The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) celebrated the grand opening of the nation’s 2000th E85 fueling station Thursday in south Florida. RFA Director of Market Development Robert White says this is a milestone in E85 history. “Being in the Miami metro area promoting E85 shows that this is not a Midwest niche fuel any longer,” White said. “This is a product …
Obama Stresses Support for Corn Ethanol
President Barack Obama sent a letter this week to the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition supporting corn-based ethanol as the foundation for the next generation of biofuels. “My administration is committed to moving as quickly as possible to commercialize an array of emerging cellulosic technologies so that tomorrow’s biofuels will be produced from sustainable biomass feedstocks and waste materials rather than corn,” …
Ethanol Wins Jackpot for Indiana Couple
Filling up with 85 percent ethanol paid off in a big way for an Indiana couple who hit the Hoosier Lotto jackpot this month. According to Hoosier Lottery officials, Pamela Smith of Summitville won a $2.5 million jackpot in the May 9 Hoosier Lotto drawing after stopping at a Muncie gas station specifically to buy E85. “I was looking for …
EPA Opens Comment Period on RFS
The Environmental Protection Agency has officially opened a 60-day comment period for proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The comment period will be open until July 27. In addition to seeking comments on the proposed rulemaking announced earlier this month, EPA is also conducting peer reviews of critical aspects of the lifecycle methodology used to determine the greenhouse gas …
Organization Promotes Advanced Biofuels
A Maryland-based organization is promoting the education, acceptance and use of advanced biofuels. “The goal of Advanced Biofuels USA is to show the American people, decision-makers and opinion leaders that US farmers and researchers together can produce sustainable and economical biofuels that will directly replace all types of transportation fuels including gasoline and jet fuel.” said founder Joanne Ivancic. Advanced …
Green Plains Buys Two Former VeraSun Plants
Green Plains Renewable Energy will acquire two former VeraSun ethanol plants located in Nebraska, to make it the fourth largest ethanol producer in the U.S. Addition of these plants will increase the Company’s ethanol production capacity by 45%, from 330 million to 480 million gallons per year. “The acquisition of the plants in Central City and Ord lowers our cost …
Senate Bill Would Change Renewable Fuels Standard
A bill was introduced in the Senate this week that would keep the Environmental Protection Agency from using non-scientific data when determining greenhouse gas emissions. The bill introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is a companion to legislation introduced last week by Collin Peterson (D-MN), the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Like the House bill, Grassley’s bill improves several …
Ethanol Lobbyists Top on the Hill
There are literally thousands of registered lobbyists who regularly walk the halls of the nation’s capitol buttonholing lawmakers to talk up the benefits or detriments of some piece of legislation to their particular organization members. Political insider publication “The Hill” made a list the week of who they consider to be the nation’s most influential association lobbyists – and two …
Ethanol Industry Testifies on Carbon Fuel Standards
Representatives from ethanol organizations and companies testified before the House Agriculture Committee this morning on proposed low carbon fuel standards. The heads of three ethanol trade associations all presented basically the same message when it comes to using indirect land use changes (ILUC) to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions of renewable fuels – it is unproven theory that should not …
World Ag Congress Discusses Biofuels
Biofuels from the perspective of India and East Africa, as well as Europe and the United States, were part of the discussion at the World Ag Congress in St. Louis on Tuesday. Henk Joos with London-based D1 Oils moderated the panel focusing on an integrated approach to biofuels. He stressed that the purpose of the panel was to find solutions. …