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Biobased and Renewable Products Update |
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December 13, 2018 |
Federal
BETO 2019 Opens Registration
On December 11, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced that registration is now open for the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2019 Project Peer Review. The event will take place in Denver, Colorado, from March 4-8, 2019. BETO’s early-stage research and development portfolio is to be presented to the public and reviewed by experts from academia, industry, and federal agencies. The portfolio includes projects across BETO’s various technology areas: Advanced Algal Systems, Conversion Technologies, Feedstock Supply and Logistics, Advanced Development and Optimization, and Analysis and Sustainability.
NRDC Challenges DOE Spending On Clean And Renewable Energy Initiatives
On December 10, 2018, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) submitted a letter urging Congress to investigate the reason for which DOE has not spent all of its 2018 fiscal year funding for clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D). In the letter to Congress, NRDC expresses concerns that certain DOE Administration officials may be purposefully hindering clean energy RD&D funding from innovative businesses focused on clean energy. The analysis of public data reveals that 79 percent of DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) funds for clean energy RD&D has not been spent from the 2018 fiscal year budget. In addition, 14 percent of the funds have not been spent by DOE’s EERE. According to NRDC, “[t]he consequences of the funds remaining unspent with no apparent plan for utilization is not only an insult to congressional direction but undermines U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs in developing the next generation of clean energy technologies.”
International
UK’s Bioeconomy Policy In Years To Come
On December 5, 2018, the United Kingdom (UK) published a policy paper titled “Growing the Bioeconomy, Improving Lives and Strengthening Our Economy: A National Bioeconomy Strategy to 2030.” As the UK strives to double its bioeconomy value by 2030, four main goals are outlined as part of the strategic plan:
| ■ | Capitalize the research, development, and innovation base; |
| ■ | Maximize productivity and potential from existing bioeconomy assets; |
| ■ | Deliver real, measurable benefits for the UK economy; and |
| ■ | Create the right societal and market conditions to allow innovative biobased products and services to thrive. |
Emphasizing the need for collaboration, the paper reports that the transformations necessary to achieve these goals will be led by regional and national government agencies, research councils, universities, and industrial leaders. The vision is that in 2030 the UK will be the global leader in developing, manufacturing, using, and exporting biobased solutions. The outlined strategy takes into account the global challenges facing the world right now and how the bioeconomy can play a critical role in addressing them. The intention is for a new government group to be created in support of the strategy and its related activities.
British Columbia Publishes Climate Plan
On December 5, 2018, the Government of British Columbia, Canada, released CleanBC, a climate plan outlining the province’s path to a cleaner, more sustainable future. The plan includes implementation activities on how to make energy use more efficiently and prevent waste through cleaner technologies. Highlighting increases in funds for renovations and energy retrofits, the plan also states that by 2032, every new building constructed in the province will be “net-zero energy ready.” By 2040, the goal is to make zero-emissions vehicles more affordable as well as make all new cars zero-emission. With a large focus on waste reduction, the plan also focuses on turning waste into clean resources, and launching training programs for clean jobs. These actions will be implemented in the hopes of achieving 75 percent of the way to the 2030 target of 40 percent less emissions below the 2007 levels. In addition to these activities, several initiatives will remain in place. Among them are the Carbon Tax, the Climate Action Charter, the Carbon Neutral Government, and the Clean Energy Act.
Events
Active Communications International (ACI) will be hosting the Biobased Coatings Europe 2019, in Dusseldorf, Germany, from June 19-20, 2019.
ACI will also be hosting the US Microalgae Industry Summit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from May 15-16, 2019.
Other News
| ■ | Energy Reporters, “Norway to Ban Palm Oil from Biofuels” |
| ■ | Euractiv, “Biofuels and Electromobility Are Key in Portugal’s Transport Decarbonisation” |
| ■ | BiofuelsDigest, “Biofuel Opportunities Could Abound with Maersk’s Net Zero CO2 Target” |
| ■ | GovDelivery.com, “Winners of the Fourth Wood Stove Design Challenge Announced |
| ■ | Biofuels International, “Finnair to Launch Biofuel Offsetting Service in 2019” |
| ■ | Des Moines Register, “Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles Are a Threat to Iowa Farmers” |
| ■ | Laboratory Equipment, “Wet Biological Waste Converted to Diesel-compatible Fuel” |
| 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 |