Ethanol plants continue to increase in efficiency. A new University of Illinois at Chicago study of facilities that produce most of the nation’s ethanol found that the energy needed to make a gallon of the corn-based fuel decreased on average by about 30 percent within the past decade. The study, conducted by Dr. Steffen Mueller at the Energy Resources Center …
Brazil Revs Up Sugarcane Ethanol Campaign at Indy 500
Indy car drivers from several countries extolled the virtues of sugarcane ethanol from Brazil in ads that aired during the telecast of the 2010 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. The parade of Indy spokesdrivers in two 30-second Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) television ads that debuted on Sunday include Ryan Hunter-Reay, who briefly served as spokesman for the U.S. ethanol industry …
Everyone Wins in Ethanol Border Battle
Everyone was declared a winner in a Minnesota-Wisconsin border battle this week between two fuel retailers on opposite sides of the St. Croix River. The promotional event on Thursday featured a rush-hour special where both stations sold E85 (85 percent ethanol fuel) at an 85 cents per gallon discount from 4-6 pm. The promotion was supported by the Minnesota Corn …
House Passes Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension
In a voting frenzy today prior to the Memorial Day recess, the U.S. House of Representatives has extended the $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit that expired Dec. 31, despite indications even late yesterday that the vote would be delayed until June. The extension, which was part of a package that includes continued unemployment benefits and other tax breaks, would keep the …
Ethanol Industry Refutes Global Rebound Theory
First it was the unprovable Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) theory. Now ethanol is being challenged by a new “what goes around comes around” hypothesis called the “Global Rebound Effect.” Earlier this week, the Clean Air Task Force filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency over the Renewable Fuel Standard for failing “to account for the “global rebound effect” when …
Celebrate Independence with Homegrown Fuel on the Fourth
Growth Energy is encouraging Americans to celebrate Independence Day this year with homegrown “Fuel on the Fourth.” The ethanol organization has announced a new one month promotion offering nearly $300 in E85 fuel to Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) owners through the “Fuel on the Fourth” contest. Starting June 1st, FFV owners can enter to win one of two E85 Fuel …
RFA: Green Jobs Should Include Ethanol Tax Incentive
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging Congress to “include an extension of the expiring tax incentives for ethanol in any legislative package designed to promote green job growth and economic revitalization.” In a letter sent to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, RFA encouraged the lawmakers to adopt the provisions of the Renewable …
Making Distillers Grains More Valuable
Increasing the value of the ethanol by-product distillers dried grains (DDGs) was a topic at last week’s Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium. Alltech has a product called Allzyme® SSF that can maximize nutrient release in DDGs to make it more nutritious. According to the comany, “the complex works synergistically to break down the different substrates. As a result, …
Brazil Ethanol Gas Discount Promo Canceled
The Brazilian ethanol industry’s planned promotional event in Washington D.C. has been abruptly canceled, according to a news release. One week after approving the event and less than 24 hours after allowing promotional banners to be hung on its property, Capitol Petroleum Group canceled plans by the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) to offer Washington-area residents a discount of 54 …
Iowa Corn and Chevy Promote Ethanol
Iowa corn growers have teamed up with two Chevy dealerships to promote ethanol and the vehicles that it fuels. Holmes Chevrolet in Norwalk and Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny are partnering with the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) to promote flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the use of E85 in Iowa. Consumers who purchase a FFV at either dealership between now …