The amount of corn necessary to make a gallon of ethanol is less than previously believed according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report. In today’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report (WASDE), corn use for ethanol production was projected 50 million bushels lower based on the new Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report recently released by the …
Researchers Combine Biomass, Solar Conversion
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have come up with a new approach to combine solar energy conversion and biomass conversion. In a study published this week in Nature Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison chemistry Professor Kyoung-Shin Choi and postdoctoral researcher Hyun Gil Cha discussed their research to split water into hydrogen, a clean fuel, and oxygen using photoelectrochemical solar cells (PECs). They …
Recovery of China DDGS Market Continues
Ethanol exports from the United States dropped in January and while distillers grains (DDGS) exports were also lower compared to December, the Chinese market for DDGS is showing recovery. According to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) vice president Geoff Cooper, U.S. ethanol producers exported 68.7 million gallons of ethanol in January, down 9% from December 2014 and the lowest since September …
RFS in Spotlight at Iowa Ag Summit
Nine potential Republican presidential were asked to address their opinions on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) at the Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines on Saturday. The final score was six in favor, three opposed. On the plus side were former Florida governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, …
Leno Anti Ethanol Rant Raises Eyebrows
Former Tonight Show host, comedian, and car enthusiast Jay Leno is being taken to task by automotive experts for a harshly-worded, negative article in AutoWeek entitled “Can’t We Just Get Rid of Ethanol?” The thrust of the article is to support reform or elimination of the Renewable Fuel Standard and even attacks farmers. I just don’t see the need for …
Iowa Governor Visits Golden Grain Energy
Golden Grain Energy officials and employees had the opportunity to thank Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for his support of ethanol when he paid a visit to the plant in Mason City on Wednesday. “Governor Branstad has always been very supportive of the plant and the industry as a whole. It means a lot to be able to have the governor …
Vilsack Stresses RFS Support at #Classic15
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to over 7000 agricultural producers and industry members during his 6th appearance at Commodity Classic on Friday. Sec. Vilsack began by stating that he “was in the presence of greatness” and went on to thank farmers for all that they do on a daily basis. He also thanked farmers for their work on the …
Growth Energy Holds 6th Leadership Conference
Growth Energy held its sixth annual Executive Leadership Conference last week in Phoenix, featuring appearances by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative Darci Vetter. Growth Energy Board of Directors co-chair Jeff Broin delivered a “Chairman’s Report” outlining the current state of the renewable fuels industry and how this year is all about “moving …
Rail Issues Panel at #NEC15
The last but certainly not least panel at the 2015 National Ethanol Conference dealt with the timely issue of rail transportation and how safety and congestion are impacting the marketplace. Renewable Fuels Association Director of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis moderated the panel which featured Dana Lewis with Redfield Energy, Todd Tranausky with Argus Media, and Rail Supply Institute president Tom …
Biofuels and Ag Groups Protest Anti-RFS Bill
U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced legislation that would abolish the corn ethanol mandate in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), with Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) as a co-sponsor. The move was immediately criticized by both ethanol and agricultural organizations. “Senators Feinstein and Toomey continue to operate under the misguided assumption that the RFS is driving …