Association News
An update to the comprehensive report on the use of methanol in hydraulic fracturing fluids concludes that 'methanol air emissions are not of a concern' when considering the impact of flowback water retention ponds on the environment. This report was updated by scientific and engineering firm Exponent, who developed the initial white paper for MI in August of last year.
A
new report prepared for the Methanol Institute concludes that methanol is not expected to be a concern if it reaches groundwater or surface water when used as a component of hydraulic fracturing fluids. While the physical properties of methanol make it an essential component of hydraulic fracturing - or fracking - fluids used for enhanced natural gas extraction, methanol represents only a small fraction of the total fracking fluid volume used. The report examined several hypothetical release scenarios, and concluded that methanol will quickly biodegrade in the environment and even in the most conservative estimates, any exposure would be orders of magnitude lower than health-based screening levels.
MI exhibited at the 14th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO and Forum in Washington, D.C. on June 16th. The annual event draws emerging technology companies, trade associations, members of Congress, staffers and the media together to exhibit and discuss policy issues and market trends. Speaking at the policy forum held in conjunction with the expo, MI’s Greg Dolan informed a packed audience of Capitol Hill staffers about methanol as an economical alternative fuel that can be made from a diverse range of feedstocks, including biomass and waste CO2. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute provided video coverage of the event, and Mr. Dolan's presentation during the biofuels panel is
available here.
Methanol Institute's Executive Director Greg Dolan was part of a press conference today with Congressmen Shimkus, Engel and Bartlett speaking in support of the Open Fuel Standard Act and a recent
Executive Order from President Obama that included an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy for the Federal Fleet. Mr. Dolan spoke about the importance of fuel competition to protect consumers and the role methanol fuel could play. A video of Mr. Dolan's remarks is available
here.
Executive Director Greg Dolan and Government Affairs Manager Matt Roberts were interviewed as a part of an article that looks at the growing trend of biomethanol production - and its role in making biodiesel an even more environmenntally-friendly fuel choice. Technologies from member companies like BioMCN and Carbon Recycling International are also highlighted.
The Methanol Institute came out in support of the Open Fuel Standard Act of 2011 (HR 1687) - a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress that would greatly expand the use of alternative vehicles and fuels, like methanol.
“The Open Fuel Standard Act is all about choice,” said Methanol Institute Executive Director Gregory Dolan. “By ensuring that new cars can operate on something other than gasoline, Americans can reap the benefits of multiple alternative fuels. Methanol in particular is poised to play significant role in reducing our dependence on gasoline, as the most affordable, easily deployed, sustainable fuel available that would retail at the pump today for just $3.19 per gasoline equivalent gallon.”