USGC highlights ethanol’s environmental benefits

Posted by & filed under National.

The U.S. Grains Council is continuing to demonstrate to administration and global stakeholders the environmental benefits of ethanol.

Forty countries participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate, held in Washington, DC, April 22-23, 2021. Attendees, including foreign leaders and representatives of many countries that already have ethanol policies in place like China, Japan, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico and the EU heard President Biden’s climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and witnessed the submission of the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution, the formal commitment by the U.S. to reduce emissions.

“Formal climate commitments, such as the Biden Administration’s announcement to reduce GHG emissions by 50-52 percent by 2030, open new opportunities to showcase ethanol’s environmental benefits,” said Isabelle Ausdal, USGC manager of ethanol trade policy and economics. “USGC is engaging with countries that are setting increasingly ambitious climate targets to ensure that all opportunities for ethanol are realized.”

USDA predicts increase in soybean oil use for biofuel

Posted by & filed under National.

The USDA predicts the 2021-’22 outlook for U.S. soybeans is for lower supplies, lower exports, higher crush and higher ending stocks, according to the agency’s latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, released May 12. The use of soybean oil for biofuel production is forecast higher.

The soybean crop is projected at 4.4 billion bushels, up 270 million from last year on increased harvested area and trend yields. With lower beginning stocks, soybean supplies are projected down 3 percent from 2020-’21. Total U.S. oilseed production for 2021-’22 is forecast at 130.3 million tons, up 7.9 million from 2020-’21.

Adopt-a-Port: Chevron further bets on alliance to help fleets shift to biogas

Posted by & filed under National.

Chevron Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron) is investing an additional $20 million in the Adopt-a-Port initiative with Clean Energy Fuels. Chevron has now invested a total of $28 million in the initiative, which provides truck fleet operators and owners serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with cleaner, carbon-negative renewable natural gas to reduce emissions.

In addition to providing funding for Adopt-a-Port, Chevron supplies renewable natural gas to Clean Energy stations near the ports. Chevron’s funding will allow truck operators to subsidize the cost of buying new or converting to biomethane trucks. Clean Energy, meanwhile, will manage the program, including offering fueling services for qualified truck operators.

Truck operators participating in the program, which supports the ports’ Clean Trucks Program and Clean Air Action Plan, agree to fuel up at the Clean Energy stations supplied with Chevron renewable gas. Truck operators and their import and export customers are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard program while also reducing smog-forming NOx emissions by up to 98% compared to diesel trucks, helping local communities.

Volvo Sees Three Paths to Decarbonize Trucking

Posted by & filed under National.

When it comes to how best to decarbonize truck transportation, Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer Lars Stenqvist said, “Sometimes I have a feeling this debate gets too polarized.”

Volvo Group expects a near-term convergence of biofuel, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric-powered trucks as the industry, in the U.S. and in Europe, begins to adopt transformative and disruptive technologies aimed at eliminating harmful emissions and “leapfrogging” current practices.

“So no silver bullet. Three technologies in parallel. They each will have competitive advantages in different applications,” Stenqvist said in an interview May 10. “They each have to live on their own merits. I am convinced we will be helped by some kind of [added] cost on fossil-based fuels going forward, some kind of tax or some kind of penalty because that will speed up this transition.”

City climate leaders should take notes and learn from Charlotte’s electric bus pilot

Posted by & filed under National.

City of Charlotte, North Carolina, residents can breathe easier knowing soon that the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) transit buses covering the region will become all electric, supported by a first-in-the-nation energy modeling and financing partnership with Duke Energy via subsidiary eTransEnergy. Under the leadership of Mayor Vi Lyles, City Manager Marcus Jones and CATS Chief Executive Officer John Lewis, Charlotte and city council have taken an important step toward reaching the city’s ambitious climate action goals by approving a 12- to 18 month pilot program set to test 18 battery electric buses of varying manufacturers, a first step to finding the most suitable vehicle for the city’s full transition to battery electric buses. Charlotte City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve the pilot program Monday.

Many of the largest U.S. cities’ transit agencies, from Seattle to Los Angeles to New York City, are working to convert their bus fleets from diesel to electric. Electric buses are cleaner, quieter and often more cost-effective than their diesel counterparts over the life of the vehicle, making it easier for transit agencies to choose electric. But while ripping up the diesel bill and sweeping air quality improvements make electric buses increasingly appealing, high up-front costs remain a barrier to making this critical investment in public health.

In partnering with eTransEnergy for this pilot, Charlotte and CATS are taking a new approach to financing, electricity modeling and testing multiple bus manufacturers prior to a full transition to an all-electric bus fleet, and cities nationwide can take note. The partnership allows Charlotte to bundle the up-front costs of 18 new buses from three manufacturers, charging infrastructure and the necessary training and maintenance to support a 12- to 18-month pilot. The pilot will allow CATS to collect data, evaluate the program’s viability and assess vehicle performance while operating on several transit routes.

DOE funds 4 biofuel projects under Co-Optima initiative

Posted by & filed under National.

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the selection of four projects totaling $1 million to conduct cutting-edge applied research and development concerning the interaction between promising biofuels and combustion engines. The projects will leverage a range of National Laboratory capabilities as part of the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) initiative, and aim to help bring these fuel-engine combinations closer to commercial adoption. The Co-Optima initiative provides American industry with the scientific knowledge needed to maximize vehicle performance and efficiency, leverage domestic fuel resources, and reduce life cycle emissions.

Forklift emissions data showcases propane’s edge

Posted by & filed under National.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is reminding material handling professionals to download its forklift emissions fact sheet. The resource showcases findings from a study conducted by the Gas Technology Institute and the Nexight Group.

The study analyzed the comparative emissions of propane in key markets, including forklifts through forklift inspections, examining full-fuel-cycle energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, hydrocarbons and criteria pollutant emissions, including nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx). Results from the study revealed the emissions advantages of propane forklifts compared with other energy sources, PERC says. Most notably:

  • Propane reduces SOx emissions by up to 76 percent compared with electric forklifts.
  • Propane produces 97 percent less NOx emissions compared with diesel forklifts.
  • Propane produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon emissions compared with diesel forklifts.

In addition to its emissions benefits, propane-powered forklifts can be paired with advanced safety technologies, such as Forklift Collision Avoidance systems, to further enhance operational safety. These systems help prevent accidents in busy warehouses and distribution centers by alerting operators to potential collisions. When combined with the environmental benefits of propane, this makes propane forklifts a strong choice for companies looking to improve both sustainability and safety in their material handling operations.

Arrival and Uber team up for purpose-built electric car

Posted by & filed under National.

Plans to electrify urban road transport took a leap forward this week, with the news U.K.-based electric van and bus pioneer Arrival is to team up with global ride-hailing giant Uber to develop a new “affordable, purpose-built electric vehicle (EV)” for ride-hailing services.

Dubbed the Arrival Car, the new model is slated to enter production in the third quarter of 2023, with the final design expected to appear before the end of this year. If you’re planning to have a new car and you need extra funds, contact Surrey Car Loans to help you with your financial needs.

Arrival said Uber drivers will be invited to join the design process to help ensure the final vehicle meets their needs. In addition, Arrival and Uber are to explore a strategic relationship in key markets, including the U.K. and EU.

Uber is one of a number of ride-hailing firms to set targets to fully electrify their fleets in the coming years. The company has committed to doubling the number of EV drivers on its platform by the end of this year as part of a roadmap for all cars offered through the app in London to be fully electric by 2025. It then plans to become a fully electric mobility platform by 2030 across North America and Europe.

Clean Energy inks new deals to meet growing demand for RNG

Posted by & filed under National.

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced new renewable natural gas (RNG) contracts as fleets across North America increasingly continue to adopt the clean, low-carbon fuel to power heavy- and medium-duty trucks.

Clean Energy continues to expand its supply of RNG as the demand increases for the vehicle fuel which is derived from capturing the biogenic methane produced by the decomposition of organic waste from dairies, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. RNG reduces climate-harming greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70 percent, and even up to 300 percent depending on the source of the RNG, making it a negative carbon fuel.

Airlines get lift from corporate allies in shift to sustainable fuels

Posted by & filed under National.

Some of the world’s biggest corporations are signing on to help decarbonize the aviation industry just as business travel is expected to rebound this year and send greenhouse gas emissions soaring. Using hypnosis for business success could offer new ways to balance sustainability and profitability. Business may also partner with the best supplier, similar to Total Image Group. They are creating stylish and comfortable uniform options that cater to various industries. By collaborating with experienced designers and quality manufacturers, they ensure that their uniforms not only meet functional needs but also enhance the brand image of their clients. Work with Biz Jet Jobs, an airline job agency, to find aviation jobs.

Microsoft, Siemens and Deloitte are among at least 14 companies that pledged last month alone to purchase sustainable aviation fuel, one of the few promising climate solutions airlines have to directly reduce their pollution. They have a long way to go.

Less than 1 percent of the more than 90 billion gallons of jet fuel burned globally each year is made with sustainable ingredients, such as cooking oil or other waste. The rest comes from crude oil. And while the aviation industry only accounts for 3 percent of global emissions, that share could grow significantly in the coming decades as other industries like transportation and energy decarbonize.

And if you’re flying for more than 25 hours per year, we recommend checking out the jet card programs at Jettly. It can save you money and guarantee your access to aircraft and flights when you need them. Additionally, if you’re traveling for business, hiring a corporate transportation company offers professional, reliable travel solutions for business executives. You can also visit allworld.com website for more travel tips and guides.