will support nearly 771 million gpy of biodiesel per year and reduce the nation's carbon emissions by more than 7.2 million metric tpy at a cost of less than $2.25 per ton. (Source: USDA, 20 Aug., 2021) Contact: Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, USDA,
According to the report, in 2017 the biobased products industry: contributed $470 billion to the U.S. economy; directly and indirectly supported 4.6 million American jobs; and generated 2.79 jobs in other sectors of the economy for every biobased job. Additionally, biobased products displace approximately 9.4 million barrels of oil annually, and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 12.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year.
Established in 2011 underneath USDA's BioPreferred Program, the Certified Biobased Product Label is intended to spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities. By harnessing the powers of certification and the marketplace, the program helps purchasers and users identify products with biobased content and assures them of its accuracy.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. (Source: USDA Rural Development, Website, , Aug., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development, Justin Maxson, Deputy Under Sec., USDA BioPreferred Program, www.biopreferred.gov/BioPreferred/faces/catalog/Catalog.xhtml
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel, Biobased Products, USDA Rural Development,
In compliance with the Order and recognizing the role agriculture and forestry will play in climate change mitigation and resilience, the USDA submitted the agency's recommendations for a climate-smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) strategy covering CSAF practices that decrease wildfire risk fueled by climate change, CSAF as a source sustainable bioproducts and fuels, and conservation actions that provide measurable carbon reductions and sequestration.
The USDA report notes: "The adoption of on-farm biogas capture technologies and the production of biobased products can provide producers with new income streams while also reducing GHG emissions and improving water quality. Opportunities to generate income from these technologies include the generation of renewable electricity and the production of biobased products from manure, renewable natural gas (RNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). USDA should support producers as they enter these new markets and consider innovative finance mechanisms to provide upfront capital for biogas technologies and encourage the connection of multiple small operations to provide economical renewable energy production."
Download the USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture, Forestry Strategy; 90 Day Progress Report
HERE. (Source: USDA, May, 2021) Contact: USDA, www.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Climate Change, Carbon Emissions, Bioenergy, Biofuel,
The Wood Innovations Grant program awards for fiscal year 2021 include $8.9 million for 44 projects across 23 states and Puerto Rico. Initiated in the 2018 Farm Bill, the grant program helps fund the costs of installing wood energy systems and innovative wood product facilities in rural communities nationwide.
Awardees will use locally sourced wood to reduce energy costs and fossil fuel use while supporting sustainable forest management.
(Source: USDA, Forest Service , PR, 15 May., 2021) Contact: USDA Community Forests Program, www.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA Forest Service, Wood Energy,
FACA recommends that USDA lay the foundation for a potential carbon bank by first developing a series of pilot projects aimed at:
According to the FACA, this approach will lay essential building blocks for a voluntary carbon bank that creates opportunities for all producers and landowners to participate in rapidly developing voluntary private markets and leverages private investment in agricultural and forestry climate solutions. As USDA develops a carbon bank, it must protect all existing funding for farm bill conservation and insurance programs, and it must ensure that a USDA-led carbon bank doesn't undermine voluntary private markets.
The FACA consists of 70 member organizations representing farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agribusinesses, manufacturers, the food and innovation sector, state governments, sportsmen, and environmental advocates. These groups have broken through historical barriers to develop and promote shared climate policy priorities across the entire agriculture, food and forestry value chains, according to its website.
(Source: FACA, Website PR, 3 Apr., 2021) Contact: FACA, www.agclimatealliance.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Voluntary Carbon Market, Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, Carbon Bank, Carbon Storage, CCS,
USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for America Program, the Electric Loan Program and the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.
For example, in Georgia, RC Bells Inc. will use a $130,500 grant to replace four dispensers and a storage tank at a fueling station in Acworth. The infrastructure supported by this investment will expand the use of renewable fuels by approximately 420,000 gpy.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to support infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. (Source: USDA Rural Development , PR 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development www.usda.gov, www.rd.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, HBIIP, Biofuel,
For example, in Iowa, Textile Brewery LLC will use a $20,000 grant to purchase and install a 38-KW solar array. This project will save the company nearly $20,000 in electricity costs and will replace 50 pct of the electricity it uses each year.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to support infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. (Source: USDA Rural Development , PR 22 Apr., 2021) Contact: USDA Rural Development www.usda.gov, www.rd.usda.gov; Rural Energy for America Program, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency
More Low-Carbon Energy News Rural Energy for America Program , USDA, HBIIP, Renewable Energy,
Iowa State researchers are also looking to expand the anaerobic digestion feedstock mix to add flexibility and environmental benefits, reduce costs, simplify operations and so that more farmers could take advantage of the technology to make money and improve the environment.
(Source: Iowa State University, PR, Website, Iowa Farmer, 17 April, 2021) Contact: Iowa State University, Bioeconomy Institute, Lisa Schulte Moore, Project Dir., 515-294-3816, www.biorenew.iastate.edu; Roeslein Alternative Energy, (314) 729-0055, www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Roeslein Alternative Energy, RNG, Anaerobic DIgestion, Iowa State University,
The planned $270 million biodiesel plant is slated for Santa Cruz and is expected to be fully operational by 2024. An international competition for the construction of the plant will be announced in the second half of 2021.
The government plans to establish a 5 pct blend mandate for biodiesel which could require up to 505,000 MT of soybeans, or roughly 95,000 MT of soy crude oil, which would produce 105 million liters of biodiesel. Bolivian soybean growers produce roughly 3 million metric tpy. (Source: USDA, Global Agricultural Information Network, 15 Mar., 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel, Soybean,
Wetland Easements -- totaling over 2.8 million acres nationwide -- improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reducing flooding, recharging groundwater, protecting biological diversity while Agricultural Land Easements protect productive working lands being converted to non-agricultural uses. Agricultural land easements total more than 1.9 million acres.
Working with private landowners to protect, preserve and restore wetlands, grasslands, forests and farmlands is integral to USDA's efforts to build resiliency and reduce the impacts of climate change across the nation. Easements allow landowners to partner with NRCS to implement voluntary climate-smart management practices that maximize the amount of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere and stored in soils or plant biomass across these landscapes.
The Biden Administration USDA is engaged in a "whole-of-government effort to combat the climate crisis and conserve and protect our nation's lands, biodiversity and natural resources including our soil, air and water."
(Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PR, 3 April, 2021) Contact: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Terry Cosby, Acting Chief, 202-690-7246, www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, Carbon Sequestration,
The threes projects include roughly 1,000 KW projects in the towns of
Caribou and Fairfield and a 4,000 KW project in Skowhegan. (Source: Ridgfield Press, 21 Mar., 2021) Contact: ASP2 Rural, www. opencorporates.com/companies/us_me/20200694DC;
USDA Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, www.rd.usda.gov/factsheet/electric-infrastructure-loan-loan-guarantee-program
More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,
"In the first HBIIP funding opportunity, the Renewable Fuels Association was able to assist applicants secure funding in 22 states which will result in over $50 million in new ethanol infrastructure and bring almost 1,200 new blender dispensers to the marketplace. RFA was front-and-center once again on this second round, working up to the final hour to assist as many retailers as we could. In the end, we helped 11 companies in seven states submit applications for 47 locations that could result in 233 new higher blend dispensers where consumers can enjoy the benefits of higher ethanol blends.
"According to the USDA, HBIIP was created to increase significantly the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels. The program is also intended to encourage a more comprehensive approach to market higher blends by sharing the costs related to building out biofuel-related infrastructure.
"For retailers, HBIIP can provide the extra support needed to bring higher blends into their marketplace. The cost-share grants provide up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, not to exceed $3 million per applicant. The program will share the costs related to the upgrading of fuel dispensers (gas and diesel pumps), associated ancillary equipment, and other infrastructure necessary for a location to ensure the environmentally safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends greater than 10 percent such as E15 and E85 or fuel containing biodiesel blends greater than 5 percent.
"We're looking forward to seeing this new round of grants announced and fulfilled, so we can help retailers move more low-carbon ethanol into fuel tanks around the country. For those retailers that might have missed out on this funding opportunity, there are some states and individual renewable fuel advocates that offer funding throughout the year. Please reach out to RFA for assistance in navigating these opportunities." (Source: Renewable Fuels Association , 3 Feb. 2021) Contact: Renewable Fuels Association,
Cassie Mullen, Dir. Market Development, www.ethanolrfa.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, HBIIP, Renewable Fuels Association, Ethanol Blend,
According to the USDA Climate Change Resource Center, grasslands cover approximately 25 pct of the earth's surface, contain nearly 12 pct of the land-based carbon stocks and are essential in supporting food and livestock production. Yet, citing the expansion of pasture lands and higher livestock numbers, researchers warn current management of grasslands is accelerating climate change.
Until recently, natural and managed grasslands emitted and removed an equal amount of greenhouse gases, canceling each other out. Researchers from the Austria-based International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) investigated how these fluctuations in greenhouse gases have contributed to climate change in both managed pastures and natural grasslands, between the years of 1750 and 2012. The IIASA researchers found that the ability for natural and sparsely grazed grasslands to absorb more carbon has intensified while grasslands heavily managed by humans became a source of greenhouse gases, emitting similar quantities of greenhouse gases to that of croplands.
While nearly half of all temperate grasslands and 16 pct of tropical grasslands have been transformed for agricultural or industrial use and conserving grasslands to preserve soil health and reduce emissions from managed grasslands could deliver a significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the study.
Download the Climate Warming from Managed Grasslands Cancels Cooling Effect of Carbon Sinks in Sparsely Grazed and Natural Grasslands report HERE. (Source: Nature Communications, EcoWatch, 6 Jan., 2020) Contact: USDA Climate Change Resource Center, www.fs.usda.gov/ccrc; International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, www.iiasa.ac.at
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Climate Change, Carbon Sink,
The USDA offers multiple financing programs to assist communities with sustainability and growth efforts, including utilities expansion. TCLP has already successfully worked with USDA in recent months, becoming the first municipal utility in the country to receive a USDA loan to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy.
If approved, the USDA loan will enable TCLP to drawn down funds as the project proceeds rather than assume the entire debt upfront. (Source: TCLP, PR, Website, The Ticker, 4 Jan., 2020)
Contact: Traverse City Light & Power, Tim Arends, 231-922-4940, www.tclp.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Traverse City Light & Power, Smart Grid, Energy Efficiency,
The first round of HBIIP grants was announced in May 2020 to expand the sale and use of ethanol and biodiesel fuels and share the costs related to and/or offering sales incentives for the installation of fueling equipment.
(Source: USDA, PR, 18 Dec., 2020) Contact: USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program,www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip
Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Programme
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA, HBIIP,
EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler stated that the agency would not act on waiver requests for compliance years since 2019 until ongoing court challenges to prior decisions are settled.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. Under the now vanquished administrator Greg Pruitt's direction, the EPA handed out 54 exemptions over two years and not a single request for an exemption was denied.
On Sept 18 we reported Trump had suggested he'd provide $300 million to oil refiners and that those funds would come out of the USDA Commodity Credit Corp. (CCC) which is intended to provide farmers with Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. Trump later denied suggesting cash payments to refineries whose waiver applications had been rejected. (Source: EPA, Various Media, 19 Nov., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News EPA, Renewable Fuel Standard, , Hardship Waiver, Biofuel Blending,
The grant was awarded through the USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), which offers $22 million in grants with the expectation to increase national ethanol demand by roughly 150 million gpy. (Source: Cerea Solutions, NewsBug, 16 Nov., 2020) Contact: Ceres Solutions, Jeff Troika, Pres., CEO, www.ceres.coop;
USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, www.rd.usda.gov/hbiip
More Low-Carbon Energy News HBIIP, E15, E85, Biofuel Blend,
Prepared and released by the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) , the monthly WASDE provides annual forecasts for U.S. and world wheat, rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, cotton, sugar, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. The WAOB chairs the Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees (ICECs), which include analysts from key USDA agencies who compile and interpret information from USDA and other domestic and foreign sources to produce the report. (Source: USDA, Nov., 2020) Contact: USDA, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates , www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde
More Low-Carbon Energy News Soybean Oil, Biodiesel,
In her comments, Skor argued that biofuels like ethanol play a critical role in achieving the USDA's goals and called for building on current investments to expand renewable fuels role in the nation's transportation infrastructure. "Supporting programs like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and initiatives to expand access to higher biofuel blends like E15, E30, and E85 can build on biofuels' environmental progress and expand the market for American agriculture,", said Skor. "USDA's Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) is a prime example how the agency can support the productivity of our farmers, while decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and encouraging further adoption of sustainable farming practices across our agriculture sector."
Skor also notes the biofuels industry's continued advancements to capture CO2 and the plant-based fuel's ability to replace harmful toxics and improve air quality. "We have a better option in ethanol, the single most affordable and abundant alternative to petroleum-based fuel additives that threaten air quality in communities across the globe. To expand on these benefits, USDA should continue to promote programs that boost biofuels access and use throughout the country.
As the department works to streamline programs and seek opportunities to improve sustainable farming across the country, Skor encouraged USDA to continue exploring the strong link between U.S. agriculture and our biofuels industry, and promote the increased use of biofuels so our nation's farmers can continue to rely on these markets as we work to reduce the environmental impact of the agriculture sector.
The organizations have asked the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to order the following: EPA should not withhold the name of the company submitting an application for an SRE nor the name and location of the refinery for which relief is requested; EPA should immediately produce the information that was unlawfully withheld for Renewable Fuel Standard compliance years 2015, 2016, and 2017, and; EPA should not withhold any of the five data elements identified in the proposed Renewables Enhancement and Growth Support (REGS) rule (Source: Growth Energy, Website PR , 28 Oct., 2020)
Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, USDA, RFS, Biofuel,
In her comments, Skor argued that biofuels play a critical role in achieving the department's goals and called for building on current investments to expand renewables fuels' role in the nation's transportation infrastructure.
"Supporting programs like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and initiatives to expand access to higher biofuel blends can build on biofuels' environmental progress and expand the market for American agriculture. USDA's Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) is a prime example of how the agency can support the productivity of our farmers while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging further adoption of sustainable farming practices across our agriculture sector," Skor noted.
Growth Energy is the world's largest association of biofuel producers representing 89 U.S. plants that produce more than 7.5 billion gpy of renewable fuel, 96 businesses associated with the production process, and tens of thousands of biofuel supporters across the country, according to its website.
Download Skorr's full comments HERE. (Source: Growth Energy, Website PR, 28 Oct., 2020)
Contact: Growth Energy, Emily Skor, CEO, (202) 545-4000, www.growthenergy.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Growth Energy, Biofuel, USDA, RFS, Biofuel Blends, HBIIP,
"This announcement offers a welcome ray of hope during an otherwise rough year for America's farmers, retailers and biofuel producers. It represents a major milestone in our efforts to ensure more Americans can access cleaner and more affordable ethanol-blended fuel. We're grateful to Secretary Perdue, USDA, and our congressional champions who are working tirelessly to make higher ethanol blends a success.
We're especially proud of Growth Energy's incredible network of retail partners, who bring Unleaded88 (E15) to consumers across the nation and are paving the way for higher blends of ethanol," Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said. (Source: Growth Energy, PR, Oct., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News E15 news, Growth Energy news, Ethanol news, Ethanol Blend news, HBIIP news,
HBIIP helps fuel and biodiesel distribution centers convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends through equipment and infrastructure improvements cost sharing. Gas stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations and other industry players are eligible to apply for HBIIP grant funds.
Download Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program details HERE. (Source: USDA, Oct., 2020) Contact: USDA, www.rd.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biofuel Blend, Ethanol, USDA, Biofiesel,
These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected to increase ethanol demand by nearly 150 million gpy.
HBIIP helps transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure. Eligible applicants are vehicle fueling facilities, including, but not limited to, local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners and/or distribution facilities. Higher biofuel blends are fuels containing ethanol greater than 10 pct by volume and/or fuels containing biodiesel blends greater than 5 pct by volume.
Download HBIIP program details HERE.
(Source: USDA, 8 Oct., 2020) Contact: USDA Rural Dev., www.rd.usda.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA news, Ethanol Blend news, Biofuel Blend news,
Domesticated, commercially grown pennycress could be grown as a cold-resistant, high-yield oilseed crop across the central United States, where nearly 80 million acres of land devoted to corn and soybeans sit dormant in the winter months.
This research has been ongoing for 10 years with the latest grant awarded in 2020. Illinois State researchers are currently working under the umbrella of the Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm and Energy Resilience (IPREFER) program with colleagues at Western Illinois University, the University of Minnesota, The Ohio State University, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and the St. Louis-based crop development company CoverCress Inc.
Download Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm and Energy Resilience (IPREFER) program details HERE
(Source: Illinois State University, 1 Oct., 2020) Contact: Illinois State Univ., Professor John Sedbrook, (309) 438-3374, (309) 438-3722 -- fax, jcsedbr@ilstu.edu, www.illinoisstate.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Pennycress, Biofuel,
USDA is investing in 17 rural small businesses and agricultural producers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants and Guaranteed Loans. Investments can used for renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. REAP funding can also be used for energy audits and to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems, insulation, lighting and refrigeration.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. (Source: USDA Rural Development, Salina Post, 26 Sept., 2020) Contact: USDA Rural Development, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/mn, www.rd.usda.gov/ks
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA Rural Development, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency,
In a blatant move to win support and placate the biofuels and refinery interests, Trump has suggested he'd provide $300 million to oil refiners and that those funds would come out of the USDA Commodity Credit Corp. (CCC) which is intended to provide farmers with Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments.
Commenting on Trump's possible cash payments to refiners scheme, former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he "strongly expects that no action will be taken on the remaining waivers until after the election." Vilsack was critical of the reports that the President indicated that he would offer $300 million through the CCC fund in lieu of the waiver approvals, as the CCC is designed specifically to be used by USDA for the purpose of helping farmers.
As previously noted, "hardship waivers" were intended for refineries producing 75,000 bpd or less and suffered "disproportionate economic hardship" from the costs of RFS compliance. The waiver frees the refineries from an obligation to provide the EPA with biofuels credits proving compliance. (Source: EPA, Feedstuffs, 17 Sept., 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Trump, RFS, Refinery Waivers, Biofuel Blend, Tom Vilsack ,
As previously reported, NCGA also recently partnered with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), assisting fuel retailers in applying for the USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The $100 million program included $86 million to expand the availability of higher blends of ethanol, like E15 and E85.
NCGA support for this program helped deliver program awareness and technical assistance for applications representing more than 1,100 fuel dispensers across 21 states and 222 locations dispensing more than 250 million gallons of gasoline annually. (Source: NCGA, Sept., 2020) Contact: NCGA, PR, Wayne Fueling Systems, (512) 388-8311, www.wayne.com; National Corn Growers Assoc., Mark Palmer, Renewable Fuels Dir., (636) 733-9004, (636) 733-9005-fax, corninfo@ncga.com, www.ncga.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Corn Growers Association, Ethanol Blend, E15, E85 ,
John Field, research scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Lab at CSU, said it has been a challenge for the biofuel industry to demonstrate commercial viability for cellulosic biofuels created from switchgrass and other non-edible plants.
The research team used modeling to simulate switchgrass cultivation, cellulosic biofuel production and carbon capture and storage (CCS), tracking ecosystem and carbon flows. Scientists then compared this modeling to alternative ways to store carbon on the land, including growing forest or grassland.
CCS technology is being used by at least one facility in Illinois that is processing corn to ethanol as a conventional biofuel to create ethanol, but these systems are not yet widespread. As part of the study, researchers created models to simulate what this would look like at a cellulosic biofuel refinery. "What we found is that around half of the carbon in the switchgrass that comes into the refinery becomes a byproduct that would be available for carbon capture and storage. The resulting byproduct streams of high-purity CO2 would not require much separation or clean-up before being stored underground," the study noted.
The research team analyzed three contrasting U.S. case studies and found that on land where farmers or land managers were transitioning out of growing crops or maintaining pastures for grazing, cultivating switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol production had a per-hectare mitigation potential comparable to reforestation and several-fold greater than grassland restoration.
Using switchgrass can be particularly helpful in parts of the country where planting more trees is not an option.
This research was partially funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the US DOE via the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, and the Sao Paulo Research Foundation in Brazil.
The study illustrates how deliberate land use choices support the climate performance of present-day cellulosic ethanol technology and how technological advancements and CCS addition could produce several times the climate mitigation potential of competing land-based biological mitigation schemes. These results affirm the climate mitigation logic of biofuels, consistent with their prominent role in many climate stabilization scenarios, the study concludes.
(Source: Colorado State University, Green Car Congress, Aug., 2020) Contact: Colorado State University, Natural Resource Ecology Lab, John Field, (970) 491-1604,
John.L.Field@colostate.edu,
www.nrel.colostate.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Advanced Biofuel, Cellulosic Biofuel, Switchgrass,
AIREAGO Corp. is a construction technology small business that designs, builds, and improves furniture, tools, and structures in Bloomingburg. The investment of $20,000 in grant funding will be used to purchase and install a 46.97 KW solar energy system.
Ellenville's 209 Storage Vault, Inc. is receiving $15,011 in grant funding that will be used to purchase and install a 24-kW solar energy array. 209 Storage Vault is a self-storage facility. This project will realize $3,668 per year in savings and will replace 26,198 kWh per year.
USDA Rural Development loans and grants support infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and others. (Source: USDA Rural Development, Mid-Hudson News, 30 Aug., 2020)
Contact: USDA Rural Development, www.rd.usda.gov
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The individual grants range from roughly $8,000 to $100,000 with an average in the $35,000 range.
(Source: USDA, Rural Energy for America Progam, WABI, 27 Aug., 2020) Contact: USDA, Rural Energy for America Progam, www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency
More Low-Carbon Energy News USDA Rural Energy for America Progam,
The researchers see abundant possibilities for RNG in Iowa and beyond to address greenhouse gas emissions and to diversify farm income and reduce pollution in the state's waterways.
The development of biofuels is a major recommendation in Iowa's 2016 energy plan and the state economic development authority's 2018 Biomass Conversion Action Plan which has been funding research into various anaerobic digestion techniques.
According to a 2013 National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) inventory, Iowa produces more manure than any other state but the sources are not sufficiently concentrated to make digestion feasible or economically profitable.
Researchers hope to enhance the efficiency, reduce the costs and create ancillary income streams that will persuade farmers in Iowa and beyond to add AD to their operations. To that end, the researchers will explore the use of mixed prairie grasses and winter cover crops, such as annual rye, for AD.
The project is funded with a $10 million grant from the USDA. (Source: Iowa State University, PR, Aug., 2020) Contact: Iowa State University, Prof. Lisa Schulte Moore, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, (515) 294-7339, , www.iastate.edu
More Low-Carbon Energy News Iowa State University , RNG, Biogas, Anaerobic Digestion,
The ARS team's efforts are part of a broader umbrella effort to create new, value-added markets for agricultural commodities, especially those that serve as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels.
In laboratory trials, the researchers produced 11-14 grams of butanol per liter of lesquerella presscake. The total chemical production (combined butanol, acetone and ethanol) was 19 to 29 grams per liter -- a nearly 67 pct increase over using corn and glucose sources to produce these three same chemicals. The research team plans on scaling-up their experiments using two-liter bioreactors and, if successful, even larger ones.
Keeping feedstock costs down is key to making butanol competitive with gasoline, he added. At $25 a ton or less, lesquerella presscake would command a selling price of $2.27 or less a gallon -- about a dollar less than from sweet sorghum, another promising feedstock source, according to the release.
(Source: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, PR, Aug., 2020)
Contact: National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Nasib Qureshi, Chemical Engineer, www.ars.usda.gov/midwest-area/peoria-il/national-center-for-agricultural-utilization-research
More Low-Carbon Energy News National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research,
"We are grateful Senate leaders have responded to our request for economic relief to biofuel producers in the phase four stimulus, however, Congress gave USDA the flexibility to provide relief for renewable fuel producers in the last package and USDA declined to exercise it. While Senator McConnell's bill is more specific about processors of ag commodities, it still leaves discretion to USDA which has so far failed to use the authority to support our industry.
"As I stated in my recent letter to Senators McConnell and Schumer, direct aid for biofuel producers is long overdue. That is why we support and urged inclusion of the Grassley-Klobuchar bill which makes direct assistance certain. Ethanol producers have acted as an economic bridge for U.S. farmers when they purchased corn before the extent of the pandemic was known. It is only fair to aid the ethanol industry which has fronted cash to farm economies.
"We will continue to urge for more specific language in the final bill. Fortunately, momentum appears to be in our favor since both the House-passed Heroes Act and Senate proposal contain relief provisions. Now we need to ensure the legislative details are correct as there should be no reason direct assistance for ethanol producers doesn't make it in the final phase four bill.
ACE urges grassroots advocates to contact their lawmakers and ask them to include biofuel producer relief in the final coronavirus relief package and to get it done before the August recess." (Source: American Coalition for Ethanol, 29 July, 2020) Contact: American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, CEO, (605) 334-3381, www.ethanol.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News American Coalition for Ethanol, Ethanol Biofuel,
C-CHANGE researchers are developing new ways for farmers to produce RNG that could be used as an energy source both on and off farms. The project focuses on anaerobic digestion (AD) and new separation technologies, allowing biogas to be upgraded to RNG and distributed through the gas pipeline network.
The project director on the transdisciplinary and multi-institutional grant is Lisa Schulte Moore, a professor of natural resource ecology and management and associate director of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State. According to Schulte Moore, the consortium will develop methods for farmers to make more efficient use of resources. (Source: USDA National Institute for Food and Agricultural, PR, July, 2020)Contact: Roeslein Alternative Energy, (314) 729-0055, www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Roeslein Alternative Energy, Anaerobic Digestion, RNG,
The bill creates a certification program at USDA so that farmers and forest landowners can better participate in voluntary carbon credit markets that can help land managers pay for conservation practices, which in turn could help to store carbon in soil, trees, and ecosystem restoration projects.
The bill's lead sponsor, Senator Mike Braun, (R-IN) serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee, is joined by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI.) The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, Environmental Defense Fund, World Wildlife Fund, McDonald's, and Microsoft are among the bill's supporters. (Source: Daily Yonder, 7 July, 2020)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Credit, USDA, Carbon Credit Market,