The president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is calling a bill approved by a House subcommittee Tuesday yet another stall tactic to the use of higher ethanol blends in fuel. RFA’s Bob Dinneen says the legislation sponsored by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) injects “parochial politics into the scientifically established process of approving new fuels.” “In approving E15, the Department …
Low-Fat Distillers Grains for Dairy
POET is targeting dairy producers with the introduction of a new low-fat distillers grains product. The South Dakota-based ethanol producer notes that research indicates its new Dakota Gold Low Fat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) can be fed to dairy cattle at a higher inclusion rate than traditional DDGS. According to Kip Karges, PhD, Technical Services and Research Director …
Legislation Would Delay E15
Legislation sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) could delay getting 15% ethanol blended fuel in the marketplace by requiring even more testing by the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill out of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee has the backing of numerous anti-ethanol organizations, including the including petroleum, livestock, environmental and food industry groups. It would …
Sao Paulo Ethanol Import Tax Could Violate GATT
*Updated with clarification comments from UNICA* The president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) this week wrote a letter to the U.S. Trade Ambassador asking for an investigation into news that the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo was imposing a 25% tax on all imported ethanol. “Because ethanol produced in Sao Paulo is tax exempt, ethanol imported into Sao Paulo …
Novozymes to Research Ethanol From Seaweed
Novozymes has announced a new research agreement that will explore enzymatic technology to produce fuel ethanol, fine chemicals, and protein from seaweed. The industrial biotech firm has entered into an agreement with India-based Sea6 Energy to jointly develop a process for the production of biofuels from seaweed. The research alliance will use enzymes to convert seaweed-based carbohydrates to sugar, which …
Preparing for E15 in the Market
At some point in 2012, the final i’s will be dotted and t’s will be crossed so 15% ethanol can finally become the new consumer choice at the pump. The final panel of the day at last week’s 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit focused on preparations that are being made to make sure retailers and consumers have all the …
Butamax and Gevo Continue Battle
The battle between Butamax™ and Gevo over isobutanol technology continues. Last week, Gevo received a landmark patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its GIFT(R) separation unit, a central part of the company’s fermentation technology for the production of isobutanol. The patent, “Recovery of Higher Alcohols From Dilute Aqueous Solutions,” addresses the separation technology used to produce …
Synergies of Livestock and Ethanol
There is a lot made about tensions between the ethanol and livestock industries but the distillers grains co-product of ethanol production is providing significant benefits for animal producers even as ethanol has helped prop up corn prices. A great discussion at the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit featured corn and cattle organizations on the same panel talking about the …
USDA Approves Support for Oregon Cellulosic Plant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a conditional commitment of $232.5 million to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in Boardman, Oregon. The commitment was made to ZeaChem Boardman Biorefinery, LLC (ZBB) through the Biorefinery Assistance Program. ZBB plans to operate a 25 million gallon per year biorefinery to be constructed on an industrial site in northeast Oregon, along the …
“Fuel the Future” Video Winners
For the second year in a row, Iowa high school students have been rewarded for their creative videos promoting renewable fuels. At the 6th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Des Moines on Tuesday, Ames High School senior Sam Ennis was declared the first place winner of the 2nd Annual “Fuel the Future” video contest for Iowa high school students. …