President Obama has announced his picks for Secretary of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency administrator. The President nominated MIT professor Ernest Moniz as energy secretary and EPA official Gina McCarthy as administrator for the agency. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen welcomed the nomination of McCarthy as a solid choice and is interested in getting to know Moniz. “(McCarthy) is …
EPA Approves New Biofuel Pathways Under RFS
Camelina, energy cane and renewable gasoline are now added to the list of qualifying feedstocks and fuels approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA released its final rule to identify additional fuel pathways that meet the “lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements for biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and cellulosic biofuel” under the …
No Industry Input for Ethanol Hearing
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment will hold a hearing tomorrow on mid-level ethanol blends, but without any input from the ethanol industry. Witnesses scheduled to testify include representatives from AAA, motorcyclists and a research council that works for the petroleum industry and auto makers. Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis CEO of Growth Energy …
Ethanol Opponents Appealing to Supreme Court
Oil companies and food manufacturers are taking their lawsuit seeking to ban 15% ethanol (E15) fuel to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lower courts have already rejected the attempt by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) to reverse the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision allowing E15 in the marketplace as a consumer choice for vehicles newer …
Europe Imposes Tariff on US Ethanol
According to U.S. ethanol organizations, the European Commission (EC) is officially imposing a $83.03 per metric ton tariff on U.S. ethanol entering the European Union (EU). The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy issued a joint statement on the action. “This tariff is outrageous and based on absolutely no facts or evidence of harm. An extensive investigation was conducted …
Former Congressman at Iowa RFA
Eight term Iowa congressman Leonard Boswell is continuing to support renewable fuels in his state despite losing his re-election bid in re-districting last year to Tom Latham. Boswell attended the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit last month because it is something he says he cares deeply about. “I am so wound up in things like renewable fuels, it’s just one of …
Ethanol Continues to be Job Creator
Despite facing major challenges in 2012, the ethanol industry still created more than 380,000 jobs and $43 Billion in Gross Domestic Product, according to the latest analysis conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “The study reaffirms that this is an important industry for the overall economy but more importantly for rural America,” said study author …
Car Makers Take Stage at Ethanol Conference
Representatives from General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz talked “Future Fuels and Higher Octane” at the National Ethanol Conference last week in Las Vegas. Kristy Moore, Vice President, Technical Services, Renewable Fuels Association moderated the panel and said the manufacturers are facing some real challenges. “They are under significant pressure to create a vehicle that meets these regulatory …
President Calls for More Sustainable Energy
Citing a need for increasing jobs and combating climate change, President Obama pledged to do more to “speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy” during his 2013 State of the Union address. Four years ago, other countries dominated the clean energy market and the jobs that came with it. And we’ve begun to change that. Last year, wind …
Most Entertaining Panels at Ethanol Conference
As always, the Global Perspectives and Washington Insiders panels at the National Ethanol Conference were as entertaining as ever. The panels routinely feature representatives from other organizations that may not share the same viewpoint of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), allowing the opportunity for some interesting dialogue. Global Renewable Fuels Alliance spokesperson Bliss Baker served as the moderator/referee for the …