US gasoline prices are at their lowest level since 2009 – $2.81 per gallon according to AAA – which could boost the number of holiday travelers and shoppers. “That could mean what is typically the busiest travel day of the year in the United States could get even busier — AAA estimated that 46.3 million people could choose to drive over Thanksgiving, a 4.2 percent increase over 2013.” [Fuel Fix]

Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is working on a Renewable Fuel Standard reform bill that “should be considered in the next Congress.” The RFS is the law that mandates volumes of ethanol and other biofuels to be blended into the fuel supply. The EPA has faced problems implementing the law, which many say needs to be reformed or repealed. “While I applaud EPA’s recognition that it should attempt to finalize [renewable volume obligation] rules for multiple sequential years, the real answer is for Congress to act by reforming and fixing this important statute,” Cardin said Monday. “I will continue finalize an RFS reform bill that should be considered in the next Congress.” [The Hill]

Solar company SunEdison – hot on the heels of its $2.4 billion FirstWind acquisition – announced Brazilian expansion plans that will help feed local and South American demand for photovoltaic panels in coming years. “In a joint venture announced today, Maryland Heights, Missouri-based SunEdison and Renova Energia will initially develop and operate four solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 106.9 megawatts in Bahia state by 2017. The goal is to invest around 5 billion reais ($ 1.9 billion) to build projects with 1 gigawatt of capacity in the next five years. About 65 percent will be financed by banks with the rest split equally between the two companies.” [Bloomberg via Renewable Energy World]