by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment is holding a hearing today (November 2, 2011) on “Conflicts and Unintended Consequences of Motor Fuel Standards” with a witness list that the ethanol
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Interesting article turned up this week from Australia, showing just what could happen with no RFS or mandate. The Courier-Mail reported “Queensland motorists dudded as fuel retailers pull ethanol blend petrol from service stations.” Coles
by Bill Lundberg (Biofuels Digest) Should the Renewable Fuel Standard be scrapped, or revised? BP North America chief Susan Ellerbusch makes the case for “No”. In Chicago, BP Biofuels North America president Susan Ellerbusch, in addressing congressional attempts to re-write the
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Expiring biofuel tax credits and a dysfunctional Congress ...But given Congress subsidizing an obviously profitable oil industry, coupled with subjecting biofuels to stringent GHG emissions reductions while the petroleum industry has none, in addition to expiring
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) The biofuel industry is lobbying lawmakers to continue some subsidies and financial assistance that they got in the last farm bill. The programs are set to expire next year if Congress doesn’t do anything, so
by Ben Geman (The Hill/E2Wire) Nine liberal House Democrats are floating legislation to impose a carbon tax on fossil-fuel producers and importers, a measure they say would cut the deficit by a half-trillion dollars and steer $2 trillion to consumers
by John R. Block (The Washington Times) As Secretary of Agriculture during the Reagan administration, I helped the American ethanol industry take off. Imagine my surprise to read an editorial in The Washington Times (“Corn-fueled politics,” Oct. 17) contending that American
by Ben Geman (The Hill/E2Wire) The latest effort came in a Friday letter from 38 members, spearheaded by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), that argues “the United States can no longer afford to give away billions of
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Citing “serious concerns” with the U.S. EPA’s decision to allow E15 to be used invehicle models 2001 and newer, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., introduced legislation to the House of Representatives on Oct. 13 that
by Gale Buchanan & Bobby Moser (AgriPulse) ...Government-funded research can help solve another of our greatest problems - our dependence on limited and declining supplies of fossil fuels - with cleaner, renewable energy sources. And by making the investment that
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) The biodiesel and oilheat industries have a long-standing history working alongside each other respectively serving the home heating needs of their customers, particularly in the Northeast, and delivering clean-burning Bioheat was the sentiment echoed by
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.org) A coalition of retailers, producers, equipment manufacturers have formed the Coalition for E85with the stated purpose of protecting consumer access to 85% ethanol blends. According to the coalition, if the current tax credit for ethanol expires at the end
by Brent Erickson (BIO/Biofuels Digest) The Renewable Fuel Standard is the key foundation policy supporting the commercial development of advanced biofuels. It is not working as fast as some would like, but given the current economic situation it is indeed
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R, IN-3rd) have introduced a farm bill that they say would save $40 billion and includes provisions that support the development of advanced biofuels. “We offer our bill as a
(Modesto Bee) Rep. Jeff Denham is citing the state's policies in the closure of Fulton Valley Farms of Turlock, set to happen by mid-January because of rising feed costs. The high cost of feed is a direct result of ethanol mandates
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/The Hill's Congress Blog) ...Many quintessentially American industries with proven records of job creation hold the promise of exponential job growth if given a chance. American ethanol is one such industry, and it deserves a
by Bryan Sims (Biorefining Magazine) ...Today, in an industry that’s working to produce high-performance, fungible, drop-in molecules, some on the cusp of commercialization, many involved in the biorefining sector contend that the current regulatory regime needs to be altered
by Kate Bechen and Porter J. Martin (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...But what often is missing in criticisms of ethanol is an acknowledgement that the oil industry significantly benefits from a variety of tax credits, incentives and other publicly-funded subsidies. Bloomberg
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) In a letter to the co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, the so-called “super committee” assigned to find ways to cut the deficit, the Renewable Fuels Association today urged them to “focus on comprehensive
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As the U.S ethanol industry confronts the reality that the 45-cent-per-gallon Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and 54-cent ethanol import tariff will end on Dec. 31, some industry representatives are ramping up efforts to
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The biodiesel tax incentive is helping to create jobs across the country, according to testimony submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee today by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). “While we understand the pressures facing Congress, this
by Erin Voegele (Biorefining Magazine) ...While some in the industry doubt that a Congress so focused on debt reduction will extend VEETC and the biodiesel tax credit, Greg Jenner, a partner in Stoel Rives LLP’s tax practice, offers a unique
by Geoffrey Styles (Energy Outlook) I've been thinking about an op-ed in Tuesday's New York Times written by a former National Security Advisor and a former CIA chief. ...The op-ed was apparently timed to mark the introduction of a new group
by Charles Abbott (Reuters) Legislation was being drafted in the U.S. House that would reduce the federal mandate to use fuel ethanol when corn supplies are tight. ...According to consulting firm MF Global, the legislation would reduce the ethanol mandate by
by Seth Meyer and Wyatt Thompson (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) ...Biofuel mandates are directly relevant for biofuel producers, and indirectly important to feedstock markets. Biofuel refiners sell outputs that serve fuel blenders in two ways. The biofuel can be mixed
by Jim Greenwood (Biotechnology Industry Organization/The Hill's Congress Blog) There is widespread agreement among experts, policy makers and the public that the United States must overcome its addiction to fossil fuels to protect the environment and for reasons of
(25 x '25) The 25 x '25 Alliance released a report from the University of Tennessee's Bio-Based Energy Analysis Group demonstrating that millions of new jobs could be created over the next 15 years by pursuing the 25x'25 clean energy
(Southeast Agriculture and Forestry Energy Resources Alliance) As you know, Congress is in the midst of negotiations regarding FY2012 appropriations for the Farm Bill. Of particular interest to SAFER is the proposed cuts to the Farm Bill’s energy programs —
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Today Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew’s Clean Energy Program, joined by John Warner, former five-term U.S. Senator from Virginia and senior policy adviser to the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate; Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, assistant
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Anti-ethanol interests have launched their latest campaign focused on ensuring the demise of ethanol subsidies with a letter sent Sept. 15 to all members of Congress urging them not to pass any last-minute extensions
by Ryan Alexander (Taxpayers for Common Sense/Seacoastonline.com) ...For 16 years, Taxpayers for Common Sense has been advocating for the elimination of federal spending that does not deliver a fair return to taxpayers. Topping our list are a menu of tax
(Senator Mike Crapo) Would make renewable fuels standard more "technology neutral" U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)and Tom Udall (D-NM)recently introduced bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would help level the playing field for advanced biofuels like algae by reforming the Renewable
by Amy Harder (National Journal) President Obama on Monday (September 12, 2011) asked Congress to end subsidies for all oil and gas companies, which could save the government more than $4 billion a year, to help pay for his jobs
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) America’s ethanol producers are on pace to produce nearly 40 million metric tons of livestock feed in 2011 – a volume greater than all the corn used on cattle feedlots all across the country.
(25 x '25) The renewable energy sector has been the fastest growing domestic energy sector for the past five years, yet the expansion of biomass energy solutions in America is at risk. As Congress and the White House seek
by Sean Kilcarr (Fleet Owner) ...“U.S. truckers can be pretty well assured that there won’t be any near-term spike in biodiesel being blended into the diesel stocks above 5%,” Paul Niznik, Hart’s biofuels manager, told Fleet Owner. He explained that the primary
by Philip Brasher (Gannett/Des Moines Register) ...The industry likely stands a better chance of protecting the annual usage mandates, known as the Renewable Fuel Standard, from being weakened by livestock or environmental interests. “I don’t see that as an avenue
(Office of Senator Mary Lnadrieu (D-LA) United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today secured more than $1.26 billion for Louisiana to restore flood protection infrastructure, $30 million to invest in algae biofuel research, and new provisions to strengthen enforcement
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) President Obama’s speech to Congress on the economy has given an ethanol industry trade group to pitch biofuel as a job creator. In an ad that will run tomorrow in the Politico newspaper, the
(Ocala.com) Editorial: Here's what's wrong with America's energy "policy." Reeling under a crippling deficit, Congress steadfastly refuses to eliminate lucrative tax breaks and subsidies for the most profitable companies in the world — the oil and gas industries. And never mind
by Brent Erickson (BIO/Biofuels Digest) As any number of economic analysts have noted, continued policy uncertainty is holding businesses back from the hiring and investment needed to get the economy moving again. The advanced biofuel industry has been trying to
by Alan Blinder (American Press) U.S. Sen. David Vitter vowed again Tuesday to push Congress to consider objectively the merits of potential alternative energy sources instead of giving preferential treatment to some. “Congress has been using exactly the wrong model,” Vitter
(Farm Business) US biodiesel production reached a new monthly high of 81 million gallons in June, according to the latest EPA statistics, marking a third consecutive month of record volumes and continuing a remarkable turnaround in which biodiesel production in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The National Corn Growers Association declares War on cellulosic biofuels, calling them “non-existent”, then mysteriously removes the blog post. What gives? Ten days ago, Cathryn Wojciki, communications manager for the National Corn Growers Association, wrote a
by Michael McAdams (Biorefining Magazine) ...Washington’s jolting performance and the economic aftershocks have those of you on the verge of commercializing your replacement fuels questioning whether Congress and the White House can successfully provide the policy tools needed to ensure
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Can synthetic biology capture and utilize CO2 to such an extent that it not only can make money – but can mitigate the carbon intensity of no-no feedstocks like coal, gas and oil, opening up
by Joseph Morton (World Herald Bureau/Omaha.com) The ethanol industry is preparing itself for life after federal subsidies. Key tax credits that pay blenders for using the renewable fuel are set to expire at the end of 2011. At a cost to
by National Biodiesel Board (Biodiesel Magazine) ...The new numbers, coming after Congress reinstated the biodiesel tax incentive this year, demonstrate the power that strong domestic energy policy can have in helping create jobs and economic activity. Despite the weak economy, the
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ...But the mischief that lawmakers are hiding behind a veil of budget concern extends far beyond the tax credit for ethanol blending. Using the appropriations process, lawmakers from the oil patch and elsewhere
(The Economist/Free Exchange) LAST week I noted that volatile oil prices have played an underappreciated role in recent business cycles. Over the weekend, James Hamilton published additional analysis of oil-price changes since last year, and he presents some sobering findings. Mr Hamilton
by Paul McLeary (Aviation Week) The Army says that it wants to drop about $7.1 billion over the next decade on renewable-energy technologies, in order to try and shave some zeros off of the annual $15 billion it currently spends on
(US Department of Energy) ...More than 600 speakers, moderators, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees were able to listen to discussions about the ongoing challenges and achievements in the bioenergy industry. Biomass 2011 addressed key issues in important areas, such as feedstock supply, conversion pathways,
by Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Thomas W. Ewing (The Daily Republic) For decades, securing our nation’s energy future has been a national priority — yet policymakers still have not reached consensus on a long-term, comprehensive platform that will ensure our
(Senator Tom Udall) U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) today announced his plans to introduce bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would help level the playing field for advanced biofuels like algae by reforming the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to
by Janet Kubat Willette (AgriNews.com) Expect direct payments to take a hit in the next farm bill, Sen. Al Franken told a Farmfest audience Aug. 3. The Minnesota Democrat said the super committee of 12 Congresspeople could shape the new farm bill
by Amy Harder (National Journal) ...By year's end, the congressional “super committee” charged with reducing the federal deficit likely will topple the $6 billion in annual ethanol industry tax credits and a corresponding government tariff on imported ethanol. But another prong
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) A dozen environmental groups Tuesday told congressional leaders that lawmakers who support slashing oil industry tax breaks and other subsidies should be appointed to the deficit-cutting “supercommittee.” In a letter, the groups urged the 12-member panel to come
(AirportBusiness.com) Today (August 9, 2011) U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) toured the cutting-edge laboratories at Targeted Growth in Seattle and announced the launch of Washington state's first large-scale program for the growth of camelina sativa, a promising non-food feedstock for
by Graham Warwick (Aviation Week) The U.S. aviation industry is pressing Congress to extend funding for goverment programs providing support to start up commercial-scale production of renewable biofuels. ...Work on the 2012 Farm Bill is getting under way, and witnesses at
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) Clean energy will be part of a broader jobs agenda that Senate Democrats will pursue when lawmakers return from their August recess, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday. “Clean energy jobs, they are changing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Financing of clean energy got you down? The Green Bank clears a key Senate hurdle, and Bank of America chairman Chad Holliday helps explain why that’s important Last month, amidst the brouhaha of the US debt
(Hoosier Ag Today/NAFB News Service) As Congress debates how much money the federal government can borrow, America continues to take out loans from China to buy oil from Venezuela. Recent U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that the United States' appetite for
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol “ACE and our members are disappointed that the ethanol compromise was not included in the final debt limit deal just because some in Congress
by Bryan Sims (Biodiesel Magazine) After sitting idle for a year, Inland Empire Oilseeds LLC managed to restart production at its 8 MMgy canola-based biodiesel facility, including an adjacent canola crushing plant, in Odessa, Wash. ...Edmonds added that he expects the
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Passage of the “Debt Extension” legislation by the US Congress will cause reductions in the fiscal year 2012 budget that is scheduled to take effect on October 1 of this year. Guidance from the
by Darren Goode & Darren Samuelsohn (Politico) Popular energy and environmental programs should prepare for a decade of spending cuts under the debt deal reached late Sunday between the White House and congressional leaders. Less clear, however, is the effect that
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest) Reports of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit’s (VEETC) early demise have been a bit overblown. Though several groups and reporters believed the die was cast and the potential revenue savings would be redirected to
(Renewable Fuels Association) America’s trade deficit is growing and one reason for that is our crippling dependence on imported oil. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, our appetite for foreign oil accounted for 60% of the nation’s $50 billion trade
by Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) An air-conditioned “igloo” paid for by the Iowa Energy Forum will rise up from the straw poll campus in Ames next month, an attraction meant to woo Iowans’ affection with free treats, kids’
W. Steven Burke (Biofuels Center of North Carolina) ...America will continue to seek more augmentation of petroleum-based fuels and thus needs new models to gain large amounts of liquid fuel from sources other than corn in places other than the Midwest. North Carolina
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Many programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill will expire in 2012 unless they are included in a new Farm Bill. Among those programs that would expire are all the bioenergy initiatives
by Lori Potter (Kearney Hub) The ethanol industry is willing to immediately give up $1.3 billion in tax breaks for federal debt reduction. However, that probably can’t happen unless authorizing legislation is attached to a successful debt ceiling-budget reduction bill, said
by Erin Ailworth (The Boston Globe) ...“One of the big challenges with the federal budget is whether ARPA-E is going to be funded,’’ said Peter Rothstein, president of New England Clean Energy Council, a trade group in Boston. ...Alternative fuels Despite several
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Back in October, I wrote on the RFA blog, “The E-Xchange,” about the steps that would be necessary to make E15 the standard fuel available in the United States, in much the
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) On July 19, 2011, the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) and Environmental and Energy Study Institute(EESI) held a briefing on the energy title of the Farm Bill, with a special focus on the Rural Energy for
(Advanced Biofuels Association) The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) today sent the following letter to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member, opposing any efforts to repeal Section 526 of
(San Francisco Chronicle/Bloomberg) Ethanol manufacturers are set to thrive even if they have to give up $6 billion a year in U.S. tax subsidies because a government mandate for increased use of the fuel may add $6.9 billion a year
by General Charles F. Wald and David W. Conover (Bipartisan Policy Center/The Hill/Congress Blog) News reports indicate that some Senators may seek to repeal a provision of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) during Thursday’s consideration of
by Senator Mark Udall (Politico) The Pentagon released its first-ever operational energy strategy last month — a plan that could dramatically cut costs and save service members’ lives. The plan is not about fielding a new weapons system, but rather
(MyCentralOregon) Legislation introduced by Senator Ron Wyden and Michigan's Debbie Stabenow to promote the implementation of viable alternatives to oil passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday. Wyden said the Alternative Fuels Vehicles Competitiveness and Security Act will increase
(25 x '25) The House of Representatives seems to have gotten things backwards. Lawmakers there say they were shoring up national security and supporting U.S. military fuel flexibility when they voted to end a provision in federal law that requires
(Platts) A plan by US senators to end ethanol subsidies on July 31 could prove bullish for the European market, trading sources said Wednesday. "It should be pretty supportive, the EU needs the [US ethanol] supply," one source said. ...Europe's ethanol market
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) (Biodiesel Magazine) Q. Why do you support the production of biodiesel? A. Too much of America’s energy comes from fossil fuels imported from countries that don’t like us. We can reduce dependence on foreign oil, and be
by Larry Bivins (SCTimes) Sen. Amy Klobuchar urged oil companies Tuesday to follow the lead of the ethanol industry and give up government subsidies to help defray the nation’s burgeoning deficit. In a speech on the Senate floor, Klobuchar
by Pete Kasperowicz (The Hill) The House on Monday night rejected an amendment proposed by the Republican Study Committee that would have cut $3.25 billion from the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, effectively gutting the Department of Energy's alternative energy funding
by Brooke Coleman (Advanced Ethanol Council/The Washington Post) Letter to Editor: ...The compromise that Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) have announced is not perfect. But it rightly involves using innovations in U.S. ethanol policy
(California Ethanol Vehicle Coalition) Continuing her long support for oil industry interests at the cost of clean, domestic, renewable fuels, California Senator Dianne Feinstein announced today she has taken yet another step to raise taxes, increase reliance on imported oil,
(US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology) Today the Energy & Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the science behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to grant a waiver permitting the use of mid-level ethanol blends of up
(Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar) Agreement would put savings toward deficit reduction, infrastructure U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today announced that a bipartisan agreement has been reached that allows for a transition to a
by Mary Rosenthal (Algal Biomass Organization) A few weeks ago we let you know of attempts being made to repeal Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which prohibits the Department of Defense from procuring fuels
(The Washington Post) ...Either way, the supports must go. Congress has protected ethanol three ways: with a $6 billion-a-year tax subsidy to those who blend it into gasoline, a tariff on competing imports and a mandate that billions of gallons
(Office of Senator Dick Lugar) Senator Dick Lugar today introduced his Practical Energy Plan exclusively via Facebook. Lugar was joined in the live stream by Dave Conover, Senior Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center and former Bush Administration official. Video
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) President Obama pressed lawmakers Wednesday to cut a slew of oil industry tax breaks as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling, arguing that the alternative is to slash funding for education, medical
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Today (June 29, 2011) U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act today in an effort to eliminate dependence on foreign
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen abandoned the podium and chose to speak off the cuff during his keynote presentation delivered to attendees of the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo on
by Jonathan Fahey (Forbes) ...Congress, when it passed legislation in 2007 that subsidized advanced biofuels to the tune of $1.01 per gallon (on top of the 51-cent standard ethanol credit) and mandated that the country use a growing amount of
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) EESI published an issue brief on policies that subsidize the production of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas). In recent years, major international institutions such as the G20, International Energy Agency, and the Organization of
by Senator Mike Johanns (York News-Times) ...Ethanol helped keep $34 billion of our money at home last year instead of going to other countries for foreign oil. ...Though these benefits are significant, today's fiscal realities require us to rethink our approach
by William Petroski (Des Moines Register) ...Santorum, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said he advocates phasing-out the existing tax incentive for ethanol production, commonly known as the blenders’ credit, by reducing the credit 9 cents annually over each
(AP/Bloomberg/The Washington Post) If a $5 billion-a-year federal subsidy that helped build the ethanol industry comes to an end, it will likely mean two things, experts who have followed its development say. First, it doesn’t guarantee an end to the high
(Platts) ...But even if hypothetically the subsidies did end June 30, it would in all likelihood not affect corn and ethanol demand, owing to the current prices between the two, and conventional gasoline, Morgan Stanley said in a report. ...At current
(StarTribune) Why is one fuel being targeted but another -- oil -- isn't? ...The best way to pay down the nation's $14.3 trillion debt? "Reducing wasteful spending a billion dollars at a time,'' Coburn said. Coburn has a point about the ethanol
by Darren Goode (Politico) ...The biodiesel industry is embarking on a multimillion-dollar nationwide outreach campaign — its first ever — intended as a coming out party after spending its initial years lurking in the shadows of an ethanol industry that
(Platts) Brazilian ethanol interests Friday praised a largely symbolic vote in the US Senate Thursday that aimed to end that country's ethanol subsidies six months early, but noted the South American country needs to keep its supply to itself for
(Associated Press) Oil companies' tax breaks, if left in place, would cost the U.S. Treasury $44 billion over the next decade. President Obama wants to eliminate the cost, and a Senate proposal would eliminate them only for the five biggest
by Ben Geman (The Hill/E2Wire) A top Navy official said Friday (June 3,2011) that the department isn’t interested in developing coal-based transportation fuels as an alternative to oil, noting there are more promising options. Tom Hicks, the Navy’s deputy assistant secretary
by Steven Mufsonand Lori Montgomery (The Washington Post) The Senate on Thursday approved an amendment that would end tax credits for ethanol that refiners blend into motor fuel in a vote closely watched as a sign of whether Congress can
by David Shepardson (The Detroit News) ...The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — the trade group representing Detroit's Big Three automakers, Toyota Motors Corp. and eight others, joined a coalition of groups in opposing the "Open Fuel Standard Act of 2011,"
(National Biodiesel Board) America’s Advanced Biofuel Supporting Thousands of New Jobs While Generating Billions in Household Income, Tax Revenues The U.S. biodiesel industry will grow to support more than 74,000 jobs throughout the economy by 2015 while creating some $4 billion in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, on a cloture vote in the Senate to proceed to an amendment that would end the current ethanol tax incentive immediately, Senator Coburn’s amendment lost 40-59, falling 20 votes short of the sixty votes needed to
by Lori Montgomery (The Washington Post) A majority of Senate Republicans appeared to break Tuesday with two decades of GOP orthodoxy against higher taxes, voting to advance a plan to abruptly cancel billions of dollars in annual tax credits for
by Russell Berman (The Hill/E2Wire) House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said Monday that the elimination of energy subsidies should be considered as part of a comprehensive tax reform package rather than the debt reduction talks that Vice President Biden
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Earlier today, Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) created waves when they announced their new biofuels bill the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. This act is designed to address federal budget issues while phasing
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) along with a bipartisan group of nine other Senate colleagues have introduced the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. The bill is designed to modify the current Volumetric
by Darren Goode (Politico) Sen. Tom Coburn has pulled the trigger and is forcing a long-sought vote on an amendment repealing billions in annual tax incentives for ethanol. The Senate will vote Tuesday afternoon on Coburn’s motion limiting debate on his amendment
by Philip Brasher (Des Moines Register) The ethanol industry faces a pair of critical test votes in the Senate. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has forced a vote next Tuesday on ending the industry’s 45-cent-per-gallon subsidy, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.,
(BIO-Tech Now) The World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology explored ways that biotechnology can help meet both military and commercial aviation fuel needs. BIO’s World Congress in Toronto hosted a general plenary session, “Civilian and Military Aviation Fuels: Can Biotech Make a
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) this week introduced legislation that would require all gasoline sold in the U.S. to carry country-of-origin labeling (COOL). ...Growth Energy president Jim Nussle says the law would create more market transparency for American consumers
by David Shepardson and Christina Rogers (The Detroit News) General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson wants the federal gas tax boosted as much as $1 a gallon to nudge consumers toward more fuel-efficient cars, ... And while he is eager
by Brent Erickson (BIO/Biofuels Digest) To carry out military and humanitarian missions around the world, U.S. forces require reliable fuel supplies and secure supply lines. The military is as much at the mercy of high oil and gasoline prices as
(Advanced Biofuels USA) Shale Natural Gas Does Not Belong in Pro-Environmental Legislation A new legislative analysis by Advanced Biofuels USA concludes that the Open Fuel Standard (OFS) is bad for advanced biofuels and will add to environmental damage if passed and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Instead of simply not collecting a portion of the fuel tax, the consumer is charged the whole amount, which is collected by the gas station and paid to the government. The government analyzes all this.
by Robert Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) A proposal called the Open Fuel Standard (OFS) has recently been included in a number of bills (HR 1687 is one example) submitted for consideration by the US Congress. These OFS provisions go beyond
(The Hill/E2Wire) Twenty Senate Democrats are ramping up political pressure on the White House to ensure that any deficit-reduction deal with Republicans strips billions of dollars in tax breaks for major oil companies. The group — led by Sen. Robert Menendez
by Robert F. Dorr (Air Force Times) ...Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz has been the driving force behind the service’s conservation movement, both because it saves the environment and it saves money. And for that he deserves a salute. Schwartz couldn’t
by Brooke Coleman (Advanced Ethanol Council/Biofuels Digest) ...Often lost in the counter-productive and backward-facing public obsession with corn ethanol are the clear attributes of the ethanol molecule itself. A recent study, “Ethanol – the Primary Renewable Liquid Fuel,” makes the case
(Algae Industry Magazine) ...The Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act (S. 1085), gives individual states the option not to participate in the corn ethanol portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It also expands the cellulosic biofuel carve-out to include algae and
(25 x '25) The 25x'25 Alliance recognizes that all sectors must make sacrifices to achieve true reductions in spending and the national deficit. However, draconian cuts to a number ofUSDA renewable energy programs included in a larger farm and food spending billadopted
by Mike McAdams (Biorefining Magazine/Advanced Biofuels Association) I recently had the privilege of testifying before the Energy and Power Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and share with its members the incredible progress the advanced biofuels
(US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee) The House Appropriations Committee today (May 23, 2011) released the subcommittee draft of the fiscal year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which will be marked up in the Agriculture Subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation continues the
by Jason Clayworth (Des Moines Register/Juice) What once would have been considered a bold, even politically suicidal, call to do away with ethanol subsidies has become the position of some key industry trade groups, paving the way for candidates like
(KELOLAND.com) ...High fuel costs are once again fueling the debate about alternative energy sources. And with ethanol one of South Dakota's biggest industries, both politicians and ethanol supporters say now's the time to pump up its benefits. ..."With ethanol 80 cents
(Minnesota Public Radio News) The Assertion: The state and federal government should continue subsidizing ethanol Ethanol's promise as America's path to energy self-sufficiency once seemed strong. But in recent years, that attraction has been tempered. Even supporters of ethanol, such as
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) On May 11, Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., introduced legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Defense to engage in 15 year contracts for advanced biofuels. The bill, titled the “Domestic Fuel for Enhancing National
by Andrew Restuccia (The Hill/E2Wire) The Senate on Tuesday rejected a bill that would have ended $21 billion worth of tax breaks for large oil companies, but Democrats vowed to revive the measure as part of high-stakes negotiations on the
by Robert Zubrin (Pajamas Media) Rising food prices are the result of rising oil prices, not a growing market for ethanol. ...There is not a fixed amount of grain in the world. Farmers produce in response to demand. The more customers,
(Advanced Biofuels Association/PR NewsWire) Sending a significant signal of industry unity to Capitol Hill, the leading advocates of the U.S. biofuels industry sent Congress a message today that urged lawmakers "to stand firm in the face of calls to waive
by Alexander Bolton (The Hill/E2Wire) Senate Democrats stepped up their push to repeal tax breaks for major oil companies Friday by unveiling a report showing that it would not affect gas prices. The report by Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, the House Armed Services Committee OK’d a defense budget bill that exempted the Department of Defense from Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which had since 2007 required that fuels purchased
by Don Siefkes (E100 Ethanol Group/Biofuels Digest) ...As article after article in Biofuels Digest has pointed out, the ethanol industry knows how to make ethanol from a variety of feedstock and could make 66 billion gallons/yr of fuel grade ethanol
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Biofuels Digest) ...Lost in the drone of mudslinging is a realization that this debate is about 20th century technologies and energy sources. The discussion is about whether or not to develop more oil and other
by Andrew Restucci (The Hill/E2Wire) Senate Democrats intend to attach a measure repealing billions of dollars in oil industry tax breaks to a broader package aimed at lowering the deficit, a top Democrat said Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has
by Denise Ross (The Daily Republic) Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., called for an end to taxpayer subsidies for oil and natural gas companies Wednesday, saying instead the United States should invest in further ethanol production and improving the infrastructure
(The State Column) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to ease the pain at the pump and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. The American Alternative Fuels Act (S. 937) breaks down the barriers
(The State Column) U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to ease the pain at the pump and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. The American Alternative Fuels Act (S. 937) breaks down the barriers
by Julie Harker (Brownfield) National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson is calling on Congress to end tax subsidies for the oil industry and investing that money, instead, in biofuels. In his letter sent to US House and Senate leaders, Johnson said,
by Ben Geman (The Hill/E2Wire) Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who is likely to face a tough reelection battle next year, floated plans Monday to kill billions of dollars' worth of oil industry tax breaks. Democratic plans to end tax incentives and
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., imagines a world where consumers could drive up to the pump in a standardized vehicle and choose - be it biofuels, methanol, coal-to-liquid fuel or gasoline, depending on the best
by Robin Bravender (Politico) Senate Republicans are pushing a plan to morph the Energy Department and the EPA into one giant agency. A bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C) would combine the DOE and the EPA into a new agency
by Carl Hulse (New York Times) Linking two of the politically volatile issues of the moment, Senate Democrats say they will move forward this week with a plan that would eliminate tax breaks for big oil companies and divert the savings
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