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Truly Sustainable Renewable Future
April 17, 2012 – 10:42 am | No Comment

Advanced Biofuels are high-energy liquid transportation fuels derived from: low nutrient input/high per acre yield crops; agricultural or forestry waste; or other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae.  The key word is “sustainable.”
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Articles in Federal Legislation

National Farmers Union Leads Broad Coalition to Urge Senate to Bring Farm Bill to Floor Vote; Includes Advanced Biofuels USA
May 7, 2012 – 5:10 pm | No Comment

(National Farmers Union)  National Farmers Union (NFU) and a coalition of agricultural, conservation, environmental, energy, forestry, hunger, and rural stakeholders sent a letter to Senate leadership today urging them to bring the Agriculture Reform, Food and …

Refiners Worry Lack of E15 Stations Will Cause RFS Non-Compliance
May 7, 2012 – 5:04 pm | No Comment

by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  …API has legally challenged every step of the U.S. EPA’s approval of E15, claiming that more scientific research should be completed before it is allowed to be used in …

Biodiesel Wants Its Tax Break Back
May 2, 2012 – 12:11 pm | No Comment

by Dan Piller  (Des Moines Register)  The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Thursday asked Congress to reinstate the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax incentive “to avoid further disruption to an emerging American industry that is creating …

RFA Answers Anti-Ethanol Speculation from Joint Economic Committee Hearing
May 2, 2012 – 12:03 pm | No Comment

(Renewable Fuels Association/BioFuelsChat.com)  …Specifically, (Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob) Dinneen noted two driving factors that have led to refinery shutterings on the East Coast:
First, most East Coast refineries cannot process the lower-cost types of …

E15 Gas Brings Conflict to Pumps
April 30, 2012 – 5:31 pm | No Comment

by David Shaffer (Star Tribune)  A new blend of ethanol and gasoline may soon show up at the gas station pumps — along with mixed messages on whether it’s safe to put it in your …

Senate Ag Committee OK’s $800M for Farm Bill Energy Programs; DOE OK’d to Move $100M for Advanced Biofuels
April 27, 2012 – 12:05 pm | No Comment

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)  In Washington, the Senate Agriculture Committee has approved $800 million in mandatory biofuels-related funding for the proposed energy title in the upcoming Farm Bill.
…Yesterday, Senators Kent Conrad of North Dakota …

America’s Biofuel Industry Moves From The Beaker To Barrel, ABFA President Testifies To Congress
April 26, 2012 – 1:55 pm | No Comment

(Advanced Biofuels Association)  Testifying today before the U.S. House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, Michael McAdams, president, Advanced Biofuels Association – ABFA, said he is, “proud to report to this Committee and …

Groups Call On U.S. Senate to Authorize Funding for Military Biofuel
April 26, 2012 – 12:03 pm | No Comment

(Advanced Biofuels Association)  Energy security is a vital part of national security; we can improve energy security with advanced biofuel production in the U.S. The Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Advanced BioFuel Association, the Algal Biomass Organization, …

Energy Coalition Disappointed in Farm Bill Draft
April 25, 2012 – 12:33 pm | No Comment

by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com)  A coalition of trade groups and organizations representing renewable energy, energy efficiency, farm and environmental interests is disappointed in a 2012 Farm Bill draft out of the Senate Agriculture Committee that …

RFA’s Dinneen Tells House Committee to Support Domestic Fuels Protection Act
April 23, 2012 – 12:47 pm | No Comment

(Renewable Fuels Association)  Providing flexibility to fuel retailers will be key to the continued growth in availability of higher level ethanol blends like E15 and other renewable fuels, according to Renewable Fuels Association President and …

US House Committee Debates Bill to Protect Makers, Sellers of E15
April 20, 2012 – 1:38 pm | No Comment

(Platts)   Groups on both sides of the issue of increasing the amount of ethanol in the country’s gasoline supply agreed Thursday on one point: refiners, blenders and retailers should not be held liable if higher …

Can Natural Gas Help Stop Global Warming?
April 16, 2012 – 11:11 am | No Comment

by Editorial Board (The Washington Post)  Will natural gas hinder the fight against global warming?
…But extracting and transporting all that natural gas, which is mostly methane, also results in fuel leaks. When methane leaks, it …

Advanced Biofuels USA Joins Over One Hundred Groups to Urge Support for Farm Bill Energy Programs
April 6, 2012 – 4:09 pm | No Comment

(FarmEnergy.org)  More than 100 diverse groups representing agriculture, energy, rural development and conservation called on Congress today (April 5, 2012) to renew and fund core energy programs in the Farm Bill that push forward clean, …

Eight Biofuels-Related Groups Send Letter to Congress Championing the Success of the RFS
March 28, 2012 – 2:39 pm | No Comment

(Renewable Fuels Association)  The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) joined with seven other biofuel-related organizations to champion the success of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator …

Senate Opens Fight on Oil Tax Breaks
March 27, 2012 – 12:54 pm | No Comment

by Ben Geman and Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire)  The Senate voted 92-4 Monday to begin an election-year floor debate over Democratic legislation to repeal oil-industry tax breaks, a plan that’s unlikely to ultimately pass but …

AEC Urges Support for Extension of Two Critical Tax Incentives
March 27, 2012 – 12:40 pm | No Comment

In a letter to Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Ranking Member John Cornyn (R-TX), the Advanced Ethanol Council voiced support for extending key cellulosic ethanol tax …

NSAC Suggests REAP, BCAP Changes
March 23, 2012 – 6:45 pm | No Comment

by Anna Austin  (Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine)  The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has released its 2012 Farm Bill platform, which provides suggestions to improve some federal bioenergy programs. These include the Repowering Assistance Program …

No Farm Bill, No Tier 3—Not until after the Election; Sundrop Fuels Presents an Alternative
March 23, 2012 – 12:58 pm | No Comment

By Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA)  At the March 21 Bioenergy Day on Capitol Hill, discussion focused on the need for a continued Renewable Fuels Standard, reviews of the history of biofuels, assessment of current …

Stabenow’s Green-Energy Tax Break Plan Falls Short
March 14, 2012 – 4:29 pm | No Comment

by Josiah Ryan and Ben Geman (The Hill)   The Senate on Tuesday rejected plans to extend a host of lapsed or soon-to-expire tax breaks for renewable fuels and power sources.
Lawmakers voted 49-49 for Sen. Debbie …

Opinion: Making the Case for Renewable Energy Subsidies
March 13, 2012 – 6:04 pm | No Comment

by Wayne Lee (Biorefining Magazine/Lee Enterprises Consulting)   …Since renewable fuels do not enjoy the longer-term subsidies and programs of oil, we are back asking Congress and the administration for some stability.
…First, we must understand …

Algal Biomass Organization Briefing on Industry Accomplishments and Policy Needs
March 12, 2012 – 6:32 pm | No Comment

by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) As host of an annual legislative hearing on Capitol Hill, the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) used this year’s presentation on March 1st to give a clear outline of where …

Amendment Would Extend Domestic Energy Tax Credits
March 9, 2012 – 12:41 pm | No Comment

by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com)  Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced an amendment to the Transportation Bill (S.1813) Thursday that would extend tax incentives for domestically produced energy sources, including biodiesel, ethanol, cellulosic biofuels, electric vehicles, wind energy and …

What To Do About High Gasoline Prices?
March 9, 2012 – 12:14 pm | No Comment

(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) A House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee held a hearing on what to do about rising gasoline prices. Most of the hearing focused on whether increasing oil production from federal lands and …

Electric Cars and Liberals’ Refusal to Accept Science
March 6, 2012 – 5:06 pm | No Comment

by Charles Lane (The Washinton Post) OpEd:  President Obama boasted at a United Auto Workers conference last week that General Motors was back in business, producing cutting-edge vehicles like the plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt. He even promised to …

Open Fuel Standard Act Attached to Senate Transportation Bill
March 2, 2012 – 1:02 pm | No Comment

by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  Supporters of the Open Fuel Standard Act are still working to get the bill passed into law, which would mandate increasing levels of new vehicles manufactured or sold in …

Obama Calls on Congress to Repeal Federal Subsidies for Oil Industry
March 2, 2012 – 10:43 am | No Comment

by David Nakamura (The Washington Post)  President Obama reiterated his call for Congress to repeal federal subsidies to the oil industry Thursday, escalating a political skirmish with Republicans over rising gasoline prices amid evidence that …

Carbon Capture Initiative Could Benefit Ethanol Producers
March 1, 2012 – 3:04 pm | No Comment

by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)   Leaders of the National Enhanced Oil Recovery Initiative  were joined by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill Feb. 28 to unveil a set of recommendations …

RFS May Top Farm Bill in Importance to Corn Growers
February 29, 2012 – 3:07 pm | No Comment

by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com)  …“If you took a poll of our members, and we may well do that at our Commodity Classic next week, I would say that they view the RFS as more important …

Global Leaders in Advanced Biofuels Industry Urge Congressional Leaders to Extend Critical Tax Provisions
February 29, 2012 – 2:57 pm | No Comment

(PR Newswire)   Leaders of America’s rapidly emerging advanced biofuels industry urged congressional leaders today to extend two tax provisions that are critical to the commercialization of new biofuel production technologies.
In a letter addressed to …

Vilsack Thanks Industry, Outlines Challenge for Energy Title
February 27, 2012 – 11:57 am | No Comment

by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  …Maintaining the energy programs within the Farm Bill will also be a challenge, with the expectation that there will be deep budgets cuts from the baseline. Vilsack explained that with …

Ethanol’s Future Won’t Wait
February 27, 2012 – 11:16 am | No Comment

by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine)  …Before year’s end, Congress should pass a multi-year extension of the Producer Tax Credit for cellulosic ethanol production as well as the Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for Cellulosic …

The Methanol Alternative to Gasoline
February 24, 2012 – 6:20 pm | No Comment

by Tom Ridge and Mary E. Peters (New York Times) Opinion:  President Obama recently called the United States the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas” and asserted that it was time for our oil-dominated transportation fuel …

The 2008 Farm Bill Energy Title: Past, Present, and Future
February 24, 2012 – 5:57 pm | No Comment

by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute)  Why is there an energy title in the Farm Bill? Are the Farm Bill energy programs making a difference yet? Are there better ways to advance the …

Innovation, Vision Drive Current Ethanol Industry, Says RFA Chief
February 23, 2012 – 10:59 am | No Comment

(Renewable Fuels Association)  Speaking before 1,200 attendees at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando today, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen will drive home the message that America’s ethanol industry is on …

Stop Keystone Pipeline before It’s too Late
February 23, 2012 – 10:51 am | No Comment

by Ted Turner (CNN)  …The purpose of Keystone XL is to bring tar sands crude oil through the United States to Gulf Coast refineries. The route through the United States is actually the oil industry’s …

Obama Tax Plan Takes Scalpel to Oil Tax Breaks, Boosts Renewables
February 23, 2012 – 10:38 am | No Comment

by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire)The Obama administration outlined a plan Wednesday to eliminate a slew of oil-and-gas industry tax breaks, while extending a key tax credit for renewable energy.
The energy provisions are included in a …

Pain at the Pump: E85 Prices Fall Victim to VEETC’s Demise
February 23, 2012 – 10:31 am | No Comment

by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  …A coalition was formed by concerned retailers and industry supporters to request that Congress extend another portion of the tax code known as the Alternative Fuel Credit and then …

Retailers Want Liability Protection before Considering E15
February 23, 2012 – 10:15 am | No Comment

by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  Liability issues surrounding the use of E15 remain a major concern for many retailers when considering offering the fuel to customers driving 2001 and newer vehicles. The U.S. EPA …

In Support of Cellulosic Ethanol
February 22, 2012 – 2:01 pm | No Comment

by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  The Union of Concerned Scientists is applying some energy to supporting ethanol. Well, not corn ethanol, I doubt they’ve made an about face there. But they are coming out …

American Soybean Association Calls for Biodiesel Fuel Education Program Reauthorization
February 22, 2012 – 1:12 pm | No Comment

by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) …One of the many energy-related components of the Farm Bill that is up for reauthorization is the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program, which is a grant program that supports the education …

Grow it Here, Make it Here
February 21, 2012 – 2:02 pm | No Comment

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)  …In Michigan, US Senator Debbie Stabenow expanded her “Grow it Here, Make it Here” initiative into a $5 billion proposal designed to dramatically expand bio-based manufacturing and job creation, funded through what …

Policies of Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America in a 2012 Farm Bill
February 21, 2012 – 10:09 am | No Comment

by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) With a refreshing sense of focus, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, opened the hearing on Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America …

Alliance between Natural Gas Industry, Environmental Groups Fractures
February 20, 2012 – 5:31 pm | No Comment

by Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson (The Washington Post)  Just four years ago, shale gas king Aubrey K. McClendon told shareholders of Chesapeake Energy that “finally, we made some new friends this year.”
The chief executive sketched a …

Senate Ag Committee Hearing Focuses on Farm Bill Energy Programs
February 16, 2012 – 12:44 pm | No Comment

by Kris Bevill  (Ethanol Producer Magazine)  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and a handful of bioenergy stakeholders were given the opportunity to present the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry with their opinions on the …

DOE Increases Funding Request for Biomass, Biorefinery Activities
February 16, 2012 – 12:06 pm | No Comment

by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) …Of the nearly $2.34 billion requested for energy efficiency and renewable energy, a total of $270 million has been specifically requested to support biomass and biorefinery systems development. That is …

Advanced Ethanol Leaders Urge Tax Extensions in Farm Bill
February 15, 2012 – 2:04 pm | No Comment

(Renewable Fuels Association/Advanced Ethanol Council)  The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) today urged Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS) to include two key tax extensions for advanced and cellulosic …

Obama Budget Would Cut $40 Billion in Fossil-Fuel Credits
February 14, 2012 – 5:16 pm | No Comment

by Jim Snyder and Brian Wingfield (Bloomberg)  President Barack Obama, who pledged an “all of the above” energy strategy that included fossil fuels, renewed his proposal to cut more than $40 billion in tax breaks for …

Coalition for E85 Issues Call to Action
February 14, 2012 – 4:29 pm | No Comment

by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com)  The Coalition for E85 is calling on members and other supporters to urge Congress to give E85 credit for being an alternative fuel.
The coalition is asking members of Congress to support the inclusion …

Keeping Our Eye on the Ball
February 13, 2012 – 5:34 pm | No Comment

by Michael McAdams (Advanced Biofuels Association/Biorefining Magazine)  …It has been four years since Congress passed the revised RFS2 legislation creating a 36 billion gallon mandate for conventional and advanced biofuels. For all you partisans out …

Sensenbrenner’s Position Isn’t Best for Wisconsin
February 13, 2012 – 3:14 pm | No Comment

by Bob Sather (Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel/Wisconsin Bio-Industry Alliance)  This week, U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) once again failed to support Wisconsin, instead choosing to target an industry that generates more than a billion dollars …