“The U.S. EPA has released its long-anticipated final rule setting the 2014, 2015 and 2016 renewable volume requirements (RVOs) under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), along with the 2017 RVO for biomass-based diesel. While the rulemaking increases volume requirements above levels proposed in May and takes a small step in overcoming the E10 blend wall in 2016, the RVOs fall below statutory levels.”
"For a long time it seemed like turning the inedible parts of plants into a commercially viable biofuel, known as cellulosic ethanol, was nothing more than a pipedream. The enzymes needed to release sugars from cellulose — the fiber that forms plant structure — to be fermented into ethanol were inefficient and expensive. And the cellulose found in virtually every plant, flower, tree, grass, and bush is by its very nature evolved to withstand decay."
"The State of the Climate is a collection of monthly summaries recapping climate-related occurrences on both a global and national scale."
"The U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) establishes partnerships with key public and private stakeholders to develop and demonstrate technologies for producing cost-competitive advanced biofuels from non-food biomass resources, including cellulosic biomass, algae, and wet waste (e.g. biosolids)."
"A first-of-its-kind study quantifies how rising temperatures could make the state’s record dry spell permanent. How much worse is our carbon spew making California’s record-breaking drought? About 15 to 20 percent worse, according to a new study that is the first to put a number on climate change’s impact on the state’s dry spell."
"July 2015 was the warmest month on record for the earth dating back to January 1880, according to the state of the climate report released by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Thursday."
“Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected” is a short documentary highlighting personal stories and the efforts being made by communities across the United States to develop, produce, and provide bioenergy, while ensuring it is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. From farmers and families in the Midwest, to researchers and business-owners on the coasts, “Sustainability in Bioenergy: A Nation Connected” is a prelude to future products that will provide first-hand views on how sustainability in bioenergy unites us as a nation. This video was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office and supports initiatives to expand the public’s understanding of sustainable transportation and the bioenergy industry.
"The confluence of developments in plant biology and biotechnology, in carbon capture and storage techniques and in innovative bioconversion methods makes it possible to begin to imagine a 'fourth generation' of biofuels and bioenergy systems. The first steps towards such fuels are already being taken."
"Six months after opening its Wallisville Road fuel station in Houston selling B20, Root Fuel is now offering B50 and B100 at the same location. “It’s a big, big day,” said Root Fuel CEO Justin Heller. 'We finally opened our B100 and B50 pumps. It’s been eight years in the making, and I finally did it.'"
"Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native warm-season grass that is a leading biomass crop in the United States. More than 70 years of experience with switchgrass as a hay and forage crop suggest switchgrass will be productive and sustainable on rain-fed marginal land east of the 100th meridian."
