Coburn Amendment Quashed

Joanna Schroeder

In a vote of 40-59, Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) Amendment No. 436 to immediately eliminate the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the tariff on imported ethanol was quashed. Coburn’s proposal needed 60 votes to move forward but fell short by 20 votes. Shortly after the news hit, the ethanol industry began calling for “real reform.” “The fight is …

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, Legislation, RFA

NBB Study Shows Biodiesel’s Benefits

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new study released today by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the U.S. biodiesel industry will grow to support more than 74,000 jobs throughout the economy by 2015. These jobs will create nearly $4 billion in household income and generate almost $1.6 billion in local, state and federal tax revenues. The study was conducted by Cardno ENTRIX and …

Biodiesel, biofuels, NBB, Research

Proterra Secures $30M in Financing

Joanna Schroeder

Proterra Inc has secured $30 million in financing led by Silicon Valley venture firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Also participating were GM Ventures, Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Vision Ridge Partners, and 88 Green Ventures. Golden, Colorado-based Proterra will use the money to accelerate the commercialization of its fast-charge battery electric transit buses and automated bus charging system. “Our goal …

Electric Vehicles

Alcatel-Lucent Flips the Switch On Solar System

Joanna Schroeder

Solar energy has come full circle for Bell Labs. Recently, Bell Labs Global Headquarters in Murray Hill, NJ “flipped the switch” on its 1.2 megawatt solar power system. This is the same site where in 1954, Bell Labs researchers invented the first device to convert sunlight into electricity in meaningful amounts. A formal ceremony was held at the site on …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Brazil Exports Ethanol, Struggles to Meet Its Ethanol Demand

Joanna Schroeder

This month, Brazil has resumed exporting ethanol to the United States, at the same time the country is struggling to meet its own country’s demand for ethanol to fuel is flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). Ethanol producers in the country have expanded exponentially – there are more than 115 ethanol plants many of which have come online since 2005. However, despite …

biofuels, Brazil, Commentary, Ethanol, International

Fuel Retailer Opposes Thune/Klobuchar Bill

Joanna Schroeder

Earlier today, Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) created waves when they announced their new biofuels bill the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. This act is designed to address federal budget issues while phasing out ethanol tax incentives (VEETC) that are designed to go to the fuel blender of record. While the ethanol industry came out in …

biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Legislation

ASTM Close to Approval on Renewable Jet Fuel Specs

Joanna Schroeder

You hear a lot about the role biofuels could take in the aviation sector. Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Air Force successfully tested renewable jet fuel in several of their fighter planes. Biojet fuel is poised to become a big player for the U.S. military which is the largest user of fuel in the country. But what might …

biofuels, biojet fuel, Miscellaneous

Thune/Klobuchar Bill Endorsed by Ethanol Industry

Joanna Schroeder

Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) along with a bipartisan group of nine other Senate colleagues have introduced the Ethanol Reform and Deficit Reduction Act. The bill is designed to modify the current Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Incentive (VEETC), which is a set tax, to a variable tax incentive tied to the price of oil. To help open …

ACE, advanced biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, Legislation, RFA

DOE Announces $36M in Advanced Biofuels & Chemicals Funding

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced today $36 million in federal grants to fund six small-scale projects in five states designed to produce drop-in advanced biofuels and other bio-based chemicals. Each project’s goal is to improve the economics and efficiency of converting non-food biomass feedstocks into biofuels, bioproducts and biochemicals. “Projects such as these are helping us to diversify …

advanced biofuels, biochemicals, biofuels, biomass

New Propane Station Opens in New York

Joanna Schroeder

Geneva, New York is the home of the newest propane autogas fueling station. The station is owned by Phelps Sungas and the conversion took place with the help of Alliance AutoGas. To mark the event, a ceremony was held and on hand were New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, Finger Lakes Regional Director for New York Empire State Development, …

Propane