Federal Congress Approves U.S. Blender’s Credit For 2017 As explained in the notice issued by Neste, a member of the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), with President Trump’s signing of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (H.R. 1892), the blenders tax credit was extended retroactively for 2017. Qualified biofuel blenders are eligible for a tax credit of $1.00 per gallon of biodiesel or renewable diesel used in the blending process in 2017. The blenders tax credit was one of several biofuel-related tax incentives that were extended retroactively. The incentives, which also include tax credits for second-generation biofuel production and alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, and a special allowance for second generation biofuel plant property, were not extended through 2018. DOE DOE Announces Release Of Peer Review Report On February 6, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced the release of its 2017 Project Peer Review Report. The report contains recommendations provided during the March 2017 Project Peer Review. The biennial Peer Review process aims to gather feedback and recommendations from stakeholders on BETO’s research and development portfolio to help BETO identify the most efficient and effective ways to accelerate the development of an advanced bioenergy industry. BETO will use the results of the 2017 Peer Review to inform programmatic decision making, modify or discontinue existing projects, guide future funding opportunities, and support other budget and strategic planning objectives. As reported in the BRAG blog post BETO Announces Availability Of Project Peer Review 2017 Presentations, the 2017 Project Peer Review presentations are available on the BETO website. DOE National Lab Develops Supertough Bioplastic Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) announced the development of a method to create a supertough renewable plastic with improved manufacturability. The method involved the addition of a small amount of silanes to polylactic acid (PLA), a bioplastic commonly used in packaging, textiles, biomedical implants, and 3D printing. The new bioplastic demonstrated improved tensile strain and tensile toughness, without a loss in tensile strength and modulus. According to ORNL’s Soydan Ozcan, the new method offers a fast, scalable route to increasing PLA toughness, which will broaden the use of PLA. Events Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference February 28 – March 2, 2018, Washington D.C. The Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference 2018 (ABLC) will be held February 28 – March 2, 2018, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. ABLC is the gathering point for top leaders in the Advanced Bioeconomy — bringing together the entire spectrum of advanced fuels, chemicals, and materials chief executive officers (CEO) and senior executives, business developers, research and development (R&D) leaders, strategic partners, financiers, equity analysts, policymakers, and industry suppliers. Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Senior Chemist for Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), will present during the Renewable Chemicals Summit. Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D., Manager of BRAG, will participate as a panelist in the “Federal Perspective & Programs” forum. Register online. Other News
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| ABOUT THE FIRM The Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) helps members develop and bring to market their innovative biobased chemical products through insightful policy and regulatory advocacy. BRAG is managed by B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C., an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. |
Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group 2200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Suite 100W Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 833-6580 www.braginfo.org |