Ryan Lamke has joined Growth Energy as the new Communications Manager and will be responsible for strategic planning, grassroots communications, as well as managing and coordinating social and traditional media efforts to expand Growth Energy’s public relations, legislative affairs and membership agendas. Courtney Henderson has joined as the new Communications Assistant and will be responsible for monitoring media coverage of the biofuels industry, as well as expanding Growth Energy’s digital presence through various social media platforms.- The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has announced its Board of Directors, Officers and Executive Committee for 2014, elected at its Dec. 12, 2013 annual meeting. Each producer member has a seat on the Board and votes on officers. New officers will serve a one-year term during the 2014 calendar year. 2014 IRFA Board of Directors Officers: President, Steve Bleyl, Green Plains Renewable Energy; Vice President, Brian Cahill, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy; Treasurer Tom Brooks, Western Dubuque Biodiesel; Secretary Eamonn Byrne, Plymouth Energy; and Executive Director Monte Shaw (non-voting). The IRFA Executive Committee is comprised of the IRFA Officers and other members as elected by the Board. Elected to join the IRFA Officers on the Executive Committee for 2014 are: Past President Rick Schwarck, Absolute Energy; At-Large Brad Albin, Renewable Energy Group; and At-Large Craig Willis, ADM.
- EPA has issued its annual report that tracks the average fuel economy of vehicles sold in the United States. The report shows that model year 2012 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy of 23.6 miles per gallon (mpg). This represents a 1.2 mpg increase over the previous year, making it the second largest annual increase in the last 30 years. Fuel economy has now increased in seven of the last eight years.
- Earlier this week energy ministers blocked an attempt by the UK to undermine the 20% renewable energy target for 2020 by having advanced biofuels count double. This would have brought the 20% target for 2020 down to 19.6% if adopted, putting at risk the confidence of companies which have invested in renewables based on a binding target of 20%.
