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EPA outlines plan to set GHG standards for refiners

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards under the Clean Air Act in 2011.

Eastman completes restart of olefin cracking unit at Longview site

Eastman Chemical Co. has completed the restart of a previously idled cracking unit at its Longview, Texas, site. The restart of this cracker increases Eastman’s olefin capacity by approximately 215,000 metric tons and brings the company’s total number of active cracking units to three.

Targa Resources Partners to provide NGL transportation for Eagle Ford Shale

Targa Resources Partners has announced that an exclusive non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed with TexStar Midstream Services and TEAK Midstream for the development of a new pipeline to transport natural gas liquids (y-grade) from processing facilities in the Eagle Ford shale to Mont Belvieu, Texas, and a new fractionation train at the Targa Resources Partners operated Cedar Bayou fractionation facility (CBF).

Amyris and São Martinho select construction manager for Brazilian industrial plant

Amyris and Grupo São Martinho have contracted with a construction manager for their joint venture industrial plant and that they are commencing preparation of the construction site for the plant. The parties established their joint venture, SMA Indústria Química SA, in April 2010 to create the first facility fully dedicated to the production of Amyris renewable products.

Terasen Gas receives approval to use pipeline-quality biogas in British Columbia

Terasen Gas has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a new renewable natural gas program for an initial two-year period.

BASF expands superabsorbent polymer plants in Antwerp and Freeport

BASF plans to expand its existing superabsorbent polymer production capacities at its Antwerp, Belgium, and Freeport, Texas, sites.

US Department of Energy offering up to $30 million for research into next gen biofuels

The US Department of Energy is now accepting applications for up to $30 million in total funding for small-scale process integration projects that support the development of advanced biofuels that will be able to replace gasoline or diesel without requiring special upgrades or changes to the vehicle or fueling infrastructure.

US biodiesel tax break extended through 2011

The legislation, which reflects the framework of the tax agreement reached by President Obama and Congress, retroactively extends the biodiesel tax incentive through 2011. The bill has just been signed into law by President Obama.

HIMA's safety system passes Shell's assessment test

Shell recently performed comprehensive assessment tests of the HIMax safety system from HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH + Co KG. With successful completion of the tests, HIMax can be used worldwide in the oil company's future projects, without additional evaluations.

NTSB updates investigation into fatal pipeline rupture

This is an update on the continuing investigation of the natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion that killed eight people in San Bruno, Calif., on September 9, 2010.