On May 27, 2016, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of $8.8 million to increase production of advanced biofuels in 39 states. The USDA Advanced Biofuel Payment Program is providing the funding with payments being allocated based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from non-corn kernel starch renewable biomass. Eligible feedstocks include crop residue, food waste, yard waste, vegetable oil, and animal fat. A full list of the 108 programs receiving payments is available...
On May 24, 2016, Iowan Governor Terry Branstad signed Senate File 2309, an Act providing for tax credits and refunds relating to renewable fuels including their component biofuels and including effective date provisions. The bill extends a state biodiesel production tax credit providing 2 cents per gallon (cpg) on the first 25 million gallons of production per biodiesel plant. The bill also extends a credit for petroleum retailers of 4.5 cpg on blends of 5 percent biodiesel or more through the...
June 3, 2016
European Commission Refers Poland To EU Court Of Justice Over Biofuel Restriction Disagreement
On May 26, 2016, Poland was referred to the European Union (EU) Court of Justice for establishing restrictions for certain imported biofuels and raw materials used for the production of biofuel. The EU's Renewable Energy Directive requires sustainable biofuels and their raw materials be treated equally by Member States regardless of origin. Polish law provides preferential treatment for fuel operators sourcing at least 70 percent of their biofuels from Polish manufacturers, and for biofuel...
June 3, 2016
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
? Waste 360, "Examining The Latest Developments In Converting Organic Waste Into Renewable Energy" ? Scientific American, "Whatever Happened To Advanced Biofuels?" ? Renewable Industries Canada, "Renewable Industries Canada Becomes New Face Of Canada's Biofuels And Bio-based Sectors" ? Ford, "Preserving Mother Earth: Ford First Automaker To Use Captured CO2 To Develop Foam And Plastic For Vehicles" ? Gevo, "Clariant To Scale-Up Catalysts For...
On June 1, 2016, the German Environment Agency (UBA) published a report entitled Nanomaterials in the environment: Current state of knowledge and regulations on chemical safety. The aim of the report is to outline the necessary further development of chemicals regulations for nanomaterials with regard to the environment from UBA’s perspective. The report is addressed “particularly to players and decision-makers involved in discussions related to the adaptation of the various...
On June 2, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), presented “The Nanotechnology Legal and Regulatory Landscape” at the 2016 International Nanotoxicology Congress in Boston. Ms. Bergeson stated that there are many ongoing global initiatives involving diverse governance aspects of nanoscale materials and many countries continue to make progress in defining nanoscale materials, addressing related definitional challenges, developing suitable...
On June 1, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, Bergeson & Campbell P.C. (B&C®) Managing Partner, was quoted in an Inside EPA article regarding possible Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform impacts on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to regulate chemicals in finished products. EPA has not yet provided a cohesive regulatory policy on articles, so having a statutory requirement could ease some of those concerns, said Lynn Bergeson, managing partner...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI TSCA Reform Bill Is Sent To President Obama For Signature: It has been reported that on June 14, 2016, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch (R-UT) signed the bill to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), sending it to President Barack Obama for his signature. On June 7, 2016, the Senate passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act by voice vote. It is anticipated that President Obama will...
The objective of the International Nanotechnology Congress is to bring together scientists from academia, industry, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to present current research findings, focus their respective talents and expertise, and initiate new collaborations in an effort to ensure the safe implementation of nanotechnology. B&C Managing Partner Lynn L. Bergeson will present Plenary 1, “The Nanotechnology Legal and Regulatory...
Chemical Watch complimentary webinar series on the "new" TSCA. The first webinar, "TSCA Overview and Summary of Major Changes: What to Expect and When to Expect It" features panelists Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell P.C.; Richard A. Denison, Ph.D., Lead Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund; Charles M. Auer, Charles Auer & Associates, LLC, former Director of the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), U.S....