Environmental organizations have withdrawn their support of a challenge to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) brought by the National Chicken Council, National Meat Association, and National Turkey Federation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard oral arguments today in the lawsuit that challenges RFS regulations issued on March 26, 2010. The challenge is focused on …
App for National Ethanol Conference
The 17th annual National Ethanol Conference is just around the corner, February 22-24 in Orlando, but those who are registered can start networking with fellow attendees now through the NEC mobile app. NEC Connect provides access to the online social networking community designed specifically for the NEC, allowing attendees to design their own profile, link other social networking sites to …
RFA Calls E15 Bill Another Stall Tactic
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 …
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 …
Eight Students Selected for Conference Scholarship
Eight students will receive a scholarship to attend the 17th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Accelerating Industry Innovation, according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF). This is the third year the scholarship has been available to students in higher education. Recipients receive complimentary registration to the conference and the opportunity to connect with hundreds of …
USDA Accepting REAP Fund Apps for Blender Pumps
Blender pumps give consumers flexibility and choice of ethanol blends when they are fueling up. Now, the USDA is accepting applications for REAP funds that can be used by retailers who want to install more blender pumps. This is the second year that blender pumps have been authorized as part of the REAP program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in …
Ag Secretary to Speak at Ethanol Conference
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will be a headline speaker on Friday, February 24th, at the 17th annual National Ethanol Conference, which is being held February 22-24 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando. During his tenure, Secretary Vilsack has been a champion for all domestic renewable fuels, including ethanol. Secretary Vilsack has led the charge to modernize …
Judge Denies Attempt to Enforce California LCFS
The federal district court judge who ruled California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) to be unconstitutional has denied a motion to continue implementation of the law. On Monday, Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill denied the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) motion to stay the decision he issued on December 29, 2011 that had halted the enforcement of the LCFS regulation because …
Registration Deadline Nearing for Ethanol Conference
The 2012 National Ethanol Conference, coming up February 22-24 in Orlando, is a must-attend for anyone in the ethanol industry. Among the highlights of the conference will be opening general session keynoter Dr. James Canton, futurist and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures. For over 30 years, Canton has been insightfully predicting the key trends that have shaped our …
Ethanol Exports Surge in 2011
The latest numbers show that November ethanol exports set another record and that means total exports for 2011 could well exceed a billion gallons. U.S. exports of denatured and undenatured (non-beverage) ethanol set a new monthly record of 152.5 million gallons (mg) in November, according to government data released this morning. Brazil was the leading destination for U.S. product and …