Biobased Products News and Policy Report
April 30, 2020
Federal
DOE EERE Announces Intent To Issue Funding For Manufacturing Innovation
- Stimulate technology innovation;
- Enable manufacturing of cutting-edge products in the United States; and
- Improve energy productivity of manufacturing.
On behalf of the Advance Manufacturing Office (AMO), this potential funding opportunity aims to advance the Trump Administration’s goal of enhancing manufacturing competitiveness through technological innovation. The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), titled “FY20 Advanced Manufacturing Multi-Topic FOA,” will fund high-impact, applied research and development (R&D) projects that align with research opportunities across AMO. The FOA will focus on three areas:
- Modular, hybrid, and/or catalytic processes to improve energy efficiency in chemical manufacturing;
- Next-generation manufacturing processes that improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive and energy-dependent industries, including steel manufacturing; and
- Connected, flexible, and efficient manufacturing facilities, products, and energy systems, including the integration of direct air capture at industrial facilities.
The FOA is expected to be released during this Spring.
House Representative Finkenauer Introduces The Clean Fuels Deployment Act Of 2020
On April 28, 2020, U.S. Representative Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) introduced the Clean Fuels Deployment Act of 2020, which would fund installation and conversion of fuel pump infrastructure to deliver higher blends of biofuel. Co-sponsored by Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), this bipartisan bill creates a clean fuels grant program with $600 million over a six-year period to help biofuel retailers. The plan is to assist retailers to offer higher ethanol blends; expand the geographic area selling ethanol blends; accelerate the deployment of fueling infrastructure; and support biodiesel, bioheat, and sustainable aviation fuel markets. A number of biofuels and energy associations and companies are in support of the bill. Thanking Representative Finkenauer for introducing the bill, Kelly Nieuwenhuis, representing the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), stated that the Clean Fuels Deployment Act will “expand long-term economic opportunities for farmers and biofuels producers.”
EPA ORD Announces BOSC CSS-HERA Subcommittee Meeting
On April 29, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) announced a virtual meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Chemical Safety for Sustainability and Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (CSS-HERA) Subcommittee. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the draft 2019-2022 Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) of the HERA research program. The videoconference meeting will be held over a period of two days on May 12, 2020, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT), and May 13, 2020, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT). The meeting is open to the public. Those interested in participating must register by May 8, 2020.
B&C
BRAG To Present At The 23rd Annual GC&E Conference, June 11-13, Reston, VA
From June 15 to 19, 2020, the American Chemical Society (ACS) will be hosting their annual Green Chemistry and Engineering (GC&E) Conference virtually. Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry at Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) will be proudly presenting a poster titled: “TSCA Tutor — The Importance of Regulatory Awareness and Applications.” The poster presentation will highlight B&C’s complete suite of TSCA TutorTM regulatory training courses online and on-demand. This year’s conference registration is free, so check out B&C’s poster and contact us if you are interested in learning more about TSCA TutorTM.
Professionals seeking expert, efficient, essential training can preview and enroll in on-demand classes to complete at their own pace and timing. In addition to the newly released online e-learning courses, B&C’s TSCA TutorTM training platform offers live in-person training at a company’s site and customized live webinar training, so that companies can mix and match training modules and training approaches to provide the most suitable combination for their work needs.
TSCA awareness is a critically important element in the 21st century work environment for any business that involves industrial chemicals. The new normal requires awareness of TSCA’s application to a company’s operations to ensure consistent compliance with TSCA regulations and, importantly, to understand and anticipate how EPA’s ongoing implementation of new TSCA will affect a company’s industrial chemical selection and use processes.
TSCA TutorTM online training courses include:
- Video lessons.
- Detailed handout materials, including copies of all presentations and relevant course materials from EPA and other sources.
- Customizable, yet detailed and ready-to-use Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the regulatory topic covered in the session.
The courses were developed and are presented by members of B&C’s renowned TSCA practice group, which includes six former senior EPA officials; an extensive scientific staff, including seven Ph.D.s; and a robust and highly experienced team of lawyers and non-lawyer professionals extremely well versed in all aspects of TSCA law, regulation, policy, compliance, and litigation.
Online courses are offered at $100 for one-hour modules and $200 for two-hour modules, or $1,400 for the full 12-module training. Courses can be completed at the learner’s own pace, and enrollment is valid for one full year. Interested professionals should visit www.TSCAtutor.com to view sample course segments and purchase modules. Volume discounts are available for companies wishing to purchase courses for multiple employees. Companies interested in live in-person or customized live webinar training should contact TSCAtutor@lawbc.com to schedule.
For more information about TSCA Tutor™, contact Heidi Lewis at hlewis@lawbc.com.
Other News
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