California has an ethanol industry that is growing in size and importance. That’s why members of the National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Committee went to Sacramento last week to meet with California regulators and ethanol industry representatives in this important market. This news release from NCGA says the meetings focused on existing market conditions, modeling to calculate greenhouse gas emissions …
Phibro Ethanol Group’s Lactrol Helps Bottom Line
The FDA’s Food Modernization Safety Act (FMSA) has been creating some confusion among ethanol plant operators who produce the co-product distiller’s grains (DDGS) for livestock feed, due to the use of antimicrobials in the production process. “Interestingly enough, the actual Food Safety Modernization Act document in the federal register does not mention the words antimicrobial or antibiotic once,” says Phibro …
#RFS is a Top Issue for Ag Equipment Makers
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted an Ag Executive Outlook panel during the opening day of the 2016 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week and one of the top issues for the organization is maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). AEM’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Nick Yaksich says building demand is vital for the agriculture …
Sandia Labs’ Launches New Algae Raceway
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new algae raceway testing facility to bridge the gap between lab and real world. Today, scientists have not yet discovered a cost-competitive way to convert algae to renewable fuels. The new Sandia algae testing facility is comprised of three 1,000-liter oval raceway ponds that feature advanced monitoring. “This facility helps bridge the …
ICM, Inc Names New VP of Technology
ICM, Inc. has named Steve Hartig vice president of technology development. ICM, Inc. CEO Dave VanderGriend says Hartig brings 35 years of experience leading global businesses with much of his career spent working in biofuels, coatings, resins, biomedical materials and polymers. “We strive to build the best team in the industry … and we feel confident Steve will be a …
Ensyn Corp Receives CARB Approval
Ensyn Corporation has receive regulatory approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the use of Renewable Fuel Oil (RFO) as a feedstock for refineries in California for the production of renewable gasoline and renewable diesel. The approvals come as part of the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). RFO is a collaboration between Ensyn, Tesoro Corporation and Chevron. …
Caucus Results Don’t Seem to Reflect Ag Views
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do Iowa Caucus results reflect ag views?” The early caucuses may influence some voters, however not the majority of those that took our latest poll. 63% said the Iowa Caucus results don’t reflect their ag views. Ag issues are continually at the forefront of our minds, but few leading candidates have taken to addressing …
Energy in the Budget Proposal
As promised, energy was a focus of President Obama’s 2017 budget proposal, officially unveiled on Tuesday, with a promise to “move our economy away from energy sources that fuel climate change.” The budget provides for $7.7 billion in discretionary funding for clean energy research and development across 12 agencies, including $106 million for USDA to “support development of biobased energy …
December Ethanol Exports Surge
According to a blog from Geoff Cooper, senior vice president for the Renewable Fuel Association (RFA), U.S. ethanol exports did well in December 2015 with 81.7 million gallons (mg) of product exported, 39 percent higher than November 2015. Canada was the top destination receiving 21.3 mg followed by Oman (13.4 mg), China (10.6 mg), the Philippines (8.8 mg), and the …
South Dakota Gets Grant to Increase Ethanol Use
The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation has given a $1.5 million grant to the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) to increase the state’s use of ethanol. The program receiving the funds is the state’s Ethanol Infrastructure Program that helps fuel retailers install blender pumps to sell mid-level and high-level ethanol blends such as E15 and E85. With the …