Mercedes-Benz is collaborating on a pilot cellulosic ethanol project with specialty chemical companies Clariant and Haltermann. According to the press release issued by Clariant, "[o]ver the next twelve months, test fleet vehicles can be refilled with the new [E20 cellulosic ethanol] fuel at a specially equipped gas station on the Mercedes-Benz site in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim. The cellulosic ethanol comes from Clariant's sunliquid® demonstration plant in Straubing, where...
January 31, 2014
Arkema Introduces New Biobased Material For Ski Boots
On January 27, 2014, Arkema introduced biobased Pebax® for ski boot production. According to the company's press release, Pebax® Rnew 80R53 is 50% more rigid than existing Pebax® grades, already well-known for several years as reference materials for both alpine touring and cross-country ski boots. A copy of the press release is available online.
On January 28, 2014, 32 food industry groups sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee calling for Congress to act through the legislative process to reduce the annual RVOs under the RFS. The groups argue that the proposed reductions to the 2014 RVOs by EPA do not go far enough. They argue that Congress needs to act to avoid what they predict will be negative impacts on commodities and energy markets, as well as the environment and economy.
January 31, 2014
Midwest Congressmen Seek Meeting With White House To Urge Reconsideration Of Proposed 2014 RFS RVOs
On January 24, 2014, seven Democratic Members of Congress from Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois sent a letter to President Obama requesting a meeting with the White House to discuss the proposed reductions to the 2014 RVOs. The same group of Congressmen met recently with EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to urge EPA to reconsider the proposed reduction. In the January 24, 2014, letter, the Congressmen stress the potentially negative impact of the proposed reductions on the economies in the Midwest...
January 31, 2014
EPA Hears From Public On 2014 RFS Rule
EPA received approximately 16,000 comments by the January 28, 2014, deadline for the public to weigh in on the EPA's proposed 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVO). Industry organizations from all interested stakeholders made submissions. For the first time, EPA proposed to reduce the statutory RFS RVOs for corn ethanol and advanced biofuels, in addition to cellulosic biofuels. Under the proposal, EPA would use "a combination of" both of its RFS...
January 31, 2014
Coalition Reports 33 States Expected To Introduce Chemical Safety Legislation In 2014
On January 28, 2014, the pro-safer chemicals coalition Safer States released a report in which it found that "at least 33 states are considering policies [to enhance chemical safety]. Some would change disclosure rules for manufacturers, so that concerned consumers will know what chemicals are in their products. Some would phase out the use of chemicals like bisphenol A, formaldehyde and toxic flame retardants." The report is available online. There is increased momentum for chemical...
January 31, 2014
Industry Groups Tell Administration Sufficient IST Safeguards And Incentives Already Exist
On January 23, 2014, 13 industry groups sent a letter to President Obama and the Interagency Working Group on Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security (Working Group) urging the exclusion of any "federal requirement to assess or implement so-called Inherently Safer Technologies (IST)." A copy of the letter is available online. In response to the West Texas fertilizer distributor explosion last year, the Working Group has been tasked with carrying out Executive Order 13650 -- on...
January 31, 2014
EPA Updates Safer Chemicals Ingredient List
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken two actions this month to update Design for the Environment's (DfE) Safer Chemical Ingredients List. On January 23, 2014, EPA announced that it is adding 50 chemicals to the list, "bringing the number of safer fragrance chemicals to 150 and the total number of safer chemicals to nearly 650." The list is available online. On January 29, 2014, EPA announced that it has issued final DfE alternatives assessments for...
January 31, 2014
Biofuels And Renewable Chemicals Win Under Farm Bill Agreement
On Monday, the 41 member bicameral Farm Bill Conference Committee announced that it had reached agreement on a compromise Farm Bill, the Agriculture Act of 2014. A copy of the legislation is available online. The Conference Committee was led by House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS). A copy of the Senate Agriculture...
January 24, 2014
Boeing Working For Approval Of Green Diesel For Use In Jets
Boeing has been working to find sustainable jet fuel. In 2011, for instance, the Company worked to include a blend of up to 50 percent aviation biofuel in international jet fuel specifications. On January 14, 2014, Boeing announced that it "has identified 'green diesel,' a renewable fuel used in ground transportation, as a significant new source of sustainable aviation biofuel that emits at least 50 percent less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. The company is...