Agriculture Secretary Vilsack today renewed a historic agreement with U.S. dairy producers to accelerate the adoption of innovative waste-to-energy projects and energy efficiency improvements on U.S. dairy farms, both of which help producers diversify revenues and reduce utility expenses on their operations. The pact extends a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009. USDA support for agricultural and …
American Ethanol Helps NASCAR Go Green
In honor of Earth Day, racing is shifting gears this month to focus attention on environmental awareness with the NASCAR RACE TO GREEN™ campaign and American Ethanol is part of the effort. The campaign is hosting a National Tree Planting initiative this month encouraging racing teams, tracks, drivers, partners and fans to pledge to plant some trees today – Earth …
USDA Increases Corn for Ethanol Use
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate released this week increased 2012-13 year-ending corn stocks and corn use for ethanol. Domestic corn use for 2012/13 is projected 100 million bushels lower as a 50-million-bushel increase in corn used to produce ethanol partly offsets the lower projection for feed and residual disappearance. Larger-than-expected March 1 corn supplies, lower corn prices, …
Oversupply Could Provide US Sugar for Ethanol
Ethanol producers could get a sweet deal on sugar for ethanol if the administration approves the sale of up to 400,000 tons of surplus sugar under the 2008 Farm Bill Farm Bill Feedstock Flexibility Program. The program allows USDA to buy the surplus sugar and then sell it to ethanol producers at a loss in order to keep prices from …
Around the World on E15 – Twice
In the past month, residents of Baxter, Iowa have driven the equivalent of more than two trips around the world on 15% ethanol fuel (E15). The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today reported that statistic since Baxter fuel retailer Kountry Korner began offering E15 as a registered fuel for 2001 and newer vehicles on March 8, 2013. “Since offering E15 …
Industry Supports Reconsidering Cellulosic Target
A coalition of biofuel producer organizations the reconsideration of the 2011 cellulosic obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In January 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider the 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard obligation for cellulosic biofuels. EPA has implemented the Court’s order and is now voluntarily reconsidering the …
Partnership for Sustainable Cellulosic Feedstock Harvesting
USDA has announced a new collaboration with DuPont to promote sustainable harvesting of bio-based feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol. The joint agreement between USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and DuPont aims to set voluntary standards for the sustainable harvesting of agricultural residues for renewable fuel, and supports rural job creation, additional income for farmers, bio-based energy development, and the safeguarding …
Farmers Expect to Plant Most Corn and Soybeans Ever
According to the USDA 2013 Prospective Plantings report, farmers intend to plant a little more corn and a little less soybeans this year, for a total of 174.4 million acres. “This will be the highest total amount of acres for those two crops that we have on record,” said USDA chief economist Joe Glauber. Corn growers intend to plant 97.3 …
Florida Bill Would Repeal Ethanol Requirement
A bill has been introduced in the Florida legislature that would repeal the state’s Renewable Fuel Standard Act. Currently, the Florida law requires that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler in Florida contain 9-10 percent ethanol, or other alternative fuel, by volume. Legislation to repeal that requirement was considered by the …
Economist Says E85 Will Solve RINS Price Issue
A highly respected oil economist believes the solution to the current Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) price issue is more sales of E85 (85% ethanol). Economist Phil Verleger has weighed in on the RINS situation in the latest edition of Notes at the Margin, his weekly email report about news impacting the petroleum industry. “The obvious solution to the RIN price …