The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has announced a new vice president of federal affairs to serve the industry on Capitol Hill. Anne Steckel, who will lead NBB’s Washington office, brings nearly 15 years of Washington experience to the job. Currently chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson of California, she has overseen legislative issues for several members of Congress, …
RFA Offers Free 15% Ethanol Pump Labels
The Renewable Fuels Association is offering EPA-approved labels to gasoline marketers free of charge. The labels comply with the language and design rules finalized by EPA in June to implement the use of E15 for cars, pickups, and SUVs made in model year 2001 and newer. The labels will be required on every pump offering E15 once EPA has certified …
Ethanol Compromise Not in Debt Deal
The deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling and make spending cuts agreed upon by President Obama and congressional leaders includes no mention of the compromise to reform ethanol policy worked out last month in the Senate and ethanol industry leaders are disappointed. “As this deal calls for a commission and a future budget framework, the possibility still exists for …
Corn Growers Have Chance to Win NASCAR Tickets
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Pioneer HI-Bred are offering corn growers a chance to win a NASCAR dream day to the Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn., on Saturday, Aug. 27. The package includes two tickets to the race, as well as a personal visit with racing legend Jeff Gordon. Only members of NCGA …
Florida Farm to Fuel Event Reorganizing
New dates have been scheduled for a conference on the future of energy in Florida. The 6th annual Farm to Fuel Summit had been scheduled for August 3-5 in Orlando but was postponed in May after the Florida legislature approved the transfer of the State Energy Office from the Executive Office of the Governor to the Department of Agriculture and …
USDA Announces Biomass Production Projects
More biomass production projects have been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, keynoting the Department of Energy Biomass 2011 conference today, announced the creation of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas in six states to expand the availability of non-food crops to be used in the manufacturing of liquid biofuels. Two of …
RFA Ads Tout Ethanol Reducing Gas Prices
The Renewable Fuels Association is spreading the news that ethanol is helping to keep gas prices lower than they could be. The new advertising campaign quotes a recent study that found ethanol reduced gas prices by 89 cents in 2010 and if ethanol were to disappear, gas prices could rise by as much as 92%. In the past month, the …
New Study Shows Energy Efficiency of Soy Biodiesel
A new study shows that biodiesel offers an amazing 5-to-1 return over fossil energy sources. The study by the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture concludes that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 5.54 units of renewable energy. This energy-in, energy-out ratio is called “energy balance” or “fossil energy ratio.” “This …
First Biodiesel School Bus Retires
What is believed to be the nation’s first school bus to run on a biodiesel blend was put out to pasture at the end of the 2010-11 school year, according to the National Biodiesel Board. When Medford, New Jersey’s 1998 International school bus retired at the end of June, it reached a milestone in the process. The bus was the …
Effort to Block 15% Ethanol Waiver in the House
An effort that would prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from implementing its approved waiver for E15 ethanol blends in America’s fuel supply is being led by Reps. John Sullivan (R-OK) and Gary Peters (D-MI). Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says they intend to fight against an amendment to the FY 2012 Department of the Interior and EPA funding bills …