Carrie Cox – Page 190

Algae Biomass Organization Praises Obama Biofuels Strategy

EPA ruling confirms algae-based fuels reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by at least 50 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 4, 2010 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the leading trade association for the industry, today praised President Obama for his strong support of the U.S. biofuels industry as outlined in his biofuels strategy released on February 3. Of most significance to the algae industry was the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finding that algae-based biodiesel and algae-based renewable diesel reduce emissions by more than 50 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel. The EPA made this determination based on a methodology that includes an analysis of the full lifecycle of algae-based fuels.

“Today’s ruling is a strong and welcome show of support by the Obama administration for the biofuels industry as a whole,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the ABO. “But most important to our industry is the recognition by EPA that algae-based fuels reduce overall CO2 emissions on a lifecycle basis. This supports what we’ve been saying all along.”

With the issuance of the RFS-2, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and the industry itself can be more confident that algae-based fuels will be an important component of a national renewable fuels portfolio, which will help reduce our nation’s dependency on imported oil, decrease harmful CO2 emissions and increase economic opportunity for thousands of people across the country.

Released as part of the Final Rule on EPA’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS-2), the EPA has made a determination through a full lifecycle analysis that algae-based biodiesel and renewable diesel meet or exceed the emissions threshold requiring a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas-forming emissions compared to petroleum diesel. This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions classifies algae-based biodiesel and renewable diesel as an advanced biofuel under the guidelines established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The EPA’s overview of its lifecycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from algae-based biodiesel and other renewable fuels is available via the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/420f10006.htm.

The revised RFS program will increase the required volumes of renewable fuel to 36 billion gallons by 2022 and is expected to displace approximately 13.6 billion gallons of petroleum-based gasoline and diesel fuel, decrease oil imports by $41.4 billion and take the equivalent of 27 million vehicles off the road.

About the ABO
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate for the development of commercially-viable transportation and power generation fuels as well as other non-energy applications for algae biomass. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website.

Contact:
John Williams, Scoville PR for ABO
206-625-0075, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Algae Biomass Organization Announces 4rd Annual Algae Biomass Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

Call for presentations and abstracts now open

PHOENIX – February 3, 2010 – The HYPERLINK “https://algaebiomass.org/” Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) today announced that the 4th Annual Algae Biomass Summit will take place September 28-30 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona. ABO chose the location given the burgeoning algae industry and leading algae-focused programs at leading academic and research institutions in Arizona and the greater Southwest. More information on presentations and areas of interest, including the full Call for Abstracts, is available at https://algaebiomass.org/events/2010CallforAbstracts.html. ABO is currently seeking proposals for keynote speakers, panels and poster presentations.

“2009 was a banner year for the algae industry, with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from both the private sector and the federal government,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “In addition numerous end user industries have joined the effort. Our summit will showcase the latest in technology breakthroughs, commercialization developments and policy and regulatory issues, as well as provide a forum for networking and knowledge sharing.”

Speakers and attendees at the Algae Biomass Summit will include national and international technologists, producers, scientists, investors, and policymakers. During the course of the event, leaders and attendees will discuss issues of critical importance to the emerging algae industry, including the commercial viability of algal production, current government and private initiatives, evolving technologies, processing concepts, life cycle analysis and venture/project finance. Last year’s Algae Biomass Summit, held in San Diego, California, was attended by more than 700 stakeholders across the algae industry.

Contact:
John Williams, Scoville PR for ABO
206-625-0075, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Algae Biomass Organization Questions Accuracy of University of Virginia Algae Life Cycle Study

ABO believes that reliance on obsolete data and faulty assumptions undermines all conclusions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 25, 2010 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the algae industry, today challenged the conclusions of a published report in Environmental Science and Technology claiming that “conventional crops have lower environmental impacts than algae in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water.” The report was based upon obsolete data and grossly outdated business models, and overlooked tremendous improvements in technology and processes across the production cycle. ABO strongly believes that these obsolete data and faulty assumptions seriously undermine the credibility of the study’s conclusions.

“We appreciate and support the interest in algae among the scientific community, and agree that examination of the life cycle impacts of algae for fuel processes is important,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “However, we expect such research to be based on current information, valid assumptions and proven facts. Unfortunately, this report falls short of those standards with its use of decades old data and errant assumptions of current production and refining technologies.”

Among the many concerns of ABO about the report are:

Assumptions about algae growth systems. The report uses a first generation, raceway-style pond system as its benchmark. Many leading algae companies abandoned that approach years ago and have a variety of more advanced cultivation systems, some of which are unrelated to the methods the authors sought to assess.
Assumptions about co-location. By assuming the production facility is not co-located with a large CO2 emitter, calculations for sourcing CO2 are flawed, resulting in a higher attribution of CO2 for algae plants. Most commercial-scale algae projects are being developed alongside major emitters in order to beneficially reuse CO2 that will take the place of equivalent carbon emissions from petroleum fuels.
Assumptions about water use. The study assumes fresh water and non-potable salt water are equal. A sustainable industrial algae production model uses non-potable, non-agricultural water in the process of making liquid fuels.
Assumptions about nutrient use. Because the report does not look at the full algae fuel cycle, ignored is the opportunity to consider the ability of algae producers to recycle nutrients and avoid such a substantial burden.
Assumptions about energy use. Because the authors admittedly did not consider the full algae fuel cycle, which allows energy reuse through biodigester biogas combustion coupled with the carbon recycling from all of the aspects of biodigestion, the report errantly gives a higher emissions burden.
Assumptions about purchase of CO2 and fertilizer. The base case assumes algae farmers will purchase CO2 and fertilizer, yet such an approach is so prohibitively expensive it would never happen in reality. Yet those inputs are the major drivers of the negative impacts in the study.

Lastly, the authors make it very clear that their approach is “stochastic.” ABO believes the results of any stochastic study, defined as “of or pertaining to a process involving a randomly determined sequence of observations each of which is considered as a sample of one element from a probability distribution,” should not be given the same weight as studies and analyses based on facts and other measurable data.

“Even with the scientific shortcomings of the survey, it shows that with a few improvements, algae is much better than terrestrial plants as a fuel source,” said Dr. Stephen Mayfield, director of the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology. “The truth is that the algae industry is already well beyond the obvious improvements these authors suggest, and as we add these new efficiencies algae will become much more environmentally beneficial.”

In general, the Algae Biomass Organization firmly believes life cycle assessments are critical to the development of the industry, given the need to accurately assess and quantify the environmental impact of algae-derived energy. Its membership supports the development of robust LCAs, but believes that the process should include input from a multitude of stakeholders, including algae technology companies, NGO’s and other scientists. ABO has published a set of guidelines for LCA on itswebsite and is working with a cross section of industry leaders to develop a definitive LCA framework for algal biomass systems.

Contact:
John Williams, Scoville PR for ABO
206-625-0075, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Algae Biomass Organization Delivers Briefing to Policymakers on Capitol Hill

Industry group identifies three priorities for legislators, throws support behind four bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 19, 2009) – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) conducted a policy briefing to make the case for legislation to help accelerate the commercialization of algal biomass-based energy solutions. In open forums and individual briefings with legislators, ABO and its members delivered key insights gleaned from surveys of more than 400 algae industry leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs and end users. They also identified and voiced support for several pieces of legislation currently being considered by Congress.

On behalf of its more than 170 members, ABO focused on three key messages for policymakers.
First, the majority of respondents believe that the most compelling attributes of algae are its ability to serve as a replacement for fossil-based fuels while also beneficially re-using carbon dioxide. While algae have tremendous potential for many other uses in the long term, the industry believes that the most pressing needs are in the areas of energy independence and carbon dioxide reduction.

Second, when it comes to the development of standards and other regulations, the industry survey identified the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency as the three most appropriate Federal entities with whom to interface today. Nonetheless, ABO recognizes the important role the Department of Defense has played in fostering acceptance and use of algae-based fuels.
Third, within the industry there is broad support for the development of lifecycle assessments and technical standards that benchmark the environmental impacts and benefits of algae-based technologies. Such data are imperative to illustrating the long term sustainability of algae biomass and quantifying its environmental impact. These must be developed in concert with algae developers as well as other stakeholders, including key environmental NGOs.

These messages are particularly relevant as Congress and the Obama administration continue to support the development of sustainable and renewable energy technologies. No fewer than half a dozen bills, amendments and regulations concerning algae’s treatment as a biofuel feedstock are currently being considered in Congress. Legislative support for feedstock parity that puts algae on a level playing field with other biofuel feedstocks is absolutely essential to algae’s potential for radically changing the domestic energy industry. Such legislation would also complement tremendous advances that have been made over the past two years in the algae industry’s technological development, commercialization efforts and investment from the financial community and oil industry.

“The legislative decisions being made today will impact our industry now and far into the future,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of the Algae Biomass Organization. “It’s important that policymakers fully understand the potential for algae to help resolve critical issues facing our world – GHG emissions reduction, energy security and job creation – all of which a strong algae industry will help address.”

In addition to the key themes and messages, ABO and its member companies identified several key pieces of legislation for support, including:

Renewable Fuels Promotion Act of 2009 (S. 1250). Sponsored by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), this bill would give algae-based fuels tax parity with cellulosic biofuels.

Algae Fuel Parity Act (HR 3460). Sponsored by Representative Brian Bilbray (R-CA), this bill would amend the Clean Air Act to include algae-based biofuels in the Renewable Fuel Standard and in the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit.

American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454). Sponsored by Henry Waxman (D-CA) and supported by Edward Markey (D-MA), this legislation recognizes algae’s ability to beneficially reuse CO2 and ensures algae’s place in a cap-and-trade regime.

Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009 (S. 1733). The Kerry-Boxer bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) recently was amended in the chairman’s mark to level the playing field for advanced green biofuels and recognize the potential of algae to beneficially reuse CO2, create jobs and increase the nation’s energy independence. The bill also includes the House provision that makes room for algae-based fuels in a cap-and-trade regime. The RFS amendment was offered by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). This bill also has seen key support from Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) who supported algae-based fuels during the process.

These bills collectively reflect the initiatives undertaken by ABO and its member companies during the past year, during which they stressed two key needs. First, algae must receive the same tax incentives, subsidies and other financial benefits currently accorded other feed stocks. In addition, the industry believes that algae must be recognized as an effective carbon reduction strategy and safe for commercial production under the same regulations governing other traditional renewable fuel feedstocks.

“With many thanks to the hard work and advocacy of our member companies and several elected officials, we are close to achieving the goals we set earlier this year,” said Rosenthal. “The industry, and as a result our environment, national security and economy will benefit.”

Contact:
John Williams, Scoville PR for ABO
206-625-0075, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Algae Biomass Organization’s Executive Director Mary Rosenthal Testifies Before Congress on Benefits of Algae-Based Fuels

Publicly available testimony highlights algae’s role as a carbon-reducing, sustainable biofuel feedstock and the need for financial and regulatory parity to support development of industry, commercialization

WASHINGTON – October 29, 2009 – The Algae Biomass Organization’s (ABO) Executive Director Mary Rosenthal testified before Congress today on the economic and environmental benefits of algae-based fuels, as well as on steps legislators can take to ensure algae receive[s] benefits and financial incentives similar to those afforded to other biofuel feedstocks. As the leading trade organization representing the broad interests of the burgeoning algae industry, the ABO was asked to present testimony to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, which has jurisdiction over energy and bio-based energy production, on the status of 2nd and 3rd generation biofuel feedstocks.

During her testimony to the Subcommittee, Ms. Rosenthal outlined the key benefits of algae-based fuels as compared to other feedstocks, including commercial scalability, carbon dioxide recycling, use of non-arable land for production, and the wide range of fuel products such as ethanol, biodiesel, and biojet that can be derived from algae. Ms. Rosenthal reinforced the position of the ABO and its more than 170 members organizations that algae are a sustainable, renewable feedstock that will strengthen the United States’ energy independence should be a key component of an overall national low-carbon energy policy.

Rosenthal outlined three key actions that Congress can take to ensure parity for the algae industry with other next generation feedstocks. Those recommendations included:

Financial parity – Algae should receive the same tax incentives, subsidies and other financial benefits that other renewable fuels, particularly cellulosic biofuels, receive.
Regulatory parity – Algae is currently excluded from the majority of the Renewable Fuel Standard, due to a 16 billion gallon carve out for cellulosic biofuels. The carve out should be changed so that it is technology neutral, thus allowing algae-based and other environmentally sustainable fuels to contribute to our nation’s efforts to become energy independent.
Recognition of carbon dioxide reuse– Algae’s unique ability to turn carbon dioxide into renewable fuels will allow the organism to play a significant role in abating carbon emitted by industrial sources. Consequently, algae’s beneficial reuse of carbon dioxide should be acknowledged and accounted for in carbon capture and sequestration legislation.

Ms. Rosenthal’s testimony reflected conclusions and policy positions drawn during the organization’s recent 3rd annual Algae Biomass Summit, held on October 7-9 in San Diego. The Algae Biomass Summit is the algae industry’s premier global conference and is designed to highlight scientific advances and encourage knowledge sharing to accelerate the development of algae-based solutions for global energy, environmental and economic issues. The third annual summit drew more than 700 attendees from across the industry (academia & science, private & public sector, finance, etc.) and featured more than 70 expert speakers, 45 poster presentations and 25 exhibitors, providing attendees a wide range of information and expertise on the algae industry.