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ISU study finds large potential for biobased materials in auto industry, but with challenges

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A study by researchers at Iowa State University has determined that the automotive industry has a very large potential to utilize biobased materials. Their report, “Biobased Automobile Parts Investigation”, was developed for the USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Sustainability/carbon foot print.

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USDA provides $91M loan guarantee to Cool Planet for biogasoline blendstock plant; biomass pyrolysis and catalytic conversion

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At each successive processing stage, the biomass is heated to a higher temperature profile and the material is compacted to a thinner layer with an increasing level of elemental carbon in the remaining biomass. This excess carbon is highly porous and has beneficial water and nutrient retaining capabilities.

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University of Tennessee to head $250M advanced composites manufacturing institute; Ford, Honda and Volkswagen members

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The new institute pairs leading carbon fiber producers and suppliers—such as Materials Innovation Technologies, Harper International, and Strongwell—with key end users such as TPI for wind turbines and Ford, Honda and Volkswagen for automobiles. Adherent Technologies, Inc.; Honda R&D Americas, Inc.; TPI Composites, Inc.;

Tennessee 150
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New Study Finds Flaw in Carbon Accounting for Bioenergy, Another Contends That Indirect Land Use Change Emissions for Biofuels Will Be Up To Twice Direct Land Use Change Emissions

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Thirteen scientists and land use experts conclude in a new paper that an important but fixable error in legal accounting rules used to measure compliance with carbon limits for bioenergy could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging deforestation. Their paper is published in the 23 Oct. Accounting rules.

Emissions 285
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Ethanol producers call for increased octane in new efficiency rules

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Several ethanol producers from Iowa and South Dakota—representing more than one billion gallons of capacity—called on the ethanol community to focus their near term advocacy efforts on fuel efficiency rules that are likely to be a top priority for the incoming Biden Administration.

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Perspective: Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Programs May be the Solution

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Cantwell said that cap-and-trade had been discredited by the Wall Street crisis, the Enron scandal and the rocky start to a carbon credits trading system in Europe that has been subject to dizzying price fluctuations and widespread fraud. states (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) and one Canadian province (Manitoba).

Gas 244