Sapphire Energy Policy News

Obama’s 2013 US Budget: what’s in there for the bioeconomy?

Jim Lane, BiofuelsDigest — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:56:07 GMT

In Washington, the Obama Administration released its 2013 budget request. Highlights for bio-based industry include:

Aviation and military biofuels: new thinking on finance, fuels

Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:17:36 GMT

The US Navy, and a group of international airlines, struggle to foster sustainable, affordable aviation biofuels — the Navy for warfighting, the airlines for carbon-fighting.

New thinking in finance may finally clear the runways for take-off.

A new era of domestic energy

Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Algal Biomass Organization — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:52:21 GMT

As we move into 2012, I think everyone is in agreement the world needs more fuel – of any type. Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the leading analyst group for the petroleum industry, estimates that by 2030, the world will demand 35 million barrels per day of liquids from unidentified sources—an “oil gap” that must be filled.

Out from Solyndra’s Shadow

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:06:18 GMT

Federal loan guarantees may be scuttled after the Solyndra affair – but should the baby really be thrown out with the bathwater?

Federal loan guarantee programs for bioenergy may be headed for demise – death by 1.2 trillion cuts. The recent Solyndra scandal is tailor-made to be the final nail in their coffin. But the programs’ untimely end may coincide with the first commercial successes for advanced biofuel projects, as several large-scale projects have begun to actually put steel in the ground. While the Solyndra situation shows how isolated political considerations can make a mess of any program, successful projects backed by the loan guarantees demonstrate why policymakers should keep a stable funding policy in place.

Algae confronts its destiny and identity, at ABO Summit

Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:38:14 GMT

Is it algal, or algae? Is HeteroBoost really a technology platform, not a product offered by Michele Bachmann? Is it about green premium, or green value?

At ABO, the algal biomass industry seeks the answers.

Algae Summit opening morning includes company execs, US senator

Luke Geiver, Biorefining Magazine — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:25:05 GMT

Following the supportive, humorous speech given by U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., during the opening morning of the 2011 Algae Biomass Summit could have been difficult for a group of high-ranking algae executives chosen to update a room of nearly 1,000 people on the state of the industry. Franken’s speech was a combination of standard political rhetoric with his call for algae to reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuel, mixed with well-timed humor exemplified by his laugh-inducing phrases like “the United States of Algal America” and, most importantly, a strong, supportive tone in his message that “it’s time to stop subsidizing dirty energy.”

Fifth Annual Algae Biomass Summit Kicks Off With Powerful Statement of Support From Senator Al Franken (D-MN)

Algal Biomass Organization — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:26:15 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire -10/25/11)- The 2011 Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference of the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), officially opened this morning in Minneapolis with remarks by Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and other leaders on the role the algae industry can play in stimulating economic growth, enhancing national security and addressing climate change. More than 800 industry leaders and stakeholders from 20 countries are participating in the event, the world's largest algae conference.

Algae industry is bubbling up

DAVID SHAFFER , Star Tribune — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:53:33 GMT

The latest clean-tech energy contender pushes toward commercial production, even as federal money is drying up.

The ingredient list for products ranging from jet fuel to dietary supplements may soon get an unusual addition: algae.

Entrepreneurs who hope to profit from algae-growing ventures in Florida, Iowa, Hawaii and elsewhere described a broad array of commercialization plans Tuesday at an industry summit in Minneapolis.

The Importance of Alternative Energy to the U.S. Military

Sohbet Karbuz, OilPrice.com — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:59:56 GMT

Much has been written on the dependency of the US military on oil. However, most of the writings focus on the supply side of the issue and emphasize the role of technology primarily on alternative fuel production. A US Army research paper by Colonel Fields is rather different. That is why this post is about his paper.

Secretary of Navy visits Naval Postgraduate School, addresses energy independence

Kevin Howe, Monterey County Herald — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:42:57 GMT

The Secretary of the Navy told the 1,500 students and faculty of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey on Monday that he has set energy independence and security as a top priority.

Ray Mabus, who assumed office in 2009, also announced that NPS, beginning this fall, will offer a master's degree program in biofuel research, development and engineering applications.

"Too much of the energy the Navy and other military branches use comes from 'volatile' areas that could quickly become unfriendly to the United States" Mabus said.

President Obama Announces Major Initiative to Spur Biofuels Industry and Enhance America's Energy Security

White House — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:12:18 GMT

USDA, Department of Energy and Navy Partner to Advance Biofuels to Fuel Military and Commercial Transportation, Displace Need for Foreign Oil, and Strengthen Rural America

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2011 – President Obama today announced that the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will invest up to $510 million during the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation. The initiative responds to a directive from President Obama issued in March as part of his Blueprint for A Secure Energy Future, the Administration’s framework for reducing dependence on foreign oil. The biofuels initiative is being steered by the White House Biofuels Interagency Work Group and Rural Council, both of which are enabling greater cross-agency collaboration to strengthen rural America.

Oil is biggest military weakness

US Senator Mark Udall (D-Co), Politico — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:07:08 GMT

The Pentagon released its first-ever operational energy strategy last month — a plan that could dramatically cut costs and save service members’ lives. The plan is not about fielding a new weapons system, but rather is a comprehensive strategy to reduce the military’s reliance on fossil fuel.

Obama addresses biofuels during virtual town hall meeting

Erin Voegele, Biodiesel Magazine — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:29:30 GMT

President Barack Obama addressed the need to expedite the development of new, more efficient second-generation biofuel technologies during a recent town hall meeting held via Twitter. The event, hosted by Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, allowed members of the public to pose questions directly to Obama via the social networking site.

RFD TV presents: An evening with United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack

RFD TV — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:56:22 GMT

Renewable Energy: Fueling America's Future

An excerpt from RFD TV's special coverage of United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Watch the video to hear his remarks on renewable energy and algae.

Going green for innovation

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), The Hill's Congress Blog — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:04:40 GMT

As a former member of the California Coastal Commission, the California Air Resources Board and current member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have long been an active steward of environmental issues. What these experiences have taught me is that it is difficult to be an environmentalist without encountering some sort of paradox that suggests otherwise.

Remarks by the President at a Town Hall in Annandale, Virginia

Office of the Press Secretary, whitehouse.gov — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:25:23 GMT

Excerpts from President Barack Obama's speech in Annandale Virginia on April 19, 2011 as remarks relate to energy, biofuels, and algae.

USDA works on renewable energy in NM

Terry Brunner, The Deming Headlight — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:11:35 GMT

Rising oil prices and recent power outages due to inclement weather in New Mexico are reminders-America's energy issues need to be addressed.

America holds only 2% of proven oil resources yet we consume about 25% of the world's supply. Our dependence on traditional energy supplies puts us at risk from external trends and instability. However, by diversifying our energy portfolio, we can reduce our vulnerability and create a more secure energy future.

ABO Goes to Washington

Joanna Schroeder, Domestic Fuel — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:17:36 GMT

The Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) may be relatively young, having been formed in March of 2006, but they have made some significant strides in Washington, D.C. in lobbying for advanced biofuels such as algae, to play on the same field as cellulosic biofuels.

ABO urges job creation, parity during Capitol Hill meetings

Bryan Sims, Biorefining Magazine — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:24:34 GMT

Job creation along with technology and feedstock parity were key messages the Algal Biomass Association aimed to drive home to members of Congress during its two-day fly-in visit on Capitol Hill this week. While there, the ABO hosted a conference call for members of the media outlining the objectives that the organization and 22 of its members set out to accomplish in Washington.

Vilsack weighs in on U.S. energy vision

Jessica Naudziunas, KBIA — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:54:24 GMT

President Obama this week unveiled his vision for the country’s energy future in a speech at Georgetown University.

The president acknowledged that the energy industry must focus on safety, responsibility and diversified innovation to tap into the full effect of “American ingenuity.” Reporter Jessica Naudziunas on April 1 spoke with the man who will help implement the agriculture side of Obama’s energy plan. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack answers her questions on how American farmers, agriculture and biofuels will play a role in Obama’s goal of cutting foreign oil imports by ⅓ by the year 2025.

President Obama’s Secure Energy Blueprint – Industry Reaction

Jim Lane, Biofuels Digest — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:32:10 GMT

Jason Pyle, CEO, Sapphire Energy

“I applaud President Obama’s continued support for alternative energy solutions. Today, he set an ambitious, but necessary goal to reduce U.S. oil imports by one-third by 2025. As the president and his administration understand, to do this we must have a longer-term energy strategy that includes the use of alternative energy solutions such as biofuels.

Gen. James L. Jones answers "What's Lost in the House Budget Cuts"

Gen. James L. Jones in Topic A, The Washington Post — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:06:46 GMT

An occasional feature in which The Post asks for first impressions on a hot topic. Organizations and people tell The Post what effect the House budget cuts would have.

Fomer National Security Advisor and Senior Fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center discusses the impact of Middle East unrest and our national energy security.

Alternative Energy: Why the President’s Portfolio Approach Will Make us Leaders

Michael W. Wynne, 21st Sec. US Air Force — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:52:58 GMT

One of the greatest threats to our economic and national security is the need to secure foreign oil. So, when President Obama confirmed a commitment to develop domestically renewable petroleum replacements from biomass, also known as bio-crude, he put a stake in the ground that alternatives are not just good for the environment, they’re critical to our national and economic security.

New legislation promotes energy independence

Biofuels International — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:11:50 GMT

The Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act of 2010 has been introduced in the US by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash) and Mike Castle (R-Del).

Navy Drives Biofuel Production With Goal to Buy 336M Gallons a Year by 2020, Enhancing San Diego’s Role as Center for Algae Biofuels

Bruce V. Bigelow, Xconomy — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 18:26:02 GMT

The U.S. military’s interest in developing algae biofuels dates back at least three years, when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) began to assess the technical capabilities needed to produce JP-8 grade jet fuel. By the end of 2008, DARPA awarded separate contracts to San Diego’s General Atomics and SAIC, now based in McLean, VA, to make jet fuel from algae and cellulosic feedstocks.