Over 100 of the nation’s top scientists are questioning the approach taken by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which singles out biofuels for “indirect effects,” claiming that petroleum products result in lower carbon emissions. Scientists affiliated with research labs such as the National Academy of Sciences, UC-Berkeley, Sandia National Labs, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and MIT sent a letter …
Take the Flex-Fuel Challenge
Young people all over the country are encouraged to take the Flex-Fuel Challenge and help pave the way for our nation’s renewable energy future. The Renewable Fuels Association is kicking off the initiative today at Kansas State University and unveiling a new website, e85challenge.com to get college students engaged in the debate surrounding issues that impact their future: the economy, …
Bill Would Expand Use of Wood Waste for Ethanol
Legislation that would allow producers to make cellulosic ethanol out of waste wood from federal forest land was re-introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) are co-sponsoring the Renewable Biofuels Facilitation Act, legislation that would fix a provision in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that …
USDA Support for Renewable Energy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be providing loan guarantees to help the ethanol industry, according to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. At last week’s USDA Outlook Conference, Vilsack said the USDA “has a responsibility for keeping an eye on that industry” to maintain an infrastructure to produce the next generation of biofuels. Vilsack also says USDA is working with …
Petroleum Gives Keynote Address to Ethanol
The vice president of the American Petroleum Institute provided the keynote address at the 14th Annual National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio on Tuesday. Introducing Jim Ford with API, Renewable Fuels Association president Bob Dinneen stressed the importance of working with the petroleum industry. “They’re our customers, they’re the ones bringing our product to the consumer, so we have to …
Small Engine Challenge for Ethanol
As the ethanol industry pushes towards higher level blends, one of the biggest challenges will be small engines. Kris Kiser, Executive Vice President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, spoke to the National Ethanol Conference on a Marketing Higher Level Blends panel. “We are not anti-ethanol,” said Kiser. “We are simply concerned about the welfare and well being of the …
State of Ethanol Industry Still Strong
The state of the U.S. ethanol industry is still strong, despite significant challenges, according to Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “Some look at what we’re up against and see “an industry in crisis.” I look at what we’re up against and see an industry with the perseverance and determination to succeed,” said Dinneen in his …
State of Ethanol Industry Live
The 2009 State of the Ethanol Industry report will be webcast live on the Renewable Fuels Association Ethanol Report blog – http://www.ethanolrfa.org/ethanolreport/ – and on Domestic Fuel beginning at 8:15 am central time. The address will be made by RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen from the National Ethanol Conference in San Antonio, TX.
Obama Nominates EPA Deputy
President Barack Obama on Monday announced his intention to nominate Jon Cannon for Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a position that will play an important role in implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard. Cannon is currently a professor of environmental law as well as the director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Program at the University of Virginia. …
Governors Urge Immediate Biofuels Action
The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition is calling on President Obama to tap the job growth potential of the biofuels industry. According to the 35 member coalition, the nation’s biofuels industry is poised to provide immediate job growth, generate economic activity and prepare the nation for the next increase in world oil prices and they are urging the president to capitalize on …