The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has submitted a letter responding to the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s request for stakeholder comment on the Committee’s white paper regarding the so-called blend wall. IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke stated, “Our stakeholder comments focused on three main points. First, there is no valid E10 blend wall. The blend wall vanished as soon as …
Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Funds Available
Retail and wholesale distributors of fuels who are interested in installing new equipment to offer consumers more choice at the pump – higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel – can apply for financial assistance through the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program. Applications must be received by April 30, 2013 and will be considered at the May 14th meeting of the …
LuminAID Wins Clean Energy Challenge
Solar-powered inflatable light maker LuminAID Lab has been named the early-stage winner of the 2013 Clean Energy Challenge organized by the Clean Energy Trust. Bearing Analytics of Purdue University won the Student Challenge. Both companies received a $100,000 grant prize sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Inspired by the 2011 earthquake in Japan, LuminAID Lab’s founders designed a …
Industry Comments on 2013 RFS Proposed Volumes
The renewable fuels industry is responding to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) notice of proposed rulemaking regarding 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) required volumes. EPA proposes to set ethanol gallons at 14 million but where the real debate has lain is around the requirement for cellulosic gallons. The Renewable Fuel Association (RFA) submitted comments with four key points: 1. …
Report: Iowa Biodiesel Sales Triple In 2 Years
According to a new report from the Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR), the total amount of biodiesel blended into diesel in Iowa has more than tripled from 7.4 million gallons in 2010 to 23.3 million gallons in 2012. The report also shows that biodiesel’s market penetration has also made great strides, with biodiesel now blended in 42.6 percent of all …
Bioenergy Bytes
Katirina Tracy is stepping down as Chief Operating Officer of Cima Green LLC and into a new role as Senior Director of Sales and Operations. While highly effective as Chief Operating Officer over the last three years, this change in roles drives the organization’s new strategy towards greater market focus SolarCity has been added to the Russell 200 (R) Russell …
Ethanol’s Enviro Benefits Keep on Growing
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has developed a comparison of the environmental impacts of ethanol and petroleum as transportation fuels. Using scientific data, the side-by-side comparison examines a wide array of environmental factors. Most know today that petroleum, made from oil, is not “renewable”. Created over millions of years, it will takes thousands of years for more oil to …
Popke’s in Rock Rapids, IA Joins the E15 Club
Popke’s, Inc. in Rock Rapids, Iowa has joined the E15 “club” now joining four other stations in Iowa to sell the 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline fuel blend. “My business believes in supporting Iowa’s farmers and growing our local economy,” said Popke’s, Inc. owner Greg Popke. “American-made E15 is the next step in securing our independence from foreign oil. …
New Wind Energy Solutions Sharie Derrickson Honored
Sharie Derrickson, Vice President of New Wind Energy Solutions in Nashville, TN, along with 13 other female military veterans, were recently honored by White House as part of President Obama’s “Winning the Future,” initiative. Fourteen female military veterans were selected that have provided exemplary leadership at the local, state or regional level. “You are the leaders in our businesses and …
Panasonic Eco Solutions Completes Solar Canopy
Panasonic Eco Solutions North America (Panasonic), has completed the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) parking lot canopy at the new Agoura Hills, California headquarters for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Panasonic served a supporting role in the project that was developed and financed by RSB Funds (RSBF). The 115 kilowatt PV project will generate enough energy to operate over …