Category: Press

Director of U.S. Navy’s Energy and Environmental Readiness Division to discuss the role of next generation biofuels in U.S. Navy’s energy strategy

 

PHOENIX – September 10, 2010 – The 2010 Algae Biomass Summit, the official conference of the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) and the algae industry’s premier event, today announced Rear Admiral Philip Cullom as a keynote speaker.  The Director of the U.S. Navy’s Energy and Environmental Readiness Division as well as the Navy’s Task Force Energy, Admiral Cullom will discuss the growing importance of next-generation biofuels such as those derived from algae to the Navy’s energy strategy.

Admiral Cullom’s remarks at the 4^th annual Algae Biomass Summit come as a growing number of policy makers, investors, entrepreneurs and researchers recognize the potential of algae to serve as a source for renewable, domestically produced fuels that reduce carbon emissions and enhance America’s energy security.

“As Director of the Navy’s Task Force Energy, Admiral Cullom is one of our nation’s leading experts on the military’s support of, and demand for, new forms of renewable energy,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of ABO. “We look forward to hearing his insight on the role that sources of renewable energy like algae can play in the Navy’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and develop more secure sources of energy. He is an exciting addition to our conference.”

Speakers and attendees at the Algae Biomass Summit, which will be held September 28-30 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona, 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, lifecycle analysis and venture/project finance.

The full agenda, including a list of current speakers, is available at:https://algaebiomass.org/events/2010-algae-biomass-summit/agenda/. Last year’s Algae Biomass Summit, held in San Diego, California, was attended by more than 700 stakeholders from across the algae industry.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Harvard Business School, Admiral Cullom has served in a wide range of position at sea and ashore in his distinguished 30-year career with the U.S. Navy. His experience includes commanding the USS Mitscher during the Kosovo crisis, Task Force 151 in the Arabian Gulf during operation Iraqi Freedom, Carrier Strike Group command, and as Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the National Security Council.  In September 2008, Admiral Cullom assumed duties as Director, Fleet Readiness Division from which grew his current assignment as Director, Energy and Environmental Readiness Division for the Navy Staff. Admiral Cullom has also received several military decorations, including two Defense Superior Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, a sundry of lesser personal awards, and numerous campaign medals.

For Immediate Release	Contacts:
	Paul Winters, BIO, 202-962-9237
	Tom Alexander, ABFA, 202-262-4284
	John Williams, ABO, 206-625-0075

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 27, 2010) – As Congress takes action on critical tax incentive packages, the leading advanced biofuel trade associations reemphasized the importance of advanced biofuels as promising opportunities for the United States to reduce its reliance on oil and create green jobs. Sustained and diverse federal programs, including tax incentives, can help producers secure financing for construction of projects. The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Advanced BioFuels Association (ABFA) and Algae Biomass Organization today thanked Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-Mich.) for introducing legislation that would make algae and other second-generation biofuels eligible for the cellulosic biofuels production tax credit and create an optional investment tax credit. The groups released the following joint statement:

“As a result of the recession, private capital has been on the sidelines. Enactment of an investment tax credit, similar to those given other nascent industries, can help second-generation advanced biofuel projects make the crucial step to commercializing innovative technologies. This approach was granted to the wind, biomass and geothermal industries under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, and this spring the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Treasury testified that this approach was a great success in the deployment of new jobs and new renewable technology over the last year. We believe the same results of creating jobs in the algae, advanced and cellulosic biofuels sectors can be realized with this much-needed boost by Congress.

“Advanced biofuel producers seeking the investment needed to build biorefineries and infrastructure are finding it especially challenging to raise financing for first-of-a-kind commercial-scale facilities. Enduring federal commitment to increasing alternative energy production should provide potential investors the certainty they need to make long-term investments in new cellulosic and algae-based advanced biofuel facilities. An optional investment tax credit can provide second-generation biofuel developers critical flexibility in electing the form of tax incentive that best suits a given project.

“BIO, ABFA and ABO believe these measures are a very good start to providing advanced biofuel producers assistance in attracting necessary capital to build new biorefineries. We look forward to working with the committee as well as leaders in the Senate to enact them.”

The Chairman’s discussion draft of tax legislation is intended to support industry efforts to secure project financing by strengthening and expanding federal tax incentives for second-generation biofuels. The legislation includes language authored by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) that would open existing cellulosic biofuels tax credits to algae-based fuels. The proposed legislation also includes a provision introduced by Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) and co-sponsored by 15 members of the Ways and Means Committee that would provide cellulosic and algae-based biorefineries an option to choose a 30 percent investment tax credit in lieu of production incentives. Businesses would not be allowed to claim both the production and investment incentives but would be granted the flexibility to choose the incentive best suited to their business condition.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,200 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.

About ABFA

The member companies of The Advanced BioFuels Association (ABFA) represent the new generation of advanced and renewable technologies that will help drive America’s new economy and fuel a sustainable future for the world. For more information click onhttp://www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com.

Industry trade organization urges changes to program that will facilitate private investment and support commercialization

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (July 6, 2010) – The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, has encouraged the USDA to consider a variety of changes to its Biorefinery Assistance Program, which guarantees loans for the development of advanced biorefineries.  Among the changes proposed by the ABO were: providing more flexible revenue requirements for qualifying under the program; increasing the amount of the loan that can be guaranteed; and removing the restrictive citizenship requirements for borrower eligibility. A full version of the ABO comments on the USDA Biorefinery Assistance Program is available at the ABO website: https://algaebiomass.org/policy-center/values-views/federal/.

“Along with strong support from the Department of Energy and Congress, the USDA’s Biorefinery Assistance Program will play a vitally important role in incentivizing private investment in renewable, domestically-produced advanced biofuels derived from algae,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the ABO. “The benefits provided by algae-based biofuels align closely with the Program’s goals of enhancing our energy security, expanding markets for agricultural products and creating jobs. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the USDA to ensure the Biorefinery Assistance Program is as effective as possible.”

ABO’s offered a number of key recommendations, including:

1. Provide more flexible revenue requirements. The current revenue requirements are too strict and could prevent early-stage algae-based fuel biorefinery projects from qualifying for a loan guarantee. The USDA’s notice of proposed rulemaking states that for a project to be eligible for a loan guarantee “more than 70 percent of the revenue generated by the biorefinery must be from the sale of advanced biofuels.” Because many algae companies project that a significant portion of their initial revenue will come from higher value co-products, including animal feed, chemicals and plastics, these inflexible requirements could serve to disqualify projects seeking to use algae as a feedstock. Furthermore, this requirement is not contained in Section 9003 of the Farm Bill. It is ABO’s position that it is counterproductive to impose an artificial product mix requirement.

1. Increase the amount of loan guarantee available to industry. Congress authorized guarantees of up to 90% of the principal and interest on a loan; however, the percent of a loan that the USDA is proposing to guarantee is significantly less.  For example, only 60% of the entire loan amount would be guaranteed for loans over $125 million. While USDA’s proposal may be appropriate for existing, commercially available technologies, these levels fall far short of providing the risk reduction needed to attract badly-needed private investment in capital intensive biorefinery projects.

1. Remove the citizenship requirement for borrower eligibility. ABO believes that the physical location of a project and its potential to create domestic jobs, not the nationality of project’s equity investors, should be the measure of eligibility. Currently, the USDA is proposing that individual borrowers must be citizens of the U.S. and its territories or reside in the United States after legal admittance for permanent residence. For other entities, they must be 51% owned by U.S. citizens or legally admitted permanent residents residing in the U.S.  Congress did not impose this requirement, and doing so could prevent international investors from investing in U.S. markets and creating much-needed domestic jobs.  Requirements of this nature impose unnecessary barriers to achieving the goals of the Biorefinery Assistance Program, namely  to increase the energy independence of the United States, diversify markets for agricultural products, promoting the development of new technologies, creating jobs, and enhancing America’s rural economies.

The Biorefinery Assistance Program was authorized by Congress in Section 9003 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly referred to as the “Farm Bill,” with the purpose of increasing U.S. energy independence, promoting resource conservation and health of the environment, diversifying markets for agricultural products, and enhancing America’s rural economies.

Participation in the USDA’s request for comments on the proposed rule is part of ABO’s commitment to accelerating the market for commodities derived from algal biomass, including education and outreach, policy briefings and other events focused on increasing policymakers’ and the public’s awareness of algae’s potential contributions to resolving critical issues such as energy security, climate change, and economic development.

Will offer a pre-conference “Algae 101” educational workshop and tour of Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus algae research facilities

PHOENIX – June 2, 2010 – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the leading trade association for the algae industry, today announced that it has partnered with Arizona State University to offer a unique workshop and tour for attendees at the 4th annual Algae Biomass Summit, which will be held September 28th – 30th at Phoenix’s JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

The day-long workshop, taking place on Monday, September 27th, will feature a comprehensive educational seminar titled “Algae 101: An introduction to one of nature’s most efficient energy conversion systems” designed to help those interested in the algae industry better understand the potential for algae. The workshop will also feature an afternoon tour of ASU’s Laboratory for Algae Research & Biotechnology located at the university’s Polytechnic Campus in Mesa, Arizona as well as presentations from representatives of the algae industry. More information on the workshop, including a link to registration and the full agenda, is available at:www.algaebiomass.org/events/.

“This one-of-a-kind workshop will provide participants the opportunity to learn about key developments and trends in the emerging algae industry as well as provide a first-hand look at a leading algae research facility,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the ABO. “Attendees can expect to come away from the workshop with a greatly enhanced understanding of this promising industry and what’s needed to take this technology from the lab to the commercial markets.”

ABO chose to hold its 4th annual Algae Biomass Summit in the Phoenix area given the fast-emerging algae industry and leading algae-focused programs at leading academic and research institutions in Arizona and the greater Southwest.

“As a leading center for algae research, we look forward to providing attendees insight into the promise of algae as a renewable and sustainable source for bio-based products,” said Gary Dirks, Director, LightWorks at Arizona State University. “We look forward to working with the Algae Biomass Organization to make this workshop and tour a great addition to a great event.”

The pre-conference workshop will take place a day prior to the opening of the 4th annual Algae Biomass Summit, which 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 algae 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.

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

Day-long event will arm investors, analysts and managers with information needed to better evaluate and rank investment opportunities in emerging algae for energy industry

April 12, 2010 New York, NY – The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), the leading trade association for the algae industry, today announced it will be hosting an Algae Finance Summit on May 13th, 2010 at New York City’s Flatotel. The day-long event will provide investors, analysts and fund managers with the information needed to make informed investment decisions and recommendations regarding opportunities in the fast-developing algae for energy industry.

Key experts, including government regulators and policymakers, algae producers, legal experts and investment professionals, will offer attendees a holistic – and realistic – assessment of the capital needs and financing structures for algae companies and projects, as well as the role of the federal government in regulating the industry and facilitating its growth through funding. More information on the Finance Summit, including the full agenda and the online registration form, is available at:www.algaebiomass.org.

“Our Finance Summit will provide investment professionals an exclusive opportunity to understand and confidently rank investment opportunities in the algae space,” said Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the ABO. “As the industry continues to move towards commercial-scale production, it’s important that our nation’s leading investment professionals have the opportunity to better understand the risks and opportunities for investment in this burgeoning industry.”

Co-chaired by John Pierce of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Tom Byrne of Byrne & Company, Ltd., the Summit will feature expert panels on a variety of issues related to financing algae-related technologies, companies and projects, including: the economics of algae-based fuel production; the role of the Federal government in market development; intellectual property issues; tax equity and debt markets; and insights from leading financiers and producers on the future of the industry.

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