Seizing on last week’s CBO report and a proposal by Growth Energy to phase out and redirect the blenders tax credit for ethanol (VEETC), several long-time opponents of ethanol renewed their call for an end to all tax incentives for the home-grown fuel. In a press conference this morning, representatives from the American Meat Institute (AMI), Environmental Working Group (EWG), …
Ethanol and Ag Groups Fight to Keep Incentives
A proposal by Growth Energy to phase out ethanol tax incentives has brought the fight out in the two older ethanol advocacy organizations, along with several agricultural groups. Saying that it is too late in the congressional session to switch horses, the American Coalition for Ethanol and the Renewable Fuels Association have pulled rank on the younger Growth Energy group …
Growth Energy Calls for National Ethanol Policy Shift
Ethanol organization Growth Energy is proposing a redirection and eventual phasing out of government support for ethanol in return for increasing infrastructure investment that would level the playing field with fossil fuels and give consumers true freedom to choose their fuel. Specifically, the “Fueling Freedom” plan calls for funds currently going to the oil industry as an incentive for blending …
Industry Concerned About Lowering Cellulosic Ethanol Goals
A big change in the 2011 proposed targets for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today lowers the volume for cellulosic ethanol, compared to what is in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The proposed goal for cellulosic biofuels next year under the proposal is now a range of 5 …
Choice at the Pump Will Lead to Energy Independence
As the July 4th weekend kicks off, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is reminding everyone that energy independence can be achieved through choice at the pump. To reinforce this message, ACE has confirmed that Anne Korin, author of “Turning Oil Into Salt: Independence Through Fuel Choice,” chair of the Set America Free Coalition and nationally sought after expert, will …
Ethanol Groups Applaud Consumer Choice Bills
Increasing consumer fuel choice and solving the “chicken and the egg” challenge to energy independence are the goals of two bills introduced this week in the U.S. House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) introduced the Consumer Vehicle Choice Act of 2010 (H.R. 5633) and the Consumer Fuels Choice Act of 2010 (H.R.5632). The first would mandate …
23rd Ethanol Conference Just Around the Corner
It’s hard to believe that the 23rd Ethanol Conference and Trade Show is just around the corner. This year’s event will be held in Kansas City on August 3-5th and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the conference. To get an update on what attendees will be able to learn during the event, I sat down with Brian Jennings, …
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 …
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 Takes Environmental Group to Task
The ethanol industry has come together to take the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to task over their claims that American ethanol is not a sound strategy. The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Growth Energy, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) have called EWG out on the table for what they claim is their misleading …