The EPA has just started the 30-day comment period for a proposed waiver of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). And just as the comments started, the National Corn Growers Association has asked for even more time for comments to come in. But there’s no lack of viewpoints already out there. In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we’ll hear …
Vilsack Announces 106 Renewable Energy Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 106 projects in 29 states, Guam and Puerto Rico have been selected for funding to make renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. Money for the projects comes from the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. “The Obama Administration is helping agricultural producers and rural small …
Most Positive ACE Conference Ever
Despite a drought that is lowering the corn crop and causing ethanol plant shutdowns, American Coalition for Ethanol Executive Vice President Brian Jennings thinks the organization’s 25th annual conference last week was the most positive ever. “We’re really encouraged and enthused about how the conference went,” said Jennings. “We know things are tough out there but we ended this conference …
RFA Puts USDA Crop Report in Context
Renewable Fuels Association Vice President of Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper put together an analysis of today’s USDA crop supply report on the RFA E-xchange Blog to put the report into perspective from both a historical context as well as a global production context, answering calls from some international voices to end global biofuel production. “As expected, this morning’s supply-demand …
Ag Secy Vilsack Stresses Support of RFS
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack demonstrated his strong commitment to the ethanol industry and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by spending over an hour at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference on Friday morning. “This is an industry that is worth supporting,” he told the crowd of about 250 ethanol industry leaders. “Which is why the president is supporting the …
Corn & Soybeans Down in USDA Report
The drought is certainly taking its toll on row crops, and that could be trouble for the nation’s biodiesel and ethanol makers. The latest USDA crop report out this morning shows that the corn harvest this year will be down 13 percent from last year’s numbers, with soybeans expected to be 12 percent lower than 2011. Corn production is forecast …
DF Cast: House’s Turn at Biofuels in Farm Bill
During the last Domestic Fuel Cast, we talked about the U.S. Senate’s work on the renewable energy provisions of the Farm Bill. In this edition, we follow the debate over to the House, where not much funding in the energy title of the bill moved out of the Agriculture Committee. Listen to what some key lawmakers, as well as leaders …
New Investments to Drive Biofuels Innovations
The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy Wednesday announced a $41 million investment in 13 projects designed to drive more efficient biofuels production and feedstock improvements. “If we want to develop affordable alternatives for oil and gasoline that will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need investments like these projects to spur innovation in bioenergy,” said Agriculture …
Ag Chief: Biodiesel Driving, Revitalizing Rural Economy
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack traveled back to Iowa today, praising biodiesel in his home state for driving and revitalizing rural America’s economy. In remarks during a meeting with Iowa biodiesel and farm industry representatives at the Soy Energy biodiesel production facility in Mason City, the USDA chief pointed to the green fuel as a demonstration of farmers bouncing …
Biofuels Play Major Role in Great Green Fleet Exercise
Biofuels are playing a significant role in the biggest maritime exercise in the world. About 450,000 gallons of biofuels made from non-food stocks have been used to fuel the ships and aircraft, known as the “Great Green Fleet,” taking part in the U.S. Navy’s and allied nation’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). “Yesterday, off the coast of Hawaii, was …