The soybean farmers got it going, but producer members are now assuming the leadership at the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). NBB members elected their trade association leadership today, including Gary Haer with Renewable Energy Group (REG) as the first producer to take the chairman role. Members also elected four returning governing board members and three new members to serve on …
Ethanol Report From NAFB
There were lots of ethanol issues to discuss at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual Trade Talk event in Kansas City last week. The topics included the lame duck session of Congress, importance of renewing biofuels tax incentives, doing more to invest in cellulosic ethanol, labeling for E15 at the pump, just to name a few. Renewable Fuels Association …
Ethanol Industry Testifies at EPA E15 Hearing
Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis and organization founding member Dave Vander Griend of ICM were the first to testify at a public hearing today in Chicago on EPA’s proposed label for 15 percent ethanol fuel at the pump. Buis stressed that the country has gone through fuel changes before, such as the transition to unleaded, and he is confident the …
EPA Hearing Today on E15 Ethanol Proposal
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public hearing today at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, starting at 10 am central and continuing “until everyone present has had a chance to speak” on the agency’s proposed rule governing how pumps carrying E15 will be labeled. Among those scheduled to testify are representatives of the ethanol organization Growth Energy, including …
New Senator Expects Ethanol Tax Credit Extension
The new Senator-Elect for Kansas believes the ethanol and biodiesel tax credits will be extended by Congress in the lame duck session. “Both of those will be part of this tax package that I think can and will pass during the lame duck session,” said Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS), who was just elected as senator after 14 years in the …
ICM to Retrofit Hereford Ethanol Plant
ICM, Inc. has signed a contract with Hereford Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Murphy Oil USA, to retrofit an ethanol plant located near Hereford, Texas. Hereford Renewable Energy acquired the uncompleted plant from the lenders of its former owner, Hereford Biofuels, which filed for bankruptcy. “ICM is excited for the opportunity to continue its work with Murphy to help its …
New USDA Reports Find Less Corn, More Ethanol
The latest reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are lowering the forecast for this year’s corn crop, but raising the expected use of corn for ethanol. Corn production is now forecast at 12.5 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the October forecast and down 4 percent from last year’s record production of 13.1 billion bushels. The reason for the …
RFA Urges White House to Support Cellulosic Ethanol
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is urging the White House to “stay the course” on advance biofuels. In a letter hand to President Obama this week, RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen urged the Obama Administration to maintain its commitment to the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels. The RFA letter is in response to a White House …
Opponants File Lawsuit Over Ethanol Decision
A coalition of food and livestock organizations has filed suit in federal court to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to allow gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (“E15”) to be sold for cars manufactured in the 2007 model year or later. Farm and food petitioners in the suit, which was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the …
Advance to the 2011 Biodiesel Conference
It is time to start thinking about the next National Biodiesel Conference, coming up February 6-9 in Phoenix. Registration is now open with special early bird discounts until available until November 19. The theme of the 2011 conference is “Advance” – reflecting the fact that biodiesel is classified as an advanced biofuel by EPA under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2). …