General Motors is the number one maker of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) for the 2017 model year (MY2017), according to a new brochure released this week by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). For MY2017, GM has 17 FFV model offerings, followed by Ford/Lincoln/Mercury with 12 FFV models available and Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep with nine. Toyota offers two FFV models for MY2017, while …
2017 Eye on Biodiesel Awards
The National Biodiesel Board presented its annual Eye on Biodiesel awards this week at the organization’s annual meeting in San Diego. Climate Leader Award – New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides – who sponsored a measure that grows the amount of biodiesel in heating oil in the City from the current two percent level to five percent October 1, …
Trump EPA Nominee Questioned on RFS
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt answered questions about his support of renewable fuels during his Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President-elect Donald Trump. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, asked Pruitt about his commitment to uphold the congressional intent of the Renewable …
Iowa RFA Expresses Concerns with Trump Ag Choice
President-elect Donald Trump will officially round out his cabinet by nominating former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture just a little more than 24 hours before the inauguration. As word about the choice spread Wednesday evening, most groups were waiting until the official announcement to respond, but one of the first was the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, which …
GM Announces 20 for B20 in Diesel Vehicle Lineup
General Motors is fueling America’s future with biodiesel by expanding its B20-capable lineup to include new cars, crossovers and trucks. John Schwegman, Director of Commercial Product and Medium Duty Product for General Motors, delivered the news during the general session at the 2017 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in San Diego Tuesday. “Diesel propulsion deserves wider consideration by fleet managers …
New NBB CEO and Chairman Kick Off #NBB17
National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen and Chairman Kent Engelbrecht of ADM kicked off the 2017 National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego Tuesday with a look at how biodiesel has continued to triumph over the years despite being an underdog. “NBB was created by a visionary and insightful group of soybean organizations in 1992, before biodiesel even existed in the …
Ethanol Industry Thanks Trump in New Ad
The renewable fuels industry is thanking incoming President Donald Trump with a new television ad airing this inauguration week. The new ad will be airing during MSNBC’s Morning Joe program and will also appear on digital channels. “Donald Trump’s campaign united millions of voters who care deeply about America’s leadership on clean, homegrown energy,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO …
#Ethanol Fan Childress to Join NASCAR Hall of Fame
Racing legend and American Ethanol supporter Richard Childress will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame this week. A self-made racer and owner, Childress helped move NASCAR to 15 percent ethanol and also serves as a board member for Growth Energy. “He helped introduce the sport to ethanol, demonstrating time and again the performance benefits of higher-octane, homegrown fuels,” …
Fueling Biodiesel’s Future in San Diego
Biodiesel enthusiasts are converging in San Diego this week for shows and announcements at the industry’s largest gathering of producers, distributors and fans. The 14th Annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo officially kicks off this morning with an overview of the industry at the conference’s General Session, which is followed by numerous breakout sessions where experts will present on the …
New UN Report Shows Food vs Fuel Fallacy
A new report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) finds that food prices declined for the fifth year in a row in 2016, down 1.5 percent from 2015. That included a steady decline in cereal prices- which includes maize or corn – which fell 9.6 percent from 2015 and were down 39 percent from their 2011 peak. …