Both President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney say they support maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard in answers to an American Farm Bureau Federation questionnaire on agricultural issues. “Our rural communities, farmers, and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy,” Obama responded to a question about energy security and agriculture. “U.S. …
Vilsack Frustrated by No Farm Bill
Congress left town last week without even considering a new farm bill in the House, leaving the current bill to expire at the end of this month. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said they would deal with a farm bill after the election because he did not believe there were 218 votes to pass either an extension or new legislation. …
USDA Report Release Times to Change
USDA is changing the release time of certain key statistical reports beginning in January 2013. According to a USDA news release the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) will begin issuing several major USDA statistical reports at 12:00 p.m. EDT beginning in January 2013. The current USDA release time of 8:30 a.m. EDT will remain …
Ethanol Report on RFS Waiver Comments
The comment period on a waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requested by several governors is underway and was recently extended by the Environmental Protection Agency. So, between now and October 11 is the time for all interested parties to be getting their comments in to EPA to have their voices heard on the issue. In this edition of …
“Ethanol’s Lost Promise” Report Disputed
The ethanol industry is disputing the conclusions of a report titled “Ethanol’s Lost Promise” released this week by EPRINC, an oil industry-funded research group. The report suggests a multi-year suspension of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could reduce U.S. ethanol use by more than half. To offset this loss in ethanol supplies, officials with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) note …
Promoting Ethanol at Chicagoland Speedway
The President of the Chicagoland Speedway believes that Illinois Farmers and American Ethanol have been great partners for NASCAR. “NASCAR’s a great platform for them to get their important message out there about the role that farmers play in our overall well being,” said Scott Paddock during an interview at Saturday’s Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. “And also …
Linn Co-op is Iowa’s First Retailer to Offer E15
History was made today when the first gallon of E15 was sold in Iowa. Linn Co-op Oil Company in Marion is the state’s first retailer to give customers with 2001 or newer vehicles the choice of filling up with 15% ethanol blended fuel. “We are honored to be Iowa’s first retailer to offer E15 to our customers who have been …
Ethanol Part of New Mike Rowe Series
Ethanol has a role to play a new series on the Discovery Channel hosted by Mike “Dirty Jobs” Rowe. The three-part series is called “How Booze Built America” and it premiers this Wednesday evening September 19th at 10pm ET/PT, repeating at the same day and time for the following two weeks. The series examines the critical role alcohol has played …
Ethanol Report on E15 After September 15
The final hurdle to allow sales of 15% ethanol for 2001 and newer model year vehicles was cleared on June 15, but so far only two stations in Kansas have been able to commercially sell the fuel. That should change as summer comes to a close, according to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Director of Market Development Robert White, who explains …
More E15 Could Hit the Market Next Week
More 15% ethanol could become available in more states after this weekend. September 15 is a significant date for E15 in the market place. That date marks the end of EPA’s summer volatility restriction for gasoline, which has kept many retailers who are interested in selling E15 from doing so since the final hurdle to selling the fuel was overcome …