EPA denies oil industry request to waive cellulosic biofuel blending for 2016

January 19, 2017 - In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency has written a letter to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers denying the group’s request for a waiver on the cellulosic biofuel-blending mandate for 2016 of 230 million gallons. Though data through November shows that less fuel was produced than mandated in 2016 as the AFPM argues, the EPA said that there was enough roll over stocks of RINs from previous years in addition to the 2016 production to achieve compliance.

UMass Amherst and Genoverde Biosciences Research Could Increase Wood Density by 20%

In Massachusetts, University of Massachusetts Amherst plant geneticist Sam Hazen partnered with Genoverde Biosciences, Inc. to test the commercial viability of Hazen’s gene trait approach to bioengineering loblolly pine for high wood density by modifying secondary cell wall gene regulation.

World Energy Outlook 2016 sees broad transformations in the global energy landscape

As a result of major transformations in the global energy system that take place over the next decades, renewables and natural gas are the big winners in the race to meet energy demand growth until 2040, according to the latest edition of the World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency’s flagship publication.

Energy companies lead indexes higher as oil price soars

U.S. stocks climbed Tuesday as the price of oil made its biggest jump in seven months and energy companies rose with it. Technology stocks like Microsoft and Google's parent Alphabet traded higher and bond yields slipped, a break with the pattern since last week's election.

Some of America’s best fighter jets soar without oil

Some of America’s best fighter jets can soar without using a drop of oil for fuel. The Navy’s EA-18 Growler fighter jet can fly more than 1,100 miles per hour. It costs $68 million to build, and it’s flying on 100 percent bio-fuel, made from things like kitchen grease and plant seeds.

US elections: what Trump’s victory means for the bioeconomy

In Washington, Donald Trump captured the US Presidency in an upset victory that confounded pollsters and political pundits even as it delighted supporters of his maverick candidacy based on themes of immigration and trade reform, coupled with a message that government policies of the past generation had failed for too many Americans.

What is the Difference between Socially Responsible Investing and Impact Investing?

As a growing number of investors seek to make investments in line with both their financial goals and personal values, many wonder what the differences are between Socially Responsible Investing and Impact Investing. In this article, we discuss some of the key differences between the two.

US Biobased Industry hits $393B in revenue, 4.22M jobs

In Washington, the USDA reports that the total contribution of the biobased products industry to the U.S. economy in 2014 was $393 billion in value added and 4.223 million jobs. Every 1,000 jobs in the biobased industry supported 1,760 additional jobs in other parts of the economy.

White House releases “Federal Alternative Jet Fuel Research and Development Strategy”

In Washington, a new White House report, titled “Federal Alternative Jet Fuel Research and Development Strategy,” sets out prioritized federal research and development goals and objectives to address key scientific and technical challenges that inhibit the development, production, and use of economically viable alternative jet fuels at commercial scale. The Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group, established by the White House’s National Science and Technology Council, developed this report.