The anticipated industrial boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule, or “IB MACT,” would regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants, such as certain acid gases, organics, metals, and possibly other pollutants, from industrial boilers and would likely affect biomass boilers like the one planned for Plant Mitchell.

“Georgia Power is committed to furthering the development of renewable energy in Georgia,” said Jeff Burleson, Georgia Power’s director of Resource Policy and Planning. “We’re disappointed to have to delay this large biomass project and the benefits it can deliver. However, by delaying capital spending on the project we’re significantly reducing the cost risk to customers.”

Georgia Power had originally planned to begin retrofit construction at Plant Mitchell in April 2011 with the unit becoming operational in June 2012. A new project schedule has yet to be determined.

The pro-ethanol trade group Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers petitioned the EPA last March to allow gasoline rated as standard transportation fuel to contain up to 15% ethanol by volume, known as E15. U.S. gasoline is now approved to contain up to 10% ethanol. The group filed the request as an emergency waiver appeal to forego the usual multi-year data gathering and research process associated with such fuel changes. According to agency rules, the appeal required a yea or nay response within six months, but agency officials now say that time frame won’t likely be met.

The head of the EPA said the agency may have to work past the December 1 deadline because it is still reviewing test results on how the higher blend rate would affect engines “across the board,” including cars, trucks, snow mobiles, motor boats and lawnmowers. Pro-ethanol interests have promoted the results of a federal study prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Dept. of Energy in fall 2008 that looked at the effect of blends as high as E15 and E20 and found relatively few problems in newer autos. Small engine and automotive groups say the study, which was more observational in nature and lacked scientific controls, is inconclusive at best, leaves many questions unanswered and is primarily an indicator that much more research on higher ethanol blends in small engines is required.

Science indicates that a higher “blend wall” is safe for automobile engines, Vilsack said recently in an interview at a conference on global hunger in Des Moines, Iowa. Increasing production of ethanol, made from corn in the U.S., would also meet national goals of energy independence and aid the industry as it attempts to expand. “We will continue to publicly advocate an increase, and privately advocate,” Vilsack said. “Our hope is they understand the significance of this decision as it relates to the future of the industry.”

The U.S. biofuels industry is challenged by infrastructure limitations and a government-imposed limit, called a blend wall, that restricts to 10.2 percent the amount of ethanol that can be mixed with gasoline, the Government Accountability Office said in a recent report. This past spring, a group representing ethanol producers filed an emergency request asking EPA to waive its standard data-gathering process for transportation fuel changes and make E15—a 50% increase from E10 blends—a standard transportation fuel. The emergency waiver request requires EPA to deliver a decision by December 1. The request has encountered resistance from a growing number of interests, including small engine and marine manufacturers and more recently major auto manufacturers that claim greater biofuels content may hurt engine performance and increase corrosion and that more research is needed.

Through the LCSFA, participants along the whole value chain (from biomass feedstock producers, gasification and F-T technology providers, and project developers, to consumers of the product and manufacturers of affected engines, vehicles and equipment) can speak with one voice to achieve needed improvements and incentives.

On September 25, the LCSFA urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its comments to promote clean, renewable advanced biofuels that improve air quality, reduce GHG emissions, and are compatible with the existing engines, equipment and fuels infrastructure. This week, the EPA will begin considering comments on its “Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard Program” (“RFS2 Proposal”). The LCSFA’s comments are endorsed by a range of partners including Auburn University, Audi America, Chemrec AB, Mercedes Benz USA, Pacific Renewable Fuels, Renewable Energy Institute International, and Volkswagen.