The European Union has forecast it will exceed its target for 20% share of energy from renewables by 2020. As a block, the EU is forecast to exceed the standard and reach 20.3%. The 27 EU Member States will achieve their targets by various means. Some Member States will meet their own national standards, whereas others require flexible cooperation mechanisms in which renewable resources would be developed in a different county. Cooperation mechanisms are expected to account for a small overall fraction of energy. Many Member States are likely to generate surpluses before 2020, and will be able to make transfers to others having deficits. Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said it was “a very positive sign for the environment, as it will help us to cut emissions and at the same time enhance our energy security.”

Science Insider reports that the U.S. government announced plans to pour $786 million into ways to convert corn, wood, grass, and municipal waste into fuel for America’s cars. The funding comes from the Department of Energy’s portion of the $787 billion stimulus package approved in February. In another announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed rules for carrying out a 2007 law that requires a threefold increase in the use of renewable fuels, reaching 36 billion gallons by 2022