(Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)) U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are working to repeal a law that drives up the cost of everything from gasoline to groceries. The Toomey-Feinstein Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015, introduced today,
[caption id="attachment_59831" align="alignleft" width="300"] Renewable Fuels Association President, Bob Dinneen introduces NEC scholarship winner, Lais Thomaz at the National Ethanol Conference.[/caption] by Lais F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Last week, from February 17 to 21, the 20th National Ethanol Conference "Going
by Jason Spiess (Fargo Business Examiner) Recently I sat down with Tom Lilja, executive director, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, to chew the fat on a variety of corn-themed energy and agriculture topics. ... "I think a lot of people just
by Chris Prentice (Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to offer a proposal for Renewable Fuels Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016 this spring, and will use actual production levels to determine last year's mandated volumes, an official said on
by Tim Worledge (Platts) "Unrealistic" expectations around the contribution of cellulosic biofuels to the energy mix are rendering the existing US Renewable Fuel Standard road map "obsolete," Jeremy Martin of the Union of Concerned Scientists told delegates at the National Ethanol
(Farm Futures) RFA President Bob Dinneen lists supporting better rail service and creating a level playing field for cellulosic biofuels in 10-point agenda to expand renewables industry Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen discussed a 10-point plan for the
by Herman Wang (Platts) The US Environmental Protection Agency plans to base its 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard on actual biofuels production, an agency official said Thursday at an ethanol conference, reiterating its pledge to issue the 2014, 2015 and 2016 mandates
by Ben Adler (Grist) ... But many of the administration’s moves, including a string of recent actions by federal agencies under Obama’s control, show this conventional wisdom to be false. Here are the president’s top eight climate failings, many of them
by Maxx Chatsko (Motley Fool) Say what you want about renewable fuels, but the policies jointly enacted by Congress and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 and 2008 were wildly successful in creating globally competitive ethanol and biodiesel industries. Since
by Scott Aust (Garden City Telegram) As part of his Kansas listening tour, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., stopped in Garden City Monday afternoon to visit with officials of the Conestoga Energy Partner’s Bonanza BioEnergy plant. CEO Tom Willis stressed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Here’s our most recent update, focusing on 10 key issues (though not ranked in order of importance): 1. Oil price volatility — will it stabilize? 2. RIN price volatility — will the rollercoaster end? 3. Ethanol blend wall
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ten more corn ethanol plants were approved through the U.S. EPA’s efficient producer petition process (EP3) at the end of January, bringing the total to 19. The first round of nine approvals were announced in
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Mexico’s BioFields pours in $65 million to commercialize next-gen algae-to-fuels venture -- In Florida, Algenol, a pioneer in turning CO2 emissions into fuels, announced that it has closed on a new $25 million investment from BioFields, a
(National Biodiesel Board) A bipartisan group of 32 U.S. senators wrote to the EPA Monday calling for the agency to quickly approve strong biodiesel volumes under the RFS for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Highlighting biodiesel’s track record as the only EPA-designated
(Globe Newswire/Sustainable Oils, Inc.) Sustainable Oils Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:GCEH), has been issued a first-of-its-kind feedstock-only pathway by the California Air Resources Board for the production of Camelina-based fuels under the Low
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) Government uncertainty and low oil prices pose the biggest challenges to the ethanol and biodiesel markets in 2015, according to speakers at last week’s Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. ... The 10 percent ethanol blend known as
by Wally Tyner (The Conversation/Purdue University) ... One challenge to commercializing biofuel made from non-food sources — called cellulosic biofuels — has been cost. Unlike ethanol made from corn, cellulosic biofuels are made from the inedible parts of plants or organic materials,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Eight years after then-Senator Obama co-sponsored a bill in Congress calling for a 60 billion gallon biofuels target, President Obama’s EPA slashes the Renewable Fuel Standard targets to wimpy levels, despite ample production capacity, bumper
by Tamar Haspel (The Washington Post) ...It’s crop-neutral insurance. But, dull as it sounds, it might be the key to getting our agriculture policy more in line with public health priorities. That goal is getting some attention. There’s broad-based discontent with the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Why must “the entire value chain of production from feedstock to finished product be conducted at a single location” asks Antoine Schellinger, VP of Strategy and Technology at Triten IAG. Should a regulatory burden for tracking
(The National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) ... NBB recognizes the 2015 “Eye on Biodiesel” award winners this week. The honorees are: Innovation Tom Butcher, Brookhaven National Laboratory. Brookhaven National Laboratory is one of the premier U.S. DOE national laboratories and the leading technical institution for
(National Biodiesel Board) EPA to Fast-Track Argentinian Biodiesel by Easing Sustainability Requirements The National Biodiesel Board on Tuesday sharply criticized a decision by the EPA to allow streamlined Argentinian biodiesel imports to the U.S. under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “This decision
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) New technologies, new markets, new research and most of the same policy challenges, as we look at the 14 top trends for 2015. ... 1. Falling oil prices – what’s the impact? The headlines in recent months
by Catherine Rampell (The Washington Post) ... In recent weeks, West Virginia has snatched national headlines for its attempts to doctor school science standards to discredit climate change. The sixth-grade science curriculum, for example, was amended so that, rather than having
(National Biodiesel Board) The National Biodiesel Conference and Expo opens with a fiery speech by the industry’s chief spokesperson. Arguing that federal policy makers must see through the false attacks by renewable fuels opponents and provide certainty for their advanced biofuel
Lynn Bergeson Lynn, Charles M. Auer, and Oscar Hernandez (Industrial Biotechnology) READ MORE
(Environmental and Energy Study Insitute) On January 16, Sens. Feinstein (D-CA) and Toomey (R-PA) floated an amendment to the Keystone XL pipeline bill, the ‘Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015,’ that would remove corn ethanol from the Renewable Fuel
by Janell Thomas (Farm Futures) 2014 biodiesel production drops from record levels noted in 2013; National Biodiesel Board says Renewable Fuel Standard has impact Sluggish Renewable Fuel Volume announcements from Washington, D.C. are to blame in part for the lower biodiesel
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Renewable identification number (RIN) generation data released by the U.S. EPA shows that the statutory 2014 renewable fuel standard (RFS) requirements established by Congress in 2007 could have easily been met, and that the RFS
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) BRAG tackles regulatory hindrances related to commercialization of biobased products and works to improve public awareness of the benefits of these products. ... ... BRAG will engage with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding our petitions
(Associated Press/The Washington Post) The Obama administration on Wednesday announced its latest move to combat global warming, this time trying to rein in heat-trapping methane gas that escapes from oil and gas fields. The plan relies on voluntary steps and new
(Algae Biomass Organization) Senators urge Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to support carbon utilization throughout their programs. The Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the algae industry, applauded U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Joe Manchin (D-WV)
by Donna Funk (Ethanol Producer Magazine/K-Coe Isom) Ethanol producers exporting product may want to look into the Interest Charge-Domestic International Sales Corp. export incentive, which could qualify them for a 20 percent lower tax rate, writes Donna Funk of
(Omaha.com) After years of anticipation, cellulosic ethanol production has taken a major step forward, with Iowa leading the way. Plants in Iowa in 2014 became the first to produce cellulosic ethanol on a commercial scale. Production was centered at the Quad
by Amanda Peterka (E&E Daily) Joni Ernst's new office is about 1,100 miles from her hometown in rural southwest Iowa, but she's determined to keep her "Iowa way" in the halls of Congress. ... When it comes to legislation, her Iowa
by Chris Mooney (The Washington Post) ... For environmentalists, it symbolizes the increasingly urgent need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. For Republicans, it symbolizes everything they hate about how environmentalists seek to block industrial projects. But when Congress focuses
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is requesting nominations for its Mobile Sources Technical Review Subcommittee, which provides the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee with independent advice, council and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of
( Environmental Entrepreneurs) Smart clean fuel policies in OR, WA, CA and at federal level could drive additional job growth, improve air quality, generate more homegrown energy North America’s advanced biofuel industry reached a production capacity of more than 800 million gallons in 2014,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Our top goal is securing a strong RFS including conservative growth in the RVO. We are also working on extending the biodiesel tax credit and developing sound state policies. We are expanding access to Bioheat
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA is accepting public comments on its preliminary analysis of the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the growth and transport of biomass sorghum for use as biofuel feedstock through Jan.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around
by Michael McAdams (Biomass Magazine) ... Sen. McConnell has promised a return to regular order. That means lots of votes on lots of potentially contentious issues. It will be interesting to see if he follows through on that pledge given
by Joe Jobe (Biodiesel Magazine) As we put another year in the books, I am extremely proud of how the biodiesel industry came together to respond to the adversity faced in 2014. We have certainly seen more than our share
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Instead, you pointed to “bolt-ons”, “policy stability”, “financing”, “supply chain” and “focusing on winners” as the advanced bioeconomy imperatives for 2015. You’ve told us, in many communications, that the industry needs focus — and needs, specifically, to focus
(Genscape/Biodiesel Magazine) After the U.S. EPA's final Quality Assurance Plan rule established a new, unified QAP program over the summer, Q-RINs have been successfully transferred in the RIN market. “[In December] we received confirmation from a RIN buyer that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) POET-DSM, Abengoa, Enerkem, GranBio, Raizen plant openings lead the list; REG’s M&A campaign, EPA’s RFS debacle, are other key trends. They said that cellulosic fuels were “five years away, and always will be,” but five major
(Ethanol Producer Magazine/Renewable Fuels Association) The Renewable Fuels Association has submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration last on its supplemental rulemaking proposal outlining best practices for the regulation of animal food under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The FSMA lays
by Dave Dreeszen (Sioux City Journal) Motorists in Sioux City now have another choice of ethanol-blended gasoline. The Murphy USA station next to the Walmart Supercenter at 3400 Singing Hills Blvd. recently became the first metro area retailer to sell
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) December 19, marks the seventh anniversary of the signing into law of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 which expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In this Ethanol Report, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and
by Paul Bledsoe (The Washington Post) A dramatic 40 percent drop in oil prices since June has prompted new discussion aboutraising the long-static federal gasoline tax and has many states considering gas tax hikes as well. At the federal level, Congress
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) After a year-long talk fest, the BPC emerges with a report on RFS reform, and lays an egg. Was the process doomed from the start by an insistence of “RFS reform” as a topic for
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) published a report outlining 40 different options that it said could improve the country’s ethanol mandate. The BPC said it set out to find a “middle ground” for reforming the Renewable
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The Minnesota ethanol industry is evolving even in the face of growth challenges including continued uncertainty around the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Since 2007 the industry has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of technological
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) Lawmakers vented their frustration at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wednesday over its repeated delays of the annual ethanol mandate. The Wednesday hearing in the House Oversight Committee’s subpanel on energy came weeks after the
(Algae Biomass Organization) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) submitted comments to the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy yesterday calling on Congress to ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) includes timely approval for advanced biofuel pathways as
by James C. Greenwood (The Hill/Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to issue a final 2014 rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and other missteps are being misinterpreted or misconstrued as a sign that the program is
(Office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt) Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has asked a federal appeals court to block new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that discourage the use of ethanol by requiring states to adopt conclusions about ethanol
by Brent Erickson (Biotechnology Industry Organization) The underlying legal constructs of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) remain in working order, despite the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to issue a final 2014 rule and its other regulatory missteps. Over the
by Emily Cassidy (Environmental Working Group) Corn ethanol production has soared to record heights this year, and with large harvests and low corn prices, that means record profits for the industry. ... ... Production has soared in large part because of
by Scott Irwin and Darrel Good (FarmDocDaily/University of Illinois) In a recent farmdoc daily article (November 12, 2014) we initiated a discussion of whether the decline in gasoline prices had been large enough to threaten the competiveness of ethanol in gasoline
by Mario Parker (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) The U.S. is adding ethanol to the list of fuels it dominates in world markets. Exports of the additive derived from corn rose 31 percent this year to the highest level since 2011, meeting demand
by Antoine Schellinger (South Texas Law Review/SSRN) Seven years after the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the United States is entering the heart of renewable fuels legislation that was implemented as RFS2 by the EPA. The
(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels examines all current and emerging feedstocks and the advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of their end products, ranging from solid (wood energy, grass energy, and other biomass) to liquid (biodiesel from oil seed
by Jacqui Fatka (Farm Futures) Actions taken by EPA to help keep RFS alive have actually backfired and brought more attacks in defending Congress’ intent. ... Wally Tyner, Purdue University ag economist, said it’s quite ironic that EPA likely proposed lower corn-based
by Kevin Kalhoefer and Denise Robbins (Media Matters) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will delay its decision about the 2014 levels for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which requires oil refiners to blend renewable fuels into the
by Carole Abourached* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recently held a briefing on the technologies involved in commercial cellulosic ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol is produced from agricultural residues such as corn stover and wheat straw
(25 x '25) Federal regulators have stumbled again in following the congressionally approved roadmap for expanding and accelerating biofuel development and use, announcing Friday they will not finalize 2014 blending requirements under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) until sometime next
by Nicholas Bergin (Lincoln Journal Star) The biofuels industry is gearing up for a fight, a national industry spokesman said Monday. Doug Durante, executive director of Bethesda, Maryland-based Clean Fuels Development Coalition, predicted lawsuits over the Environmental Protection Agency’s
by Evan Halper (Los Angeles Times) As biotech masterminds and venture capitalists scramble to hatch a new generation of environmentally friendly fuels that can help power the average gasoline-burning car, they are confronting an unexpected obstacle: the White House. Yielding to
by Brent Erickson (Biofuels Digest/Biotechnology Industry Organization) ...EPA should formally withdraw the proposed rule and issue a final rule as soon as possible, fully correcting their misinterpretation of waiver authority and methodology for setting the annual renewable fuel volumes. Setting
by Anne Simet (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA has never before made such a clear and emphatic endorsement of biomass, commented Biomass Power Association President Bob Cleaves on release of the agency’s updated biogenic emissions framework. At least not for the 15
(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) The EPA's long-awaited announcement on the RFS targets for 2014 were finally announced today. And the announcement? No decision on the 2014 RFS targets would be made in 2014. But what does this announcement mean? At first glance,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Shell VP Matthew Tipper, at ABLCNext: “We will likely begin manufacture in the southeast United States. We plan to be operational by late this decade. “We believe our best bet is woody biomass and energy
by Andrew Anderson (Faegre Baker Daniels/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Although several new requirements in the FSMA may impact ethanol plants, writes Andrew Anderson of Faegre Baker Daniels, the preventative control rule is likely the one that will have the most significant
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Nov. 19, the U.S. EPA released a revised framework for assessing biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from stationary sources. According to a notice published by the EPA, the second draft of the framework
(25 x '25) As often and as vigorously as the Obama administration pronounces its support of cleaner forms of energy and efforts to curb global climate change, the failure of EPA in its rule-making process to adopt sensible policies that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... NSP is focused on several items at the moment: successful advanced biofuel RFS2 pathways for grain sorghum oil to biodiesel and sweet sorghum to ethanol, a cellulosic RFS2 pathway for biomass sorghum, and improved
by Tim Walz (D-Minn.) (AgWeek) Imagine a future where America controls its own energy destiny — a future in which we stop spending $1 billion per day on foreign oil and start investing those funds to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A new analysis of real-world land use data by Iowa State University raises serious concerns about the accuracy of models used by regulatory agencies regarding “indirect land use changes” (ILUC) attributed to biofuels production. The study, conducted
by Tim Portz (Biomass Magazine) Mike McAdams discusses work on Capitol Hill, founding of the Advanced Biofuels Association and the importance of engaging in the ongoing public debate about renewable fuels. “We’re the people you hire to protect you from the
(Platts) The new 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards biodiesel mandate is expected to be far lower than the industry's production capacity, sources have told Platts. Traders and brokers polled by Platts estimated that the new 2014 standard would be anywhere from
(National Corn Growers Association) In a letter sent to President Obama this week, the National Corn Growers Association and several agricultural allies asked him to intervene with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding its proposed cuts in the 2014 volume
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Advanced Biofuels USA signed on to a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to adopt Volkswagen of America’s proposal for establishing the E85 weighting factor (“F factor”) for model year
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) To open ABLC Next, what we like to call the “heads of the 7 families” — or in this case, the heads of seven key trade associations for the advanced bioeconomy, joined us on stage
(Algae Industry Magazine) he Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), has unveiled a new website —recyclecarbon.org — as part of its ongoing campaign to persuade the EPA to explicitly recognize Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies as approved emissions reduction strategies under
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) ... In early 2014, (Senator James M.) Inhofe (R-OK) expressed interest in repealing the RFS, and instead focus on expansion of domestic oil and gas drilling. Inhofe wrote that the RFS should be repealed, “allow[ing] ethanol
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, what has been described within the industry as “The growing movement to call out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its ethanol emissions testing procedures” picked up support today as a new study
by Larry Pearce (The Hill) In 1990, Congress passed the Clean Air Act Amendments and directed the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce the dangerous chemical additives in gasoline. Today, 24 years later, this law has yet to be enforced
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters) Probable legal challenges to proposed cuts in the 2014 U.S. biofuel mandate could focus on a two-word phrase dropped from the U.S. law establishing the renewable fuel program back in 2005: distribution capacity. Biofuel producers have argued
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Let me get this straight. The EPA says that emissions from petroleum are bad. Landfilling carbon is really bad. Climate change is really, really bad. Recycling is good. So far, understood. But now the
by Ayesha Rascoe (Reuters Africa) Probable legal challenges to proposed cuts in the 2014 U.S. biofuel mandate could focus on a two-word phrase dropped from the U.S. law establishing the renewable fuel program back in 2005: distribution capacity. Biofuel producers have
by Tamar Haspel (The Washington Post) ... I’m guessing you’d agree that the public debate about GMOs isn’t playing out in a constructive way. Both sides have dug trenches, and they’re lobbing grenades over the wall while nothing much changes. It’s
(Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group) On October 21, 2014, the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) submitted petitions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting that biodiesel fuel manufacturers be granted the same Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Despite delays, Fiberight’s plans to produce cellulosic ethanol from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Iowa are moving forward. In fact, an equity drive happening now is attracting quite a few interested people and money
by John Hansen (Nebraska Farmers Union/Omaha.com) ... When Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development examined the impact the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has on a family of four, it found an average in fuel savings of $863 per
by Brooke Coleman (Biofuels Digest/Advanced Ethanol Council) ... It is doubtful that anyone on the Obama energy team regards themselves as having anything in common with someone like Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who has declared climate change a hoax. Senator
(National Biodiesel Board) Policies supporting biodiesel production would win a resounding vote of confidence if they were on the ballot in next week’s elections, according to a nationwide survey released Tuesday. Three out of four voters (75 percent) support a tax
by Laís Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) At the event “The Power of Opinion: How Americans' Preferences on Energy Point a Way Forward on Climate Change,” held at Georgetown University, Gina McCarthy, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pointed out that
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) On Oct. 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied a petition of review filed by the American Petroleum Institute and other groups challenging the E15 misfueling mitigation rule published
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) How does the Congressional Budget Office look at biofuels and the Renewable Fuel Standard? How does $3.00-$6.00 advanced biofuels RINs? A $0.26 per gallon hike in gasoline prices? A $1.27 drop in the price of E85
by Julie Wernau (Chicago Tribune) ... It's (coal rolling) also an apparent response to the Obama administration's fight to lower carbon emissions. Carmakers must have a fleetwide average of 54.5 miles per gallon by model year 2025 under the Obama
(Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to provide documents regarding oil industry efforts to influence the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Last May, following
(Institute for Energy Research) Congress and President Bush determined that the United States should be producing specified amounts of cellulosic biofuel as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The trouble with the approach in 2007, which
by David Shaffer (Star Tribune) In Minneapolis, industry officials say federal government erred in setting low targets for biofuels delivered at the pump. Leaders of the nation’s biofuels industry on Monday accused the Obama administration of undermining the commercial success
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/The Roanoke Times) ... What about the auto industry? How did it respond to E15? More than 70 percent of new cars sold today are warrantied for E15 use. In fact, all new General Motors, Ford,
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has posted a notice to its website announcing it has taken action to improve and streamline the pathway petition process under the renewable fuels standard (RFS). In March, the agency issued a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellulosic ethanol arrives at scale — “The five years away forever” put to rest — but are there troubling waters still ahead? For whom, and why? Part I of II There’s a gigantic disconnect between two sections
by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) (The Hill) Ethanol and biodiesel are important to the national economy and U.S. energy independence. It’s frustrating when a powerful agency and top executive branch leaders in Washington, D.C., don’t seem to get it. ... The EPA
by Curtis Tate (McClatchy News Service/Star Tribune) The industry disputes finding that ethanol is more volatile than crude. Ethanol producers are pushing back hard against new rail safety rules after a federal study found that ethanol poses hazards equal to or
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) 10 leaders, 10 enterprises, 10 paths to scale — what’s really key to making algae a commercial crop for feed, fuel and pharma, soon? This week at the Algae Biomass Summit, a pair of key sessions
by Bartholomew L. Mcleay (Kansas City Star) ... Congress led rural America to believe strict volume purchase requirements in RFS for corn ethanol, for example, would keep them safe. The law is clear. RFS is not to be reduced through 2022
by Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) (The Hill) Imagine a future where America controls its own energy destiny — a future in which we stop spending $1 billion per day on foreign oil and start investing those funds to rebuild our
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, the Algae Biomass Organization announced a “We the People” petition to the White House aimed at securing US EPA approval of carbon capture and use technologies to meet the emissions reductions targets set
(American Petroleum Institute) The Clean Air Act explicitly prohibits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from increasing the biomass-based diesel mandate for the 2014 compliance year, wrote American Petroleum Institute (API) Downstream Group Director Bob Greco in a letter sent
by Sébastien Pouliot and Bruce A. Babcock (Iowa State University) Past studies that examine the impact of ethanol mandates on fuel prices make the assumption that ethanol and gasoline are perfect substitutes because they are both sources of energy in transportation fuels. These
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) In November 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed waiving a substantial portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandated volumes for 2014 and reducing the use of biofuels in U.S. transportation compared to 2013.1 The
by Jennifer Jacobs (Des Moines Register) Renewable fuels advocates want Vice President Joe Biden to tell them if it's true that he pushed to reverse the Obama administration's support for a mandate they believe aids Iowa's economy. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Declining gasoline demand, blend walls, lack of blender pumps, a fight over E15 ethanol, food vs fuel — it all looks pretty dire for the US Renewable Fuel Standard target of 36 billion gallons of renewable
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) Traversing the maze of U.S. EPA's proposed RIN Quality Assurance Plan was daunting, but after 16 months, the final rule provides a simpler pathway to getting markets back on track. After several damaging cases of biodiesel
by Isabel Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, Fuels America has debuted their USA Today full-page advertisement which warns that the EPA’s proposal to fundamentally alter the Renewable Fuel Standard would seriously undermine his Administration’s efforts to combat climate change, promote
by Chase Ezell (Earth911) ... Currently most of those emissions are being emitted directly into our outdoor environment. Now what if there was a way to capture those emissions, use photosynthesis and turn the byproduct into usable fuels? Still sound too good to be
by Brent Erickson (The Hill/Biotechnology Industry Organization) President Obama’s bold vision to transition the nation to a cleaner energy future is about to be derailed by one of his most potent adversaries: himself. To the great consternation of many of the
(Business Standard) Growth in 2013-18 period likely to be moderate compared to 2008-13 period as demand from the US stagnates, says the Freedonia Group report. Asia-Pacific region, Central and South America, and the Africa/Mideast region are expected to drive the global biofuels demand
by Lori Nicholson (IWP News) EPA's recent decision in its "Tier III" vehicle emissions rule to increase the amount of ethanol in certification fuel used to determine an automobile's compliance with the standard could complicate automakers' ability to meet separate
by Pamela Rockwell* (Advanced Biofuels USA) It was fitting that the VIII annual ISO DATAGRO New York Sugar and Ethanol Conference took place in the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The event is sponsored jointly by
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) There are two big topics during the Farm Progress Show this year: the corn crop and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During the show, I had the opportunity to speak with Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey
by Spencer Chase (Agri-Pulse.com) An official with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told members of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) that the renewable fuels standard (RFS) is still important to the agency despite the delayed rollout of the 2014
by Dr. Doria Gordon (The Nature Conservancy/Biofuels Digest) Cultivation of bioenergy crops is predicted to increase to between 27 and 120 million acres by 2022 in order to meet the renewable energy needs of the U.S. and the Environmental Protection
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. EPA has finalized its 2014 renewable volume obligation (RVO) rule for the renewable fuels standard (RFS) and submitted it to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review on Friday, Aug.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) ... The 2007 Mobile Source Air Toxics rule is projected to reduce toxics emitted from highway vehicles and nonroad equipment, which are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health and environmental effects, by 330,000 tons in
(25 x '25) Making sure the federal accounting system for biogenic carbon emissions—ensuring that it is an accurate system, and taking into scientific account the unique features of biomass in the carbon cycle is front and center for over 100
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, USDA released its August World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The 2014 corn crop is estimated at 14.032 billion bushels. That is 172 million bushels higher than the previous record established
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) At the Department of Energy’s two-day conference Biomass 2014: Growing the Future Bioeconomy, technologies, feedstocks, and innovation in the bioenergy sector were on display. Attendees celebrated three U.S. advanced cellulosic biofuel refineries that are close
by Dave Vander Griend (Ethanol Producer Magazine/ICM) The industry must push for change in the way fuels are blended and tested, writes Dave Vander Griend. Growth of the ethanol industry, producers of a clean high-octane fuel, is being blocked by U.S.
by Scott Irwin (University of Illinois) The EPA is apparently going to finalize 2014 RFS rules in the near future. This will at least temporarily bring the tumultuous process to an end that started with the release of the preliminary RFS
by Andy Eubank (Hoosier Ag Today) The Fuels America coalition launched a new campaign featuring one of its largest digital campaigns to date, pointing to actors like the Koch brothers and others who stand to personally gain if America loses
by Benjamin Goad (The Hill) A government report made public Monday finds fault with the Environmental Protection Agency’s analyses of the costs and benefits of its regulations. The Government Accountability Office report concluded that information incorporated into the EPA’s
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Power by people; a simple slogan with the hopes of executing the complex task of changing the way people fundamentally think about the ethanol industry. Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst defended her support for the renewable fuels standard today and pushed six Iowa TV stations to pull an ad that her campaign claims deliberately distorts her position on
by Amanda Bilek (Biomass Magazine) There is little doubt that allowing biogas-based transportation fuel projects to sell either advanced biofuel or cellulosic compliance credits will give a big boost to U.S. projects. In early July, the U.S. EPA published a final
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) Environmental Protection Agency official Paul Machiele visited the American Coalition for Ethanol conference this week in Minneapolis to discuss various issues, including plans for the 2014 volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Machiele, who is director for
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) .... But, when the Iowans visited Washington recently a few of them also spoke with members of Congress and congressional staffers from non-ag regions in an effort to educate them about agriculture and about
by Russell Hubbard (Omaha World-Herald) It starts out as freeze-dried fungus or bacteria from Denmark and ends up being one of the key ingredients in what some are calling Nebraska’s and Iowa’s shot at the big time when it comes
by Katie Fletcher (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A popular breakout session at the 2014 American Coalition for Ethanol conference discussed the potential impacts the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act may have on plant operations. Paula Emberland of Christian
(University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences/EurekAlert!) If the hottest new plant grown as a biofuel crop is approved based solely on its greenhouse gas emission profile, its potential as the next invasive species may not be
by Alexander Bolton (The Hill) Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rand Paul (Ky.) are trying to avoid an ethanol landmine in Iowa. ... Iowa kingmakers in the party such as Sen. Chuck Grassley want the Republican presidential nominee in 2016 to champion ethanol. That’s
by Nick Paulson (Farm Doc Daily/University of Illinois) ... However, D4 generation has rebounded substantially since February, averaging more than 227 million RIN gallons from March through June. Through June, a total of 1.209 billion D4 RINs have been generated in
(nacsonline.com) New, non-mandatory rules that go into effect June 1 will allow Missouri gasoline retailers to sell E15, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. With the change, Missouri joins a dozen other states that offer E15. However, not everyone is as pleased with the change. AAA
by Timothy Cama (The Hill) The Obama administration Friday formally published proposals in the Federal Register to strengthen safety rules for trains carrying crude oil and other fuels, kicking off a two-month period in which the public can comment. The proposals were prompted chiefly by
by Anne Steckel (The Hill/National Biodiesel Board) ... Afraid of losing their stranglehold on the fuels market, petroleum groups have long complained that the RFS is unnecessary. More recently, their arguments have become more brazen, suggesting that renewable fuels are responsible
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