News > February

EPA Raises Ethanol Fuel Standard, Will Require 22MM Acres of Corn
In a notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is raising the 2008 Renewable Fuels Standard for ethanol, to require that blenders, importers and certain refiners of gasoline mix 7.76% of the nation’s gasoline supply with ethanol. This new mandate is intended to lead to the use of nine billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2008. That’s two billion gallons more ethanol than was produced in 2007. The EPA recalculated the standard using updated data on the volume of gasoline projected to be consumed in 2008. Estimates indicate that it will require more than 22 million acres of corn to meet this target.
Source: EPA Announces 2008 Renewable Fuels Mandate Level, Hoosier AG

Italian Group Investing in Europe's Largest Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
An Italian chemical group plans to build a 200,000-tonne ethanol plant, which can then be converted to make next-generation biofuels from cellulose feedstock. The group, Mossi & Ghisolfi (M&G), together with partners, would invest about $148 million to build the plant in Italy by 2009 and another $176 more in research to convert it to cellulose feedstock later on. The plant would produce 200,000 tons of bioethanol to help Italy meet its bioethanol target of about 1 million tons by 2010. The new plant would initially use maize as feedstock, but M&G has already started research aimed at converting the future bioethanol plant from maize to fiber sorghum, a high yielding biomass crop. "Our goal is to be competitive with Brazilian ethanol even without subsidies," said M&G Vice President Guido Ghisolfi.
Source: M&G invests 100M in Europe's largest cellulosic ethanol plant, Checkbiotech

Honda Civic GX Natural Gas Car Earns 'Greenest Vehicles of 2008' Title Again
The Honda Civic GX natural gas car has earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the "greenest vehicles of 2008". This is the fifth consecutive year that the Civic GX has taken the greenest vehicle title. Using a singular measure that incorporates fuel economy, health-related pollution impacts and global warming emissions, all vehicles are analyzed and given a "Green Score”, which the ACEEE's uses to rank each vehicle's total environmental performance. The ACEE publishes the results in its "Green Book Online", which includes a list of the 12 "greenest" and 12 "meanest" vehicles. The Civic GX, first introduced in 1998, is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA, and is 90% cleaner than the average gasoline-powered car on the road today.
Source: Honda Civic GX Natural Gas Car Earns Top Spot on ACEEE's 'Greenest Vehicles of 2008' List for the Fifth Straight Year, Earth Times

Companies Consider $3Billion Ethanol Pipeline
Two U.S. oil products pipeline companies will investigate the feasibility of constructing a dedicated ethanol pipeline that would run from the Midwest to the northeastern U.S.
The two companies, Magellan Midstream Partners and Buckeye Partners, said the proposed pipeline, expected to cost over $3 billion, would span about 1,700 miles and take several years to build.  "We believe the proposed pipeline is a unique and innovative solution to meeting the growing need for renewable fuels in the Northeast," said Don Wellendorf, president and CEO of Magellan. The companies said the pipeline would have the capacity to supply more than 10 million gallons of ethanol per day, gathering ethanol from production facilities in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and South Dakota to serve terminals in major markets such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York.
Source: Magellan, Buckeye looking into $3B ethanol pipeline, Cleantech

Key Gene May Boost Biofuel Yield from Corn
A slight modification to a key gene can boost the oil yield in corn dramatically, according to a group of scientists with DuPont. The scientists, whose findings were published by Nature Genetics, claimed a tiny amino acid variant within a key gene of the maize can increase the yield of oil and oleic acid by up to 41% and 107%, respectively. The research was conducted at a juncture when policy makers are rushing to identify solutions that would mitigate the impact of biofuel on food prices. Researchers are exploring ways to either boost output from first generation biofuel crops, including corn or palm oil, through genetic engineering or develop second generation solutions to produce fuel from biomass including switchgrass, wood chips and straw.
Source: Key gene may boost biofuel yield from corn, Energy Current

All-Hybrid Taxicab Fleet Begins Operations in Washington D.C.
enviroCAB, which runs the nation’s first all-hybrid taxicab fleet, recently opened for business in greater Washington, D.C. The company’s fleet of low-emission hybrid Toyota Priuses, Camrys and Highlanders, and Ford Escapes offers passengers an environmentally-friendly service at standard taxicab fares. The company is also promising to “remove the emissions of two additional existing cabs for every enviroCAB we put on the street through our carbon-negative offset plan.” To celebrate the launch, enviroCAB provided 100 Arlington County voters with free rides to polling stations on Tuesday, Feb. 12th. enviroCAB expects to have its full fleet of 50 vehicles in operation by March 2008.
Source: All-Hybrid Taxicab Fleet Begins Operations In Washington D.C.,
Environmental Leader

Utility Company Uses Biodiesel as Part of Switch to Totally Green Fleet
Philadelphia-based electric and natural gas utility company PECO is now fueling all of its 580 utility trucks with a biodiesel blend, consisting of 20% soy-based oil and 80% diesel fuel. This is the latest leg in PECO's transition to a totally green fleet. The fleet currently consists of one prototype hybrid bucket truck, 43 hybrid SUVs and seven natural gas-powered vehicles. This, combined with the 580 trucks using biodiesel, brings PECO's alternative vehicle total to more than 630. The switch “ .. supports PECO’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy,” said Bill Flemming, PECO’s fleet manager, adding that using biodiesel instead of straight diesel reduces carbon monoxide by 20%, hydrocarbons by 20% and particulates by 12%.
Source: PECO Goes Biodiesel, EarthTimes

Philippines Project Testing New Natural Gas Vehicle Technology
A small New York company is deploying its new natural gas storage technology in a joint demonstration project with the Philippines government and the Philippines National Oil Co. to convert the country's hordes of emission-belching three-wheel vehicles to run on cleaner-burning natural gas. Energtek Inc. says its "adsorbed natural gas" storage technology, which allows natural gas to be stored at lower pressures than current technology, could help reduce pollution from the tens of millions of two- and three-wheel vehicles used in developing nations, particularly Asia. The company says such vehicles—an estimated 200 million worldwide—represent the fastest-growing segment of the global automotive market. In addition to providing environmental benefits, converting those vehicles to natural gas will cut fuel costs for vehicle owners now using petroleum-based fuels, said Energtek.
Source: Philippines Project Testing New Natural Gas Vehicle Technology,
Trading Markets

Dupont and BP Set to Produce Next Generation Biofuel—Biobutanol
U.S. group Dupont and British oil giant BP Plc are on schedule to test the production of a new generation biofuel in 2009. The companies are building a pilot plant in Northern England to produce biobutanol, a higher grade of bioethanol, with demonstration production scheduled to start in 2009. According to Dupont’s venture manager, David Anton, biobutanol performs more like unleaded gasoline, has a higher energy content than traditional biofuels, can be blended in higher concentrations without the need to modify vehicles, and does not separate in water, allowing it be transported using existing fuel pipeline infrastructure. "We believe that the new technology will be completely ready to go in 2010 and commercial production will start after that," he said. Production will eventually be aimed at producing a fuel for blending with conventional gasoline in European markets.
Source: UK new generation biofuel plant set for 2009, Reuters

Road Testing Conducted on B100 Algal Biodiesel
Solazyme, Inc., a synthetic biology company formed in 2003 to pursue biofuels from microalgae, recently road tested its first algal biodiesel, Soladiesel, as a part of a fuel blend used in a Mercedes-Benz sedan. The company has now announced that it has successfully taken the test blends up to B100. Soladiesel, the first of Solazyme’s planned algal fuel projects, is a biodiesel produced from algae that are engineered to produce an optimized oil with enhanced performance. The resulting fuel is “far better than soy, palm and canola,” according to Jonathan Wolfson, Solazyme’s CEO. As critical as the fuel composition might be, the ability to scale production is the primary factor, according to Wolfson. He estimates that Solazyme has another two to three years of work until it is at production economics, defined as parity with fossil fuels.
Source: Solazyme Ups Soladiesel Testing to B100, Green Car Congress

Study: Alternative Fuels Can Alleviate U.S. Ports’ Massive Pollution Problems
A new research study that assessed air pollution control efforts at America’s top 10 container ports, finds that, due to the toxicity of diesel fuel, U.S. ports are among the biggest sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in their cities. The findings of the study, conducted by independent environmental and energy research firm, Energy Futures, Inc., have been released in a report titled, “U.S. Container Ports and Air Pollution: a Perfect Storm.” The report indicates however that ports around the country, most notably in California, are working to develop clean air programs that include the use of alternative fuels. Study author and Energy Futures President James Cannon explained, “We’ve concluded that the best way to lower air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and diversify fuel supply at U.S. container ports is to use alternative fuels or advanced technologies to replace diesel.” The study found that natural gas is currently the leading alternative fuel for goods movement, noting that programs to replace diesel fuel with clean-burning liquefied natural gas (LNG) are underway at the three largest container ports in California—Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. Overall, the Energy Futures report is a call to action at the national level to reduce air pollution at U.S. container ports, urging decision makers to develop policies designed to maintain port growth momentum while preserving public health and environmental quality. The study is available at: www.energy-futures.com
Source: Air Pollution ‘Perfect Storm’ Survey of Top 10 Ports Urges Action at National Level, Business Wire

GM Ramping Up Production of Ethanol-Capable Vehicles
General Motors has announced that half its U.S. vehicle volume will run on ethanol by 2012, just as partner Coskata Inc. is expected to ramp ethanol production. GM North America President, Troy Clarke said GM would have 11 ethanol-capable vehicles on the market this year and 15 in 2009. Coskata, which announced its partnership with GM in January, has formed an alliance with ethanol plant engineering firm ICM Inc. to build its first plant, expected to open in late 2010. Coskata plans to mass-produce ethanol at the plant for less than $1 a gallon using a unique process that converts feedstock, biomass, agricultural waste and even municipal solid waste to ethanol. GM is continuing to research hybrids, plug-in electric vehicles and other fuel-saving technology, but believes ethanol can provide the quickest reduction in emissions. GM expects to have up to 20 million ethanol-capable vehicles on the road by 2020, Clarke said.
Source: GM making more ethanol cars, BusinessWeek

Wal-Mart to Introduce LNG Trucks into Service in California
Wal-Mart Stores, which operates the nation’s second largest private fleet, has signed a deal with Canadian-based Westport Innovations to take delivery of four heavy-duty trucks fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), in a pilot project designed to show the environmental benefits of Westport's LNG systems. The Peterbilt 386 trucks will be used at the giant U.S. retailer's distribution center in Apple Valley, California. “Our experience shows that by using natural gas, Westport's LNG fuel system can help Wal-Mart reduce their fleet vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions by some 20% and (nitrous oxide) emissions by between 30-50% over their diesel equivalents,” said Michael Gallagher, president and chief operating officer of Westport.
Source: Westport inks deal with Wal-Mart for LNG trucks, The Toronto Star

Texas A&M Receives $4M for Biofuel Microalgae Research
Texas AgriLife Research, part of Texas A&M University, and General Atomics, a San Diego-based technology company, have received a $4 million grant from the state of Texas for biofuel microalgae research. The U.S. Department of Defense will add a parallel $4 million to sponsor the research, aimed at developing microalgae-derived biodiesel fuels to support U.S. domestic and military needs. A biofuel microalgae research facility—intended as a national center for biofuel algae research and development—is scheduled for construction. The phased research and development program includes: evaluating new promising algae strains; developing and testing algae production systems; and designing and testing algae/oil separation systems. Researchers anticipate the algae systems may be tied to coal-fired power plants in the future, using carbon dioxide emissions and waste heat for algae growth.
Source: Texas A&M System and General Atomics Receive $4M from State for Biofuel Microalgae Research, Green Car Congress

Virgin Jet to Use Biofuel Blend in Test Flight
A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 will become the first commercial aircraft to be flown on a biofuel blend, during an upcoming test flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, aircraft represent up to 12% of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the U.S. transportation sector. Additionally, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that increases in air transportation over the next 50 years will result in a threefold increase in aircraft CO2 emissions and a 13% increase in ozone. Environmental advocates say that the Virgin test flight has the potential to be a crucial benchmark in the industry's efforts to develop a biofuel that would help eliminate the industry's dependence on jet fuel and help reduce global carbon emissions.
Source: Virgin jet to use biofuel blend in test flight, San Francisco Chronicle

Nation’s Third Largest Grocer Plans to Fuel 1,000 Trucks with B20 Biodiesel
In attempt to further reduce its carbon footprint, the nation’s third largest grocer, Safeway Inc., will operate its truck fleet with B20 biodiesel fuel. The retailer operates close to 1,800 stores in the United States and uses about 1,000 trucks to transport supplies and merchandise. The shift to biodiesel fuel will reduce Safeway’s carbon emissions by 75 million pounds per year — the equivalent of taking 7,500 passenger vehicles off the road. Safeway’s trucks will use a blend of biodiesel that is 20% vegetable based and 80% petroleum diesel based. In making the switch, the company will face the challenge of balancing an economic equation, since biodiesel is typically more expensive than petroleum diesel.
Source: Nation’s third largest grocer plans to use biofuel for its trucks, Journal-Advocate

Kenworth Advances to Cleaner Truck Power with LNG
In an effort to move away from diesel engines to cleaner-burning natural gas vehicles, Kenworth Truck Co. plans to begin large-scale production of heavy-duty trucks powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) next year. The move to LNG trucks is Kenworth’s latest venture into the use of alternatives to conventional diesel-fuel engines as a way to reduce operating costs and meet increasingly stringent air-emission rules. Kenworth plans to use its T800 truck, a model frequently used in such applications as regional freight hauling and dump trucks, in combination with a Cummins engine and an LNG fuel system developed by Westport Innovations Inc. in Vancouver, B.C. One major market for LNG trucks is hauling containers at ports. Kenworth noted that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., have set up a fund to replace diesel-engine trucks with LNG vehicles and will remove all pre-2007 trucks by 2012.
Source: Kenworth plans cleaner truck power, Seattle Post Intelligencer

GM Unveils First Hybrid Vehicle Built in China
General Motors Corp. has unveiled its first China-made hybrid vehicle. Shanghai GM, GM's largest joint venture in China, unveiled the Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid in Shanghai and said it would introduce three more green vehicles this year to the world's second-largest market. The new Buick hybrid promises 15% better fuel economy than the standard model and is equipped with a so-called mild hybrid system, such as the one available in the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. The company said one of the new offerings this year would be a two-mode hybrid that provides 50% better fuel economy than a traditional gasoline-burning engine. Until now, GM has built and sold all of its hybrid vehicles in North America.
Source: GM unveils 1st China-produced hybrid vehicle, Detroit Free Press

France May Change Biofuels Policy Due to Environmental Concerns
The French government may revise its biofuels policy after doubts were expressed on the environmental impact of so-called ‘green fuels’, said the country’s Secretary of State for Environment. Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said the government had asked the French agency for environment and energy, ADEME, to review biofuels technology with a focus on second-generation biofuels, mostly made of plant waste instead of grains and vegetable oils. France has become one of the largest producers of biofuels in Europe after it set an ambitious policy that anticipates blending 7% of all fuels with biofuels by 2010, and 10% by 2015. But concern has since risen on whether biofuels really help cut greenhouse gas emissions and or if they may contribute to rising food prices. “We wonder if the discourse that says that we should go straight to the second generation makes sense,” Kosciusko-Morizet said.
Source: France to review biofuel use on environment worries, Reuters

DOE Awards $114M to Four Cellulosic Biorefinery Projects
The Department of Energy will invest more than $114 million in four cellulosic biofuels projects. The DOE awarded the following funds to these projects designed to be the proving grounds for full-scale, commercial production of ethanol from cellulose: $30 million to ICM Inc. for a plant that will use agricultural waste and switchgrass feedstock together with biochemical and thermochemical processing; $30 million to Lignol Innovations for a biorefinery, co-located with a petroleum refinery, that will use a solvent it calls ‘biochem-organisolve’ to produce ethanol from wood waste; and $24.3 million to Pacific Ethanol to build a biorefinery that will convert agricultural and wood waste into ethanol using a proprietary process developed by BioGasol. In addition, $30 million was awarded to Stora Enso North America for a biorefinery that will convert wood waste to diesel fuel. The DOE said that it anticipates selecting a second round of biorefineries this spring, bringing its investment to $200 million.
Source; Feds Give $114M to Four Cellulosic Biorefinery Projects, Autopia