Category: Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 7, 2012) – The Advanced Biofuels Association, the Algae Biomass Organization, Airlines for America, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, and the National Farm Bureau Federation today wrote leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, asking them to support the Department of Defense’s (DoD) commitment to accelerate production of American-made, advanced, “drop-in” biofuels for use in military jets, ships, and vehicles.

The letter states:

“Continued reliance on foreign oil puts U.S. troops at risk of supply disruptions during military or humanitarian missions. Moreover, the oil market is unpredictable and the price per barrel of oil often has dramatic fluctuations, which wreaks havoc on military budgets. In fiscal years 2011 and 2012, for instance, DoD came up $5.6 billion short in its budget for military operations and maintenance because it spent more on fuel than anticipated.

“Budget shortfalls associated with fuel price spikes force military leaders to make tough decisions, such as asking Congress for supplemental resources that are difficult to secure in tough budget times or cutting back on steaming hours and flight training. Meanwhile, U.S. advanced biofuel producers have made rapid progress toward cost-competitiveness. Per gallon cost of test quantities of advanced biofuels under Navy contracts has declined more than 90 percent over the past two years and will continue to decline as these technologies scale to commercial production. DoD’s efforts to reduce use of foreign oil and increase use of American biofuels can provide more certainty for military fuel purchasers and therefore reduce the Department’s massive operational cost overruns.”

###

About ABFA

As a leading voice for America’s domestic biofuels industry, the Advanced Biofuels Association, ABFA, represents companies deploying advanced and renewable technologies that are helping drive America’s new economy by creating jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels while fueling a sustainable future for the world. A national organization based in Washington, D.C., the ABFA supports federal investment while encouraging public policies that are consistent, technology neutral, utilize sustainable feedstocks and offer subsidy parity. For more information http://www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com/

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. 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:www.algaebiomass.org.

About A4A

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech NOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtech NOW.

About American Farm Bureau Federation

AFBF is the unified national voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -April 25, 2012- Energy security is a vital part of national security; we can improve energy security with advanced biofuel production in the U.S. The Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Advanced BioFuel Association, the Algae Biomass Organization, Airlines for America, and the National Farm Bureau Federation today wrote leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee asking them to include authorization for the U.S. Department of Energy to transfer funds to the Defense Production Act necessary for an interagency project to ramp up production of military aviation and diesel fuels.

The letter states:

“Advanced biofuels and other alternatives can replace military fuels derived from crude oil without disruptions or changes to existing equipment or infrastructure while reducing dependence upon oil imports. DOE’s ability to direct funds to this initiative will further its mission to “ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.” It will also build on past DPA successes that have resulted in domestic production capacity for valued defense materials, such as silicon carbide ceramics (used in nuclear reactors), indium phosphide and gallium arsenide (used in lasers and semiconductors), as well as aluminum and titanium, which are ubiquitous in nearly all major weapons systems.”

###

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. 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:www.algaebiomass.org.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech NOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtech NOW.

About ABFA

As a leading voice for America’s domestic biofuels industry, the Advanced Biofuels Association, ABFA, represents companies deploying advanced and renewable technologies that are helping drive America’s new economy by creating jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels while fueling a sustainable future for the world. A national organization based in Washington, D.C., the ABFA supports federal investment while encouraging public policies that are consistent, technology neutral, utilize sustainable feedstocks and offer subsidy parity. For more information http://www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com/

Contact:

Nate Kommers, for the Algae Biomass Organization
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

ABO Blog offers latest news in algae-derived fuel and food production, research initiatives and industry perspectives

MINNEAPOLIS–April 23, 2012 – Responding to a growing need for timely information about algae technology and products, the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today launched a new blog for those keeping track of the industry’s progress toward meeting challenges in food production, national energy security and economic development. The blog can be viewed at www.algaebiomass.org/blog.

The new information resource was established to communicate ABO’s knowledge about the fast-paced algae industry developments that include technological advances, new products and investments in commercial production facilities. Demand for information about the algae industry has also grown with national discussions about the need for new fuel sources and high gas prices.

To help meet that demand the ABO Blog will feature regularly updated coverage the impact algae will have on several different markets. Readers will find articles explaining how algae will be a renewable source of domestic fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel, and bio-diesel. The ABO Blog will also provide stories of algae’s potential as a source of other products that range from animal feed to plastics to specialty chemicals.

To provide context for many of these developments, the blog will offer perspectives from ABO’s executive director and staff, board members, and industry representatives.

The ABO blog is going to make it much easier to stay on top of the rapid developments we hear from our member companies every day, and will go a long way in showing the personality of an industry working hard to provide a new source of domestic fuels and a host of other products,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “It will also be a venue for education, facts, and setting the record straight about algae.”

In addition to the blog, ABO has also recently announced the launch of Allaboutalgae.com, the first website designed to showcase algae’s potential for everyone – from those just learning about algae to seasoned algae enthusiasts, media and entrepreneurs looking for information on the industry’s progress toward meeting challenges in energy security, food production and sustainability.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. 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:www.algaebiomass.org.

 

Contacts:

John Williams, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x1, jwilliams@scovillepr.com

Nate Kommers, Scoville Public Relations for ABO
206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

Now accepting abstracts for speaking opportunities and poster presentations

DENVER–March 21, 2012 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the trade association for the U.S. algae industry, today announced that the 6^th annual Algae Biomass Summit will be held September 24 – 27, 2012 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver, Colorado.

The ABO is currently seeking proposals for speakers, abstracts and poster presentations in biology, engineering and analysis, commercialization, and policy and finance. Abstracts for program sessions, oral or poster presentations are due by April 6^th, 2012. More information on presentations and potential topics, and how to submit a proposal, is available athttp://algaebiomasssummit.org.

“Each year our industry steps closer to the large-scale production of algae fuels and products that will help address the nation’s energy, food and environmental challenges,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO. “Our sixth summit will highlight the accelerated pace of investment, technical development and job growth in this nationwide industry, and provide a knowledge sharing venue for policymakers, producers, suppliers, and everybody else in the algae value chain.”

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 development of algal production, current government and private initiatives, evolving technologies, processing concepts, life cycle analysis and project finance.

The 2011 Algae Biomass Summit, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota was attended by more than 800 stakeholders across the algae industry from more than 25 countries.

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing our world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. 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: www.algaebiomass.org.

 

Contact:

Nate Kommers, for the Algae Biomass Organization

206-625-0075 x2, nate.kommers@scovillepr.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 1, 2012 – A new survey of the algae industry conducted by theAlgae Biomass Organization (ABO) shows algae companies are increasing production in 2012, they expect to be price-competitive with petroleum fuels by 2020, and that stable and effective Federal policy would accelerate production and job creation.

The survey of more than 380 algae industry contacts shows a rapidly growing sector: 65 percent of algae producers said they plan to expand capacity in 2012 as they work to provide the U.S with new sources of sustainable, domestically produced fuels.

Respondents are optimistic that algae biofuels will be commercially available and competitive with fossil fuels by 2020, with 90 percent believing that it is at least somewhat likely, and nearly 70 percent believing it is moderately to extremely likely. Nearly 20 percent believe fuel will be $1.50 per gallon or lower while nearly 50 percent believe it will be less than $3.00 per gallon by 2020.

Nearly unanimously respondents agreed that fair and stable government policy would help them develop competitively priced biofuels, increase production and employment. More than 88 percent of respondents said they agree that supportive policy would accelerate the industry’s development, and 81 percent said it was likely that their company would accelerate hiring with supportive policy.

While the new federal investments in research and development will help the industry advance, when it comes to competing with other biofuels algae-based fuels are still at a disadvantage because they doesn’t qualify for the same tax treatment under the Renewable Fuel Standard as other biofuels. When specifically asked if giving algae biofuels the same treatment in the tax code as other biofuels—a policy concept known as tax parity—more than 86 percent agreed that the industry could likely accelerate production.

“It’s clear from these results that the algae industry is moving forward with increased production and employment as well as continued scientific breakthroughs,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “The survey confirms what we’ve said for years – that stable and equitable federal policy will only accelerate the development of an industry that can create a sustainable source of domestic fuels and jobs. We’ll continue to work with members on both sides of the aisle to educate them on the benefits of algae.”

Other key findings of the survey included:

• There is a diverse and expanding value chain of companies in the industry. In addition to those involved in directly producing and buying algae or algae products, respondents also included manufacturers, research laboratories, providers of equipment or materials, and those supporting the industry with legal, administrative, IT and consulting services.
• The algae industry supports a wide variety of jobs across the United States. Respondents reported that their companies had employees working on algae in nearly every state. Besides scientists and engineers, firms are also employing individuals involved in marketing, administrative, sales and operations capacities.
• There is a strong feeling in the industry that education and awareness about algae’s potential will be an important element of its success. About 99% of respondents felt the public needed to be informed about algae’s benefits. More than half acknowledged they had not been in touch with state or federal policymakers about algae, and many had never hosted a policymaker at their facilities.

Products made from algae are the natural solution to the energy, food, economic, and climate challenges facing our world today. Algae have the power to simultaneously put fuels in our vehicles, recycle CO2, provide nutrition for animals and people and create jobs for millions of Americans. More information can be found at www.allaboutalgae.com.

 

About the Algae Biomass Organization

The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. 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:www.algaebiomass.org.

 

Media Contact:

John Williams, Scoville Public Relations for ABO

206-625-0075 x1, jwilliams@scovillepr.com