University of Illinois agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey gave an update on the farm economy at the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau annual meeting last week, and the news overall was bleak. “We’re seeing deteriorating financial conditions on many farms and we’re likely to continue to see that as long as we have corn prices below four dollars a bushel,” said …
PERC Launches Autogas Newsletter
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is launching a new quarterly e-newsletter this month for transportation professionals interested in propane autogas. “We know how busy transportation professionals are every day, so we’re going to take only the most important must-have news and information, and package it in an easy-to-consume format every quarter,” said Michael Taylor, director of autogas business …
Clariant Fleet Tests Cellulosic Ethanol in Germany
A 20 percent blend of cellulosic ethanol was tested in Mercedez Benz fleet vehicles in Germany over the past year and found to provide “excellent combustion characteristics without additional consumption.” Specialty chemicals company Clariant joined with Mercedes-Benz and Haltermann Carless to perform the fleet test using sunliquid® 20, a fuel produced by Haltermann Carless with a cellulosic ethanol content of …
Iowa RFA Presents High School Video Awards
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) presented this year’s winners of the “Fuel the Future” High School Video Contest at the annual summit this week. First place went to Jacob Roush and Dylan Smith of Waukee who received the $1,000 Grand Prize for their video “Choose Ethanol: Fuel the Future.” Amy Wieland and Tyler Groathouse of Waukee High School won …
#Ethanol Production Continues to Grow
Ethanol production set yet another record last week, continuing a trend that started at the end of 2016. According to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged 1.061 million barrels per day (b/d) or 44.56 million gallons daily. That is up 10,000 b/d from the week before and a new record. It is …
“Make #Ethanol Great Again!”
The president of the Renewable Fuels Association took a lead from the new president of the United States at the 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit Tuesday, encouraging the industry to “make ethanol great again.” “I believe we are on the cusp of making ethanol great again,” said RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen, who added that support for ethanol has …
Iowa Renewable Fuels “Unrelenting”
The 2017 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing the industry this year. “The state of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry is uncertain but unrelenting,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We are ready to expand and bring cheaper, cleaner, home-grown fuels to US and world consumers.” Concerning federal policy, Shaw foresees unrelenting progress …
GM and Honda Join for Fuel Cell Production
General Motors and Honda are teaming up to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system in the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture. Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC will operate within GM’s existing battery pack manufacturing facility site in Brownstown, Michigan, south of Detroit. Mass production of fuel cell systems is expected to begin around 2020 and create nearly …
RFA Course to Help #Ethanol Plants Meet FDA Regs
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is offering a training course to help ethanol plants meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The class is scheduled for March 8–10 in St. Louis and is designed for personnel overseeing a facility’s food safety plan. RFA Regulatory Affairs Director and FSPCA Lead Instructor Kelly Davis will team with Ralco Nutrition’s …
General Motors Pleased to Take Biodiesel Lead
General Motors was very pleased to announce its expanded portfolio of B20-capable vehicles during the recent 14th National Biodiesel Conference in San Diego, taking the lead among auto makers with 20 trucks, cars and crossovers able to use 20% biodiesel. “We listen to what our customers are asking us for,” said John Schwegman, GM Director of Commercial Product and Medium …