No time like Independence Day to renew the call for renewables to increase our energy independence. This week, with Congress preparing for an Independence Day recess prior to debate on a new energy bill, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is stepping up its campaign to ensure that corn-based ethanol is part of the formula that brings our country to …
Senators Call for Increasing Ethanol Blend Rate
Midwestern senators are calling on the Obama administration to stop delaying testing that would allow an increase in the blend rate of ethanol in gasoline to 15 percent. In a letter to President Obama, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and six other senators expressed concern that the Department of Energy (DOE) has not yet completed testing higher blends of ethanol …
Florida Farm to Fuel Summit Coming Up in August
As the nation’s worst oil spill in history threatens the Gulf Coast’s energy, tourism and fishing industries, Florida is continuing efforts to promote the production of renewable energy from biomass resources in the Sunshine State. For the fifth year in a row, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson will host the Farm to Fuel Summit, August 11-13 at the Rosen Shingle …
E85 Pumps Get UL Approval
After nearly four years of Underwriters Laboratory (UL) testing, certifications have finally been issued to both the Gilbarco Veeder-Root Encore® E85 fueling dispenser and the Dresser Wayne Ovation® Eco fueling E85 dispenser. These fuel pumps are now completely certified and approved for dispensing any range of fuel ethanol from E0 through E85. “The final UL certification of both the Gilbarco …
Ethanol Industry Pleased With USDA Biofuels Report
USDA’s “Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022” released on Wednesday gives all the right directions as far as the ethanol industry is concerned, now they want to see it actually hit the road and make it to the destination. Releasing the report, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “The current ethanol industry provides a …
Optimizing Ethanol By-Product for Hog Production
The ethanol by-product known as dried distillers grains, or DDGs, is being fed more often these days to all types of livestock. At first, it was mainly beef and dairy cattle producers that utilized the product, which is rich in protein, fiber and oil. Now more hog producers are using the product, which serves to recapture about one third of …
Ethanol Groups Frustrated Over E15 Delay
The ethanol organization that filed the petition with the EPA to increase the ethanol blend rate to 15 percent has gotten very little information about why a decision is being delayed again. “We’re trying to find out what additional tests have been added in,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis during a press conference today. “The people who filed the …
Ethanol Industry Responds to EPA Delay Reports
Reports late Thursday indicated that a decision on increasing the ethanol blend rate in gasoline could be delayed into the fall. Reuters is reporting that Environmental Protection Agency says the Department of Energy (DOE) has to complete more testing before they can rule on increasing the amount of ethanol allowed in regular gasoline above the current 10%, and that it …
Ethanol Awards and Scholarships Presented
Two current ethanol industry leaders and two potential leaders of the future received recognition at the 2010 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis this week. The High Octane Award for helping the ethanol industry mature and progress over the years was presented this year to Jeff Broin, CEO of Poet (pictured), while the research and technology Award of Excellence was …
SunBelt Biofuels is Now Repreve
SunBelt Biofuels and Unifi Inc. have formed a joint venture called REPREVE™ Renewables to develop and commercialize bioenergy crops, including Freedom™ Giant Miscanthus. According to the companies, Freedom Giant Miscanthus is a heat and drought tolerant perennial that yields up to 25 tons per acre. It was developed at Mississippi State University and is the first and only University-released, licensed …