U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced a final rule for the safe transportation of flammable liquids by rail. The final rule, developed in coordination with Canada, focuses on “safety improvements that are designed to prevent accidents, mitigate consequences in the event of an accident, and support emergency response.” “Safety has been our top priority at every step in the …
U.S. Ethanol Exports Rebound in 2014
USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service reports that exports of U.S. ethanol exports rebounded last year after two years of declines. It was the second highest level of ethanol exports in history, making the United States the largest exporter of ethanol in the world, surpassing Brazil for the second time. Value and volume of ethanol exports were both up approximately 35 percent …
NBB Talks Biodiesel Issues with NAFB
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) took part in the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch this week to talk with reporters from around the country about issues important to the industry, number one being get the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) back on track. “We hope that they not only get it back on track but get those volumes …
Ethanol Report from NAFB Washington Watch
Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting were on Capitol Hill this week for their annual Washington Watch, and the Renewable Fuels Association was once again pleased to participate. RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen was interviewed by dozens of broadcasters from around the country addressing a number of different topics. In this edition of the Ethanol Report, Sabrina …
RFA CEO Talks RFS with NAFB
Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) are on Capitol Hill this week talking with lawmakers, administration officials, and industry organizations about topics important to agriculture, which include the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen had some new information to share with broadcasters about support for the RFS among the general …
American Ethanol Finishes 5 Years with NASCAR
Over the weekend at Richmond International Raceway, American Ethanol and NASCAR officially celebrated five years and seven million miles of running on 15% ethanol blended Sunoco Green E15, unveiling a new paint scheme with E15 prominently located on the hood of Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet SS. Dillon, who has been advocating the benefits of ethanol for three years now, …
USDA Presents Climate Change Initiative
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and presidential advisor Brian Deese visited Michigan State University Thursday to announce a comprehensive national strategy to partner with farmers, ranchers and forest land owners to address the threat of climate change. The new initiative, “Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry”, will utilize voluntary, incentive-based conservation, forestry, and energy programs to reduce greenhouse gas …
E15 Bill Introduced in the House
A bipartisan bill was introduced in the U.S. House yesterday as a companion to the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2015 in the Senate. Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA), along with Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO), Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN), and Congressman David Young (R-IA) are co-sponsoring the House legislation, which removes the burdensome restrictions placed on the ethanol marketplace by …
Vilsack Flips Switch on New Solar Farm
On Earth Day, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack flipped the switch to symbolically activate USDA’s first solar array project in the National Capital Region. The 1.6 Megawatt (MW) solar farm, located at the George Washington Carver Center (Carver Center) in Beltsville, Maryland, is the largest solar array on federal property in this region. This project, which is part of a larger …
Farmers Live #EarthDay Every Day
This year marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day but farmers have been living the spirit of stewardship for natural resources for generations and have been leaders in the generation of renewable energy sources like biofuels, wind and solar. “For hundreds of years, America’s farmers have been working our land and providing the country and the world with high quality …