Reaction from the ethanol industry started coming out just minutes after the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would deny a request to cut the Renewable Fuels Standard. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen calls the decision “an important victory for all Americans.” “Today’s EPA decision recognizes the importance of biofuels to the American economy,” Dinneen said in a statement. “The …
EPA Denies Ethanol Waiver Request
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it would deny a request by Texas Governor Rick Perry to reduce the Renewable Fuels Standard. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson says they carefully considered the more than 15,000 comments on the issue and found that “the RFS is not causing economic harm but is strengthening our nation’s energy security and supporting American farming …
Cutting Ethanol Production Would Increase Gas Prices
In advance of EPA’s decision to be announced today on the requested partial waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is warning that cutting ethanol production will increase gasoline prices “substantially.” The comments were filed in response to a study prepared for the state of Texas by Phillip K. Verleger and Darrel B. Chodorow who …
Corn Price Relief Good News for Ethanol Makers
Ethanol makers, who have been having a tough time making ends meet as their primary feedstock skyrocketed in price, are finally seeing some relief in lower prices… and better bottom lines. This Aberdeen (SD) American News article posted on the Chicago Tribune web site has details: The industry, which buys corn to make ethanol, has been finding it tough to …
Georgia Researchers Increasing Ethanol Yields
A group of researchers from the University of Georgia are working on technology to get more ethanol from non-food sources, such as biomass. This story from ChemicalOnline.com says they’re finding a way to make ethanol out of bermuda grass, switch grass, napier grass and even lawn clippings cleaner than previous biomass ethanol efforts: “Producing ethanol from renewable biomass sources such …
EPA To Announce Ethanol Waiver Decision
The highly-anticipated decision by the Environmental Protection Agency on whether to grant a partial waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard will be announced Thursday afternoon. EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson and Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Robert Meyers will hold a press conference at noon central time to officially answer the request from Texas Governor Rick Perry to cut the RFS ethanol …
New Cellulosic Ethanol Partnership
BP and Verenium Corporation have announced the creation of a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. According to a Verenium press release, the partnership “combines a broad technology platform and operational capabilities in an effort to advance the development of a portfolio of low-cost, environmentally sound cellulosic ethanol production facilities in the United States, and …
Ethanol Wins in Missouri Primary
Missouri’s ethanol industry got a boost today as pro-ethanol Republican gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof defeated Sarah Steelman, who had vowed to cancel the state’s new ethanol mandate. Hulshof will now face Democratic candidate Jay Nixon, who also purports to support ethanol. As you might remember from my earlier posts (especially on July 23), ethanol had become a key issue in …