ShareIn Washington, President Barack Obama today signed H.R. 4853, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

Last night, the US House of Representatives voted by a 277 to 148 margin to approve the Obama tax deal, which extends the ethanol tax credit through 2011, and retroactively extends the biodiesel tax incentive and the renewable diesel incentive through 2011. The bill also renewed the 54-cent tariff on Brazilian ethanol through 2011.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis was invited to the signing ceremony for the Tax Relief Unemployment Extension Bill. At the ceremony, Buis presented the President with a letter on behalf of the American ethanol industry and its supporters, thanking him for delivering a common-sense ethanol tax policy.

In the letter, he wrote, “Every year, our addiction to foreign oil drains $1,000 for every man, woman and child out of our economy. That is money we should invest in Des Moines, not Abu Dhabi – Columbus, and not Caracas.  …by signing into law a one-year extension of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, your leadership has set the table for comprehensive, long-term energy policy, including reform of the American transportation fuels market, as proposed by Growth Energy’s Fueling Freedom proposal. Our plan to reform the market would encourage the installation of blender pumps and make every auto sold in the U.S. a Flex Fuel Vehicle, ultimately giving American consumers the power to choose their fuel at the pump, instead of having that choice made for them.”

Joy from US ethanol and biodiesel interests was tempered by a call by UNICA for Brazil to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the ethanol tariff.

At the same time, Senate Democrats abandoned a plan for a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that would have slashed funds for USDA loan guarantees and would have zeroed out funds for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program established under the 2008 Farm Bill. According to the Associated Press, “The 1,924-page bill collapsed of its own weight after an outcry from conservatives who complained it was stuffed with more than $8 billion in homestate pet projects known as earmarks.”

Reaction from industry included:

Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director, Algal Biomass Organization, said, “Congress’s decision to extend the incentives for the production and use of domestic renewable fuels is an essential step for the development of America’s biofuels industry. While long overdue, the extension of these important programs sends a strong signal of support for the importance of renewable, domestic fuels to our energy security, economy and environment.”

Joe Jobe, CEO, National Biodiesel Board, added, “Experience has shown that the biodiesel tax incentive is an effective tool to encourage the displacement of foreign petroleum with a superior, domestically produced Advanced Biofuel. Reinstatement of this proven incentive helps provide the policy framework needed to meet the nation’s renewable goals, and the NBB sincerely appreciates the bipartisan cooperation and support that made extension of this worthwhile incentive possible.

Randy Olson, Executive Director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, added, “We are extremely pleased that the biodiesel tax credit extension has now been passed with strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. Biodiesel has long been a bright spot in our state’s economy, supporting green jobs and generating economic activity on the farm and beyond. It’s also a vital component of our national energy security. Iowa’s biodiesel producers are looking forward to ramping back up to full-scale production of America’s first Advanced Biofuel and bringing jobs back to Iowa while helping our nation meet its commitment to Renewable Fuels.”

SOURCE: BIOFUELS DIGEST

According to video and a transcript of the debate posted to Iowa Public Television’s website, Zaun said that while he thinks the biodiesel industry needs to grow, he does not support reinstatement of the expired tax credit. In response, Boswell argued that Zaun has not connected success in the biofuels industry with a decreased dependence on foreign oil. “[Biodiesel] is a stand-up business that we’ve got to continue to support and be sure we can make it solid, and we definitely should be supporting those biodiesel plants that are sitting out there idle. We can do better,” Boswell said.

Zaun responded to Boswell’s remarks by saying he respectfully disagreed.

“When we as tax payers invest $100,000 to $600,000 for each new job created, that’s excessive,” he continued. “And, I want that industry to survive, and I want it to flourish.” However, during the debate Zaun offered no insight into possible alternative actions that could be taken in order to support biodiesel production in Iowa.

It is currently unclear how Zaun reached his $100,000 to $600,000 estimate of taxpayer support for each biodiesel job created. Biodiesel Magazine was unable to reach him for clarification. The Iowa Biodiesel Board has also been unable to verify where Zaun’s estimates have been sourced.

According to information posted to the IBB’s website, Iowa’s biodiesel industry supported 2,900 permanent jobs and contributed approximately $470 million to the state’s GDP in 2009.

“We are disappointed and concerned to hear that Brad Zaun does not support the federal tax incentive for biodiesel,” said IBB Executive Director Randy Olson. “The incentive expired last year, and the impact on Iowa’s industry has been devastating. Nearly half of the state’s 15 biodiesel plants have closed their doors or gone idle, and thousands of Iowans have lost jobs.

Iowa was once the leading biodiesel-producing state, but our position as a national and worldwide leader in renewable fuels is in jeopardy. Our sincere hope would be that anyone who represents Iowa in the U.S. Congress would continue to fight for the biodiesel industry, and energy independence.

Biodiesel is a bright spot in our state’s economy, supporting green jobs and generating economic activity on the farm and beyond. It’s also a vital component of our national energy security.”

The IBB has requested a meeting with Zaun’s office to discuss the impact of biodiesel in Iowa, and is hoping to shed some light on how vital the industry is to not only Iowa but the nation as a whole, said Olson. That meeting is currently scheduled for Oct. 25.By Erin Voegele.

SOURCE: BIODIESEL MAGAZINE

In past days the envelopes with the technical offer of the Official Plan of Renewable Energies (GENREN) bid were opened. The proposing companies are now waiting for the economic offer envelopes.

he Argentine government announced the results of the 1,015 megawatt (MW) renewable energies tender proposed last May. The total offers reached 1,461 MW, a 46% oversubscription. The offers were broken down by technology: 1,203 for wind power; 155.4 MW from biofuels; 54.1 MW from biomass; 14 MW from biogas; 22.5 MW from photovoltaic solar energy; and 12.7 MW from small hydro projects.

The opening of the sealed envelopes was done at a ceremony at the presidential mansion known as la Casa Rosada, which included words from Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner as well as from the Federal Planning Minister, Julio de Vido.

According to a recent study by the Argentine Renewable Energy Chamber (CADER), nearly 70% of Argentina’s territory is covered with winds whose annual average speed, measured at 50 meters above ground level, surpasses 6 m/s. In Central and Southern Patagonia the speeds can reach on average 9 m/s and up to 12 m/s. Most areas in the vast Patagonia region experience annual average capacity factors above 45%. The provinces of Córdoba, part of San Luis, La Pampa, San Juan, La Rioja and the central and southwestern regions of the province of Buenos Aires yield capacity factors between 35% and 40%.

But despite such massive potential, the 30 MW of wind generation that has been installed to date comes mainly from projects completed between the mid-1990s and early 2000s that were developed by small cooperatives in the Patagonian region.

The tender had been launched by the government last May to assist in the requirements under Renewable Energies Law 26.190 from 2006 that requires that by the year 2016, fully 8% of the country’s energy matrix must be derived from renewable sources. Once all offers have been reviewed, the government must evaluate each one objectively – prices offered and the companies’ technical and financial capacity, among others. According to calculations by the Argentine Renewable Energies Chamber, if all 1,462 MW are accepted it will result in investments in excess of US$2 billion and the creation of approximately 1000 new jobs.

After the public announcement, the President of the chamber, Carlos St. James, exchanged thoughts about the next steps with President Fernandez, expressing optimism about the future of the industry. “These offers, considering the quality and prestige of the multinational companies making them, leaves no doubt that Argentina is on its way to developing a full-fledged renewable energies industry. This is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when a fluid communication is established between the public and private sectors.”

As the chamber had indicated in its recent State of the Argentine Wind Industry study published last May, Argentina has unequaled potential to develop wind energy, as seen by the dominance of wind projects in the tender totaling 1,203 MW, more than 80% of the total offerings. According to Mauro Soares, President of the Wind Energy Committee of the Chamber, “This tender generated unparalleled activity and interest from our sector; the number of proposals focused on wind was very gratifying. Now we will finally see this energy become part of our country’s energy matrix. We welcome this launch of the industry in Argentina, and I congratulate all those that worked towards making it possible.” Also, Sebastian Kind, co-author of the study and board member of the chamber, stated, “Today we saw a high degree of confidence of the sector’s potential; the 1461 MW offered represent solid foundations for a prosperous renewable industry. Argentina has a unique opportunity to generate new skills and develop technology while providing clean and competitive energy for our future.”

According to a recent study published by New Energy Finance, based in London, the global renewable energies industry invested US$155 billion in 2008, with a compound annual growth rate of 45%. Latin America captured US$12 billion of this total, but it is growing at a CAGR of 145%.

The Argentine Renewable Energies Chamber (Cámara Argentina de Energías Renovables, or CADER) is a non-profit industry trade association dedicated to the sustainable development of renewable energies in Argentina. It seeks to play a vital role in the establishment of a solid and vibrant industry, one which is respected globally for its standards and practices.

The Chamber counts among its members companies that believe these principles and work towards developing the local solar, wind and biomass sectors. Its great diversity in members creates one of the Chamber’s greatest strengths, since it is the only organization that represents the entire spectrum of this nascent industry’s value chain.

In past days the envelopes with the technical offer of the Official Plan of Renewable Energies (GENREN) bid were opened. The proposing companies are now waiting for the economic offer envelopes, which will be handed once the technical analysis is concluded. The complete list of proposing companies follows.

1. Emgasud Renovables: 4 wind farms (3 of 50 MW and one of 30 MW, two in Madryn and one in Rawson)

2. Patagonia Wind Energy: one 50 MW wind park, in Madryn.

3. Energías Sustentables SA: one 20 MW wind farm, in West Madryn.

4. International New Energy: one 50 MW wind park, in North Madryn.

5. Sogesic SA: 2 wind parks, of 50 MW, in Tres picos.

6. Unitec Energy – San Jose Argentina – INVAP (UTE): 2 wind parks, of 50 MW.

7. Isolux Ingenieria – Gas y Petróleo de Neuquén – Ingenieria Sima SA, (UTE): one 50 MW wind park.

8. Isolux Ingenieria: 4 wind parks of 50 MW in Loma Blanca 1.2.3 and 4.

9. Impsa Wind SA: 10 wind parks. Kaluel Kayke I (50MW), II (25MW), Malaspina I (50 MW), II (30MW), Condor Cliff La Barrancosa (50MW), Piedra Buena I (50MW), II (30MW), Las Heras (50 MW), Tornquist (50MW).

10. Pan American Fueguinas SA: 28 MW wind park in Cerro Dragon.

Patagonia in Argentina has some of the best conditions in the world for wind power generation. Not only are the winds strong in Patagonia, but they are also fierce in the south of Buenos Aires province and interior provinces such as Córdoba. Blessed with such potential, Argentina should be a world leader in wind energy.

Source: evwind

“The big race is for the corn” said Julio Ferrarotti.

Throughout the world, researchers are seeking plants better adapted to stress. In the Biotech Forum, which will take place in Rosario on June 18 and 19, sponsored by Infocampo, will be presented the degree of progress that there is for the crops to have better performance in less favorable situations.

“All lines of work related to heat stress, drought, cold, floods, are
related to climate change, and in this sense what we are going to hear in
the forum concerns to the progress in developed countries, in emerging ones, and, of course, in Argentina.” says Julio Ferrarotti, organizer with Pablo Adreani (Agripac).

- What is being done in the world in terms of adaptation to drought?

-At both private and public levels, there is much activity in the world in
this issue. In the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia,
Brazil and Argentina there is aimed research. In our country, the station
Obispo Colombres, in Tucumán, has an event for soybean that is at
deregulation in the National Commission of Biotechnology, and Bioceres is
also working with the Universidad Nacional del Litoral.

- What mechanisms are involved in the adaptation of crops to water stress situations?

There are several strategies that can be amplified genes or combined genes
of amplified expression, which regulate defense mechanisms against drought, or it may be the introduction of inedit mechanisms, present in xerófitas species (adapted to dry climates) that are not present in cultivated
species. Mechanisms are linked to stomatal closure, osmotic regulation, cell
tolerance to plasmólisis, etcetera.

In legume we are working on the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation,
as it has been seen that a plant in a better nutritional status supports
stress better. Ultimately, however, all lines are aimed at improving
efficiency in water use, especially in a scene where the drought seems to be
more frequent.

- What degree of progress is there?

Already, there are different announcements. In the United States have been
shown plants to drought conditions compared to normal plants, and the
positive effects are able to be seen of these transformed plants. Also, the
Biotechnology Institute of Rosario is working on the issue of water shortage
and the photos I saw about the experiments are more than auspicious.

- What are the crops that are of most interest and when they could be released for production?

-The great race is in the corn, which is a crop with high sensitivity to
drought. However, soy is being worked in this direction. The “when” is most
difficult to know because it depends on the regulatory processes.

-What would have happened in this campaign of 2008/09 if farmers were able to use crops better adapted to dry conditions?

-We would have had a lot less losses in performance. Perhaps much of the
production could have been saved.

Source: ASA / Infocampo