A bill was introduced today in the Senate that would modify the current ethanol blender’s tax credit set to expire at the end of this year. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says the bipartisan Domestic Energy Promotion Act of 2011 introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) already has a number of co-sponsors. “Senators Conrad, Johanns, Klobuchar, Franken, …
Senate Bill Would Modify Ethanol Tax Credit
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley today introduced bi-partisan legislation to reform the current Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) while still supporting the domestic ethanol industry. Introducing the bill, Grassley said the Domestic Energy Promotion Act of 2011 would reduce the VEETC for a two year period before transitioning to a tax credit that would adjust based on the price of …
Ethanol Leader Challenges EIA Reporting
The Energy Information Administration predicts only very modest production of cellulosic ethanol by the year 2022, but the industry is more optimistic. Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen challenged some of the reporting and assumptions the EIA made in the latest energy outlook, which administrator Richard Newell presented at the 4th International Biomass Conference in St. Louis this week. EIA …
Biomass Industry Execs Discuss Future
All energy of the bio variety – biomass, biogas, biodiesel and biofuels – were represented at the 4th International Biomass Conference and Expo on Monday during a panel featuring executives of seven different industry organizations. Moderator Tom Bryan, Vice President of BBI International, asked the panel was what the top priorities for their organizations are this year. “Just getting parity …
Biomass Conference Kicks Off in St. Louis
The International Biomass Conference is being held this week at the America’s Center in St. Louis. Domestic Fuel will be there Tuesday morning for the plenary session that starts with a keynote address from Dr. Richard Newell, Administrator, U.S. Energy Information Administration, who recently testified during a Senate Ag Committee Hearing on high gas prices and the role agriculture may …
Study – Ethanol Saves Consumers 25 Cents at Pump
According to a new study released today by Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin, in 2010, on average the use of ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of .89 cents per gallon. The research was conducted by a number of economists and released by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) and is an update …
RFA Says Ethanol Helps Gas Prices
The latest average cost for a gallon of gas nationwide, as reported by AAA, is $3.88, but it would already be $4.00 a gallon without ten percent ethanol. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), based on current market conditions and federal renewable fuels policy, 10 percent ethanol blends (E10) are keeping gasoline prices $0.12 per gallon cheaper than they …
Ethanol Safety Class Heads to Texas
Two FREE Ethanol Safety Seminars are heading to Texas and targeted to first responders, hazmat teams, safety managers and local emergency planning committees. Hosted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the first seminar will be located in Houston, TX on May 2nd in partnership with the Houston-Galveston Clean Cities Coalition. The second seminar will be hosted on May 3rd in …
CARD Revisits History of Ethanol and Corn Prices
A new report from the Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) revisits history to look at the impact of ethanol and ethanol subsidies on corn prices. The analysis by Bruce Babcock and Jacinto Fabiosa uses a computer model to “rewrite history” by re-creating what actually happened in agricultural markets then removing government incentives to produce and …
Corn Ethanol Policy Forum Held in DC
There have been numerous Senates hearings recently discussing elements of the country’s energy plan. A recent forum on Corn Ethanol Policy took place in the 112th Congress. While the forum was not broadcast, expected to give the opening remarks were Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Representative Earl Blumenauer. Flake’s aniti-ethanol amendment was passed in the House …