August 2012 News and Matters of Interest

Comment Period Closed on Air Permit for Puerto Rico Waste to Energy Plant

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Office closed the public comment period today on an air permit for a waste to energy facility proposed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The comment period was extended in order for the EPA conduct five public hearings on August 25, 26 and 27. This permit is another crucial step toward development of the proposed 77 megawatt direct combustion municipal solid waste to energy facility to be constructed at the former site of the Global Fibers Paper Mill in Barrio Cambalache, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The municipal waste combustors will be primarily fueled by refuse-derived fuel (RDF) that is shredded municipal solid waste with most of the metal content removed and recycled, and permitted at a maximum combined RDF consumption rate of 2,106 tons per day. Additionally, the municipal waste combustors will be capable of combusting, when available, supplementary fuels consisting of auto-shredder residue, tire-derived fuel, and processed urban wood waste. Air quality analysis performed indicates that the project will not exceed any National Air Quality Standards or increments for the pollutants regulated under this PSD permit. A separate permit is being issued by the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board, to address the other pollutants emitted by this project. Since the proposed project meets all PSD requirements, EPA proposes to approve this project subject to public review. All background documentation is available on-line from the Recinto de Arecibo Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, from the EPA’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division at City View Plaza III-Suite 7000 in Guaynabo, or at the EPA’s New York offices at 290 Broadway in New York City. Appointments are necessary; contact John Aponte by email at  , or phone at (787) 977-5853. 08/31/2012

Xergi to Install Biogas Plant for Holton Turkey Waste to CHP Project in UK

Danish company Xergi A/S has announced that it will supply anaerobic digestion (AD) technology for the Holton Renewable Power Ltd. renewable combined heat and power (CHP) turkey waste to energy facility. The project is a joint venture between Bernard Matthews, the United Kingdom’s (UK) largest turkey business, and Glendale Power, a development company specializing in AD project development in the UK. The biogas plant will be located close to Bernard Matthews’ current processing site in Holton in Suffolk, converting about 29,000 tonnes per year of liquid production plant waste piped to the digesters from the processing plant's existing effluent treatment system. Biogas generated from the waste will be piped back to the plant to run a generator supplying 500 kilowatts for on-site electrical demand, while engine and exhaust heat will be captured to provide from 16% to 18% of the processing facility's thermal demand. Digester residue will be processed to reclaim the ammonia to make the fertilizer ammonium sulphate for sale to local farmers. Remaining effluent will be pumped back to the secondary treatment stage of the onsite effluent treatment works, to be cleaned up to discharge consent levels. Once fully operational, the plant will process all waste on-site, saving "over 1000 lorry journeys per annum" resulting in a carbon dioxide emission reduction of 2,800 tonnes. Colin Steel Xergi’s Country Manager for the UK and Ireland: "The project shows the many opportunities provided by Xergi’s biogas technology in the handling of waste and other organic resources. We have built an efficient plant based on vegetable waste with the grower Staples Vegetables, and now we will be building a plant based on waste from a turkey processing plant. This underlines the fact that our technology is able to create value out of waste and organic residue across a range of industries.” 08/31/2012

Nexterra and Stopford Form Strategic Alliance for UK Waste to Energy Projects

Canadian biomass gasification company Nexterra has announced a strategic alliance agreement with Stopford Projects Ltd. of the United Kingdom (UK) to develop and market Nexterra’s energy-from-renewable-waste gasification systems for the industrial and district energy markets in the UK. Nexterra’s core technology is a fixed-bed updraft gasification system, ranging in output from 2 to 40 megawatts of thermal energy (MWth, equal to 8 to 140 MMBtu/hr) and 2 to 15 MWe, of electricity generation. Nexterra recently started full operation of its systems at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Stopford Projects Ltd. is a recognized UK leader in the assessment of gasification technologies and design of complete waste-to-energy systems for both the UK and global markets. Stopford has over 30 years of engineering design and project management experience with multinational clients within the petro-chemical, bio-technology, pharmaceutical and environmental sectors. The partners were brought together by BAE Systems, a global defense, aerospace and security company. “BAE Systems and Nexterra have been working with Stopford for some time. We are looking forward to helping both these companies be successful, and the formation of their strategic alliance is a great step to them securing their first energy-from-waste project in the UK,” said John Rossall, BAE Systems Director, Industrial Participation Programmes. 08/31/2012

Neste Oil Completes Phase I Waste to Microbial Oil Plant in Finland

Neste Oil has announced completion of the first phase of its microbial oil production pilot plant in Porvoo, Finland. The three-stage process is designed to convert a wide array of wastes and agricultural residues such as straw and sidestreams from the pulp and paper industry into biofuels. Fractionation of biomass to diverse sugars is followed by digestion using yeast and other fungus strains, then harvesting the oil from the microbial mass as a feedstock for the company's NExBTL biodiesel refining. Neste announced the pilot development last December; this initially completed phase focused on the microbial processing stage. The following phases will concentrate on raw material pretreatment and oil recovery. The goal is to yield commercial volumes of microbial oil for use as NExBTL feedstock, with commercial-scale production expected by 2015 at the earliest. Petri Lehmus, Neste Oil's Vice President, Research and Development: "Work on the pilot plant has progressed according to plan and the technology has performed excellently. The plant is already generating microbial oil containing biomass, which is a great achievement. Extending our feedstock base is a central component of our cleaner traffic strategy, and our aim is to focus on making use of waste and residues with the smallest possible carbon footprint for producing our renewable fuels. The new microbial oil pilot plant will make a very valuable contribution to achieving these goals. Our microbial oil pilot plant is the first of its kind in Europe, and Finnish research in the area is highly advanced worldwide." 08/29/2012

LanzaTech Chosen as 2013 Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum

New Zealand's emissions-to-bioproducts company LanzaTech has announced that the World Economic Forum has named the company as one of 23 Technology Partners for 2013 based on their innovation, potential impact, growth and sustainability, proof of concept, and leadership. LanzaTech has developed a proprietary platform for producing lowest-cost liquid biofuel that can be retrofitted to industrial facilities, using the carbon monoxide component of waste flue gases as a feedstock. The process is now being integrated into steel manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and more recently has established a US foothold by acquiring the defunct Range Fuels facility in Georgia. The World Economic Forum chooses the new Technology Pioneers from hundreds of applicants nominated by the public, by members, constituents and collaborator. The industry-changing companies' achievements will be honoured at the Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, from 11-13 September. “These companies are more than pioneering the way we use technology; they are transforming how we as a society are growing and interacting with each other,” said Silvia von Gunten, Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “They are also providing new opportunities for people to harness the potential of technology.” 08/29/2012

Novozymes, Terranol Partner to Speed Cellulosic Ethanol Commercialization

Danish companies Novozymes and Terranol have announced a partnering agreement intended to increase the rate of commercialization for cellulosic ethanol production from wastes and residues, energy crops, and other types of biomass. Novozymes specialization in biocatalysis enzyme development is complemented by Terranol's expertise in yeast strains efficient in fermentation of 5-carbon (C5) sugars. The agreement will allow Terranol to optimize its yeast development, and give Novozymes rights to register and market Terranol’s C5 yeast technology to Novozymes' global market within the cellulosic ethanol marketplace. Terranol's technology platform is based on its Strain V-1 ferments glucose and xylose into ethanol with high yield and low production of the byproduct xylitol. Glucose and xylose are both fermented at a high rate when glucose concentration is below 20 g/l. A yeast strain capable of efficient conversion of the various sugars in residual biomass from agriculture facilitates further modification of the strain for production of other compounds that can substitute for oil based chemicals used in the industry today. Poul Ruben Andersen, Vice President Bioenergy at Novozymes: “We want to make sure there are no biotech-related hurdles to the creation of a cellulosic ethanol industry. Terranol’s C5 yeast is currently one of the best strains developed, and by getting it registered and marketed around the world, we can help make it available to the biofuel industry. This will provide a higher degree of certainty in the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol.” 08/29/2012

7th Annual California Bioresources Alliance Symposium Agenda Finalized

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pacific Southwest Region 9, has released the full details and published a final agenda for next month's California Bioresources Alliance 7th Annual Symposium. The event is scheduled for September 11 and 12 and will be held in the Coastal Hearing Room of the CalEPA Building, downtown Sacramento. Session 1 will tackle governmental policies and environmental issues associated with organics digestion for energy generation. Last week, Teru interviewed Neil Black, President of California Bioenergy LLC and a key speaker in the Session 2 panel addressing the economics of dairy manure digestion. The afternoon Sessions 3 and 4 will outline what works, what doesn't, and where digestion technologies best fit in California. Sessions 5 and 6 on the morning of Day 2 will explore Urban and Forestry-sourced residuals, respectively. A field trip is planned for the afternoon of the second day, visiting Clean World Partners' two stage, phased-solids anaerobic digestion facilities with an integrated biogas vehicle filling station. Registration for the symposium is available on-line via the UC Davis Renewable Energy Systems website. For additional information, contact EPA Region 9's conference coordinator, Lauren Fondahl
() at (415) 972-3514. 08/28/2012

BioNitrogen Signs Development MOU with Hardee County, Florida

Florida's biomass to fertilizer company BioNitrogen has announced signing an agreement with the Development Authorities of Hardee County for its proposed Florida conversion facility. The pledge of support comes just days after BioNitrogen secured a 3-year agreement for supply of gasifiers from PRM Energy. Subject to final approval, the Memorandum of Understand (MOU) provides $2 million for building a railroad spur onto the Florida Fertilizer property where the urea plant will be constructed. The County has also agreed to provide tax credits and other incentives for the plant's construction. BioNitrogen converts low value non-food biomass first into synthetic gas, then through catalysis turns the syngas into urea, a high-nitrogen fertilizer compound usually produced from petroleum. Bill Lambert, Director of Hardee County Economic Development, said, “The County is focused on fostering economic development in the region and we believe that the BioNitrogen plant will be a significant step in that direction by bringing both jobs and revenue to the area. We will be working closely with BioNitrogen management in the ensuing months to facilitate the project.” 08/28/2012

Sapphire Energy's Demo Green Crude Farm in New Mexico now Operational

San Diego's algae biorefinery company Sapphire Energy has announced that all elements of Green Crude Farm construction have now been completed on time and on budget. A shift to winter-hardy algae has begun and full-systems operational shake-down will continue into 2013. Sapphire expects to bring the operation on-line late in 2014 at a production scale of 100 barrels of Green Crude per day. The New Mexico facility began construction in June 2011; since then, Sapphire has harvested 81 tons of algal biomass from its 1/8 mile long ponds, which are equipped with auto-harvesting systems. Once at full build-out, the operation will consist of about 300 acres of ponds producing 1.5 million gallons of green crude each year. Sapphire's Green Crude process converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and algae into a bio-sourced crude oil is a fossil-fuel analogue ready for further refining to advanced biofuels. The carbon dioxide can be separated from the atmosphere and/or sequestered directly from industrial emissions. Development of the Green Crude Farm has been supported by both public and private funds; in April of this year, the company secured $144 million in a Series C investment round backed by a USDA loan guarantee and a $50 million grant from the Department of Energy. Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner, CEO and chairman of Sapphire Energy: “Bringing our Green Crude Farm online is not only an important accomplishment for Sapphire Energy, but a critical step toward a viable alternative energy future. What was once a concept is now becoming a reality and model for growing algae to make a renewable crude oil for energy. We look forward to sharing our progress as the Green Crude Farm moves to its next stage.” 08/27/2012

First SEFA Grant Awarded to African Green Tech Financial Facility Concept

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced that the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has awarded a grant of $825,000 (US) to develop the Green Tech Financial Facility. SEFA is a joint effort of the AfDB and the Government of Denmark (DKK). The SEFA was brought on-line in January of this year to support the implementation of the AfDB Private Sector Development (PSD) Strategy by providing untied grants and equity support to smaller-size renewable energy and energy efficiency developers. This first grant will be coordinated and monitored by a task team from the Private Sector Department of the AfDB, working closely with the African Biofuel and Renewable Energy Company (ABREC) and the SEFA Secretariat, to structure and launch an investment facility aimed at increasing private capital flow channeled to private sector-led projects that implement carbon-reducing and clean technologies for Africa. The SEFA is currently operating under two components: 1) Project Preparation Grants to facilitate the preparation of small and medium-scale renewable energy (RE) generation and energy efficiency (EE) projects requiring total capital investments of USD 30 -75 million. 2) Equity Investments seeking to address the lack of access to start-up and growth capital for SMEs, as well as their limited managerial and technical capability, and targeting RE and EE projects in the USD 10-30 million range. SEFA is structured to be used as a flexible multi-donor/multi-purpose platform to support the access to sustainable energy agenda in Africa, and one of Africa’s potential instruments under the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative. 08/27/2012

Weltec Enters Polish Energy Market with 2.4MW Ag Waste to Biogas Project

Germany based Weltec Biopower has announced that it will start construction next month on a 2.4 megawatt (MW) anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Darżyno, Pomerania, Poland about 80 kilometers west of Danzig. The facility will digest agricultural residues and animal manure slurry to produce biogas for generation of electricity and sale into the national grid. The substrates will be fed into the four 4,438 cubic metre stainless-steel fermenters via four storage tanks and a 50 cubic metre dosing feeder with operations expected to start in the summer of 2013. Apart from maize and liquid manure, which will be supplied by farmers from the vicinity, the operator NEWD will also ferment potato waste of a chip manufacturer. Previously, NEWD, which is also an investor in Weltec's first biogas plant in Poland, had concentrated on wind power plant construction and operations. Poland has the third-largest stock of AD feedstock resources in Europe, especially liquid manure from cattle, pigs and poultry. Decentralized power and heat generation are subsidized, and a highly developed infrastructure is available for the transport of gas and district heat. To reach the European Union climate goals, Poland plans to increase the share of renewable energies in energy generation from 5 to 15 percent by 2020, with an upward trend that is to reach one third by 2030. Poland promotes the development of decentralized energy, especially for biomass and biogas; as outlined in the "Biogas Development Programme 2010-2020“, Poland wants to have at least one agricultural biogas plant installed in every municipality by 2020. 08/27/2012

California Agencies Release 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan

California's Bioenergy Interagency Working Group has released the 2012 Bioenergy Action Plan, a coordinated state agency approach to addressing challenges and maximizing opportunities for the development of bioenergy projects that promote economic development and provide the greatest environmental benefit. The Working Group is chaired by Julia Levin, Deputy Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. The first Bioenergy Action Plan for California was published July 2006. The 2012 Plan updates and builds on the 2011 Plan, providing a more detailed set of recommendations for ways that state agency actions can meet California’s renewable energy, waste reduction, environmental, and public safety goals: (1) Increase research and development of diverse bioenergy technologies and applications, as well as their costs, benefits, and impacts; (2) Continue to develop and make accessible information about the availability of organic wastes and opportunities for bioenergy development; (3) Streamline and consolidate permitting of bioenergy facilities and reconcile conflicting regulatory requirements to the extent possible; (4) Assess and monetize the economic, energy, safety, environmental, and other benefits of biomass; and (5) Facilitate access to transmission, pipelines, and other distribution networks. 08/26/2012

WM and Renmatix to Develop Municipal Waste Conversion to Sugar Platform

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) and bio-sourced sugar specialist Renmatix have announced a joint development agreement (JDA) to explore conversion of low-value urban post-consumer waste into sugars for manufacturing biobased materials. Renmatix is privately held, with operations in Georgia currently capable of converting three dry tons of cellulosic biomass to Plantro™ sugar per day. The Renmatix technology platform utilizes its proprietary Plantrose™ process of two core steps (1) fractionation of biomass and separation of the remaining solids which contain cellulose and lignin, and (2) cellulose hydrolysis of the pretreated solids under more severe conditions utilizing "super-critical" hot compressed water as the primary solvent. The two step approach allows separation of the less resilient C5 sugar molecules, before breaking down the more stabile C6 sugars. Combined, the processing can "economically and efficiently deconstruct a wide range of non-food plant material in a continuous reaction down to the base sugars that enable a high-volume, low-volatility, building block for the bioeconomy." William Caesar, President, Waste Management Recycling Services: "This collaboration is a continuation of our commitment to extract the value we see in waste and convert it into valuable resources. We are working with Renmatix to further scale its technology, which has quickly emerged as the lowest-cost conversion method for producing the biobased sugar intermediately demanded by global markets.” 08/25/2012

PRM Energy Will Build Gasifers for BioNitrogen's Biomass-to-Urea Plants

Florida's BioNitrogen Corporation has announced a 3 year agreement whereby PRM Energy Systems, Inc. (PRME) of Hot Springs, Arkansas, will build gasifiers for BioNitrogen's patent-pending biomass-to-urea production facilities. In the last year, BioNitrogen has changed its name, secured funding and a Texas development site, and then shifted to a Florida site predicated upon feedstock cost and availability. BioNitrogen continues to work with Granherne, Inc., a KBR company, on the engineering report, which will be completed shortly. Granherne will work on the design of the plant, which includes the PRME gasification systems; the initial engineering work completed for the Texas plant has been transferred over to the Florida plant. The PRME^® Gasification Technology is fixed bed, up-draft, sub-stoichiometric, multi-zoned gasification air and staged combustion air. PRME^® Gasification Systems are available in a wide range of sizes to gasify from 20 - 2,000 tons per day. BioNitrogen's focus is on cleaning, upgrading and catalytic conversion of bio-sourced synthetic gas (syngas) to the high-nitrogen fertilizer component urea. Mr. Carlos Contreras, President and CEO of BioNitrogen, said, “This agreement is a major step forward in the process of constructing our first urea manufacturing plant. We are pleased to be working with PRME, which is a world-class company with a long track record of building first-class gasification systems. This brings BioNitrogen another step closer to providing domestically produced urea fertilizer for the North American market.” 08/25/2012

Due 09/19/2012: Proposals to the City of Palo Alto for Renewable Electricity

The City of Palo Alto, California, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) #147538 for Utility Commodities, "Fall 2012 Renewable Electric Power", with Bidder's Information Form (Attachment A) and a Sample Power Purchase Agreement (Attachment E). Palo Alto has set a renewable energy supply target of 33% by 2015. The solicitation seeks electric power generated by renewable resources to meet the City’s renewable portfolio needs. The City’s resource eligibility standards are the same as the specific eligibility criteria for renewable energy established by the California Energy Commission. However, Proposals for the sale of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) alone will not be considered. The City intends to negotiate and execute one or more Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), for terms of 5 to 30 years and a preference for 20 year or longer contract terms with one or more Selected Bidders. Each proposal must address only one like-kind power generation package; bidders may submit more than one proposal. The City has a preference for projects located within California; however it will consider any project with a delivery point located within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) region. Projects outside of California must have an online date on or after January 1, 2005. All projects must have a projected online date on or before January 1, 2017. A pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for September 6, 2012 at 10:00 am; although not mandatory, the pre-bid conference is strongly encouraged, and call-in capabilities are provided. The proposal submittal deadline is 3:00 pm on September 19, 2012. Questions or comments must be put in writing and received by the City no later than 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Address correspondence to Carolynn Bissett, Contract Administrator, City of Palo Alto, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mailed to  . 08/25/2012

Aemetis Licenses Drop-in Biofuel Technology from Chevron Lummus Global

California based biofuels company Aemetis, Inc, has obtained a license from Chevron Lummus Global (CLG) for the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION Process for production of to-specification biodiesel and jet fuel. The process is based on patented Catalytic Hydrothermolysis (CH) reactor technology developed by Applied Research Associates (ARA), which utilizes water as a catalyst to convert plant oils into "green crude". The intermediate oils are then processed with hydrogen using CLG’s ISOCONVERSION™ catalysts to produce drop-in jet fuel and diesel. The renewable fuels produced are direct replacements for petroleum-based jet and diesel fuel. Aemetis (formerly AE Biofuels) has developed a patent pending ambient temperature starch hydrolysis (ATSH) process that uses low-cost enzymes to effectively convert cellulose and hemicellulose to reducing sugars. Aemetis acquired the patented Z-Microbe to then convert these sugars to biofuels. The license agreement expands Aemetis' technologic capability and grants Aemetis Advanced Fuels Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aemetis, the use of the process for biofuel production in Aemetis biorefineries throughout North America. “This technology is ideally suited for the conversion of existing biofuels production facilities by utilizing the rail siding, feedstock unloading, raw material storage tanks, power generation units, Clean In Place system, neat fuel storage tanks and loadout equipment,” said Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “Expanding or converting existing biofuels and refining facilities to use the Biofuels ISOCONVERSION Process accelerates the scale up of production to supply the 70 billion gallon per year global market for jet fuel and the 50 billion gallon US market for diesel.” 08/24/2012

GE Develops CHP plus CO2 Fertilization for Houweling's Tomato Greenhouses

GE has announced a natural gas combined heat and power project that captures and delivers engine exhaust carbon dioxide to fertilize plants in Houweling Tomatoes' 125 acre greenhouse complex in Camarillo, California. The installation will use two of GE's 4.36 megawatt (MW) ecomagination-qualified Jenbacher J624 two-staged turbocharged natural gas engines and a GE-designed CO2 fertilization system, delivering 8.7 MW electrical power and 10.6 MW of thermal energy. The concept of a power plant being able to generate heat and power at nearly 100 percent overall efficiency is made possible by condensing out water vapor created in the combustion process. Thermal energy is recovered in exhaust gas heat exchangers for use in this ultra-efficient greenhouse, which utilizes very low water temperatures in its heating system to cool down exhaust temperatures below the dew point. “This CHP system will provide the necessary heat, power and CO2 for the growth of our fresh greenhouse tomatoes,” says Casey Houweling, the owner of the greenhouse facility. “However, the impact of this project on the region goes far beyond the vegetables produced in the greenhouse. This ultra-high-efficiency CHP plant also will provide flexible power to our local utility with a very short response time. GE’s proven technology and industry-leading efficiencies allow us to have one of the lowest CO2 footprints and water usage in the region for a power plant of this size. In fact, we plan to use the water condensed out of the exhaust gas in our operations—this will save approximately 9,500 gallons per day of usage from local water sources. We felt this project was the right thing to do for both our company and our community.” 08/24/2012

Chemtex Secures $99MM USDA Loan Guarantee for Cellulosic Biorefinery

North Carolina based Chemtex International, Inc has announced receipt of a conditional letter of commitment for a $99 million loan guarantee from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 9003 Biorefinery Assistance Program funding support is intended to enable financing for engineering and construction of the "Project Alpha" cellulosic biofuels plant. Chemtex is in discussions to locate the 20 million gallon per year facility in the Sampson County region of North Carolina. Chemtex will use Beta Renewables’ PROESA® technology to produce biofuel using non-food biomass feedstock, as in its commercial-scale demonstration biorefinery in Crescentino, Italy coming on-line this year. “Chemtex wishes to thank the USDA for their vision and their confidence in our project. Realizing a first industrial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant here in the USA and proving that it can produce cost competitive sustainable ethanol is an important milestone in the commercialization process of advanced biofuels. We believe that Project Alpha can become a model for future cellulosic ethanol production in America. Local economies and U.S. energy security will benefit,” said Guido Ghisolfi, President of Chemtex and the CEO of Beta Renewables. Chemtex and its other North Carolina based partners - the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, Novozymes, BB&T and the pork industry – will work closely with USDA and the State to move the project forward, targeting a start-up date in 2014. Peder Holk Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Novozymes: “Novozymes is excited to partner with Chemtex to convert energy crops into cellulosic ethanol in North Carolina. It is a great step forward for the U.S. biofuels industry and an endorsement of the technologies Chemtex and Novozymes have each developed. I am confident our collaboration will become a benchmark for the advanced biofuels industry in the U.S.” 08/24/2012

POET and Agrivida Sign Technology Collaboration Agreement

POET Research Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of POET LLC has announced a collaborative technology agreement with Massachusetts-based Agrivida, Inc to jointly develop and integrate Agrivida's advanced feedstock proceeding pathways with POET's cellulosic biofuels production. Agrivida’s technology platform is centered on proprietary cell wall-degrading enzymes grown within the plant itself that are activated after harvest, reducing subsequent costs for production of cellulosic biofuels and chemicals. Agrivida is developing both seeds engineered with pretreatment and cellulose-degrading traits, and processing techniques for activating the plants' cell wall-degrading enzymes in industrial and agricultural processes. The company's most advanced product in development is engineered corn for lignocellulosic conversion of corn stover and cobs into sugar. Energy crops such as switchgrass and sorghum are also being developed for use as dedicated feedstocks. Programs for sugarcane bagasse and woody perennials are in earlier stages of development. POET and Agrivida will collaborate to develop and test Agrivida’s engineered corn stover feedstock and feedstock processing technology for integration with POET’s existing commercial cellulosic technology. Mark Wong, Agrivida CEO said: “We are excited to be working with POET to improve the economics of advanced biofuels production. POET has one of the most advanced commercial cellulosic programs in the world with strong research, development and commercial deployment capabilities. POET will be a great partner as Agrivida transitions its technology from research and development to a commercialization phase.” 08/24/2012

Next in California ARB Chair's Lecture Series: Low Carbon Transportation

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has announced the next Chair's Lecture Series session, "Low Carbon Transportation: A Crucial Link to Economic and National Security", scheduled to start at noon on September 4, 2012 in the Byron Sher auditorium, CalEPA Building in Sacramento. The lecture is open to the public at no charge. Speaking will be David L. Greene, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy, University of Tennessee and Corporate Fellow, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. From the announcement: "Petroleum dependence is a serious economic and national security problem for the U.S. High levels of consumption and imports, coupled with the use of monopoly power in global oil markets and a historical lack of alternatives, have imposed significant costs on the U.S. economy. Today, direct economic costs from petroleum dependence are higher than they were during the oil embargoes of the 1970s and are estimated to have exceeded $2 trillion since 2005. These costs represent wealth transfer out of the country and lost economic output due to monopoly pricing and price spikes. (They do not account for indirect costs related to congestion, defense, or health impacts). Reducing petroleum dependence by transitioning to a low carbon transportation system can generate hundreds of billions of dollars annually in economic and national security benefits for the U.S. By greatly increasing energy efficiency and substituting hydrogen, electricity and biofuels produced with low net greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. can develop a sustainable and diverse transportation system while fostering a crucial link to economic and national security." The lecture will also be webcast; for more information on this Lecture and the Series please contact: Peter Mathews at (916) 323-8711 or  . 08/23/2012

NYSERDA Grants $470K to American Biogas Conditioning for Dairy AD Demo

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced a grant of $470,000 to Syracuse, New York based American Biogas Conditioning (ABC) for demonstration of the company's biogas clean-up technology on diary biogas. ABC has developed a very cost-effective method for removal of hydrogen sulfide contaminants (H2S) from biogas generated by anaerobic digestion (AD), estimating that the solution costs about one tenth as much as the current industry standard methodology. ABC is a joint venture between the firm Blue Electron and TS Umweltanalagenbau GmbH, a major manufacturer of biogas conditioning equipment in Germany. ABC will manufacture biogas conditioning systems for customers in North America, and Caribbean countries. The first Blue Electron biological desulphurization plant made in the US is currently under construction and will be used for the Cayuga County Regional Digester plant in Auburn, New York. The new funding supports application of the biologically-based contaminant removal process at Twin Birch Farms in Skaneateles, New York, for biogas generated from the farm's existing AD systems, with expected operational savings of $90,000 per year for the dairy. In addition to Twin Birch, American Biogas has launched demonstration projects at Roach Farm in Venice Center and at the Cayuga Regional Digester Facility in Auburn. All three projects will help the company refine its product. “When we started American Biogas, we were sure we could offer a much cheaper alternative to removing H2S from biogas, thus making anaerobic digestion more affordable,” said Kamyar Zadeh, President and CEO of American Biogas. “Now, thanks to NYSERDA and Twin Birch, we are going to prove it.” 08/23/2012

Vision Plasma Systems Supplies Units for Fukushima RadWaste Conversion

Based in Reno, Nevada, the modular plasma waste conversion company Vision Plasma Systems, Inc. has announced entering into a contract with the Japanese firm Cell Runner, Inc. for two Arc Master I units, valued at about $5.8 million per unit. Cell Runner will use the plasma conversion modules to vaporize over 5,000 radioactively contaminated hazmat suits worn by clean-up workers at the Fukushima Nuclear Facility. Up to 5 tons per unit per day of the contaminated rubberized coveralls will be converted into electricity, heat, and a recyclable metal ingot, needing no outside power and generating about 240 kilowatts in excess of the power needed to run the equipment. Each module of the Arc Master I is built inside two standard ISO 40 ft metal containers, enabling transport by truck, rail, ship, or plane, simplifying remediation for all forms of waste. With positive performance of these initial units, the company expects to provide additional systems. Japanese officials, negotiating through their intermediary, Cell Runner of Japan, have requested enough units to not only handle the daily flow of 5,000 suits a day, but also enough to get rid of the backlog of contaminated suits, currently isolated in a warehouse. "Japanese officials have acknowledged that the Arc Master I technology is the only feasible option for the safe handling and remediation of what has become a major environment cleanup operation," stated Timothy P. Volk, CEO of Vision Plasma Systems, Inc. "Their nation is looking to them for an answer, and they are eager be the first ones to receive our units." 08/21/2012

Update: DTSC Extends Green Chemistry Comment Period to October 11, 2012

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has released a notice extending the formal comment period by one month for the Safer Consumer Product "green chemistry" proposed regulations. Comments are now due by 5pm on October 11, 2012. The public hearing date remains the same, scheduled for September 10, 2012. For further information, contact Krysia Von Burg, DTSC Regulations Coordinator at (916) 324-2810, or email to  . See original Teru Talk news item. 08/20/2012

Dynamic Fuels Receives EPA Part 79 Registration for Renewable Gasoline

Oklahoma based Syntroleum Corporation has announced that its subsidiary Dynamic Fuels LLC, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Part 79 registration for its Renewable Gasoline Blendstock 10. Dynamic Fuels' 75 million gallon design capacity Geismar, Louisiana biorefinery should produce approximately 7.5 million gallons of renewable gasoline Blendstock 10 annually. Previously, Dynamic Fuels received Part 79 registration for Renewable Diesel Blendstock for up to a 20% blend with petroleum diesel in 2009 and registration for Renewable Diesel for use at up to 100% concentration in 2011. The parent company's Bio-Synfining® technology converts animal fat and vegetable oil feedstocks into middle distillate products such as renewable diesel and jet fuel using inedible fats and greases as feedstock. Their Syntroleum® Process for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalysis converts synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbons and the Synfining® Process then upgrades the FT liquid hydrocarbons into middle distillate products such as synthetic diesel and jet fuels. Dynamic Fuels LLC is a 50/50% joint venture between Syntroleum and Arkansas-based Tyson Foods, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork. 08/20/2012

Genuine Bio-Fuel Expands to New Jersey with 2nd Biodiesel Refinery

Indiantown, Florida based Genuine Bio-Fuel Inc has announced its plans to expand operations by building a second advanced biodiesel production plant at the Lincoln Park Airport in New Jersey. The company's low energy, high-yield biodiesel production process utilizes its patent-pending continuous-flow ultrasonic shear-mixing technology to produce biodiesel from a wider variety of feedstock types. Advanced finishing processes use centrifuges and ion-exchange polishing instead of conventional water washing, requiring much less water. Genuine Bio-Fuel has developed an Oil-to-Fuel waste vegetable oil and grease trap collection program that provides sealable containers and a flexible pick-up schedule. The privately funded company's biodiesel was awarded EPA Part 79 registration in April 2012 as an RFS2 Fuel Producer, and in July received one of the largest US Department of Agriculture 2012 advanced biofuel production payments totaling $504,938. Executive Vice President of the company, Jeff Longo expressed, “Genuine Bio-Fuel's goal is to build an environmentally responsible facility, create jobs, and aid in the economic growth of the Lincoln Park community and surrounding areas." The company's Bryan Harrison added: “Genuine Bio-Fuel is looking forward to opening our facility at the airport in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. The local municipality has been very supportive of this renewable energy endeavor." 08/20/2012

GE's Jenbacher Engine Surpasses 50K Hours Running on Brewery Biogas

General Electric (GE) has announced that its J312 gas engine installation at the Bitburger Brauerei (brewery) in Germany has surpassed 50,000 hours of run time fueled from biogas produced on-site from brewery waste. The brewery is located near Trier and the Luxembourg border. Founded in 1817, today its product ranks among Germany’s best selling beer. GE's combined heat and power equipment generates over 600 kilowatts of electricity and 700 kilowatts of thermal energy. The biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion (AD) of brewery by-products and wastewater, ultimately providing the operation an energy savings of around 10% while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 10,000 tons per year. Initially, the AD biogas fueled the brewery's boilers; the current Jenbacher application has demonstrated greater efficiency and economy, while provide fuel flexibility between biogas and natural gas. Collaboration at the Bitburger Brauerei is within GE’s "ecomagination" focus on the global food and beverage sector, bringing energy management, CHP, and other waste-to-value solutions to the industry. Breweries are a traditional segment for distributed power generation to meet on-site power needs. In general, CHP applications are growing in Germany specifically to support the country’s energy turnaround efforts, as well as throughout Europe, based on the CHP incentives that are a key part of the European Union’s 20-20-20 initiative. “Working with Bitburger allowed us to develop a customized technology solution that met their specific needs,” said Rafael Santana, president and CEO of Gas Engines for GE Energy. “Our gas engine technology provides a high degree of fuel flexibility with the capability to operate on a wide range of gases such as biogas or natural gas for the Bitburger brewery. Its proven reliability and availability are keys to achieving the successful 50,000-hour operating milestone.” 08/18/2012

BASF, Cargill, and Novozymes Collaborate on Bio-Based Acrylic Acid Process

Formalizing and expanding upon a four year old agreement with Novozymes, food and ag giant Cargill has announced expanding collaboration to include the global chemical company BASF for the development of processes to make bio-based acrylic acid from renewable raw materials. Novozymes and Cargill have worked to develop microorganisms that can efficiently convert renewable feedstock into 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), a precursor to acrylic acid. BASF has now joined the collaboration to develop the process for conversion of 3-HP into acrylic acid. Acrylic acid is a high-volume chemical that feeds into a broad range of products. One of the main applications is in the manufacture of superabsorbent polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid and are used mainly in baby diapers and other hygiene products. Acrylic acid is also used in adhesive raw materials and coatings. The annual global market volume of acrylic acid is around 4.5 million tons with a value of $11 billion1 at the end of 2011. The market has been growing at a rate of 4 percent per year. BASF is the world´s largest producer of acrylic acid; Novozymes develops industrial enzymes and bio-catalysts, with deep experience developing technologies for bio-based production of chemicals. “Cargill is pleased to bring its global expertise in sourcing renewable feedstocks and large-scale fermentation to this collaborative project”, said Chris Mallett, Cargill Corporate Vice President of research and development. “The work with BASF and Novozymes underscores our commitment to developing innovative new technologies that help our customers meet their business objectives.” 08/18/2012

Due 02/19/2013: Applications to NSF under Energy for Sustainability Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a notice soliciting applications to the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering Environmental and Transportation's (CBET) Energy for Sustainability program, Opportunity Number PD-13-7644. Fundamental research on innovative approaches for the intensification of biofuel and bioenergy processes is an emphasis area of the Biomass Conversion, Biofuels and Bioenergy program. Specific areas of interest include: biological, thermochemical, or thermocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels beyond cellulosic ethanol; microbial fuel cells for direct production of electricity from renewable carbon sources; process-based, scalable approaches for the biological or bio-mimetic generation of electricity directly from sunlight; hydrogen production from autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms; hydrocarbons and lipids from autotrophic or heterotrophic microorganisms. Duration of unsolicited awards is typically three years; average annual award is $100,000. Detailed program guidelines for exploratory contact and for later full application submission is provided in the notice, generally following revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (NSF11-1). Full proposals may only be submitted between January 15, 2013 and February 19, 2013; preliminary discussions with the program directors prior to the open submissions window are encouraged. The application and instructions can be downloaded from Grants.gov. The primary point of contact for NSF's Energy for Sustainability program is Ram B. Gupta,  , (703) 292-8320. 08/18/2012

German Assessment Identifies Renewable Waste as Best Bioenergy Source

The German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, has announced release of a report, "Bioenergy - Chances and Limits" identifying waste as the only viable feedstock for bioenergy, while cautioning that there isn't enough waste generated and accessible to meet the country's needs. The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the bioenergy component to German energy policy, as an update to earlier, broadly collaborative work “Concept for an integrated energy research programme for Germany." The report begins with a discussion of availability / sustainability of biomass as an energy source, addresses conversion to "marketed energy carriers", finishing with potential bio-sourced hydrogen socio-economic aspects. Three crucial difficulties arising from biocrop development for bioenergy and biofuels are examined: (a) unavoidable linkage between the carbon cycle and the nutrient cycles of nitrogen results in increased need for fertilization with increased removal of biomass, which in turn induces greater release of nitrous oxide (N2O), a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide; (b) substantial land management and animal husbandry impacts must be internalized when biocrop life cycle emissions are assessed, and (c) CO2 fixation by plant growth does not in itself justify neglecting the CO2 emissions upon combustion of the harvested biomass. The Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina has been the German National Academy of Sciences since 2008. It addresses key issues of particular significance for the future of society from a scientific perspective and independently of economic or political interests, shares its findings with policymakers and the public, and puts these issues up for discussion on a national and international level. 08/17/2012

Novozymes Develops Fungus that Converts Sugar to Malic Acid

Biocatalyst specialist Novozymes has announced the successful development of a fungal strain that converts sugar directly to malic acid, instead of to an alcohol or oil. Malic acid occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables and is widely used in the food production industry. It is also an intermediate four-carbon (C4) building-block chemical that, along with succinic and fumaric acid, can be converted to the plastics and polymer precursor 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The market for BDO and derivatives is around 1.4 million tons at a value of $2.8 billion and with an annual growth rate of 3%. Novozymes' platform continues to facilitate advances in identification and development of enzymes, gene modification to optimize the enzymes, and selection and development of microorganisms that can effectively express that genetic enzyme production. Novozymes is now out-licensing the technology to partners who are interested in producing and commercializing malic acid and derivatives made from renewable raw materials. Novozymes’ Executive Vice President Thomas Videbæk: “This is our first biochemical building block and a major milestone towards building a biochemical industry together with partners. Oil-based products are all around us, and biochemicals produced from renewable raw materials meet a global need for sustainable alternatives. This need is growing due to concerns about crude oil scarcity and price fluctuations.” 08/16/2012

Verdezyne Patents Bio-Based Adipic Acid Production Method

Based in Carlsbad, California, the green chemistry company Verdezyne has announced the award of patent  “Biological Methods for Preparing Adipic Acid” (US Patent No. 8,241,879) for one of the company’s proprietary processes for selectively converting non-petroleum oils into adipic acid. The bio-based chemical is a key component used to manufacture renewable and sustainable nylon 6,6, thermoplastic polyurethane resins, and coatings. The new proprietary adipic acid fermentation process has been designed specifically to promote the production of renewable nylon 6,6 with base materials that are less environmentally damaging and more cost effective. Verdezyne opened its first pilot plant for adipic acid production just last December at their Carlsbad headquarters. The technology platform is feedstock flexible, allowing the microorganisms to ferment sugars, bio-based oils or alkanes. “Building on the patent we secured earlier this year on engineered microorganisms, this intellectual property protection for our adipic acid production process is another strong milestone in our technology development program,” said E. William Radany, Ph.D., president and CEO of Verdezyne. “Our feedstock-flexible approach is just one of many factors that sets Verdezyne apart from other players in the renewable chemicals landscape.” 08/16/2012

Lignol Energy Acquires Shares in Australian Renewable Fuels for CAD$4.3MM

Canadian advanced biofuels and bio-sourced chemicals company Lignol Energy Corporation has announced a non-brokered private equity placement of up to CAD$2.4 million. The leading Private Placement investor with CAD$1 million is Difference Capital Funding Inc., a growth-oriented Canadian merchant bank. Concurrently, Lignol will acquire CAD$4.3 million of common shares in Australia's largest biodiesel producer, Australian Renewable Fuels Ltd. The shares are being purchased from Wasabi Energy Ltd, who will then hold from 19% to 29% share interest in Lignol. Wasabi is an energy development company based on commercial application of the low-grade heat driven Kalina Cycle®, through a majority equity position in the company Global Geothermal Ltd An executive director at Wasabi since 2006, Stephen Morris will resign from Wasabi and join Lignol's Board upon closing of all transactions; Mr. Morris's company Jace Ltd. also acquired Lignol shares. Lignol’s fractionation technology produces clean inputs for cellulosic ethanol, pulp and paper, and green chemical industries. Lignol's modified solvent based pre-treatment technology facilitates the rapid, high-yield conversion of cellulose to ethanol and the production of value-added biochemical co-products, including the high purity HP-L™ lignin. Ross MacLachlan, Lignol's CEO: "The diversification of the asset base of Lignol, combined with the confidence of a new group of investors to strengthen our balance sheet, is a very positive development for Lignol shareholders. This transaction will provide Lignol with cash and balance sheet assets with which to leverage new government funding in completing the remaining pilot plant in support of commercializing our technology." The transactions are expected to close the week of August 20, 2012. 08/16/2012

MagneGas (MNGA) Begins Trading on the NASDAQ

Florida based waste to fuel company MagneGas announced receipt of approval to list common shares and initiate sales on the NASDAQ Capital market. MagneGas has also announced stock pricing, and increased the offering of 2,850,000 shares as a result of participation in the sale by three current shareholders at a price to the public of $3.00 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Underwriters have a 45-day option period to purchase an additional 427,500 shares. The offering is expected to close around August 21, 2012. Northland Capital Markets is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering and MLV & Co. LLC is acting as the co-manager for the offering; a full prospectus will be available once filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company's patented MagneGas® hydrogen-rich metal cutting fuel syngas is created using plasma arc reduction of waste liquids such as sewage sludge. MagneGas is a cost competitive and clean burning fuel interchangeable with Natural Gas, with lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions than comparable fossil fuels. The fuel can be used for metal cutting, cooking, heating, or powering natural gas bi fuel automobiles. The company has been steadily expanding its customer base, providing all cylinder-contained cutting gas supplies for numerous Florida-region large-scale demolition projects. Last month, General Motors selected MagneGas for testing at GM's Grand Blanc Weld and Tool Center in Flint, Michigan. 08/16/2012

Texas AgriLife Research and BP Biofuels Collaborate on Biomass Energy Crops

Texas AgriLife Research, part of the Texas A&M University System, has announced signing a three-year agreement with BP Biofuels to develop and commercialize cellulosic feedstocks for the production of advanced biofuels. The collaboration will utilize AgriLife Research’s diverse high biomass energy crop breeding program and BP Biofuels’ position as one of the few global energy companies growing commercial-scale biomass crops for liquid fuels. The AgriLife center has been engaged in a variety of biomass to biofuels projects, including assessment of juniper and mesquite for biopower, and closed-loop aquaculture/biofuels, coupling shrimp production with Salicornia biocropping. This new research and development project has two integrated components: plant breeding and production agronomics. The integration of plant breeding and production agronomics will enable BP Biofuels and AgriLife Research to develop elite genetics and production guidelines for future growers. “This partnership with BP Biofuels is a fine example of how the public sector and private industry can combine resources to create unique solutions for our world,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M System. “The innovation of our researchers ensures that AgriLife will play a role in meeting our energy needs.” 08/15/2012

EPA and Mexico's Border 2020 Agreement Addresses Waste Management

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced entering into a new environmentally-focused cooperative border agreement with Mexico. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson met with Mexico’s Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources Juan Elvira Quesada to sign the Border 2020 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program agreement, refreshing the previous Border 2012 program ending this year. The eight-year Border 2020 agreement will focus on high priority environmental and public health problems in the 2,000 mile border region, in particular: (1) Reducing air pollution by promoting vehicle inspection programs, road paving, and anti-idling technologies at ports-of-entry; (2) Improving access to clean and safe water and water quality in the bi-national watersheds; (3) Promoting materials and waste management, and addressing contaminated sites as well as management practices for addressing electronics, lead acid batteries, tires, and trash; (4) Enhancing joint preparedness for environmental and emergency response; and (5) Enhancing compliance assurance and environmental stewardship. The agreement does not address the environmental and safety impacts stemming from human and drug trafficking and other illegal activities arising from people who are illegally crossing the border. According to EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson: "Addressing the environmental issues along the border has long been a priority we share with our colleagues in Mexico, because we know that environmental degradation, pollution, and the diseases they trigger don’t stop at the national boundaries. Thanks to help from our partners in government, industry, academia and local communities, the Border 2020 agreement will build upon the significant progress already made, and families on both sides of the border will continue to benefit from cleaner, healthier communities for decades to come.” 08/15/2012

Iowa State Turns Ethanol Waste to MycoMeal, a High-Protein Animal Food

Iowa State University researchers have announced successful initial animal feeding trials using its patent-pending MycoMeal, a food-grade fungal product the team has been growing on ethanol fermentation residuals. Dr. Hans van Leeuwen, an ISU professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and his team have been developing the production methods for quite some time, winning numerous awards along the way. The MycoMeal process was moved from lab to 400 gallon pilot scale last year. With lots of research and optimization work still to do, they now know that the fungi produce a high-energy feed for chickens; Mike Persia, an assistant professor of animal science belies that "there's some value there." For every gallon of ethanol produced, standard fermentation methods leave about five gallons of residual slurry. Solids are centrifuged, leaving "thin stillage" which usually is of little value. Professor Leeuwen's team inoculates this broth with the fungus Rhizopus microsporus, which grows to a harvest-ready mass in less than one day - what the team refers to as "lightning speed farming". The fungal growth also helps clean up and improve for re-use the water it is separated from. Once dried, MycoMeal is rich in protein and also contains certain essential amino acids, oils and nutrients. The process was recently named the Global Grand Winner in the category of Applied Research, in the International Water Association's Project Innovation Awards in Applied Research. 08/15/2012

Camco SEA Develops 2 MW Anaerobic Digestion to Biogas Plant in Malaysia

Global clean energy company Camco International Ltd has announced that its subsidiary Camco Southeast Asia (Camco SEA) will develop its first anaerobic digestion (AD) to biogas plant in Malaysia. The 2 megawatt AD facility will convert palm oil mill effluent (POME) to methane-rich biogas. Malaysia is the world's largest palm oil exporter, and the "environmentally unfriendly" POME accounts for the greatest fraction of milling residuals, with an estimated 58 million tons produced annually. The Malaysian government recently introduced a renewable energy feed-in tariff to increase conversion of waste into power; palm oil producers are seeing increasing pressure to reduce waste from their production processes, especially to address compliance issues for export of sustainably produced biofuel to the European market. Camco SEA has acquired the rights to develop an existing project by acquiring Biopower Climate Care Holding SDN Bhd, a fully owned subsidiary of Rhodia Energy GHG (France), who in turn is a subsidiary member of the Solvay Group. Camco SEA intends to complete the plant expected in early 2013, at a cost of about $4 million. A build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) revenue sharing agreement has been reached with a palm oil mill owner, who will provide POME feedstock at no charge in exchange for a share of the generated electricity and carbon credits. Kent Carter, Managing Director of Camco Southeast Asia: “I am very pleased with our acquisition of the Palong biogas project, as it strengthens Camco SEA’s market position in the biogas development business, one of the fastest growing areas of renewable energy development in the region.” 08/14/2012

BioNitrogen Expands Florida Site Contract to Include Feedstock Purchase

Florida based BioNitrogen Corporation has announced entering into a feedstock purchase agreement with the Florida Fertilizer Company to purchase biomass from a 40 acre parcel of land in Hardee County, Florida. The land is part of a larger parcel that BioNitrogen is leasing for its new biomass-to-urea plant. The feedstock consists of tree trimmings, agricultural waste, and wood chips that will be cleaned, ground, and gasified. The resultant syngas will then pass through a series of cleaning steps to remove any elements that could be detrimental to downstream processing. The clean syngas will then pass through a series of catalytic reaction stages for transformation into the desired end product, industrial urea. During this stage of processing, specific chemicals will be separated out and recycled back into the process. Earlier this year, BioNitrogen announced that it had signed a Letter of Intent to construct a fertilizer plant in West Texas. Due to a reassessment of both the availability of appropriate biomass and the potential market for urea in the region, the company has decided to postpone any expansion in West Texas and focus its resources and capital in Hardee County, Florida. The region produces large amounts of landscape organics suitable for conversion; BioNitrogen can receive a fee for accepting the feedstock while providing diversion from the usual option of landfilling. Carlos A. Contreras, President & CEO of BioNitrogen, stated, “The biomass, or plant feedstock, is a material cost in our plant business model. In the planned operation being set up in Hardee County we can source the biomass and generate revenues at the same time, on a year-round basis.” 08/14/2012

Canada and British Columbia Invest in Biocoal, Biofuels from Ag Residuals

The Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia (BC) (IAFBC) has announced that the BC Ministry of Agriculture has joined the federal Agriculture Ministry under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement. The Canada-BC Agri-Innovation Program supports innovation, enhanced profitability and competitiveness, on-farm and throughout the supply chain, while BC's new Agrifoods Strategy supports new businesses and market innovations including participation in energy and carbon efficiency, renewable energy, and bioproducts development. A total investment of $289,175 will go toward two projects to explore turning agricultural waste into quality biofuels that will create new or additional revenue streams for farmers: (1) $142,575 for Diacarbon Energy Inc to convert agricultural wastes such as anaerobic digestate, poultry litter and spent mushroom substrate into biocoal, and to research use of biocoal as an industrial fuel and energy source; and (2) $146,600 for GreenScene AgriTek Inc to create a quality biofuel from used horse bedding. The Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia was established in 1996 as an industry-led, not-for-profit organization. We represent a significant component of the agriculture and agri-food community, from farm supply to primary production to post-farm gate and food processing. “Projects like these demonstrate the opportunity for agriculture to play a role in the development of new energy solutions and responsible environmental practices,” said Peter Levelton, chair of IAFBC. “The IAF is proud to connect the BC agriculture sector with funding to make these kinds of partnerships in innovation possible.” 08/14/2012

4FRI Project Restoration Contractor Announces Biomass Conversion Partner

The Montana-based company Pioneer Forest Products has announced its team for the new restoration contract under the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI): Arizona-local Cooley Forest Products and biomass conversion partner Western Energy Solution, LLC / Concord Blue USA, Inc. Pioneer has made considerable  progress in the three months following selection in May 2012 for one of the largest forest restoration contracts ever awarded by the US Forest Service. As part of the 4FRI, Pioneer is contracted for restoration treatments on 300,000 acres in the Coconino, Tonto, Apache-Sitgreaves and Kaibab national forests in northern Arizona.  The team has selected a 500 acre site near the Winslow airport for the timber mill and associated biofuels facility and has the main engineering contracts in place. Pioneer is building a state-of-the-art mill to convert small diameter timber into high value material. Residual from the restoration work and some of the woody debris from the mill will then become feedstock for Concord Blue's ceramic-ballast-assisted "Blue Tower" downdraft gasification system, which converts woody biomass to pyrolytic gas then applies steam reforming and catalysis to produce liquid biofuel. Herman Hauck, President of Pioneer Forest Products: “Pioneer has contacted many loggers from Arizona as well as across the West, and many are ready to begin operations when we start next year. For the most part, we are planning to hire locals to carry out operations for Pioneer and we expect this will mean several hundred new jobs throughout rural Arizona.” 08/13/2012

California Governor Launches "Climate Change: Just the Facts" Website

California Governor Jerry Brown's Office of Planning and Research has launched a new website, "Climate Change: Just the Facts" that lays out the evidence and reasoning of Climate Science. California's aggressive package of regulations and policies regarding climate change stem from passage of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32; Stats. 2006, Chapter 488) (AB 32). The bill and attendant Executive Orders authorized the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to implement a comprehensive, multi-year program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California. This includes the ARB's roll-out of the Cap and Trade Program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery's (CalRecycle) implementation of AB 341 for Mandatory Commercial Recycling. The controversial measures are often attacked on the grounds that Climate Change is a false premise and the new website seeks to set the record straight. It presents the Climate Science and the Scientific Consensus, then calls out the Deniers and their common arguments. According to the website: "While California is taking action, some of those who oppose the move to renewable energy and cleaner transportation have mischaracterized the science of climate change in an effort to create artificial uncertainty about the existence and causes of climate change. The fact is that on the key issues, the science is clear: climate change is real and happening now; human-made greenhouse gas emissions are affecting our planet; and we need to take action. Just as we reached a point where we stopped debating whether cigarette smoke causes cancer, we need to end the climate change debate and focus on how to solve the problem." 08/13/2012

INVISTA and LanzaTech Collaborate on Waste CO Sourced Bio-Butadiene

Global biotech giant INVISTA and New Zealand's LanzaTech have concurrently announced signing a joint development agreement focused conversion of waste carbon monoxide (CO) from industrial emissions into the foundation biopolymer butadiene. Initially, the collaboration will develop a two-step process for conversion of LanzaTech's CO-derived 2,3-butanediol (2,3 BDO) into butadiene. Later, the team will investigate a single-step gas fermentation pathway. INVISTA is globally recognized as a leader in integrated production of polymers and fibers, and is known for breakthrough polymer developments such as Lycra® and Dacron®. LanzaTech's unique technology platform can convert carbon monoxide containing gases produced by industries such as steel manufacturing, oil refining, and chemical production, as well as gases generated by gasification of forestry and agricultural residues, municipal waste, and coal into valuable fuel and chemical products. Butadiene is an important intermediate chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber and various plastics. It is also a key intermediate chemical used by INVISTA in its proprietary, butadiene-based adiponitrile (ADN) production technologies. ADN is a critical intermediate chemical used in the manufacture of nylon 6,6. Bill Greenfield, executive vice president of INVISTA’s nylon intermediates business: “As we seek innovative solutions to increase the global supply of butadiene, we believe developing a cost competitive biological route to butadiene will help assure ample supply and reduce price volatility. We believe this collaboration effort is a great opportunity to leverage our own internal biotechnical research with the unique and impressive capabilities that LanzaTech has developed.” 08/13/2012

Republic Starts Up 110 Ton/Hour MRF at Recycling Complex in San Jose

Municipal waste management company Republic Services has announced the dedication and start-up of its massive 110 ton per hour capacity materials recovery facility (MRF) in San Jose, California. Partnering with the Oregon firm Bulk Handling Systems (BHS), Republic has completed expansion and modernization of its 342-acre Newbury Island Recycling Complex with installation of BHS's highly automated and custom designed multiple waste stream sorting and processing system. The reconfigured MRF is expected to receive and process all of the commercial waste generated by San Jose businesses, as directed by the new regulatory and policy goals of AB 341, California's new Mandatory Commercial Recycling bill. The City is already engaged in an ambitious Zero Waste Strategy involving essentially every element of municipal waste and resource management and extends to numerous public private partnerships. and contract relationships such as with Republic. The overall program views waste as a resource, provides standard recycling services for all, and introduces the recycling of organics using advanced technology that generates energy from waste. City of San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed: "Our businesses and community will benefit from this new approach to commercial waste recycling. The new service will include the recycling of organic waste which will help businesses and the City alike achieve their sustainability goals. The investment in advanced waste processing facilities generates new green jobs, turns waste into energy, and once again demonstrates San Jose's innovative leadership toward a sustainable future and moves the City significantly closer to achieving its Green Vision goal of diverting 100 percent of its waste from landfills and converting that waste in to energy." 08/11/2012

Trimble's cBin Uses GPS to Remotely Track and Monitor Recycling Bins

Tirmble Environmental Solutions has announced the launch of its GPS enabled cBin^TM waste collection and materials management modules. The cBin solution consists of a remote sensor in a container that sends fill level and asset status information via wireless communications, sending hourly updates to a web portal to improve container inventory control and pickup routing efficiency; immediate updates are sent if fill levels exceed action levels. The cBin solution includes web interface routing tools to customize collection routes based on container status. The summary screen provides a quick "at a glance" view of all containers in a community for rapid evaluation of container status. Elmar Lenz, director of Trimble's Environmental Solutions Business Area: "Trimble's cBin solution can redefine how recycled materials are being collected. Hauling operations no longer need to use fuel, labor or incur truck wear and tear to go pick-up empty or partially full containers. Optimal route planning and scheduling are essential to remain competitive. The cBin solution allows customers to plan collection routes to pick-up only full containers and estimate the amounts of recyclable materials that each truck will collect on a route before leaving the shop. With cBin, recyclers and fleet managers can reduce collection cost, improve their forecasting process, and utilize their fleets more efficiently." 08/11/2012

Indian River BioEnergy Center Receives EPA Registration for Cellulosic Ethanol

INEOS Bio has announced that its joint venture project INEOS New Planet BioEnergy (INPB) has been granted fuels registration under EPA's Part 79 and 80 for production and sale of advanced bioethanol from non-food vegetable waste feedstock. Construction of INPB's Indian River BioEnergy Center in Velo Beach, Florida, broke ground in February 2011, was completed in June 2012, and the plant has been undergoing commissioning, on schedule for start-up later this year. The development has benefited from a $75 million USDA loan guarantee a year ago, and successfully petitioned for local tax abatement last December. The INEOS technology platform starts with the gasification of a wide variety of feedstock types, reclaiming heat as the syngas is cooled and cleaned, then infusing the cooled gas into fermentation vessels charged with naturally-occurring strains of bacteria. The fermentation produces ethanol, which is then dewatered and refined to produce anhydrous ethanol at greater than 97% purity. When the Center is at full production, it will produce eight million gallons (24,000 tons per year) of advanced bioethanol and six megawatts (gross) of renewable power annually from renewable biomass including local yard, vegetative and agricultural wastes. INEOS Bio has plans to run municipal solid waste at the Center after the initial start-up. "We have completed this new facility on schedule and on budget and look forward to further advancing this bioenergy technology and making it commercially available around the world," said Peter Williams, CEO of INEOS Bio and Chairman of INPB. "Building more facilities and licensing this technology globally provides a new platform for waste disposal while providing energy security, local jobs and local bioenergy. New technologies like this will also move us further away from and eventually change the food-vs-fuel debate." 08/11/2012

Due 09/10/2012: Comments on Placer County Bioenergy Project Draft EIR

Placer County has released a Notice of Availability initiating a public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) addressing potential impacts of development and operation of a bioenergy facility. The Executive Summary from the DEIR provides a brief synopsis of the proposed project and project alternatives, environmental impacts and mitigation, areas of known controversy, and issues to be resolved during environmental review. The project is part of the Placer County Biomass Program, intended to (1) determine the feasibility of removing woody biomass from forest lands in the County; and (2) examine the options for using excess biomass to generate economically sustainable forms of energy or other beneficial products. The Cabin Creek Biomass Facility will be a gasification-based wood waste conversion plant, sited on 3.7 acres on the southeastern portion of a 292 acre County-owned property, within which the Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Cabin Creek operates on about 40 acres. The bioenergy plant will convert between14,000 and 17,000 bone dry tons (bdt) of woody biomass annually into 2 megawatts of electricity and from 420 to 850 tons of biochar. The location on Highway 89 between the Tahoe Basin and the town of Truckee facilitates feedstock transport from a 30-mile radius. The gasification system vendor will be selected later in this planning process. A public hearing seeking comment specifically on the adequacy of the DEIR is scheduled for August 30, 2012 in Tahoe City. A second hearing yet to be scheduled will address the merits of the proposed project. Comments on DEIR adequacy should be submitted in writing to Maywan Krach, Placer County Community Development Resource Agency, Environmental Coordination Services, 3091 County Center Drive, Suite 190, Auburn, CA 95603, fax (530) 745-3080 or email  . For more information regarding the project, please contact Project Planner, Gerry Haas, (530) 745-3084. 08/11/2012

Due 10/05/2012: Proposals to USACE for Renewable/Alternative Energy IDIQ

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through its Engineering and Support Center in Huntsville, Alabama has issued "Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production for Department of Defense Installation, Solicitation # W912DY-11-R-0036". The solicitation is a Multiple-Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy through power purchase agreements. The USACE intends to award the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-delivery (IDIQ) $7 billion capacity contracts for nearly 30 years for the purchase of energy from renewable energy plants that are constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing. This final RFP follows an extended industry and government draft review period during which over 900 comments were received and analyzed. Further detail can be found on the FedBixOpps.gov site notice issued for the pre-solicitation draft, including links to the current version of the RFP. A pre-proposal conference has been scheduled for August 22, 2012; information on attending the workshop is to be issued as an upcoming amendment to this RFP. Proposals are due October 5, 2012 no later than 2:00pm CST. Questions should be directed to Sarah M. Tierney in Huntsville at (256) 895-1219 or  , or to others within the USACE Huntsville Public Affairs Office. Editor's Note: There are difficulties in contacting staff and in accessing and viewing solicitation documents as of this posting. 08/10/2012

Eco Ventures Group Secures Local Permits for Florida Biofuels Plant

Florida based company Eco Ventures Group Inc (EVG) has announced that both Lake County and the City of Groveland, Florida have now formally approved permits for the company's biofuel systems fabrication and manufacturing, and for the production and sale of biofuel on all of its Groveland headquarters property. At present, EVG's Eco Energy Group is developing a 3.6 million gallon per year biofuel plant on the property; the all-inclusive permits will allow expansion in the future to around 90 million annual gallons production. EVG has developed a cost-effective Raptor modular biodiesel production system at the relatively small scale of 3.6 million gallon annual rate, capable of converting high free-fatty acid (FAA) content waste "yellow grease" and oil-rich seed crop feedstock. Through EVG's joint venture with Raptor Technologies Group, the company intends to diversify its advanced biofuels beyond biodiesel production. The Company hopes to begin biofuel test manufacturing near the end of the fourth quarter 2012 or beginning of the first quarter of 2013. Randall Lanham, Eco Ventures Group Chief Executive Officer: "We appreciate the diligence of Lake County and the City of Groveland throughout the complex process for permitting biofuel manufacturing and sales at our Groveland headquarters. We look forward to working closely with federal and state agencies to prepare for the Company's safe and responsible commercial scale biofuel production in the months ahead." 08/09/2012

Technical Options Presented for Biochar Analysis

Micrometrics Analytical Services (MAS) has announced availability of a technical biochar analysis paper presented during the 2012 US Biochar Conference held at Sonoma State University at the end of July. The paper, Analytical Options for Biochar Adsorption and Surface Area, was co-authored by MAS and numerous other specialists in the field of analytical protocols, instrumentation, and testing to differentiate properly manufactured biochar from other carbon rich natural products based on its ability to interacts in the soil dynamics of moisture, fertilizer and microbial populations, and how stable it is to degradation in that environment. Use of biochar is still new enough to not have developed a thorough suite of analytical protocols capable of standardizing testing and characterization. The paper differentiates between adsorption and absorption pertinent to biochar, compares biochar production methods and results, and contrasts current testing methodologies for both adsorption and surface area assessment. The paper's conclusion points out the highly variable nature of the material, complicating characterization: "One underlying driver is the variability that is encountered within a homologous series of biochars, created by varying one set of carbonization conditions and realizing that many things are happening simultaneously within the char. Biochars are basically a class of materials that extends from “over-torrefied biomass” to a molecular-scale mixture of ash and graphite." 08/09/2012

Eco Starts Commissioning Tests for West Dorset Food Waste AD Plant

A leading organics recycling firm in the United Kingdom, Eco Sustainable Solutions (Eco) has announced final testing of its £3.3 million anaerobic digester (AD) at Piddlehinton, which is due to be officially launched in September. The new AD facility will convert up to 15,000 tonnes of food waste and agricultural residues, and another 6,000 tonnes of pig manure slurry into biogas. The biogas will be used to generate almost 500 kilowatts of renewable electricity for the adjacent Mole Valley Farmers' Dorchester Feed Mill. Eco currently processes around 150,000 tonnes per year of organics into agricultural and landscaping materials. The residual from the AD plant will be locally used as a soils amendment. The Mole Valley Farmers cooperative was formed in 1960 and today boasts over 22,000 coop members. With the addition of a photovoltaic bank, the Feed Mill will be operating completely on renewable energy. David Pope, Operations Manager, Mole Valley Farmers: "Our Dorchester Feed Mill produces 85,000 tonnes of animal feed each year. Farmers will, therefore, be buying feed produced entirely using renewable energy. Mole Valley Farmers has long since recognised the opportunities that renewable energy production affords farmers, the rural economy and the environment and producing animal feed using renewable technology is central to our vision for the future of farming.” 08/08/2012

GRES Forming JV for Puerto Rico Landfill Remediation, Recycling, Conversion

Green Energy Renewable Solutions (GRES) of Las Vegas, Nevada has announced signing a Letter of Intent to form a 50/50% joint venture (JV) with Puerto Rico based Landfill Solutions, Inc to manage and remediate the 50-acre Yabucoa municipal landfill. The companies have been collaborating since the landfill was closed last year; the JV will be formed with to bring the site into full compliance with current operating standards, and reopen the site in four to six months while developing waste conversion and recycling facilities. The completed operations are expected to divert up to 90% of incoming municipal solid waste (MSW) for separation and processing of recyclable materials, converting the remainder to energy and fuels. The Company believes the planned operations will reduce the volume impact to landfill by 90% or more when fully operational. The team already has secured a no-cost 30-year lease for the landfill at no cost with contracts for 500 tons of MSW per day from four Puerto Rico municipalities. When completed the estimated $100 million project will have a projected capacity to process at least 1,000 tons of MSW per day, with an estimated output of 200 tons per day of recycle materials, 350 barrels of sweet crude oil equivalent and up to 15 Megawatts of electrical power output. GRES' business model calls for development of strategic alliances with technology and systems manufacturers of commercially proven recycling, processing and waste to energy (“WTE”), for incorporation of conversion technologies to produce renewable fuel, electricity, compost and other marketable green products from waste materials. 08/08/2012

EPA Awards Tetra Tech Two $32MM Methane Emission Reduction Contracts

California based engineering consultancy Tetra Tech has received two contract awards totaling around $32 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide technical and outreach support for reduction of methane emissions. The smaller of the two contracts, a $10 million blanket purchase agreement, will provide support for the EPA's national AgSTAR outreach program directed toward reduction of methane emissions from livestock and agro-industrial waste management, primarily by promoting anaerobic digestion, and biogas recovery and utilization for production of combined heat and power. The larger contract for $22 million is a five year indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract to support EPA's Natural Gas STAR voluntary program to engage oil and gas companies in overall operational efficiency improvements that reduce methane emissions. AgSTAR and Gas STAR's promotion of biogas technologies and oilfield methane emissions reductions extend beyond U.S. borders, as part of the EPA's Climate Change Division’s collaboration with the Global Methane Initiative. “The Natural Gas STAR and AgSTAR programs aim to help EPA and industry partners improve efficiencies, reduce emissions, and generate additional revenues through clean energy applications,” said Dan Batrack, Tetra Tech’s Chairman and CEO. 08/08/2012

DOD and DOI Partner for Renewable Energy to Serve US Military Bases

The US Departments of Defense (DOD) and of the Interior (DOI) have announced a partnership to facilitate development of renewable energy projects and resources in federal jurisdictions on and adjacent to US military bases. The agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding late last month outlining collaborative concepts, policies, roles, and responsibilities needed to open millions of acres for both onshore and offshore energy development to improve energy security and to reduce the DOD's $4 billion per year energy bill. Most of the emphasis is on delivery of energy directly to single military installations; in some large project efforts, secondary power sales to regional grids may be considered. Although the plans emphasize large-scale wind, solar and geothermal, the MOU recognizes that access improvements are needed for proven biomass resources within the nation's patchwork of state and federal ownership. The Interagency Land Use Coordinating Committee (ILUCC) is currently addressing the specific status of federal land controls, particularly where lands have been withdrawn for defense-related purposes. The new MOU augments and expands upon the ILUCC's work with the DOD and DUI (especially the Bureau of Land Management) and will seek legislative clarification where needed on the real property and resource aspects of renewable energy project development plans, including designation of renewable energy zones within future BLM landscape planning efforts. A separate section of the MOU addresses current DOD and DOI activity within the Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska (per EO 13580), directing the agencies to focus on development of "standardized small-scale renewable energy packages that can help address power needs for remote, off-grid locations, including potential deployment in isolated Native Alaskan Villages." 08/08/2012

Viridor Is Top Bidder to Build/Operate Peterborough Energy from Waste Facility

The Peterborough City Council has announced that the United Kingdom's waste management company Viridor Ltd has been selected as the recommended preferred bidder to build and operate a new energy from waste (EfW) facility under a 30 year contract. The decision comes only a couple weeks after Viridor signed the agreement for a similar integrated waste management and energy generation facility for the City of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently, Peterborough generates about 90,000 tonnes of waste annually with 43% recycled and the remainder sent to landfill; generated tonnage is expected to approach 140,000 by 2040. Costs for disposal are also increasing rapidly; in 2010/2011, the city council spent around £3 million sending waste to landfill at a cost of around £70 per tonne. By 2014/15 the same amount of waste will cost £100 per tonne or £4.60 million, an increase of more than 50 per cent (£1.6 million) in four years. The City had developed plans to invest about £76 million to revamp its waste management processes and build the EfW plant adjacent to the Peterborough Power Station. Councillor Lee will now consider the proposal before announcing his decision on 10 August. There will then be a three-day ‘calling in’ period for the decision to be challenged, before it can be implemented on 15 August. Speaking about the plans, Councillor Matthew Lee, Deputy Leader of Peterborough City Council, said, “This contract heralds a whole new, and very exciting, approach to the way in which we manage our waste. We have been very fortunate to have two excellent proposals from the two final bidders. I will now consider the recommendation carefully before making my decision.” 08/07/2012

Fulcrum Receives $105MM USDA Loan Guarantee for Sierra Biofuels Project

California based Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. has announced that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed to a $105 million conditional loan guarantee, key to securing project financing to fund construction of Fulcrum's Sierra BioFuels Plant. The plant will be located in the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in the City of McCarran, Storey County, Nevada, and is expected to begin production by the end of 2013. The 10 million gallon per year plant will utilize Fulcrum's gasification technology to thermally convert post-recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) first into synthetic gas, and then catalytically into renewable liquid transportation fuel. Fulcrum has already obtained the necessary local and state regulatory permits necessary to begin site preparation, has begun detailed engineering of the plant design, contracted for feedstock, and have entered into an off-take agreement for the full output of the Plant. The modular design of Fulcrum’s plants has been developed to replicate large-scale national commercial development. Last November, Fulcrum closed a strategic investment with Waste Management, Inc, bringing $70 million into the company's coffers for the project's development. E. James Macias, Fulcrum’s President and Chief Executive Officer: “This USDA loan guarantee provides a key piece of financing to move our Sierra BioFuels project forward. It allows us to secure private bank financing at reasonable prices and with favorable terms. This is a real example of how USDA’s Rural Development Program helps bring new and innovative technologies and jobs to some of the areas hardest hit by the economic downturn.” 08/07/2012

ZeroPoint's 2nd Biomass Gasification Plant is Connected to Grid

New York based ZeroPoint Clean Tech, Inc has announced that its second biomass gasification facility is now grid-connected and selling power to the regional utility in Newry, Northern Ireland. The company's first combined heat and power biofueled plant is fully operational in operating in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany. ZeroPoint's technology platform gasifies biomass in absence of oxygen, without combustion, to produce a clean-burning synthesis gas (syngas) that can then fuel engines either alone or mixed with other hydrocarbon fuels. The syngas can also be reformed to produce liquid fuels. The process also generates biochar, a fixed-carbon porous form of charcoal that is useful as a soils amendment and for carbon sequestration. ZeroPoint is currently working with strategic relationships to assemble and deploy similar projects across North America and Europe. "Biomass technologies are fundamentally differentiated from wind and solar technologies," said Company Chairman, John Blend. "We see biomass filling a growing role in renewables as well as delivering highly attractive returns to project investors. I believe, at the moment, we are the only solution provider in the world to enable two, grid-connected, carbon-negative power plants and we plan to empower additional sites in the near future." Traditional wind and solar voltaic power are intermittent with weather and nightfall whereas biomass projects deliver base load energy and integrate more easily with utility grids. 08/07/2012

BiogenGreenfinch, Now Biogen, Secures £24.4m Investment from Kier

United Kingdom's anaerobic digestion (AD) company BiogenGreenfinch has announced that the construction and property rights firm Kier has invested £24.4 million, adding to the investment already made by BiogenGreenfinch's parent company Bedfordia Group. Kier will become a 50/50 joint venture partner with Bedfordia in BiogenGreenfinch because of the investment. To mark the occasion and improve its marketing impact, the company has officially changed its name from BiogenGreenfinch to Biogen. Biogen specializes in anaerobic digestion of food waste and manure to generate biogas for combined heat and power, and has been aggressively advancing projects in England and Wales, ranging in through-put rate from 10,000 to about 50,000 tonnes per year. Biogen has a design and process engineering base and R&D laboratory in Ludlow, Shropshire, and is the UK’s only AD business which designs, builds and operates all its own plants. John Ibbett, Chairman of Bedfordia Group and Biogen says, “This partnership confirms Biogen’s place at the forefront of the green energy industry. Kier recognises the demand for anaerobic digestion to recycle food waste, generate sustainable electricity and cut greenhouse emissions both now and for the foreseeable future. In addition to Biogen’s recognised experience and expertise in the food waste AD industry we are now able to benefit from Kier’s considerable track record and skills in environmental services and construction to help us accelerate the roll out of our AD plant pipeline.” 08/06/2012

HM3 Energy Receives $86K from Oregon BEST for Coal Replacement

The Oregon Built Environment & Sustainable Technologies Center (Oregon BEST) has announced an award of $86,000 to Gresham, Oregon based HM3 Energy for testing and systems optimization in making torrefied wood as a clean, energy-dense, low-emissions substitute for coal. HM3 Energy’s proprietary TorrB™ torrefaction technology takes biomass energy to a new, cleaner and more energy efficient level. It converts biomass such as wood waste and agricultural residue into clean fuel suitable for co-firing in coal-fired electric power generation plants. HM3 Energy has demonstrated the technology using woody debris as feedstock to produce TorrB™ torrefied biomass briquettes.  As an example, the process receives biomass from urban wood waste collection, forest thinning, logging slash, and agricultural residue. The biomass feedstock is ground in a horizontal grinder, dried then heated at high temperature by torrefaction, then pulverized and pressed into TorrB™ torrefied briquettes. The grant is part of $1 million in 2012 Commercialization Grants that Oregon BEST will award to commercialize clean tech being co-developed by university researchers and private businesses. Michael Milota, a professor in OSU’s Dept. of Wood Science and Engineering, will lead precommercial emissions testing of common Oregon biomass fuels (ponderosa pine, western juniper, Douglas-fir and red alder) dried in a rotary biomass dryer to provide key baseline data. This would produce enough fuel to replace all of the coal burned in PGE’s 585 MW Boardman plant. HM3 Energy also plans to license its technology both in the US and abroad. 08/06/2012

Industry Associations Form Biofuel Producers Coordinating Council

Eight biofuel industry organizations have announced the formation of the Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council to jointly advocate for national policy for increased energy security through domestic biofuel production. The new Council will include Michael McAdams from the Advanced Biofuels Association; Brooke Coleman from the Advanced Ethanol Council; Mary Rosenthal from the Algal Biomass Organization; Brian Jennings from the American Coalition for Ethanol; Brent Erickson from the Biotechnology Industry Organization; Tom Buis from Growth Energy; Anne Steckel from the National Biodiesel Board; and Bob Dinneen from the Renewable Fuels Association. The Renewable Fuel Standard sets goals for energy security, reduced reliance on foreign oil, and a cleaner, healthier environment by establishing annual standards to increase production and use of biofuels in the United States. The members of the Council jointly pledged support for maintaining this policy and continuing to achieve its goals. Since adoption of the Renewable Fuel Standard, U.S. production of biofuels has tripled and reliance on foreign oil has been cut by nearly one-third. 08/06/2012

SWACO Signs Landfill Gas to Pipeline Deal with Renewco

The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) announced that it has signed a contract with Georgia based Renewco to clean, compress and inject landfill gas (LFG) into the regional natural gas pipeline infrastructure. The methane-rich gas from the Franklin County Sanitary landfill is currently destroyed by burning in two flares on landfill site. SWACO and Renewco have agreed to a 20-year term to build, fund, and manage the on-site LFG processing facility. The project is now subject to regulatory approvals, and needs an executed land lease agreement and signed off-take contracts for the sale of the renewable gas. Renewco is expected to begin development in February 2013 and to be in operation by the fall of 2014; the experienced LFG company typically can have a project completed and generating revenue within 16-20 months. The first step is an analysis of landfill and of the gas collection / containment system (GCCS) characteristics, highlighting potential efficiency modifications while assuring environmental compliance. The landfill gas must be processed to remove toxins, moisture and unwanted trace compounds to meet quality standards and environmental regulations. Once "to specification", the 150 years of pipeline construction experience of Renewco's parent company AGL Resources ensures the necessary infrastructure will meet Utility and agency requirements. Renewco is a joint venture between AGL Resources and Keystone Renewable Energy, a leader in solid waste management, landfill gas collection system design and optimization, and multiple high-BTU, pipeline-quality landfill gas projects. “We are very pleased to be working with SWACO on this project. The high quality of this landfill makes it an ideal site for a renewable gas project,” said Ira Pearl, Chief Executive Officer of Renewco, LLC, and Vice President, AGL Resources. 08/06/2012

Oregon DEQ Schedules Next Conversion Technology Rulemaking Meeting

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has scheduled a public meeting in the ongoing Conversion Technology Rulemaking, for August 16, 2012 in the agency's Northwest Regional Office in Portland. The agenda's main topics for this meeting includes four proposed rule amendments: (1) Definitions and Applications (draft division 93) including DEQ's interpretation of the definition of Solid Waste; (2) review and discussion of proposed rules for Anaerobic Digestion and Composting (draft division 96); (3) a discussion and review of new rules broadly impacting Conversion Technologies (also part of draft division 96); and (4) presentation of proposed Fees (draft division 97). A focused discussion led by Mr. Joe Miller, Oregon Physicians for Social responsibility, will address Type 4 Composting Feedstock and the challenges presented by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or "mad cow disease". Background information is available on-line, and now includes the Advisory Committee Rulemaking Charter. The Conversion Technology Rulemaking is running concurrent to Oregon DEQ's development of the Draft 2050 Vision and Framework for Action, which includes revision of the State Solid Waste Management Plan formed around a holistic concept of Materials Management. Interested parties unable to come in person may attend remotely via Oregon's iLinc web service; further call-in details are available on the meeting notice. For further information, contact Bob Barrows, 541-687-7354,. 08/05/2012

RES Polyflow Formed to Advance Plastic Waste Conversion Systems

Ohio based Polyflow LLC. has announced formation of a joint venture Renewable Energy Systems of Polyflow, or RES Polyflow. The new company is a joint venture with the private equity firm Ambassador Enterprises, a for-profit, philanthropic, equity firm launched in 2008, whose clients include businesses, individuals, and nonprofits. The new company will commercialize Polyflow's patented low-temperature pyrolytic technologies and proprietary equipment, which is capable of continuous-feed conversion of mixed polymer waste such as plastics, tires, rubber, and carpets into transportation fuels, octane enhancers, and aromatics without significant handling or cleaning. RES Polyflow's current system can depolymerized up to 60 tons per day. The finished product is a highly marketable liquid known as pygas (pyrolysis gasoline), equivalent in quality and consistency to benchmark crude oil. Diesel fuel, octane enhancers and gasoline blendstocks can then be reformed from this end-product, and additional refining equipment can be installed to further extract valuable aromatics from the finished product. RES Polyflow’s marketing plan is now focused on establishing independently operated energy recovery facilities as well as selling licensed equipment to energy park developers, recyclers, landfill operators and organizations managing large polymer waste streams. In addition to implementing and scaling up the technology in North America, the company is seeking opportunities with strategic partners for export to Europe, China, India and Australia. Jay Schabel, RES Polyflow’s Chief Executive Officer: “Our goal is to be the worldwide standard for profitable energy recovery from plastic waste." 08/05/2012

Solazyme Receives EPA Fuel Registration for Algal-Derived Soladiesel®RD

California's heterotrophic algae to biofuels and bioproducts company Solazyme Inc has announced completion of all testing and receipt of EPA part 79 registration of its algal-derived biodiesel, Soadiesel®RD. Solazyme's proprietary microalgae are heterotrophic, and capable of being grown in the dark using standard industrial fermentation vessels. The algae consumes a wide variety of waste- and crop-derived sugars for accelerated, commercially viable rates of algal oil production. Soladiesel®RD is the first algal derived biodiesel to receive full EPA fuel registration; this follows closely on registration of KiOR's thermally derived biofuel late last month and is an encouraging sign of advanced biofuels commercialization. The fuel has been successfully tested in blended and unblended (R100) form in unmodified diesel engines, and meets or exceeds all ASTM D975 specifications for conventional diesel fuel, while reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission by 10% and improving a cetane number of 78, substantially higher than standard diesel. this year, Solazyme and marine shipping giant Maersk successfully tested Soladiesel for marine use. Bob Ames, VP Fuels Commercialization, Solazyme: “Our Soladiesel®and Solajet™ fuels have been extensively demonstrated in a wide array of platforms from cars, light trucks and buses, to commercial and military jets, helicopters, large commercial shipping vessels and Navy destroyers. These higher performing advanced biofuels will lead the path forward to reducing emissions and increasing energy independence. This registration is another key milestone in Solazyme’s mission to commercialize drop-in replacement fuels as we continue to build out our renewable oil production capacity.” 08/03/2012

AFS BioOil Wastewater-to-Algae Oil: $2 per Gallon at 1MM Gallons per Year

South San Francisco based AFS BioOil has announced that initial testing confirms a price of about $2.00 per gallon for production of biodiesel when produced at small commercial plant scale of only 1 million gallons per year. The company is a 2010 spin-out subsidiary and licensee of Algal Floating Systems, Inc  to commercialize its proprietary algal processing system. The company has developed and applied for patent on a wastewater nutrient extraction processes in-house and coupled this with algal growth and harvesting technologies licensed from its parent corporation. In May of this year, AFS BioOil held an open house at its operating facility on the grounds of the Fairfield Suisun Sewer District's wastewater treatment plant to demonstrate a fully integrated wastewater processing and algal oil facility they believe can generate 5 megawatts of electricity while producing from one to three million gallons of biodiesel per year. AFS BioOil is now seeking collaborative partners capable of providing sources of carbon dioxide and wastewater, licensees for the nutrient extraction system, and off-take agreements for resulting biofuels and bioproducts. "Next project for us is one to three million gallon/yr system," said CEO Vadim Krifuks, "and we are putting all our efforts in preparing to execute it. We are inviting interested parties from around the world to join our development." 08/03/2012

Genomatica Completes $41.5MM Funding Round, Drops IPO Plans

San Diego's integrated bioprocessing company Genomatica has announced successfully raised an additional $41.5 million in a Series D round of preferred stock financing, while withdrawing last year's registration statement from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an initial public offering (IPO). Genomatica's proprietary biotechnology platform customizes microbial metabolic pathways to convert numerous renewable feedstock types including sugars derived from both conventional and cellulosic biomass and thermally-produced synthetic gas (syngas) into high-value foundation and intermediary chemicals, including the industrial chemical, 1,4-butanediol (BDO). In January of this year, the company secured a global license from CHEMTEX / Beta Renewables for the PROESA platform for cellulosic sugar production, for Genomatica’s integrated production of BDO. Speaking about the successful funding round and decision tom withdraw the IPO registration, Christophe Schilling, Ph.D., CEO of Genomatica said: “After evaluating all of our financing options, we determined that this private financing was the most attractive option for Genomatica and in the best interest of our shareholders.” The investment featured strategic partners, including new investor and partner Versalis, the largest Italian chemical company. Existing investors Alloy Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Mohr Davidow Ventures, TPG Biotech, VantagePoint Capital Partners and Waste Management also joined the new round. “Genomatica has demonstrated superior abilities to develop economically attractive process technologies that can enable a new approach for our industry,” said Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis. “We share a common view of how the industry can evolve and we’re excited about joining forces on bio-based butadiene.” 08/03/2012

Argus Launches California LCFS Credit Commodity Price Assessments

United Kingdom (UK) based market price analysts Argus Media has announced the launch of the first published market price assessment for credits issued under the California Air Resource Board's (ARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), including weekly spot-market assessments of traded credits. The LCFS program utilizes a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach to assign a Carbon Intensity (CI) value to specific fuel production pathways. LCFS credits are generated by selling low CI transport fuels for use in California, such as biofuels, natural gas, or low-carbon electricity. Fuel producers are rewarded with LCFS credits by the ARB for the amount that they reduce their transport fuel's carbon intensity below their annual target. Argus' tracking of LCFS credits joins the company's existing on-going monitoring of California's carbon allowances under the Cap and Trade program, California renewable energy certificates (RECs), and Green-e voluntary RECs for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council area. In other North American carbon markets, Argus publishes volume-weighted average indexes for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states, as well as price assessments for Alberta Carbon Offsets and carbon offsets issued by the Climate Action Reserve. "The increased trading and interest in North American renewables markets has been dramatic," Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said. "We are happy to continue expanding our coverage and increasing transparency for these growing markets." 08/03/2012

Bion Receives Final WQ Permit for Dairy Farm Nutrient Recovery System

Colorado based Bion Environmental Technologies Inc. has announced receipt of a full and final Water Quality Management Permit (WQMP) for Bion’s micro-aerobic livestock waste treatment facility located at the Kreider Dairy Farm in Manheim, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Incorporated within the permit is Bion’s verification plan approval which spells out the sampling and reporting requirements for the issuance of verified credit reductions from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). Bion's Comprehensive Environmental Management System removes up to 95% of the nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from the livestock waste effluent and substantially reduces air emissions, including ammonia (as great as 90% or more), greenhouse gases, hydrogen sulfide, VOC's and others. The system extracts renewable energy from the waste stream in the form of cellulosic biomass in a process that is much more efficient than others seeking to exploit this energy source. The on-going system pilot and testing program at the Kreider Dairy is demonstrating Bion’s ability to separate a substantially greater amount of particulates from the bioreactor’s discharge stream, allowing the capture of more nutrient solids for reuse, as well as production of a high-value, liquid soluble nutrient stream. Increased capture of nutrients will also result in an increase in the number of verified nitrogen and phosphorus credits produced by the system. Bion received its first nutrient control credit certification from the PA DEP last year. The full permit now allows Bion to offer environmental credits for sale in Pennsylvania's PENNVEST nutrient credit trading program. 08/03/2012

USDA Bioenergy Program Awards $19.4MM to 125 Advanced Biofuel Producers

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced payments totaling $19.4 million to 125 advanced biofuel producers and business owners across the country. Awards are in support of production from non-food sources, including a wide variety of waste-sourced feedstock. Examples of eligible feedstock include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; vegetable oil; and animal fat. The top award of $1,868, 965 went to Renewable Energy Group in Iowa for transesterification of virgin and waste vegetable oil and animal fat (tallow) to produce biodiesel. Other awards were made to companies for pellet fuel, biogas and biodiesel production, for landfill gas capture, cleaning and utilization, and for non-corn production of ethanol. The funding is being provided through USDA's Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of biofuels a recipient produces from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. According to USDA Secretary Vilsack: "Advanced biofuels are a key component of President Obama's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy to reduce the Nation's reliance on foreign oil and take control of America's energy future. These payments represent help spur an alternative fuels industry using renewable feedstocks grown in America, broadening the range of feedstock options available to biofuels producers, helping to create an economy built to last." 08/02/2012

$9MM Awarded in Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge

The US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (DOC/EDA) and the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office have announced winners in the multi-agency Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge program, selecting 13 winners from 62 applicants across 12 states. Economic development partnerships and initiatives in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia will receive awards ranging from nearly $200,000 to over $1 million. New Hampshire's Northern Tier Farm and Forest Jobs Accelerator was awarded $708,750 to assist an economic development partnership of the Northern Community Investment Corporation of Lancaster and the Northern Forest Center Inc., of Concord. Their project will implement a broad strategy across both food and wood fiber clusters intended to create jobs, lower energy costs, increase value-added processing and marketing, retain local wealth and enhance local transportation, telecommunications infrastructure, and the entrepreneurial environment in eight rural, economically distressed counties in northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The federal agencies are partnered for program co-funding and administration by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The Rural Jobs Accelerator Challenge is a national initiative to support rural partnerships as a cluster initiative that leverages local assets to help entrepreneurs and small businesses foster innovation, increase competitiveness and employ highly skilled workers, all of which are critical to long-term economic growth in their regions. 08/02/2012

NIB Finances New EUR 67MM Bioenergy CHP Plant in Växjö Sweden

The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has announced approval of a loan totaling SEK 600 million (EUR 67 million) to the Swedish energy company Växjö Energi AB. The 20-year maturity loan will finance construction of a new combined heat and power (CHP) plant by the municipally-owned utility under the NIB’s Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy Facility (CLEERE) support program. The city is the site of Sweden's first municipal power station, which was built in 1887. Växjö Energi’s new power plant will be fueled exclusively with biomass to provide district heating and cooling and to generate electricity. “NIB is pleased to participate in a project that contributes to the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels, which is in line with our mission to promote sustainable growth. Due to this project, the use of fossil fuels will diminish in Växjö Energi’s power production,” says Henrik Normann, NIB President and CEO. In January of this year, NIB provided a seven year, EUR 18 million financing package for development of the 140 megawatt biomass gasification plant in Vaasa, Finland. In June 2012, NIB committed EUR 33 million to support the Danish company Haldor Topsøe’s research and development efforts toward catalysis for biofuels. The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) is the common international financial institution of the eight Nordic and Baltic countries. NIB provides long-term financing to the energy, environmental, transport, logistics and communications, and innovation sectors for projects that strengthen competitiveness and enhance the environment. 08/02/2012

Furuya Selects Tetronics GasPlasma to Recover Platinum Metals from Waste

United Kingdom based Tetronics Ltd has announced selection of its GasPlasma technology for reclamation of Platinum Group Metals (PGM) from waste catalysts by the Japanese precious metals production specialist Furuya Metal Company Ltd. Wastes include automotive catalytic converters and spent industrial catalysts as used in chemical and petrochemical industries. The principal advantage of Tetronics patented plasma technology is that it couples the highest technical recovery/operational flexibility with the lowest environmental impacts and cost base. The process chemistry in Tetronics’ plasma waste recovery technology is designed to smelt and preferentially separate the precious metals from the less valuable material, which is vitrified into an inert, safe reusable product called Plasmarok®, in a single processing step. When PGMs are recovered from segregated recycled materials, these waste streams are typically orders of magnitude richer than their naturally occurring ore equivalents. The high specific values of these waste streams can justify the capital investment in a plasma based precious metal recovery plant with payback typically achieved within 1 to 2 years at waste throughputs of 1,500–2,000 tonnes per year. Stephen Davies, CEO for Tetronics: “We are delighted to be working with Furuya Metals on this project, it is an application we know very well and we have a number of systems that have been running for many years. Our objective on the project is to ensure Furuya maximises their return from the plant as well as providing them with a competitive advantage that the recovery performance makes possible.” Tetronics won the UK's Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycler of the Year earlier this month. 08/01/2012

Total Reaffirms Partnership with Amyris and Commits $82MM for Biofene

California based Amyris, Inc has announced signing an amendment to its existing agreement with Total S.A. that extends their existing research and development partnership for deployment of Amyris' patented Biofene. The amendment includes dedication of up to $82 million funding over the next three years by Total, extending last November's initial agreement. The details of the funding agreement were announced in conjunction with Securities and Exchange documentation reporting the company's Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results. Amyris has developed its Industrial Synthetic Biology Platform for microbial engineering and screening processes that optimize precision fermentation of a wide range of C5 and C6 sugars into a variety of commercial chemicals. Amyris' first commercialization efforts focused on a molecule called farnesene (Biofene®), which forms the basis for a wide range of products varying from specialty chemicals such as detergents, cosmetics, perfumes and industrial lubricants, to transportation fuels such as diesel. The company operates a pilot research and development facility in California and another in Brazil. Philippe Boisseau, President, Supply-Marketing and member of Total's Executive Committee: "Amyris's best-in-class technology to produce renewable hydrocarbons has proven performance attributes. With this refocused partnership, we'll reach our business objectives, expand our ability to become a key supplier in renewable fuels and better meet our customers' highest demands." 08/01/2012

Due 08/30/2012: Comments to ARB Cap & Trade Proposed Provisions

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has posted the presentation on two technical aspects of the Cap and Trade program that were addressed in the Emissions Leakage Workshop held July 30, 2012. The last page of the presentation requests comments on the potential to increase allowance factors for low-risk production categories, and on a proposal to collect facility-level economic data as a major mechanism for leakage monitoring. The three hour plus workshop covered background of the Cap and Trade program's concepts and methodologies encompassing "emissions leakage", a reduction in emission of greenhouse gases from facilities within California that are offset by an increase in emissions outside of the state. Research teams are working on data collection sources, baselines and analytical protocols based largely on Appendix K to the October 2010 Board packet addressing Leakage Analysis. Board Resolution 11-32 required staff to "initiate a study to analyze the ability of the agricultural sector, including food processors, to pass on regulatory costs to customers", and to make recommendations to the Board regarding any needed changes to the leakage risk allocation approach prior to the second compliance period (before November 1, 2014). Production profiles and emissions baselines by are needed to set decreasing allowances to offset the impacts of program costs, with the intent to encourage and support in-state production. Two conditions indicating high risk of leakage were discussed: (a) industries with relatively high intensity of emissions generation from production, and (b) industries where there exists strong out-of-state competition for that production, resulting in high "trade exposure". ARB staff ask that interested and affected parties review the presentation, review Appendix K for assessment methods, and provide comments by August 30, 2012 using the online comment form. Questions should be directed to ARB's Jason McPhee at (916) 322-8116 or via email at  . 08/01/2012

Due 09/18/2012: Applications to UK Defra for Rare Metals Recovery from Waste

The United Kingdom (UK) Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced funding for an Innovation Challenge to encourage development of local community closed loop efforts that recover high-value metals and minerals from waste. A briefing document is available on-line; the competitive program is coordinated by the Technology Strategy Board through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI). The scope of this competition is the identification and assessment of new technological approaches, business models, and collaborations to develop closed loop models for a local economy. Defra will invest up to £200,000 for up to five feasibility studies "to evaluate novel technical methods and business processes that can deliver high-value opportunities for the extraction of metals and minerals from domestic and commercial waste streams." Defra is particularly interested in the recovery of materials identified by the European Union as critical raw materials, but other metals and minerals are in scope for this competition where they lead to high-value opportunities. In Defra's recent Resource Security Action Plan the UK Government recognised the importance of security of mineral and metals resources to the UK economy, setting out a framework for joint action between Government, business and civil society. To apply for funding through this competition and to get further details you must register your interest and download the documentation via the Competitions section of SBRI's website. The on-line registration is required by September 11, 2012 to access the application process, and completed applications must be submitted by noon on September 18, 2012. 08/01/2012