The House Agriculture Committee passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (FARRM) of 2013 by a vote of 36 to 10 late Wednesday night. While the bill does contain an energy title, an amendment to make funding of energy programs mandatory was defeated. “We thank the entire committee for reauthorizing the programs, but mandatory funding is vital to …
Keeping RFS Still Top Concern for Ethanol Industry
Progress on a new farm bill is all well and good but defending the Renewable Fuel Standard remains the top priority for the ethanol industry. “The attack on the Renewable Fuel Standard is first and foremost and coupled with it is the blend wall,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis st the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Washington Watch …
Senate Panel Approves Farm Bill with Energy Title
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 15-5 today to approve the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, which includes cuts to reduce the deficit by $23 billion dollars but still offers a commitment to renewable energy. The bill includes an energy title that helps to advance “bio-energy production, supporting advanced biomass energy production such as cellulosic ethanol and pellets …
New Farm Policy Possible Because of Ethanol
As the Senate and House Agriculture Committees begin to mark up a new farm bill this week, big changes are expected in the next farm bill when it comes to farm programs and ethanol is helping to make that happen. At the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch issues forum on Monday, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO …
Florida Governor Urged to Veto Anti-Ethanol Bill
In the wake of a bill passed by the Florida Legislation to repeal a law calling for the use of 10% ethanol blends in the state, automotive technician and talk show host Bobby Likis had an op-ed in the Pensacola News Journal over the weekend calling on the governor to veto the bill. “What could be more devastating than ditching …
RFA Announces New Communications Director
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today announced that Dawn Schueller Moore has joined the staff as Communications Director. Moore served as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin for nearly three years and has publicized issues and events ranging from agriculture, rural development, Supreme Court Justices Sotomayor and Kagan’s nomination hearings and Senator Kohl’s “No Oil Producing & …
Farm Broadcasters in Nation’s Capitol
It’s time for National Association of Farm Broadcasting members to gather in Washington, DC for their annual Washington Watch program. Activities this afternoon with the Issues Forum, sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association. Among the topics sure to be discussed will be what a new farm bill may hold for renewable energy and the latest on attacks to the Renewable …
MLP Parity Could Boost Renewable Energy Projects
Legislation has been re-introduced in Congress that would give investors in renewable energy projects access to a corporate structure currently only available for fossil fuel-based energy projects. The Master Limited Partnerships (MLP) Parity Act modifies the federal tax code by helping additional energy-generation and renewable fuels companies form master limited partnerships, which combine the funding advantages of corporations and the …
Sixth E15 Station Opens in Iowa
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association reports that Sperry One Stop in Coon Rapids is the sixth Iowa retailer to offer 15% ethanol as a registered fuel for all 2001 and newer passenger vehicles and all flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). “This is a new station and we want to be offering the fuels of the future, and that’s cleaner-burning, American made …
AEC Calls for End to Advanced Biofuel Delays
The Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC) has sent a letter to the White House expressing concern about ongoing delays in the approval process for advanced biofuel pathways pursuant to the implementation of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The letter calls for the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prioritize and approve a number of these pathways to …