New Analysis Shows RFS Lowers Gas Prices

Cindy Zimmerman

A new independent analysis from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University has found that increased ethanol production under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program has reduced gas prices, not increased them as opponents of the RFS claim. “Our results should reassure those in Congress and the Administration who are worried that following the RFS …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Appeals Court Denies California LCFS Appeal

Cindy Zimmerman

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied rehearing en banc a ruling last year which upheld California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), leaving the ethanol industry and others challenging the law to consider the next move. In a joint statement, ethanol producer groups Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) called the decision “a blow to California …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA

Lowering RFS Impact on Advanced Biofuels

Cindy Zimmerman

Cellulosic and advanced biofuels producers are very concerned that the EPA proposal to lower 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets will have a chilling effect on investment in the next generation of renewable fuels. “Frankly, we have decided that we are placing a hold on our evaluations of future investment in bioenergy in the United States until we see what …

advanced biofuels, AEC, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Wisconsin Resarchers Find Better Biofuels Chemical

John Davis

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found a way to get more ethanol out of sugars used in the refining process. This university article says they’re using a plant-derived chemical, gamma valerolactone, or GVL. “With the sugar platform, you have possibilities,” says Jeremy Luterbacher, a postdoctoral researcher and the paper’s lead author. “You’ve taken fewer forks down the conversion …

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Research, University

Bi-Partisan Group Protests EPA Biofuels Reductions

John Davis

A bi-partisan group of lawmakers is calling on the government to end its proposal to reduce the amount of ethanol and biodiesel that will be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. Led by Democratic Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL), the group has sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency’s proposal …

Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Legislation, RFS

Farm Bureau Lends Support to Keeping RFS

John Davis

As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers its proposal that would, in effect, slash the amount of ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is telling the government to leave the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) alone. During their policy session at the recent AFBF annual meeting in San Antonio, …

Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farm Bureau, Government, Legislation

Ethanol Keeps Record Corn Crop’s Prices Up

John Davis

A record corn crop usually means falling prices at market for U.S. farmers. But this article from BioFuels Journal says a new report from a Kansas State University agricultural economist says high demand from ethanol producers is supporting the prices despite the record-high 13.9 billion bushels of corn last year. “The markets responded positively to the corn data,” said Dan …

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Iowa U.S. Senate Candidates Support Biofuels

John Davis

Considering the state’s significant role in biofuels and renewable energy, there’s little surprise that primary candidates for the Iowa U.S. Senate seat are expressing their support of the green fuels. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says its 2014 Iowa U.S. Senate Primary Candidate Renewable Fuels Survey shows there’s strong, bipartisan support for renewable fuels among the state’s top candidates. …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Iowa RFA, News, politics

Whikehart to Keynote National Ethanol Conference

John Davis

The man in charge of Marathon Petroleum Company‘s biofuels supply chain will deliver the keynote address for next month’s National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. The Renewable Fuels Association announced David Whikehart, Director of Product Supply and Optimization at Marathon, will speak at the conference on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 8:45 a.m. EST. “David will be able to provide the …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Corn Stocks and Ethanol Use Increased

Cindy Zimmerman

The newest supply and demand estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms a record corn harvest in 2013 of just under 14 billion bushels and an increased in usage of corn for ethanol. USDA’s World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimate for January 10 projects corn use for 2013/14 higher with feed and residual use projected up 100 million bushels based …

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS, USDA