|
Biobased Products News and Policy Report |
|
December 20, 2018 |
Federal
Democratic Leader Requests Clean Energy Infrastructure Package In 2019
On December 6, 2018, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) wrote a letter to President Donald Trump requesting that, in 2019, any infrastructure package to be considered include a focus on the clean energy economy to address climate change. Emphasizing that climate change is, in fact, real and caused by humans, Senator Schumer refers to the Administration’s recent National Climate Assessment report and the drastic need to reduce emissions. In the letter, Senator Schumer outlines a number of policies that must be included in an infrastructure package in the next Congress. Among these policies are the need to:
| ■ | Invest in research, development, and deployment of clean energy, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and energy storage technologies; |
| ■ | Provide permanent tax incentives and investments for domestic production of clean energy and renewable power; and |
| ■ | Invest in upgrades in clean energy for public schools, buildings, and other infrastructure. |
Senator Schumer concludes his letter to President Trump highlighting that “[t]he challenge is immense, but so is the opportunity to revitalize and modernize our infrastructure, create new jobs and economic opportunities, and position the United States as a leader in clean energy innovation.”
DOE BETO Requests Information On Feedstocks
On December 14, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced a request for information (RFI) on algae, biomass, and waste feedstocks that can be used in the production of biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower. DOE BETO’s request seeks information from industry, academia, national laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Specifically, information is requested on outdoor algae research, biomass characteristics and feedstock performance, and renewable energy from urban and suburban waste. Responses to this RFI should be submitted electronically to eere_bioenergy@ee.doe.gov by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on January 4, 2019.
DOE Announces Funding Opportunities For FY 2019 Phase I Release 2
On December 17, 2018, DOE issued the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Phase I Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs. Encouraging qualified small businesses with strong research capabilities in science or engineering, the following DOE program offices are offering funding opportunities:
| ■ | Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response; |
| ■ | Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation; |
| ■ | Office of Electricity; |
| ■ | Office of Environmental Management; |
| ■ | Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; |
| ■ | Office of Fossil Energy; |
| ■ | Office of Fusion Energy Sciences; |
| ■ | Office of High Energy Physics; and |
| ■ | Office of Nuclear Energy. |
Phase I Release 2 topics can be found here and the FOA, here. First-time applicants are required to complete a number of registrations prior to submitting an application. DOE recommends candidates start applying at least six weeks prior to application submission.
Other News
| ■ | Berkeley Lab, “Greener Days Ahead for Carbon Fuels” |
| ■ | StockMarketWire, “Biome Receives Further Grant Funding to Support Project Aimed at Eliminating Plastic Waste” |
| ■ | Biofuels International, “Gevo and Renmatrix to Evaluate Creation of Renewable Jet Fuel” |
| ■ | Phys.org, “Researchers Advance Biomass Transformation Process” |
| ■ | University of Arkansas News, “Grants Fund Research on Biofuel Production, Reduced Fertilizer Use” |
| ■ | Ireland AgriLand, “Road Fuel Mix to Increase Biofuel Levels from January” |
| ■ | DNA India, “Maharashtra Government to Produce Ethanol, CNG from Cashew Apple” |
| ■ | Plastics News, “BASF Making Progress with Chemical Recycling Project” |
| ■ | Business Standard, “IAF Goes Green, Plans to Fly Biofuel-powered An-32 Transport Aircraft” |
| 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 |