News

Growing America's Fuel

Three major announcments today will pave the way for miscanthus growers and facilities using the crop:

Renewable Fuels Standard.
EPA has finalized a rule implementing the long-term renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The Renewable Fuels Standard requires biofuels production to grow from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons in 2022, with 21 billion gallons to come from advanced biofuels. Increasing renewable fuels will reduce dependence on oil by more than 328 million barrels a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons a year when fully phased in by 2022. For the first time, some renewable fuels must achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions - compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace – in order to be counted towards compliance with volume standards. To read the full rule, please click HERE.

Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
USDA has proposed a rule for Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) to convert biomass to bioenergy and bio-based products. USDA provides grants and loans and other financial support to help biofuels and renewable energy commercialization. BCAP has already begun to provide matching payments to folks delivering biomass for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass to eligible biomass conversion facilities. To read the full rule, please click HERE.

Biofuels Working Group
In May, President Obama established the Biofuels Interagency Working Group – co-chaired by USDA, DOE, and EPA, and with input from many others – to develop a comprehensive approach to accelerating the investment in and production of American biofuels and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Today the Working Group released its first report: Growing America’s Fuel – a new U.S. Government strategy for meeting or beating the country’s biofuel targets. The report is focused on short term solid government solutions supporting the existing biofuels industry, as well as accelerating the commercial establishment of advanced biofuels and a viable long-term market by transforming how the U.S. Government does business across Departments and using strategic public-private partnerships. To read the full report, please click HERE.

Southern Farmer Magazine Article

“It recycles nutrients to the roots,” Jennings says. “Also, it adapts nicely to marginal land and can be harvested with existing farming equipment. It really is the perfect ‘energy crop’ for Southern farmers.”
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AgWired Interview

AgWired interviews John Holmes and Phillip Jennings from the show floor of AG CONNECT in Orlando. Audio also included.
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Southeast and Energy Grasses show best potential

Experts at AG CONNECT '10 agree that perennial energy grasses tend to help improve soil quality and water use (they use less) and that the Southeast is likely to be the epicenter of cellulosic development.
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First branded type of Giant Miscanthus Grass is Commercialized

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The first guaranteed, university-backed strain of giant miscanthus grass is now available and is being commercialized by REPREVE Renewables LLC, a leader in biofuel innovation, which has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Mississippi State University (MSU).
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At full maturity, it yields up to 25 tons per acre. “Because of the high vigor and rapid multiplication of the plant rhizomes, we are able to harvest each year with high multiplication,” said Phillip Jennings, president of SunBelt. Yield on one-year-old material is 8 tons, second-year regrowth yields 14 tons and third-year regrowth yield is 20 tons, Jennings said.
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From TechPulse360.com:
One company hopes to turn this desert of energy awareness into a paradigm of bio-energy – and it believes Giant Miscanthus Grass holds the key.
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ATLANTA — It just got easier for farmers and landowners to join the green energy movement. An extremely fast growing plant raised for biofuel has just hit the market via one Georgia company.
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Collaboration between a Mississippi State University research agronomist and Georgia’s REPREVE Renewables may offer the Southeast the “Freedom” to be the center of alternative energy production in the United States.
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With biomass yields of over 20 tons per acre, Freedom Giant Miscanthus vaults past previously published numbers from biomass crops.
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