Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - September 22, 2017

USDA, DOE Announce Awards to Increase Stream of Products and Chemicals from Biorefining

On September 20, the USDA and DOE announced $15 million in joint funding for eight projects that will further efforts to develop integrated biorefineries that utilize new feedstocks, such as wood waste, purpose-grown crops and grasses.  Much like a petroleum refinery, a biorefinery produces multiple products, in addition to fuels.  At a petroleum refinery, chemicals make up the higher value products, with fuels acting as loss-leaders.  As the biofuels industry has struggled to compete in a low-oil price environment and uncertain regulatory environment, biofuels companies have begun investing in diversifying product streams from fuels to chemicals with an array of co-products that diversify and strengthen the economic position of the industry. 

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Fact Sheet: The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act
Environmental, Health & Consumer Considerations

The transportation sector currently accounts for 27 percent of U.S. GHG emissions. To address rising transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants, steps are available to immediately reduce emissions from the transportation sector. Greater use of E15 (15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline), a fuel usable by nearly 90 percent of cars on the road today, is one such step. Additionally, utilizing mid-level ethanol blends (E25 to E40) in the near future will optimize the cleaner, more fuel-efficient internal combustion engines being produced by automotive manufacturers.

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Headlines:

1. New Enzyme Could Ramp Up Cellulosic Biofuel Production

2. Global Plan To Streamline 'Use By' Food Labels Aims To Cut Food Waste

3. New York Governor Signs Bill Requiring Biodiesel in Heating Oil

4. Switchgrass Could Help China’s Air Quality

5. Opinion: A Better Farm Future Starts With the Soil

 

 

 

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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