The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) announced today that Joel Velasco, the organization’s Washington, DC-based Chief Representative for North America, is leaving the position he has held since 2007, to join Amyris, Inc., as Senior Vice-President, External Relations. “Joel has provided UNICA with wise counsel, effective strategy and solid results. We wish him well at Amyris and will continue cooperating …
The Hail Storm Against the Tax Package Intensifies
While many in the domestic U.S. energy industry were giving sighs of relief yesterday after the Senate passed the one-year extension of the tax package, others were not so calm. Two organizations in particular that are not happy with the renewal of the biofuel portion of the tax package were the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) and Friends of the …
Angry Sparks Turning to Flames Over Ethanol Tax Package
As the domestic ethanol industry’s confidence climbs that their ethanol tax incentives will see at least one-year extensions, angry sparks are turning into flames from those opposed to the move. One group in particular that has voiced its opposition to the passing of the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) as well as the ethanol tariff is the Brazilian Sugarcane …
Congress May Make Deal on Tax Cuts
After defeating a compromise measure proposed by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) to extend the Bush tax cuts only for the middle class, the talk on Capitol Hill is now turning to a deal that would keep all of the tax cuts in exchange for extending unemployment benefits. Baucus had proposed a compromise amendment late Thursday that would have continued unemployment …
California to Update Land Use for Ethanol
The California Air Resources Board yesterday agreed to update the land use change and other indirect effects of biofuels production under their Low Carbon Fuels Standard (LCFS). The board is asking for updates to the land use values for corn ethanol, sugarcane ethanol, and soy biodiesel, and other feedstocks by spring of 2011 to implement the LCFS, which currently penalizes …
UNICA Urges Congress to End Ethanol Tariff
“As the dust settled on a midterm election that significantly altered the political landscape, voters sent a clear message that cutting the deficit and ending wasteful government spending should be top priorities for Congress. Americans will be watching closely to see if lawmakers got the message. Eliminating ethanol subsidies and trade protection would be a good way to indicate that …
USDA Speaks, Ethanol Industry Reacts
The ethanol industry praised USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack today and expressed gratitude for his department’s commitment to fulfill the administration’s goal of transitioning to renewable energy. This morning at the Press Club in DC, Vilsack announced a series of measures aimed at supporting the rural economy and reducing dependence on foreign oil that include support for corn-based ethanol. “The …
Weather Impacts Brazil Sugarcane Harvest
Brazil’s sugarcane growing areas went from too little rain earlier this season to too much rain in September, putting a damper on harvest activity, according to the latest report from from the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). Heavy rains, nearly 60 percent higher than average for the month, hampered cane crushing for second consecutive two-week period, but reportedly favored ethanol …
All You Need To Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies
Ever wonder what would happen if the ethanol subsidy disappeared? Well, today UNICA answers that question in their new video, “All I Need to Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies,” that explains to taxpayers how Congress could save them $6 billion per year and help lower prices at the pump. For consumers to reap these savings, all lawmakers have to do …
Brazil Sugarcane Ethanol Update
This year’s Brazilian sugarcane crush figures are being revised downward, but still are higher than last year at the moment. Meanwhile, ethanol production is up from last year but exports are down significantly. That’s according to the latest report from the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). The new forecast projects that crushing will reach 570.191 million tons, 3.70% less than …