This week the American Petroleum Institute (API) kicked off an new anti-ethanol and anti-biofuels TV and print campaign and in a commercial being aired in South Dakota, criticized the increased use of ethanol and E15 as a motor fuel. The 30-second commercials mention Triple A (AAA) and the organization has come out publicly and said the ads misrepresent their position …
Unite and Ignite
Unite and Ignite is the theme for this year’ 26th annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Conference that will take place in Des Moines, Iowa August 26-28, 2013. ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says the theme of “Unite and Ignite,” points to the critical topics and timely opportunities that will be covered. “Our upcoming conference will be helpful to …
Houses Passes Revised Version of Farm Bill
The House has voted to pass a partisan, revised version of its farm bill, H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (FARRM) 216 to 208. The version does not include food stamp authorization but keeps in tact current agricultural programs. The debate over the bill has been long and drawn out and took up most …
API Denied Hearing on E15
The Supreme Court has issued a decision to not hear the American Petroleum Institute (API) and other ethanol opponents’ challenges to E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, that has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in cars and light duty trucks manufactured in 2001 or newer. “Today is a true …
Ethanol Industry Bites Back at Restaurant RFS Attack
The National Council of Chain Restaurants (NCCR) today announced a new campaign focused on repealing the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the ethanol industry is biting back. Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says the restaurants just want to fatten profits while denying that it is energy that supersizes food costs. “Here’s a hot, heaping serving of …
Rally Without a Cause
As the sun shines on Capitol Hill this week, motorcycles are rolling in to to participate in the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) “E15 Fuel for Thought Lobby Day” sponsored by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers Associations (AFPM). While ethanol industry representatives has shown frustration, Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) couldn’t help but chuckle. …
EPA Set for Action
During the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW), Executive Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Brian Jennings sat on a panel with other ethanol industry leaders to discuss key policy issues in Washington, D.C. However, in a follow-up to the discussion, Jennings said the real action is taking place on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue with the Environmental …
NACS Survey Shows Good News for E15
A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has very good news for E15 and the ethanol industry. The survey found that 59 percent of surveyed drivers would by E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) if it was priced the same as regular fuel. This, according to Ron Lamberty, senior vice president for the American …
Association Roundtable: Mid-Year Ethanol Policy Update
This year’s general session during the Fuel Ethanol Workshop diverged from past years. Rather than have a keynote speaker, the three leaders of the country’s largest ethanol associations came together on one stage to discuss current U.S. ethanol policy. The Association Roundtable: Mid-Year U.S. Ethanol Policy Update, panel was moderated by Tom Bryan, president of BBI International and featured Bob …
Senate Passes Farm Bill with Energy Funding
By a vote of 66 to 27 on Monday evening, the full Senate passed its version of a 2013 Farm Bill which includes mandatory funding for renewable energy programs. “Specifically, the $900 million in mandatory funding to critical rural energy programs will help provide the certainty investors and businesses need to keep making renewable fuels from diverse feedstocks, from corn …