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GAO Report Concludes Industry and Government Face Significant Challenges in Meeting RFS Target While Minimizing Unintended Adverse Effects; Suggests Federal Research Give Priority to Non-Ethanol Biofuels

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Increased cultivation of corn for ethanol, its conversion into biofuels, and the storage and use of these fuels could affect water supply, water quality, air quality, soil quality, and biodiversity, the report found. Federal tax credits, the RFS, and the ethanol tariff have primarily supported conventional corn starch ethanol.

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National Research Council report finds it unlikely the US will meet cellulosic biofuel mandates absent major innovation or a change in policies

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As of 2010, biofuel production was contingent on subsidies, tax credits, the import tariff, loan guarantees, RFS2, and similar policies. Moreover, nutritional and other income assistance programs are often adjusted for changes in the general price level. Barriers and opportunities.

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Sandia Labs/GM Biofuels Systems Study Concludes Large-Scale Production of Advanced Biofuels is Achievable and Sustainable

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Sandia’s analysis included land use, water availability, energy used to produce cellulosic biomass, transportation of feedstocks and other potential leverage points for the development and use of cellulosic biofuels. 60B gal of biofuels would require only 5% of total 2030 water consumption; food and feed production requires 75%.

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Honda May Develop Plug-In as Obama Alters U.S. Policy (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

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Tax Credits Instead, Obama backed tax credits of as much as $7,500 inthe stimulus package approved in February for buyers of plug-incars. customers $600 a month to lease.Honda hasn’t revealed its production price. Oil prices are going to go up. millionthis year from $211.9 The vehicle costs U.S.

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Global investment in renewable power reached $270.2B in 2014, ~17% up from 2013; biofuel investment fell 8% to 10-year low

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billion, the largest single renewable energy asset finance deal ever, outside large hydro—that of the 600MW Gemini project in Dutch waters. billion, helped by the recovery in sector share prices between mid-2012 and March 2014, and by the popularity with investors of US “yieldcos” and their European equivalents, quoted project funds.

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