(Biofuels Center of North Carolina) Celebrating 25 years at N.C. State University, the N.C. Solar Center continues its commitment to outreach, demonstration, and deployment of technology and policy solutions for a sustainable energy future. One project led by the Clean
by Kathryn Sheridan (Sustainability Consult/American Chemical Society) In recent years, the bio-based chemical industry has experienced steady growth and interest in the ‘bioeconomy’, an economy based on the consumption and production of materials from renewable sources. Companies and consumers alike
by Emily Pickrell (Fuel Fix) The United States leads the world in creating companies that turn food waste and non-food materials to energy, according to a Navigant Research report released Tuesday morning. More than two-thirds of all global ventures in advanced biofuels
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) Which alternative fuels do convenience store retailers currently sell the most? Although certainly not a scientifically accurate poll, Sunday morning’s “Future of Fuels” educational session at the NACS Show wanted to find out the answer immediately. According
by Brian Berk (Convenience Store News) The most controversial topics in fuels -- the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and E15 -- took center stage during the NACS Show educational session, "Biofuels: A Look Ahead." Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco USA in
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) The gas lines of 1973 are iconic images in America’s collective memory. October 16th marks the 40th anniversary of the oil embargo imposed by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) as punishment for America’s
by Rick Barrett (Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel) It's a bountiful harvest, but every year Wisconsin soybean growers pay a hefty price to have their crop processed at out-of-state facilities because there isn't a bean crushing plant available to them here. ... Timing
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) For industry observers, there is much that is mystifying in the EPA’s draft 2014 production targets for the US 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard. But nothing more mystifying than the biomass-based diesel numbers. ... If there’s any
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security kicked off its annual meeting on Oct. 7 in Rome. Biofuel policy is among the issues that are scheduled to
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) What’s behind the plunge in renewable identification number (RIN) prices? University of Illinois economist Scott Irwin examined the question in another of his ongoing series of FarmDocDaily posts following the dramatic shifts in RINs
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As ABLC-Next concludes, here is the first installment in a review of the hottest slides, stories, intrigue and perspective from the Big Conversation amongst the bioeconomy’s elite. ... (see these slides and others here, here, here, here and here.) Kef Kasdin, CEO, Proterro Kasdin
by Rajendra Jadhav (Reuters) * Govt wants oil companies to achieve 5 pct blending of ethanol in gasoline * Hopes to reduce record current account deficit by cutting crude imports * Demand for ethanol will give sugar mills a shot in the
by Darrel Good and Scott Irwin (University of Illinois/FarmDocDaily) Corn prices continue the long retreat from the peak of September 2012, declining to the lowest level since late August 2010. The most recent price weakness reflects both supply and demand
by Matt Smith (Fuel Fix) Let’s end at the beginning: retail gasoline prices are going to continue to head lower, and this post simply presents the case as to why, through some simple visuals. But before we do that, here are
(Chicago Tribune) by Martin Barbre (National Corn Growers Association) Your Oct. 5 editorial "Crop politics; Government subsidies promote corn over common sense" reflects several things: The Tribune is not the pro-business/jobs advocate you pretend to be, you have no grasp of
by Julia Pyper (Scientific American/ClimateWire) Blending ethanol brewed from corn into gasoline stocks is not bringing down fuel prices, an M.I.T. study finds The renewable ethanol fuel blended into the United States' gasoline supply does not lower prices at the pump
by Cezary Podkul and Fabiola Gomes (Reuters) U.S. imports of Brazilian sugar cane ethanol could be cut by more than half if a draft proposal to reduce next year's U.S. biofuel blending mandate is enacted. While the U.S. corn-based ethanol industry
by Adam Monroe (Gaston Gazette) The Gazette’s Oct. 4 editorial says the nation’s renewable fuel mandate – called the “RFS” – was “intended to reduce dependence on foreign oil, make emissions cleaner and decrease gasoline prices.” Contrary to the writers’
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Fuel Fix) ... According to the analysis by Roubini Global Economics and Securing America’s Future Energy, the nation’s heavy reliance on petroleum fuels threatens to undo U.S. gains in efficiency and oil and gas production. “Heavy oil dependence still renders the country
by Kristy Moore (Renewable Fuels Association) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has carefully completed reviewing 43 studies on the effects of E15 on engine durability, emissions, and other factors and issued a report finding that the available literature “…did
by Mark Drajem & Lucia Kassai (Bloomberg) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering scaling back legal requirements on the use of ethanol next year amid complaints from refiners that statutory mandates would exceed their ability to blend it into fuels without putting
by David A. Lieb (Associated Press/News-Leader) ... The decision by a legislative panel halts a proposed rule change by the Missouri Department of Agriculture that would have allowed stations to sell fuel containing 15 percent ethanol. Lawmakers said the proposal goes
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) EPA’s proposed rule establishing 2014 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is expected to be published soon. Many believe the 2014 RVO will, for the first time ever, require obligated
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Iowa Rep. Steve King said ending the controversial ethanol mandate would lead to higher gasoline prices for consumers and drive down the price of corn, hurting farmers in rural America. “If (the oil industry) should
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The American Petroleum Institute has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. EPA’s 2013 volume requirement under the renewable fuel standard (RFS), which was finalized in August. Representatives of the biofuels industry are calling the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels, relates the tale, he hears the 4 Monster Myths of Renewable Fuels, also known as the “conventional wisdom,” all too often. Turns out the conventional wisdom is, er,
By Amanda Peterka (Midwest Energy News/Environment & Energy Daily) ...But USDA’s ability to carry out projects like the installation of solar panels was left to dangle Monday night with the expiration of the farm bill. Without a new bill
(Reuters) Global food prices are not expected to fall much further after dipping to their lowest level in three years in September, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday, trimming its estimate for 2013/14 world cereals production. The decline in prices last
(Lincoln Journal Star) A "somewhat meager rally" may be underway for spot gasoline prices, but oil market expert Tom Kloza said lower corn prices are causing "radical changes" for ethanol, and even for Renewable Identification Numbers, the currency of ethanol
by Nelson Mojarro (The Energy Collective) ...Following US and EU biofuel legislation, cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels are expected to play an increasingly large role in global biofuel production and consumption. However, Brazil is not as eager to join the
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy are disputing the results of a new poll released by the American Petroleum Institute, calling the data biased and deceptive. The RFA noted that two polls performed
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... It seems a long time ago now that, out of Dr. Steve Mayfield’s lab at Scripps and later at the University of California at San Diego, a series of discoveries made it possible, for the
(European Commission Joint Research Center) This report aims to analyse different scenarios that could occur in the EU in the years to come. First is an assumed situation in which by 2020 biofuels would contribute 8% towards the RE transport target; other RE
by Rhett Butler (Mongabay.com) Palm oil imports into Europe for use as car fuel increased by more than three-fold since 2006, raising concerns than renewable fuels targets may be contributing to deforestation, displacing marginalized communities, and driving greenhouse gas emissions in
(Frontiers of Freedom) It has come to our attention that Congress is considering legislation this fall to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). We, collectively and individually, believe the only reform to this failed government mandate should be to repeal
by José R. Moreira (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) Over the last three decades, the amount of land devoted to food crops has increased at a very modest rate, but worldwide food production has expanded significantly. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(BusinessWire/Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and a group of renewable chemical companies and state advocacy organizations today wrote to the chairpersons and ranking members of the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, urging passage of a five-year
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) A man who used to market fuels under the Phillips 66 name has decided to forgo the Big Oil brand so he can offer consumers the choice of E15 ethanol. “They changed the rules mid-stream for what
by David Castellon (Visalia Times Delta) When the subject of biofuel comes up, chances are you’ll think of corn converted to ethanol. But on Wednesday, representatives from a Chicago-based seed manufacturer tried to change that way of thinking by inviting Valley farmers
(Minnesota Soybean Growers Association/Biodiesel Magazine) The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association has voiced its support for a recommendation by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to move the state to a 10 percent biodiesel inclusion rate in every gallon of diesel sold
by Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa) ... Due to a national change in how gasolines are being refined, some premium blends will now contain corn-based ethanol. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says it’s been a quiet, yet monumental,
by Tim Burrack (Chicago Tribune) Letter to Editor: ... As family farmers for more than 40 years, we have had our share of ups and downs. The RFS gave farmers like us a new market for our corn, helped bring corn prices
(Renewable Fuels Association) Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced a bill Monday that would create a grant program for ethanol-pump installations, establish a loan-guarantee program for renewable-fuel pipelines and require new Department of Energy regulations to encourage owners of fueling stations
by Brent Erickson (Roll Call/Biotechnology Industry Organization) ... What’s really behind this year’s rapid rise in the price of RINs? And will their cost be passed to consumers at the pump? A simple exercise in following the money shows that it’s the
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A representative of Big Oil recently made an offensive and ridiculous comment about the RFS. Early last week, in an article in Reuters, Jack Gerard, chief executive of the American Petroleum Institute, used an
by F. John Hay (Lincoln Journal Star) The Local View article (Issues with ethanol, LJS, 9/27) addressed an individual’s opinion on the demerits of use of ethanol as a transportation fuel and the merits of alternatives. Unfortunately, the information given
by Howard Schneider (The Washington Post) Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada rode his pioneering work on the Prius hybrid to the top of the world’s biggest car company. But that doesn’t mean he is a zealot when it comes to
by Gary Pestoriou (The Hill's Congress Blog) I followed with interest the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearings concerning the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). I became very skeptical of the statements by those representing the livestock and poultry sectors
by Bob Dinneen (USA Today) Big Oil is pushing back to preserve its market share. ... The RFS is one of the most successful energy policies ever. Since it was enacted in 2005, U.S. dependence on imported oil has decreased from
by Robert Moffitt (Twin Cities Daily Planet) In response to “Ethanol is a not long term solution,” I’ll begin by saying the author made some valid points. No, ethanol is not an environmental, economic and political cure-all, nor is it
by Geoff Cooper (Renewable Fuels Association) As it turns out, the oil and gas industry really does have “money to burn.” According to a recent study, government data show that nearly 30% of the natural gas extracted as a byproduct of
by G.K. Butterfield (The Herald Sun) Without intervention or significant investment from non-profit organizations or the private sector, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford is due to close for good on October 1, 2013. This is a travesty
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) As controversy swells over the cost of special credits tied to ethanol, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley asked the agency charged with overseeing the country’s renewable policy for details on what is being done
by Vivek Waghmode (Times of India) Farmer leaders on Tuesday stepped up their demand for permission to tillers to produce ethanol from sugarcane they produce and sell the byproducts. "The Centre has permitted to blend only five per cent ethanol into petrol, while countries like Brazil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Long-term, there are numerous opportunities for developing the right kind of renewable feedstocks based on careful development of agricultural markets and gaining grower adoption. But anyone who has been through the wringer in trying to
(Biotechnology Industry Organization) The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, asking her to reject the recent petition from American Petroleum Institute and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers for a waiver of the
By Aino Siirala* (Advanced Biofuels USA) The Bioenergy 2013 exhibition & conference, in Jyväskylä, Finland, was a two-day event organized annually by Benet Ltd., The Bioenergy Association of Finland and Jyväskylän Messut Ltd. The conference included presentations by business consultants
by Rob Vierhout (ePURE/Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The “accountancy-model” IISD used was one-sided, looking only at government expenditure but leaving out of the picture the revenues the industry is generating for government and society. A well-respected company, Ecofys Consultancy, analyzed the
by Ron Lamberty (Ethanol Producer Magazine/American Coalition for Ethanol) An old lawyer’s adage says: “If you have the facts, pound the facts. If you have the law, pound the law. If you don’t have either, pound the table.” The people who
by Mike Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Some say renewable energy is like a religion. I suppose it has some of the elements of a religion, in that you have believers, nonbelievers, activists and antagonists and many of the same highly
by Jake Ferris (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... The change in stock levels from 2001-’05 accounted for about $1.28 of the $2.49 per bushel increase in corn prices (Table 2)—just over 50 percent. About 18 cents per bushel can be attributed
by Chris Hanson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Similar to the 1970s period of prosperity, Zulauf (Carl Zulauf, economics professor at Ohio State University) says that in 2012 crop prices increased by roughly 200 percent, which he attributes to China’s growing demand for
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... (Bruce) Babcock (the Cargill endowed chair of energy economics at Iowa State University) is more optimistic about the potential for E85 consumption to grow. If corn prices stay low and gasoline prices stay
by Brian Kuehl (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Two tax provisions are critical to continued development of the U.S. cellulosic industry. First, the tax code currently provides a Second Generation Production Tax Credit that gives ethanol plants a tax credit of
by Greg Akagi (KansasAgNetwork) Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today called on the Commodities Future Trading Commission to review recent allegations about possible manipulation of the markets for
(Nanowerk News) ...His paper concludes that for now, it makes more sense to enable plants to soak up carbon dioxide through reforestation and to redouble efforts to protect forests, rather than producing and promoting biofuels. Corn ethanol production of 14 billion
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) ... We’re committed to supporting biofuels by providing a range of products that provide biofuel capability in line with consumer demand. And that is key,” explained Dominic DiCicco with Ford Motor Company during the conference session titled, Automaker
by Douglas Durante (The Hill Congress Blog) ... the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 included a prescribed formula for reformulated gasoline that included an oxygen content, which ethanol provides. Oxygenated fuels promote more complete combustion and reduce carbon monoxide, particulates,
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... Helgaas (Maynard Helgaas, president of Green Vision Group) is saying that commercializing the first energy beet plant is planned for 2014 to 2015. “Energy beets will benefit rural North Dakota communities, because the processing facilities we
by Philip K. Verleger, Jr. (PKVerlegerlLLC.com) Just as only Richard Nixon could ironically break the US taboo on trading with China, only George W. Bush could have successfully introduced measures to drive down crude prices. These prices today are between $15 and $40
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) A study from Iowa State University said the cost of installing tanks to handle fuel with 85 percent ethanol could be cheaper than purchasing energy credits to avoid blending the fuel mostly made from
by Steve Tarter (Peoria Journal Star) ... The FS station in Kickapoo, the first station to offer biodiesel over a decade ago, now features a pump that allows drivers to select various grades of ethanol-blended gasoline, from E10 to E85. It’s also
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... When he was a little boy, the current lab manager at Pinal Energy LLC used to go to work with his father, Keith Kor. Johannes Kor remembers unwrapping bags of out-of-date marshmallows and putting
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The employees of Illinois River Energy and GTL Resources Biorefining sent a letter to their Congressional delegation this week urging support of the Renewable Fuel Standard. “We are the 60 hard working employees of an independently owned and operated corn bio-refinery
(RNCOS) In a world which is ever thirsty for energy, economies eye on renewable energy sources to conserve environment and reduce costs. Our recent analysis of global biofuel industry revealed that in 2012, Asia Pacific witnessed the fastest growth of
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California legislature recently passed Assembly Joint Resolution 21, which urges federal lawmakers and the U.S. EPA to reform the renewable fuels standard (RFS), transitioning away from first-generation biofuels. The measure was introduced by
by Conglin Xu (Oil & Gas Journal) E85 motor fuel—gasoline blended with as much as 85% ethanol and commonly used by flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) in the US and Europe—is becoming increasingly price-competitive with gasoline in several Midwestern states on an energy-content basis,
by Pam Johnson (Fox News) Opinion: ...That critique has been around for years. But it doesn't jibe with the facts. Indeed, Big Oil's call to loosen the nation's ethanol requirements is misguided. Corn-based fuel has proven to be a clean-burning
by Todd Brodersen (Lincoln Journal Star) In a response to Todd Sneller's letter, "Ethanol the choice for many reasons," Steven McManus responded negatively and seemed to substitute fiction for fact to make his points ("Ethanol costly, inefficient," Sept. 10). McManus took exception
by Maxx Chatsko (The Motley Fool) The Vatican splashed down in the news feeds of green enthusiasts everywhere last week when it announced that Pope Francis will trade in his Ford Focus for a 1984 Renault 4. The vehicle was
by Amahl S. Azwar (The Jakarta Post) PT Shell Indonesia and PT Total Oil Indonesia will have to increase the proportion of biodiesel in the diesel fuel mix they sell at their gas stations to at least 10 percent by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Landmark cellulosic drop-in biofuels producer releases update on early-stage production: is the increasing gallonage enough to silence the critics? ... In July and August, the Columbus facility produced 172,398 gallons of fuel, bringing the 2013 production
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) has just encouraged the EPA to include the carbon capture and reuse (CCR) as an approved strategy for compliance under its New Source Performance Standard, a draft version of which was released
by Ned Stowe (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The oil industry has formally petitioned the EPA to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirements for 2014, arguing that the ethanol market is saturated. But now that corn and ethanol
by Anna Simet (Ethanol Producer Magazine) As a precursor to the National Advanced Biofuel Conference and Expo in Omaha, Neb., Sept. 10-12, the Corn Stover Harvest & Transport Seminar hashed over the technological, logistical and environmental issues of using corn
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.S. EPA Office of Inspector General has released a report recommending ways the agency should improve monitoring activities for the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program. According to the report, the audit was conducted in
by Leticia Phillips (The Energy Collective/UNICA) ... Let’s turn to the facts to debunk two leading myths circulating around Washington, D.C. about Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. Myth #1: Brazil can’t supply sufficient sugarcane ethanol to meet America’s needs. Reality: Brazilian sugarcane ethanol is on
by Amar Toor (The Verge) Accusations of land grabbing revive debate over "food versus fuel" ... But some experts say that when it comes to biofuels and food security, it’s not an “either-or” question. "At the moment we have a false dichotomy
(Fuels America) After 1,002 consecutive days of paying more than $3 for a gallon of gas, Americans are demanding choices at the pump. Our new poll found that 82% of US adults support having E15, renewable fuel made of 15
by Claire Everett (Daily Illini) ... Jody Endres, professor in environmental, natural resources and energy law, said while the USDA and other government agencies employ a variety of methods to encourage the growing of miscanthus for biofuel production, there is no crop
by Dana Hull (San Jose Mercury News) In a victory for environmentalists, clean energy advocates and state regulators, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California's clean-fuel standards in a 2-1 decision Wednesday. The fuel standard is a cornerstone of
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) The National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR), the lobbying arm for the fast food industry, is returning to the Hill today to continue its anti-RFS (Renewable Fuel Standard) campaign. Food preparation is a tough job. With rising
(Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL)) Legislation Would Support Research & Development for Biofuels in U.S. Air Force Surrounded by agriculture leaders at a farm near Scott Air Force Base, Congressman Bill Enyart (D-IL) today announced a major push to power the nation’s
(Iowa Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) New public opinion research commissioned by the Iowa Biodiesel Board shows strong awareness of—and favorability towards—biodiesel. The research, conducted in early September, shows 87 percent of Iowans surveyed are familiar with biodiesel. Of those familiar, 74 percent
(GreenAir Online) ... On regional measures, where the subtext is aviation’s future in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), any environmental credibility was nullified by US insistence on limiting emissions covered to those within regional airspace. If all 191 member
(Growth Energy) Following the American Petroleum Institutes’ recent release of skewed data used to advance their flawed agenda to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Tom Buis CEO of Growth Energy released the following statement: “Once again, API has held another
(Netzwerk Biotriebstoffe) The ERA-ARD project “Bioenergy in Africa: Opportunities and Risks of Jatropha and Related Crops” was officially closed at the end of March 2013. Within this project the coordinator published 5 Policy Briefs with the results of the project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) A report published by strategic energy consultancy Element Energy finds that by 2030, higher levels of advanced biofuels could cut Britain’s annual car CO2 emissions by 27% or 12 million tonnes a year — at
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) E15 is again available after summer volatility restrictions ended Sept. 15. ... E15 is approved for use with vehicles model year 2001 and newer. However, because the U.S. EPA has awarded E10 a waiver to
by Barb Glen (Western Producer) Lower fat content in corn-based dried distillers grains imported by Canadian livestock feeders has caught many by surprise. Feed suppliers and feedlot operators who use the ethanol production byproduct have become accustomed to DDG fat content
by Javier E. David (CNBC) ..."They act as if they didn't see this coming," said Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North America, a biotechnoloy company that makes enzymes used in biofuel production. Given the onset of the 2008 recession
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) A new online survey conducted by Harris Interactive finds that U.S. consumers are ill-prepared for the introduction of higher ethanol fuel blends such as E15. Commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) the survey is misleading because
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments in Eastern Europe to work with industry stakeholders to realise the benefits of aviation across the region. "Aviation connectivity can play a key role in the economic success of Eastern Europe. But
by Gretchen Morgenson and Robert Gebeloff (The New York Times) ...But a little known market in ethanol credits has also become a hot new game on Wall Street. ...But many people believe that is what happened this year when the price
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) As farmer’s markets boom — bringing great foods and prices directly to consumers — what can we learn about the real story of food vs fuel, when it comes to the use of crops that
(U.S. Department of Energy) ...Despite over 7 years of effort and the expenditure of about $603 million, the Department had not yet achieved its biorefinery development and production goals. Specifically, the EPAct mandate 2 to demonstrate the commercial application of integrated biorefineries
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (B)iobased chemical producers have been mentioning for some time that, ahem, there’s no Renewable Chemical Standard, no tax incentive, no RINs for them – and they help reduce carbon, too. It becomes especially complex when
by Mike Lux (Huffington Post) ...If the 2009 financial crisis taught us anything, it's that market manipulation and speculation is a recipe for disaster. Four years later, we don't seem to have learned our lesson. Wall Street has found another,
by Brett Wessler (Ag Professional) Livestock producers are likely to see shrinking feed costs ahead with one market analyst forecasting lower corn prices as ethanol demand will be “flat-lining” into 2022. Dan Basse, AgResource Company, told the good news to cattle producers
By Reid Detchon (The Baltimore Sun) Our ability to break our dependence on foreign oil is threatened by the effort to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard Oil is essential to our economic and national security because our transportation system runs on
by Reliable Source (The Washinton Post) ...Event: National Farmers Union rally promoting passage of a five-year farm bill and touting the renewable fuel standard. Venue: Capitol Hill’s Lower Senate Park. ...What he wants: Fuel standards mandating an increased amount
by MTI (Politics.HU) The agricultural chambers of the Visegrad Four countries called on European decision-makers to support sustainable, crop-based biofuels, at a meeting of their leaders in Szekszard in southern Hungary on Monday. The V4 group of the Czech Republic, Hungary,
(EurActiv) The European Parliament has voted to limit the use of fuels made from food crops because of fears that biofuels can push up grain prices or damage the climate, further undermining the once booming industry. Lawmakers voting in Strasbourg on
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg/Fuel Fix) Valero Energy Corp., the world’s largest independent refining company, called on the Obama administration to waive the country’s biofuel target immediately, saying the cost to reach it has skyrocketed. “We need the waiver now,” Valero Chief
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) has released a new report that predicts projected growth in advanced biofuel production capacity will be sufficient to meet both the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS) and California’s low carbon fuel
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) ... (Paul) Bertels (vice president of production and utilization for the National Corn Growers Association) said the harvest should bring in about 12.9 billion bushels of corn, the third largest crop ever and just 100
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Ethanol Across America has released a new white paper that indicates mid-level ethanol blends offer much greater emission and health benefits than indicated by U.S. EPA models. The three-page document authored by Steve Vander
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The Atlantic Council for Bioenergy Co-operative, in partnership with BioAtlantech New Brunswick, has released a report demonstrating a strong business case for the development of a biofuels industry in the Atlantic region of Canada.
by Alan Bjerga & Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Efforts to roll back rules that nurtured the corn-based ethanol industry threaten to stunt other promising biofuels, according to a developer working on one of the nation’s first commercial plants that won’t use
by Mark Drajem (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) A tweak to an automobile’s engine software can improve by as much as 20 percent the estimated fuel efficiency when using gasoline with ethanol or methanol, according to a non-profit group pushing gasoline alternatives. A Fuel
by Jennifer A. Dlouhy (Fuel Fix) ... The rising cost of RINs turned out to be good economic news for some oil companies, especially those who are producing biofuels and have blending capacity, so they could capitalize on the credits tacked
by Tererai Karimakwenda (AllAfrica.com/SW Radio Africa (London)) New clashes between local villagers and the police in the Nyamukwakwa area of Manicaland have been attributed to activists within ZANU PF, who are allegedly instructing the police and officials at the
(Seattle PI/Associated Press) Ethanol producers say they are running up against market and regulatory pressures that are putting a crimp on the industry's future, despite lower prices for a key commodity to produce the fuel. The ethanol industry is distilling enough product
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... “What you really are in the business of,” Aemetis CEO Eric McAfee reflects, “is capturing the arbitrage between the commodity price of your most expensive feedstock — and the price of your finished molecule plus
by Dave Keating (European Voice) Members of the European Parliament are scheduled to vote next week in Strasbourg on a controversial proposal to limit the amount of conventional biofuel that can be used to meet an EU target for transport fuel. The
(The Economist) Energy technology: Making large amounts of fuel from organic matter has proved to be more difficult and costly than expected ...As well as being available to countries without tar sands, shale fields or gushers, biofuels can help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Today, we look at 2013-14, should Congress elect not to act — but leave the EPA and the markets to govern implementation of the existing law. 2014 Mandate The EPA will ultimately determine the annual mandate, but
by Alex Fitzsimmons (Institute for Energy Research) ...Millions of gallons of ethanol would be produced and used every year without the Renewable Fuel Standard since refiners would use it as an oxygenate. The problem is not ethanol per se, the problem
(Ontario Federation of Agriculture/Farming Sources) A value chain consortium presented their final report to local corn producers on a business case for sustaining a commercially viable cellulosic sugar plant in southwestern Ontario to support the future production of green chemicals. The
by Jens Flottau (Aviation Week) A compromise solution on a global market-based measures (MBM) scheme to tackle aviation emissions appears to be nearing ahead of this month’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly. According to several people familiar with the negotiations,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...Based on our industry sources, here’s an outline for a “change the RFS” outcome – what that might look like. We see four key elements — ethanol, drop-ins, biodiesel and the RIN system for smoothing
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Concord Monitor) I am writing in response to the Aug. 30 Monitor editorial, “Can’t we keep gas from turning to goo?” The Renewable Fuel Standard is the single most effective energy policy in our nation’s history. It has shown
by Todd Sneller (Lincoln Journal Star/Nebraska Ethanol Board) The well-written article “Cost of gas could soar” (Aug. 25) explains that oil companies have made a business decision that will further increase their profits by reducing the octane rating of gasoline
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) One message that was delivered during the 26th Annual Ethanol Conference over and over again is that both legislators and consumers need to know the faces of ethanol – to hear personal stories of how ethanol benefits America.
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association/Pottstown Mercury) I am writing in response to Senator Pat Toomey’s Op-Ed that ran in The Mercury entitled “Federal regulations threaten Pa. refineries.” The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is not threatening refiners across the United States because
(MoneyControl.com) According to Narendra Murkumbi, blending 10 percent ethanol in petrol will reduce sugar surplus by almost one million to one-an-half-million tonne and that will be beneficial for the sugar industry. Overall, manadatory ethanol blending by the government will have
Thomas Blakeslee (Renewable Energy World) ...Though solar electric is the clear winner based on land use, biofuels are still in the race (particularly if commercial scale) designer algae becomes a reality. Biofuels have a gigantic advantage in remote areas because
by Thomas Darlington, Dennis Kahlbaum, Don O’Connor, Steffen Mueller, PhD (Air Improvement Resource, Inc./(S&T)2 Consultants Inc./University of Illinois, Chicago) ...The European Union (EU) is considering amending its current biofuel policy. The current policy, adopted in 2009, calls for 10% transportation renewable energy target (by
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...ActionAid UK released a report this week focusing on the story of Addax Biofuels in Sierra Leone. As Addax points out, it was not given the opportunity by Action Aid to review the serious allegations in
by Joanne Ivancic (Advanced Biofuels USA) Klaus Philipsen, quoted in Dan Rodrick’s recent column about the Grand Prix of Baltimore, dislikes what the Grand Prix does, objects to its “heavy-metal aesthetics” and concludes that “racing big, stinky and noisy cars”
by Steve Everly (Kansas City Star) ... Ethanol has so far reduced the need for petroleum in gasoline by about 7 percent, which no other alternative fuel has come close to doing. But a shift is already in the works. ... In practice it
(Lux Research) Corporations will need to integrate open source with traditional patents for biotech innovations in medicine, renewable materials, and nutrition, Lux Research says With synthetic biology (synbio) rapidly gaining momentum, and a landmark U.S. Supreme Court judgment striking down an
by Patrick Meehan and Pat Eiding (The Wall Street Journal) The price of EPA compliance rose 3,625% since the end of 2012. ... As a display of regulatory failure at its finest, current regulations place the compliance obligation on refiners rather than on
by Chris Woodward (One News Now) This week, CEI and ten other free-market organizations wrote Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Henry Waxman (D-CA), urging them to abolish the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is being thoroughly reviewed by both congressmen. Myron
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... When you first harvest a forest or other biomass, you take all that carbon that’s been sequestered — if you use the “first cut” for energy or fuels, that carbon is released. Now, in the world
by Ben Phalan (The Guardian) Even so-called 'good' biofuels need safeguards to ensure that they don't damage biodiversity or displace other crops ...Agricultural expansion and intensification are among the greatest of all threats to wild nature. Each year, millions of hectares of
by Anne Steckel (Biodiesel Magazine/National Biodiesel Board) ...Our industry is exceeding its volume requirements and producing enough fuel to fill the vast majority of the advanced biofuel pool. We are an EPA-designated advanced biofuel that’s doing just what the RFS
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Biodiesel emerged on the U.S. alternative fuels radar in the early 1990s, and for the next decade it slowly gained recognition as a real-world, here-and-now replacement for diesel fuel before its first ASTM specification, D6751,
by Michael Bastasch (The Daily Caller) House Majority Leader Eric Cantor may attach legislation to reform the ethanol mandate to a debt ceiling package, the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) reports. ...“The Majority Leader listed a number of options to fix
(Platts) US RINs prices continued to slide Wednesday, reflecting a widespread morning market selloff and despite a later bounce after US gasoline stocks data was released. All current-year RINs assessments fell for the sixth time in the last seven sessions. ... Current-year ethanol
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