The importance of biofuels to rural development was a focus of the first Farm Bill hearing by the Senate Committee on Agriculture this week. “In the last Farm Bill, this Committee wisely focused on energy policy,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the panel. “Renewable energy – including biofuels, biomass, wind and solar – are an important source of jobs and …
EPA Approval Moves E15 Closer to the Market
Fifteen percent ethanol blended motor fuel has gotten one step closer to commercial availability with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of health effects testing submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy. EPA concluded, “Our evaluation therefore concludes that RFA/Growth Energy has submitted data and analysis that would satisfy the Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing requirements for …
2012 Youngerberg Biodiesel Essay Scholarship Offered
High school seniors in Minnesota are encouraged to apply for the 2012 Reuben Youngerberg Memorial Biodiesel Essay Scholarship. The scholarship is given in memory of Reuben Youngerberg, and in honor of his son, Mike Youngerberg, senior director of field services at Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and huge supporter of biodiesel. The scholarship is sponsored by the Minnesota Soybean Research and …
Company Developing Drop-In Fuel From Biomass
A New Jersey-based company is developing renewable drop-in gasoline from biomass. Primus Green Energy reports that the first sample of renewable drop-in gasoline has been produced through the company’s proprietary combination of biomass conversion technologies. The technique “transforms herbaceous and woody biomass, in conjunction with natural gas, into high-octane gasoline.” According to Primus, the gasoline produced from the technology is …
Higher Blends of Ethanol Would Reduce Prices at Pump
Oil prices have reached a new six-month high as Iran’s reduction of oil shipments to Europe is forcing American motorists to pay more for gasoline. In reaction, the American ethanol industry is telling consumers that higher blends of ethanol in motor fuel would reduce prices at the pump and reduce OPEC’s influence over our nation’s economy. “American motorists are looking …
Brazil Ethanol Sales Down
A lower percentage of ethanol required to be blended with gasoline in Brazil is resulting in lower ethanol sales, according to the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). UNICA reports that ethanol sales by mills in the South-Central region totaled 1.29 billion liters in January, a drop of 32.32% compared to the 1.90 billion liters sold during the same period in …
ACE says E15 Could Help Ease Rising Gas Prices
Could E15 ethanol (a blend of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol) be the economical answer to the nation’s higher fuel costs? The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) believes so. National surveys indicate that gasoline prices are up about 45 cents a gallon compared to a year ago, while ethanol prices have dropped more than 30 cents. Current ethanol wholesale prices …
Looking Forward to a Dieselex Gold Rush
With the official roll out of the FS Energy Products newly-reformulated premium diesel fuel Dieselex Gold coming up next week, we got a little preview from GROWMARK marketing manager for refined and renewable fuels Mark Dehner at last week’s National Biodiesel Conference. “Our Dieselex product was first introduced in the market place in 1952,” Dehner says, explaining that it was …
Higher Farm Equipment Sales This Year?
Just in time for the 2012 National Farm Machinery Show, our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How do you think farm equipment sales will do this year compared to last?” Things are looking bright for exhibitors here since 48% said Higher. However, 34% said Lower and 18% said Same. I think that’s a positive outlook. What do you think? Our …
Advanced Ethanol Group Asks for Tax Extensions
The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) this week urged Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS) to include two key tax extensions for advanced and cellulosic ethanol producers in the next farm bill. In a letter to the committee leaders, AEC Executive Director Brooke Coleman wrote, “The Cellulosic Biofuels Producer Tax Credit (PTC) — created …